Castelo de São Jorge

Description

Castelo de São Jorge or St. George's Castle is one of the most significant historical attractions in the city of Lisbon. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the neighborhoods of Alfama and Baixa, this Mooroish castle can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The fortification was built in the mid-11th century by the Moors, and little of the original structure still remains. After an earthquake destroyed most of it, it was renovated to what is present today. Steeped in history and home to a fascinating archaeological site, a restaurant and an engaging museum, Castelo de São Jorge is an absolute must-visit when in Lisbon. Visitors will be able to see remains of the homes of those who lived in the fortification; dating back to the 7th century B.C., they will also get the chance to climb the lookout towers for fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Lisbon and the River Tagus, and walk along the impressive battlements. Inside the Tower of Ulysses is a Camera Obscura which offers an unusual 360 degree projected view of the beautiful city. The museum found here is the ideal place for visitors to learn more about the inhabitants of the fortification, and the Castle Café is the perfect place to relax after exploring the structure.

Ticket Price

€8.5

Opening Hour

1 November - 28 February: 09:00 – 18:00 1 March - 31 October: 09:00 – 21:00 Tower of Ulysses: 10:00 – 17:00 Hours tend to vary. Check website for more information

Recommended Visit Duration

Around 1 hour or more

Suitable For

Adults, senior visitors, young adults, families, children

Must See

The museum, the archaeological site

Prayer Facilities

Castelo de São Jorge does not offer prayer facilities for Muslim visitors. Muslims visiting the attraction may however be able to find a secluded area within the fortification’s garden to offer their prayers. They could also make use of the services offered at one of the many mosques in Lisbon, such as the Central Mosque of Lisbon, Mesquita Aicha Siddika de Odivelas, Mesquita Benformoso or Masjid Baitul Mukarram.

Halal Food

As mentioned above, Castelo de São Jorge does house a café. While the Castle Café will offer a good selection of dishes, Muslim visitors will have to be careful with what they order since non-Halal ingredients will be widely used. There are also quite a few Halal restaurants in Lisbon which are known to serve a variety of cuisines ranging from Portuguese to Middle Eastern.