Castle Sao Jorge, on the peak of the São Jorge hill, is one of the city’s most iconic symbols.
It was first built as a small fortress in the 5th century and was modified and enlarged by the Moors in the 11th century.
Over decades, the Castle transformed into a Royal Palace and underwent complete restoration during the 1940s.
The Castle of Sao Jorge has a history of rising and falling, and a visit is as fascinating as its history.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your Castle Sao Jorge tickets.
Top Sao Jorge Castle Ticket
Table of Contents
What to expect at Sao Jorge Castle
Some visitors expect an indoor castle experience, but visiting São Jorge is an extensive outdoor experience.
As you walk through the Castle, you’ll realize there is no interior left, making it feel more like a ruin than an actual castle.
Once you enter the Castle, you can stroll in the yard or walk on top of the castle walls and climb the stairs to the towers.
Watch the sun’s rays as it dances on the castle walls, and later watch the sun going down the horizon.
The camera obscura, an optical device that provides 360º views of Lisbon, and the ruins of the Moorish Royal Palace of the Alcáçova are the major highlights of the site.
Treat your eyes to a fantastic view of the Tagus River, the April 25th Bridge, the Christ statue opposite the shore, and the Praca do Comercio from the top.
Say Oi (hello) to Dom Afonso Henriques’s bronze statue, the first King of Portugal.
Check out the canons on the terraces that once protected Portugal from its enemies.
Although there are many corners from where you can get a panoramic view of the city, the viewpoint from the Tower of St. Lawrence, also known as Torre de São Lourenço, is phenomenal.
Buy This TicketWhere to book tickets
Tickets for the Sao Jorge Castle can be purchased online or in person at the attraction.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Sao Jorge Castle ticket booking page, select your preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
After making the purchase, you will receive the tickets in your email.
Ticket printouts are not required.
You can enter the attraction by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone.
Sao Jorge Castle ticket prices
Sao Jorge Castle tickets cost €32 for visitors between 26 and 64.
Visitors between 13 and 25 years get a discount of €11 and pay €21 for entry.
Seniors over 65 years get a discount of €7 and pay only €25 for entry.
Kids up to 12 can enter the Sao Jorge Castle for free.
Sao Jorge Castle tickets
This ticket gives you skip-the-line access to the Sao Jorge Castle. You don’t have to wait in the queue at the entrance.
This ticket includes a 15-minute guided introduction to the castle, its archaeological site, Moorish remains, and a spectacular city view.
With this ticket, you can explore the medieval castle complex, one of Lisbon’s main attractions.
Ticket Prices:
Adult Ticket (26 to 64 years): € 32
Senior Ticket (65+ years): € 25
Youth Ticket (13 to 25 years): € 18
Child Ticket (up to 12 years): Free
Not happy with just exploring the Castle? Explore Lisbon’s oldest areas on a guided tour of the Alfama and São Jorge Castle quarters. Enjoy panoramic views of the Tagus River and learn about the “fado” Portuguese culture.
How to reach the Castle of Sao Jorge
Sao Jorge Castle is located in Alfama hills and easily accessible by tram, bus, subway, and train.
Address: R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal. Get Directions
By Subway
Martim Moniz is the nearest subway station to the Castle.
Once you get down at the station, you can either walk to the Castle, which would take approx 11 minutes, or take tram 12E or bus 737.
By Tram
Take tram 12E to São Tomé, the nearest stop to the Castle.
A 4-minute walk will take you to the hilltop.
By Bus
Hop into bus 10B and get off at the S. Tomé bus stop.
The bus stop is located 4 minutes walk away from the Castle.
By Car
If you’re traveling in a car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
You can park your car at Parque de Estacionamento da Graça / EMEL or Estacionamento Martim Moniz parking lots.
Both the parking lots are near the Castle.
Opening hours
The Castle Sao Jorge is open all week from 9 am to 6 pm.
It is open for visitors daily, so whether it is the weekend or weekday, you can come on any day with your friends and family and explore this heritage of Lisbon.
If you book the Sao Jorge Castle Skip-the-Line ticket with an escort, you must be at the attraction by 3 pm.
You must meet your guide outside the Sao Jorge Ticket Office on Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo next to the phone booth.
How long does the castle take
A complete tour of the Sao Jorge Castle takes around two to three hours.
If you’re a history buff and love to spend time at heritage sites, you can surely devote more time walking through Castle Sao Jorge and digging deep into its turbulent history.
A 15-minute guided tour introduces you to the Castle, its archaeological site, Moorish remains, and a spectacular city view.
After the tour, you can continue exploring for as long as you want.
Best time to visit Castle Sao Jorge
The best time to visit the Castle is at 9 am when it opens. When you start early, the crowd is yet to come in, and you get the best views in the morning light.
You can also plan a late visit in the evening to soak yourself in the Castle’s beauty during the sunset.
If you prefer a less crowded experience, consider visiting during weekdays and avoid weekends and public holidays.
FAQs about Sao Jorge Castle
Here are some frequently asked questions about Sao Jorge Castle.
Can I show the ticket on my mobile phone?
You can show the Sao Jorge Castle e-ticket on your smartphone and enter the attraction.
Can I purchase Sao Jorge Castle tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase Sao Jorge Castle tickets online. Besides, booking early online helps avoid last-minute disappointments. This can save time and provide convenience, especially during peak visiting hours.
Are guided tours available?
São Jorge Castle often offers guided tours. The guided and thematic tours and workshops for the youngest and families are carried out by experts in history, art history, and archaeology and last approximately an hour.
Is photography allowed in the Sao Jorge Castle?
Photography for personal use is allowed in most Castle areas, but using flash, tripods, or selfie sticks is prohibited.
What can I see inside São Jorge Castle?
You can see historical and architectural monuments, including towers, walls, and archaeological sites inside the Sao Jorge Castle.
We walked up to this beautiful castle and were so glad to see it. My favorite part was the surrounding park, which offers incredible lookout points over Lisbon. Actually, São Jorge Castle is more of a fortress than a palace, unlike Queluz or Pena in Sintra. The place is full of history, and the structures are very well maintained. Just be aware that some parts of the castle and grounds don’t have the safest railings, so if you have little ones, keep an eye on them.