- Duration
- 1.5–2 hours
- Guide
- Audio guide included
- Access
- Any time during opening hours
- Uneven ground
- Ticket
- Mobile ticket
- QR code on your phone
Free cancellation · Full refund up to 24 h before
- Reserve now, pay later
About this ticket
The Moorish fortress Afonso Henriques took in 1147, on the hill above Alfama: walk its walls and towers, see Lisbon live through a periscope, and join the castle's own tour of the archaeological site.
- Walk the walls of the castle proper between its towers
- Watch Lisbon in real time through the periscope in the Tower of Ulysses
- Join the included 'Discovering the Castle' tour, the only way into the archaeological site
- Look out over the Baixa and the Tagus from the Praça de Armas
What you'll see
- The castle walls: ten towers on the outer wall, two parade grounds and a moat
- Tower of Ulysses: the largest tower, with the Camera Obscura periscope
- Archaeological site: remains from the 7th century BC, Moorish houses and the Counts of Santiago's palace, on the guided tour
- Praça de Armas: the viewpoint terrace over Lisbon and the river
- Alcáçova palace ruins: the royal residence from the 13th to the 16th century
- The gardens: laid out in 1959 with native Portuguese plants, where peacocks roam
Good to know
- Hours
- March–October 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30); November–February 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30). Closed 1 January, 1 May and 24, 25 and 31 December.
- Included tours
- 'Discovering the Castle' (about 1 hour) in English at 11:00 and 15:00 daily, plus 16:00 March–October and 18:00 May–August; book it at the ticket office on arrival. The Camera Obscura session lasts up to 20 minutes.
- Ages
- Under-13s go in free with an adult: the child price covers the audio guide. Under-4s go free. Reduced tickets need proof of age at the entrance.
- Footing
- Uneven ground and steep stairs, slippery when wet. The walls and towers can close earlier for safety.
The story
People lived on this hill from the 7th century BC. The Moors fortified it in the mid-11th century, and on 25 October 1147 Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, took Lisbon. Kings lived in the Alcáçova palace inside the walls from the 13th to the 16th century; the Tower of Ulysses kept the royal archive from 1378.
The earthquake of 1755 partly destroyed the palace. The castle became a National Monument in 1910 and was restored in 1938–1940.
What you'll visit
How it works
- Book your date and timeReserve now and pay later: your booking is confirmed at once and we send a secure payment link within 24 hours.
- Go straight to the entranceAny time during opening hours on your date, go to the castle entrance on Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo and show your ticket.
- Show your QR ticketOn your phone at the entrance or meeting point once your booking is paid. No printing needed.
What's included
Included
- Entry to the castle and gardens, any time on your date
- The 'Discovering the Castle' guided tour and the Camera Obscura session, as offered by the castle
- Audio guide (access details sent with your ticket)
Not included
- The castle museum, temporarily closed
- Transport
Know before you go
- The included tour and the Camera Obscura are first come, first served; ask at the ticket office when you arrive
- The Camera Obscura depends on the weather (11:00–13:00 in October–February)
- Keep children away from the low walls and parapets and with you on the stairs
- No pets except guide dogs
- A step-free route runs from the entrance to the eastern viewpoint; wheelchairs can be borrowed
Questions travellers ask
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation. Full refund up to 24 h before.
Where do I go?
Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa. The entrance is at the top of Alfama. From the Baixa, the public lifts of Chão do Loureiro and Castelo save most of the climb; tram 28E stops nearby at Largo das Portas do Sol.
How long does it last?
1.5–2 hours.
Which languages?
Audio guide included.
What's included?
Entry to the castle and gardens, any time on your date; The 'Discovering the Castle' guided tour and the Camera Obscura session, as offered by the castle; Audio guide (access details sent with your ticket)
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. Your ticket is a QR code that you show on your phone.
When do I pay?
Reserve now and pay later: your booking is confirmed at once and we send a secure payment link within 24 hours.
Where to go
Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa
The entrance is at the top of Alfama. From the Baixa, the public lifts of Chão do Loureiro and Castelo save most of the climb; tram 28E stops nearby at Largo das Portas do Sol.
Why book with us
- Flexible Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Cancel or reschedule online from your booking.
- Mobile ticket Your QR ticket appears on your phone once your payment is received.
- Secure checkout Encrypted checkout. No booking fees.