Category: Portugal

Guide on Lisbon with entrance fesses and directions (May 2025)

by Anna Powaska, posted in Europe, Portugal

  This time spearing you some hassle to read, and me some trouble to write, a brief description about Lisbon to start with, I will take you straight to must see places once in this very capital of Portugal. Thought, there are many free tours available to pick, with a schedule offering almost any possible time and many places to start from, somehow there are travellers, like myself, who always prefer to do everything alone in their own time. This kind of a “extremely social and normal” group of people, again like myself, may find my guide useful. If you are planning on spending some time there and visit loads of places, I would suggest getting a Lisboa Card that can get you a free admission to many places, along with free use of Lisbon’s metro, buses, and trams. Anyway, so what is worth seeing in Lisbon then?

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

This imperious 15th-century Manueline monastery was built to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s “discovery” of India. It is also his resting place. The main attraction is the delicate Gothic chapel that opens up on to a grand monastery, in which some of Portugal’s greatest historical figures are entombed. 

Address: Praça do Império, Belem. You can take a tram 15 from the city center.

Entrance fee:

Jerónimos Monastery

    • Regular ticket: €18
    • Youth (12-25 years old): €9
    • Children under 12: Free
    • Seniors (65+): €9
    • Lisboa Card holders: Free
    • Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (May–September), 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (October–April). Closed on Mondays, January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, June 13, and December 25.
  • Tram Number: Tram 15 connects the city center to Belém.

  • A monument to sea exploration

    The 50 meters high Padrão dos Descobrimentos (seen under) was built to mark 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death – one of Portugal’s greatest sailor. You can also get a nice view of the mouth of the River Tagus. 

    Address: Avenida de Brasilia, Belem. Accessible by tram number 15 from the city center.

    Entrance fee: free

    • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (March–September), 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (October–February). Closed on January 1, May 1, December 24, 25, and 31.
    • Tram Number: Tram 15 is the best option.

     

  • Torre de Belém

    UNESCO world heritage site and one of Portugal’s most famous monuments. Perhaps a great suggestion to start with. Very close to the city center and harbour, Gothic towers dates back to 1500. It is very close to Jeronimos Monastery, just further to the west.

    Address: Belém Tower, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, you can take a tram 15 from the center.

    Entrance fee:

    • Regular ticket: €15
    • Youth (13-24 years old): €7.50
    • Children under 12: Free
    • Seniors (65+): €7.50
    • Lisboa Card holders: Free
    • Family ticket (2 adults + 2 youth): €12
  • Tram Number: Tram 15 serves this route.

  • Castelo de São Jorge

    Towering dramatically above Lisbon, the mid-11th-century 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.

    Address: Castelo de S. Jorge 1100º 129 Lisboa. The nearest metro station is Rossio (Green Metro Line), but involves a 20 minute walk. Mini bus service 37 goes directly to the main entrance, while the tram 28 is more enjoyable option, but also does require a slight walk.

    Entrance fee:

    • Adult: €15
    • Youth (13–25 years old): €7.50
    • Seniors (65+): €12.50
    • Children under 12: Free
    • Persons with Specific Needs: €10.50
    • Lisboa Card holders: Free

     

    • Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (March–October), 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (November–February).
    • Tram Number: Tram 28 or Mini Bus 37 can take you close to the entrance.

  • Take a tram 28

    The Remodelado trams were built in the 1930s, and I do recommend the very pretty Tram 28 route. You can jump off and explore one of the passing neighborhoods, or use it as a way to get up the steep hills. Highly recommended to do so, to explore the city. The route screeches through the hills of Alfama before passing through downtown Baixa and on to the Estrela basilica.

