Do you need tickets for Sao Jorge Castle?

Entrance to the castle is paid: ticket price includes free guided tours in English, Spanish and Portuguese that take place several times a day, but you can also visit the castle independently.



Yes, you absolutely need a ticket to enter the Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon, Portugal. As of 2026, the standard adult ticket costs approximately €15, with discounts available for seniors, students, and families. Residents of Lisbon can often enter for free with proof of address. Because it is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal, the ticket lines can be extremely long, often exceeding 45 minutes during peak summer hours. It is highly recommended to purchase your tickets online in advance through the official website to skip the primary queue. Your ticket grants you access to the castle's fortified walls, the archaeological site (featuring Moorish ruins), the "Camera Obscura" (periscope) which offers a 360-degree view of the city, and the permanent museum exhibition. Note that the castle is a steep uphill walk from the downtown area, so many visitors take the famous Tram 28 or a "Tuk-Tuk" to reach the entrance before presenting their pre-booked digital tickets.

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Tickets. Admission costs 15 euros (around $16) for adults, 7.50 euros (around $8) for youths ages 13 to 25 and is free for children younger than 13 years of age. You can reach the attraction via Tram 28, or walk from the two nearest metro stations, Martim Moniz and Rossio.

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Visiting the Sao Jorge Castle is a must for anyone traveling to Lisbon. The castle provides you with stunning views of the city and its surroundings, as well as a glimpse into its long and storied history.

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Travel for free and enjoy free access to Lisbon's best museums and attractions with the Lisboa Card. The card includes free admission to the Torre de Belem, Jeronimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Elevator among others. The Lisboa Card also includes free transport by metro to and from the airport.

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Summer Schedule (March 1st to October 31st) is from 9am to 9pm, with last entry at 8.30pm. Winter Schedule (November 1st to February 28/29th) is from 9am to 6pm, with last entry at 5.30pm. Check detailed schedules below. Visits subject to weather conditions.

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Sao Jorge Castle holds the same archaeological value in Lisbon as Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (National Archaeology Museum) and Museu Arqueológico do Carmo (Carmo Archaeological Museum). It is widely considered the first known human settlement that developed through time and made the city what it is today.

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A visit here is definitely worth it! We visited on a cool November day, so I imagine in the summer it would be a good idea to go early. The views over Lisbon are incredible and the history is very interesting.

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Known as the Brown Island of the Azores, São Jorge, is a volcanic island that features astonishing views of Pico and Faial island, as well as green landscapes and a dark blue ocean. Around 9,000 people live on the island that spans 243.9 sq. km.

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A typical visit to the Castelo dos Mouros lasts 60-90 minutes, and is a surprisingly large complex. The peak hours are the early afternoon (12:00-14:00) just after everyone has had their lunch in Sintra town and then head into the hills, where the Pena Palace and Moors castle are situated.

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The Castelo de São Jorge is one of Lisbon's most distinctive monuments, being situated on the city's highest hill. The oldest known fortification at this spot dates from the 2nd century BC, although some of the remains found here date from as far back as the 6th century BC.

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The site was occupied by Romans, Visigoths, then Moors. In the 14th century, it became the Royal Palace. You can walk the pathways, explore the castle,and enjoy the fantastic views of downtown Lisbon, the Tagus River, and the April 25th Bridge.

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São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) is one of Lisbon's most emblematic landmarks. The silhouette of the Castle stands out both by day and when illuminated at night, located on the summit of São Jorge hill, the highest in Lisbon. The hillside also houses two of the city's neighbourhoods called Alfama and Castelo.

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Sintra is part of the Lisboa Card coverage network. However, the card does not allow you to access the monuments. It is also possible to go to Cascais by taking the train from Cais do Sodré in the city center.

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Setting a Food Budget for Lisbon The most frugal traveler should set aside about €25 for food per day: for example, €3 for breakfast, €8 for lunch and €12 for dinner, plus €2 for a snack. If you're willing to spend a bit more—but are still watching your wallet—you should budget about €40 per day for food in Lisbon.

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What is the national dish of Lisbon? The national dish of Portugal is considered to be Bachlhau, which is a salted cod that can be prepared in hundreds of ways. Two popular Bacalhau dishes in Lisbon include Bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with fried potatoes and onions) and Bacalhau com natas (cod with cream).

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