Arco do Castelo
Arco do Castelo
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Castelo, Alfama & Mouraria
Explore narrow streets and alleyways, small cafes and, of course, the internationally acclaimed Fado music. The earth-shattering Great Earthquake of 1755 destroyed most of the city but the contiguous neighborhoods of Mouraria, Castelo and Alfama remained standing to this day. These neighborhoods represent Lisbon at its historical best. The cool breeze of the Tagus river will take you up the hills to the sound of Fado, where you'll discover the best "tascas," eat delicious fresh fish and drink great wines. Discover hidden viewpoints and ancient traces of other civilizational ruins in the heart of the Portuguese capital. These are centuries-old neighborhoods that will welcome you to the very best of old Lisbon culture.
How to get there
- Rossio • 7 min walk
- Martim Moniz • 7 min walk
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4,973 within 5 kms
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926 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
27 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
14
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0
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Cymro
Coimbra, Portugal3,312 contributions
Aug 2020
The Arco do Castelo marks the entrance to the Castle of St George. As you approach the arch you will see people selling all sorts of souvenirs. After you pass through the arch, on your right, you will see the ticket office where you must purchase a ticket if you wish to enter the castle grounds.
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
Sept 2019
A charming old arc marking the entrance to the grounds of the old castle. One of the few existing in Lisbon. It is not as sumptuous as that from Rua Augusta, but it is the gateway to the most famous castle in Portugal. A small , simple arch, topped with some coats of arms.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,165 contributions
Mar 2020
This is the main public entrance to the famous St Jorge castle. It’s free to go through the arch and to wander around the narrow, cobbled lanes within the castle walls but if you want to see more of the castle itself, you’ll need to buy a ticket (€10pp).
The archway is a relatively modern addition and was added in 1846. You can see the date above the curve of the arch. It is a solid but unexpectedly plain gateway. It’s main features are the Portugese coat-of-arms and the name of Queen Maria II. Passing through the arch, on your left is a much more interesting niche with a statue of St George. We wondered how the castle came to be named for the English patron saint but apparently this was because in 1387, King Joao I presented the castle as a wedding present to his English wife, Philippa of Lancaster. Their marriage strategically sealed the deal on a treaty that he had just signed with England. Amazingly the Treaty of Windsor, signed on 9 May 1836, is the world’s oldest treaty and is still in force today. I couldn't help but wonder if Philippa was a little disappointed with a draughty, cold castle? Would she have preferred a bit more bling for her wedding present?
At this point, if you are going inside to see the castle towers and museum, you can buy tickets. If not, you can still browse around the cobbled lanes inside the castle walls. We followed the lanes up a little higher and found the peacocks and stopped for to taste the ginja at a little café, Mercearia Castelo where we could sit in the sun beside the castle wall.
GETTING THERE: I’d highly recommend catching the famous #28 tram, and getting off at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Here, we checked out the panoramic views over the city, had a look at the Santa Luzia church with its beautiful blue and white tiled walls and then walked up to the castle. It is only a 10-15 min walk to the archway but it is quite steep. Keep an eye out for brown signs along the way, that are clearly marked ‘Castelo de S. Jorge’ - see photo below.
The archway is a relatively modern addition and was added in 1846. You can see the date above the curve of the arch. It is a solid but unexpectedly plain gateway. It’s main features are the Portugese coat-of-arms and the name of Queen Maria II. Passing through the arch, on your left is a much more interesting niche with a statue of St George. We wondered how the castle came to be named for the English patron saint but apparently this was because in 1387, King Joao I presented the castle as a wedding present to his English wife, Philippa of Lancaster. Their marriage strategically sealed the deal on a treaty that he had just signed with England. Amazingly the Treaty of Windsor, signed on 9 May 1836, is the world’s oldest treaty and is still in force today. I couldn't help but wonder if Philippa was a little disappointed with a draughty, cold castle? Would she have preferred a bit more bling for her wedding present?
At this point, if you are going inside to see the castle towers and museum, you can buy tickets. If not, you can still browse around the cobbled lanes inside the castle walls. We followed the lanes up a little higher and found the peacocks and stopped for to taste the ginja at a little café, Mercearia Castelo where we could sit in the sun beside the castle wall.
GETTING THERE: I’d highly recommend catching the famous #28 tram, and getting off at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Here, we checked out the panoramic views over the city, had a look at the Santa Luzia church with its beautiful blue and white tiled walls and then walked up to the castle. It is only a 10-15 min walk to the archway but it is quite steep. Keep an eye out for brown signs along the way, that are clearly marked ‘Castelo de S. Jorge’ - see photo below.
Written February 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bokx2
New York City, NY209 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
This arch is by the entrance to the Costelo do Sao Jorge. There is no fee to get in here. Its a nice spot for a picture. Its by lots of shops and quick eats.
Written November 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladimiramirela
Mississauga, Canada1,881 contributions
Sept 2019
The Castle of St George is another attraction not to be missed while in Lisbon. Once you get up on the mountain, simply by foot, taking the 28 tram or one of the elevators to about half of the steep inclinem the rest is just a pleasant climb on the cobbled streets.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
malc1005
Kettering, UK5,532 contributions
Nov 2019
A lovely entrance to the Castle, with a lovely figure on the wall. Well worth a visit, if your in the area.
Written December 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben L
London, UK43 contributions
Aug 2019
Possibly the only way into the castle area if the old town, you’ll inevitably pass through so no need to make a special trip but worth pausing for a few seconds for a photo
Written August 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HCovik
Atlanta, GA3,282 contributions
May 2019
Walk through this gate and you enter the Castle Town, a tiny neighborhood within the castle walls. The area has narrow streets which are mostly taken over by interesting little shops and cafes. Just wander around. You can't get lost as there's only one way in and out.
Written May 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MartimA_12
Botucatu, SP41,602 contributions
May 2023
My girlfriend and I visiting Lisbon passed by the Arco do Castelo de São Jorge with the imposing and ancient protected statue that is located in the entrance arch.
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anneke S
Sommelsdijk, The Netherlands4,188 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
When you go to the Castle. Then you first walk under this arch and you come to an inner square. Through that, you walk up again and see the castle
Automatically translated
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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