The Rua Augusta Arch, known as the ‘Arco da Rua Augusta’ in Portuguese, is a huge triumphal arch located in the heart of Lisbon.
The Arch reminds us of the deadly 1755 Lisbon earthquake followed by Tsunami and fire that crushed the city, causing damage to life and property.
This monument was built to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after the tragic event and took 100 years to build.
Originally, Rua Augusta Arch was designed to be a bell tower, but later, the monument was shaped into an arch.
This article shares everything you need to know before purchasing your Arco da Rua Augusta tickets.
Top Arco da Rua Augusta Tickets
# Tickets for Rua Augusta Arch
# Rua Augusta Arch + Lisboa Story Centre
Table of contents
What to expect at Arco da Rua Augusta
Visitors can take a sneak peek into the history and culture of Lisbon at Rua Augusta Arch.
The Arch is ornated with pillars and statues that sing the Glory of Portugal’s capital city.
The observation deck at the top of the Arch offers a fantastic view that can take your breath away.
Allegorical statues
Arco da Rua Augusta stands over 30 meters (100 feet) tall and has six pillars about 11 meters (36 feet) high.
The Arch has various statues built on the top, which echo different tales.
Looking at the Arch straight, you’ll see the trio of statues created by Célestin Anatole Calmel.
The trio represents Glory rewarding Valor, and Genius.
Glory is depicted as a female dressed in ancient Greek dress; Valor is shown as an amazon wearing a helmet with dragon patterns; Genius is presented as Jupiter, the king of the gods in Ancient Roman Mythology.
At the side of the Arch, two statues represent two great rivers of Portugal, the Douro and the Tejo.
Just below the trio statues, four more figures stand upright on pillars that Victor Bastos sculpted.
The four statues represent the four great personalities of Portugal who played a key role in transforming Portugal.
On the extreme right is the statue of Nuno Alvares Pereira, a 14th-century Portuguese general who liberated Portugal from Castile.
Also on the right side is the statue of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Marquis of Pombal, a general who played a significant role in the reconstruction of Lisbon’s post-1755 tragedy.
On the left is the statue of Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer, and next to him is the statue of Viriathus, who led locals against Roman expansion.
Breathtaking view
Arco da Rua Augusta has stairs and elevators leading you to Arch’s top.
First, you need to get into the elevator that brings you to the clock room, and from there, you can take the staircase to reach the open-air deck that offers 360 degrees view.
From the top, you can see the sparkling water of the river Tagus and stunning Praça do Comércio and catch a glimpse of the bustling Baixa district.
You also see Terreiro do Paço, the Pombaline downtown area, the Cathedral, the Castle of St. Jorge, and the Tejo River.
Rua Augusta Arch affirms, in Latin, “The Virtues of the Greatest”: the strength, resilience, and achievements of the Portuguese people.
Tickets for Rua Augusta Arch
Arco da Rua Augusta tickets are available online and at the attraction.
We recommend you buy online because tickets at the attraction tend to be costlier, and you must wait in long ticket counter queues.
When you book your ticket online, you save time and money.
While booking Rua Augusta Arch tickets online, you can check the available dates, select your preferred date, and pay immediately.
After the online payment, you receive the ticket in your email ID.
On the day of your visit, you can show the e-ticket on your mobile phone at the ticket counter and enter.
Ticket Price
Adult ticket (6+ years): €3
Child ticket (less than five years): Free
Rua Augusta Arch + Lisboa Story Centre
Rua Augusta Arch and Lisboa Story Centre are next to each other.
Tourists who want to make it a half-day outing prefer to buy the combo ticket and explore them one after the other.
When you buy a single ticket for both the attractions, you can save around €1 per person.
At Lisboa Story Centre, visitors access audio guides and immersive exhibits which help them understand Lisbon via multimedia and sensory experiences.
You also visit a 16th-century warehouse and see the Caravela ships used for transporting goods from the new world.
Opening hours
Arco da Rua Augusta is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily.
The Arch welcomes visitors all through the year.
Best time to visit the Arch
The best time to visit Arco da Rua Augusta is as soon as they open at 9 am.
During the morning hours, the crowd is yet to gather, so you can conveniently explore the Arch.
The weather also plays a key role in deciding the best time for your visit to Rua Augusta Arch.
Pleasant weather (when it’s neither too hot nor too cold) lets you devote ample time to understanding the significance of the Arch and its emblematic statues.
How long does it take?
Most tourists spend an hour exploring Arco da Rua Augusta.
Once you have seen the statues of prominent historical figures, you can take the elevator inside the Arch and see the clock room.
From there, you can walk the stairs and reach the top deck.
Only 35 people are allowed to go up at a time.
When you’re at the top of the Arch, you can take your time enjoying the mesmerizing view.
Tourists walk around Praça do Comércio plaza and take photographs.
How to reach Lisbon’s Arch
Arco da Rua Augusta is located on the northern end of Praça do Comércio.
Address: R. Augusta 2, 1100-053 Lisboa, Portugal. Get Directions
You can use public transport to reach Rua Augusta Arch.
By Metro
The nearest metro stations are Rossio (Green Line), Terreiro Paço (Blue Line), and Baixa-Chiado (Blue and Green lines).
The Arch is within 6 to 8 minutes of walking distance.
Plan your journey at Metro Lisboa’s website.
By Tram
Take Tram 28 or Tram 15E to reach Arco da Rua Augusta.
If traveling on Tram 15E, get down at Praça do Comércio stop; the Arch is just 6 minutes away.
If traveling on Tram 28, get down at the Arco da Rua Augusta stop.
By Bus
The nearest stop to Arco da Rua Augusta is Pç. Comércio.
The bus routes to the Arch are 728, 735, 737, 759, and 794.
Visit Carris website to plan your journey.
If you’re traveling in your car, turn on google maps and get started.
Sources
# Visitlisboa.com
# Wikipedia.org
# Portugalvisitor.com
# Tripadvisor.com
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