    Entrance fee: Single ticket for this 40 minute tour of Lisbon costs now 2.85€ whether you buy from the driver or ticket machine.DSC_052.jpg

  • Elevador de Santa Justa: An Antique Elevator With City Views

    A very odd-looking Santa Justa Lift, a neo-Gothic elevator and the most eccentric and novel means of public transport in the city, creates a very interesting panorama next to surrounded buildings. It was built as a means of connecting the Baixa with the Largo do Carmo in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, a trendy area of the city. At first glance, its riveted wrought-iron frame and battleship-grey paint conjure images of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and there is a connection: the French architect Raoul Mésnier du Ponsard, an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, designed the elevator, which was inaugurated in 1901.

    Address: south east of Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio Square) in the Baixa district and the closest metro station is Rossio. In the city center.

    Entrance fee: A return ride cost €5.15 and included in the fare is the entrance to the viewing platform, which costs €1.50. Ride on the lift is included in the 24-hour public transport ticket that cost €6.30 and can be purchased from any metro station.

    • Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM (summer), 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM (winter).
    • Entrance fee: 
    • Round trip ticket: €6.00 (includes access to the observation deck).
    • Observation deck only: €1.50.
    • Lisboa Card holders: Free access to both the elevator and the observation deck.
    • Tram Number: Tram 28 passes nearby.

  • Main square in the city is Praça do Comércio 

    The main square in the city is Praça do Comércio, a lively place with restaurants on both sides.

  • Cool down on the beautiful beach in Cascais

    Close by Cascais can be a perfect place for a break from the busy streets of the city. The beach in very beautiful and it is only 30 minutes away from Lisbon, so could be a perfect one day trip to rest, swim, get a sunbath and just relax.

    Train ticket: A single ticket from Lisbon to Cascais costs:

  • Adult: €2.40 (single ticket)
  • Child: €1.20 (single ticket)
  • Return ticket: Not available; you need to purchase two single tickets (€4.80 for adults and €2.40 for children).
  • 24-hour public transport ticket: €6.30 (includes unlimited travel on trains, buses, and metro).

There are no return tickets so the price of a return would be €4.50/€2.30 (two single tickets).

During daylight hours there is a departure every 20 minutes. The first train departs at 5.30 from the main train station (Cais do Sodre). The last trains of the night depart from both Cascais and Lisbon at 0:30am, 1:00am and 1:30am. Here is a current timetable.

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  • Sé: Lisbon’s Imposing Cathedral

    Cathedral is a wonderful ancient complex that is steeped in history and no holiday to Lisbon is complete without visiting this magnificent monument.DSC_0553.jpg

    Address: Sé Lisbon is situated on the main road from Baixa to Alfama. The nearest metro station is Rossio (Green Metro Line) but involves a 20 minute walk. Mini bus service 37 goes directly to the main entrance, while the tram 28 is more enjoyable option but does require a slight walk.

    Entrance fee:

    • Adult: €5
    • Children (7–12 years old): €3
    • Children under 6: Free
    • Group visits: Prices vary; contact the cathedral for details.

    The ticket includes access to the High Choir, the Museum of the Treasury, and a walk through the naves and deambulatory of the church

    Open:

    • October to March: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday to Saturday).
    • April to September: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Monday to Saturday).
    • Sundays and Holy Days

  • Take the Lavra funicular to Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara as 2 in 1

    This is one of the most attractive viewpoints, with a pleasant garden and the castle standing on the opposite side. It is especially beautiful at night when the city is lit up below. Best to take the iconic Lavra funicular to climb up the hill of mirador.

    Address: Largo da Anunciada – Rua Câmara Pestana for Lavra funicular, then the viewpoint is just on a right hand side.

    • Entrance Fee: €4 for a one-way ticket (€2 for children aged 4–10). A return ticket costs €5.40 (€3 for children).
    • Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:45 PM daily, except Sundays when it opens at 9:00 AM.
    • Tram Numbers: The funicular itself is the Elevador da Glória, and nearby tram 24 also connects to this area.

    This funicular not only provides a convenient ride but also leads to one of Lisbon’s most beautiful viewpoints, perfect for enjoying the city’s charm.