São Jorge Castle, Lisbon

Name: São Jorge Castle
Address: R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, Lisbon, 1100-129, Portugal
Telephone: +351 21 880 0620

#14 among attractions in Lisbon

Gothic architecture, Forts and castles, Historical place

Gallery (14)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 4.0 / Chabe01 / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Tm / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Concierge.2C / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Tm / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Concierge.2C / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / fulviusbsas / URL

Facts and practical information

The São Jorge Castle is an iconic landmark perched atop a hill in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal. This historic fortress offers sweeping views of the city and the Tagus River, making it one of Lisbon's most visited tourist attractions. Dating back to the medieval period, the castle's storied walls have witnessed centuries of Portuguese history.

Originally built by the Moors in the mid-11th century, the castle was a key defensive stronghold during the Christian Reconquista. It was taken by King Afonso Henriques in 1147, and since then, it has undergone various modifications and renovations, reflecting the different eras of Portuguese history. Its name, São Jorge, honors the patron saint of knights and crusaders, and the castle was dedicated to him in the 14th century.

The castle's architecture is a testament to its military past, with eleven towers, a moat, and a series of defensive structures that once protected Lisbon. Visitors can walk along the fortified ramparts, explore the towers, and admire the remnants of the royal palace within the castle walls. The Camera Obscura perched in the Tower of Ulysses offers a unique 360-degree view of Lisbon through a periscope, providing an immersive experience of the city's landscape.

São Jorge Castle is not just a monument to the past; it is also a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions and events that bring its history to life. The beautiful gardens and shady courtyards provide a peaceful retreat from the bustling city below.

Local name: Castelo de São Jorge Coordinates: 38°42'44"N, 9°8'0"W

Address

R. de Santa Cruz do CasteloSanta Maria Maior (Castelo)Lisbon 1100-129 Portugal

Contact

+351 21 880 0620

Website

Social media

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Lisbon

Day trips

São Jorge Castle – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Lisbon Cathedral, Santo António Church, Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, Casa dos Bicos.

~850 ftS
Latin-cross-shape 12th-century cathedral
Lisbon Cathedral, Lisbon
5 min walk • Lisbon Cathedral, known locally as Sé de Lisboa, stands as a testament to the city's rich historical tapestry, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles. As the oldest church in the Portuguese capital, the cathedral has witnessed the ebb and flow...
~780 ftS
18th-century baroque Catholic church
Santo António Church, Lisbon
4 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Lisbon, the Santo António Church stands as a testament to the city's rich religious heritage and its devotion to Saint Anthony, the patron saint of lost things and of the city itself. This revered church is situated in the charming Alfama...
0.4 miNW
Theater in a rebuilt neoclassical palace
Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, Lisbon
10 min walk • The Queen Maria II National Theatre is a theatre in Lisbon, Portugal. The historic theatre is one of the most prestigious Portuguese venues and is located in the Rossio square, in the centre of the city.
~1120 ftS
Literary museum in 16th-century mansion
Casa dos Bicos, Lisbon
6 min walk • The Casa dos Bicos is a historical house in the civil parish of Santa Maria Maior, in the Portuguese municipality of Lisbon. The house, built in the early 16th century in the Alfama neighbourhood, has a curious façade of spikes, influenced by Italian Renaissance palaces and Portuguese Manueline styles.
~1190 ftS
Gothic architecture, Church
Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição Velha, Lisbon
6 min walk • The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is a church in the civil parish of Madalena, in the municipality of Lisbon. The Church of Conceição dos Freires, or Conceição Velha, was not included in the original plans to reconstruct the Lisbon riverfront, even though it was partially ruined.
~740 ftS
Museum, History museum
Cadeia do Aljube, Lisbon
4 min walk • Cadeia do Aljube is a former prison in Lisbon, Portugal, now serving as a museum. Situated near the Sé Cathedral in the parish of Santa Maria Maior, the prison housed those convicted through the Ecclesiastical Forum until 1820, then women accused of common crimes until the end of the 1920s.
~880 ftE
Church
Igreja de Santa Luzia, Lisbon
5 min walk • Igreja de Santa Luzia is a church in Lisbon, Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument.
~1390 ftNW
Square, Shopping
Praça da Figueira, Lisbon
7 min walk • The Praça da Figueira is a large square in the centre of Lisbon, in Portugal. It is part of the Lisbon Baixa, the area of the city reurbanised after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In the 16th century the square did not exist, and most of its area was occupied by the Hospital Real de Todos os Santos, the most important in the city.
~830 ftSW
Church
Igreja da Madalena, Lisbon
5 min walk • Church of the Magdalene is a church in Lisbon, Portugal. Its portal is classified as a National Monument.
~1190 ftSW
Neighbourhood, Neoclassical architecture
Lisbon Baixa, Lisbon
6 min walk • The Baixa, also known as the Baixa Pombalina is a neighborhood in the historic center of Lisbon, Portugal.
~830 ftNW
City wall
Walls of Lisbon, Lisbon
4 min walk • The walls of Lisbon are a series of three nested defensive stone-wall complexes built at different times to defend Lisbon. They consist of the São Jorge Castle proper and its walls, the cerca moura and its lateral extension the muralha de D.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is São Jorge Castle open?

São Jorge Castle is open:

Monday 9 am - 6 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 6 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 6 pm
Thursday 9 am - 6 pm
Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday 9 am - 6 pm

Which popular attractions are close to São Jorge Castle?

Nearby attractions include Palace of the Counts of Penafiel, Lisbon (3 min walk), Museu do Teatro Romano, Lisbon (4 min walk), Roman Theatre Museum, Lisbon (4 min walk), Cadeia do Aljube, Lisbon (4 min walk).

How to get to São Jorge Castle by public transport?

The nearest stations to São Jorge Castle:

Bus

Costa do Castelo • Lines: 737 (1 min walk)
Castelo • Lines: 737 (2 min walk)

Tram

Limoeiro • Lines: 12E, 28E (4 min walk)
Sé • Lines: 12E, 28E (4 min walk)

Metro

Rossio • Lines: Verde (8 min walk)
Terreiro do Paço • Lines: Azul (10 min walk)

Train

Rossio (13 min walk)
Lisboa Santa Apolónia (15 min walk)

Ferry

Cais do Sodré • Lines: Ferries da Transtejo (22 min walk)