visit > museums & galleries

Located on Lisbon’s highest hill, with an intoxicating view of the city, the São Jorge Castle invites us to take a trip back in time, where all the stones speak, telling us Lisbon’s story.

The São Jorge Castle, located in the old medieval citadel, was inhabited by Moors that fortified it for their own defense. When D. Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first King, conquered the castle in 1147 after surrounding it for 3 months, he expelled the Muslims and opened the castle doors to the Christians. Consequently, the King and his court moved into the São Jorge Castle, later turning it into the Royal Palace.

Walking through the castle, we can imagine a Lisbon from times past, while we get lost in one of the best views of the city and the Tejo River. Thanks to its lookouts, scanning the horizon is a unique experience that tourists and locals absolutely love. Among the eleven castle towers, its gardens and inspiring landscape, it is easy to understand why this iconic castle is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal.

Opt for a guided tour, so you can discover all the precious historical memories that are stored in the São Jorge Castle. We highlight the Torre do Tombo where, in the darkroom, we admired Lisbon from a new perspective! Through a periscope, an optical system created by Leonardo Da Vinci that plays with lenses and mirrors, we can observe the city in real time and at a 360° angle. It is an exceptional experience that allows us to rediscover Lisbon.

Be sure to visit the museum as well, which has a collection of objects belonging to different cultures that inhabited the castle area over the years, and thus helped create the Lisbon of today. Noteworthy are the Islamic objects that came from the strong Muslim occupation before D. Afonso Henriques’ conquest. You should also visit the two houses from the Islamic period, which can be found in the archaeological nucleus. With huge historical and cultural value, these are the two largest houses of this period in the Iberian Peninsula.

The São Jorge Castle is a city landmark that, because of all its beauty and meaning, should be a place whose visit is indispensable. It is also ideal for a family visit, as it has plenty of activities where past scenarios are recreated.