Towering dramatically above Lisbon, the hilltop fortifications of Castelo de São Jorge sneak into almost every snapshot. Roam its snaking ramparts and pine-shaded courtyards for superlative views over the city’s red rooftops to the river.
These smooth cobbles have seen it all – Visigoths in the 5th century, Moors in the 9th century, Christians in the 12th century, royals from the 14th to 16th centuries, and convicts in every century.
Inside the Ulysses Tower , a camera obscura offers a unique 360-degree angle on Lisbon, with demos every half-hour. There are also a few galleries displaying relics from past centuries, but the standout attraction is the view – as well as the anachronous feeling of stepping back in time amid fortified courtyards and towering walls.
Bus 737 from Praça Figueira goes right to the gate. Tram 28 also passes nearby.
