St George’s Castle

The historic citadel of St George's Castle in Lisbon sits atop the city's tallest peak, overlooking the Tagus River. It is one of Lisbon's most beautiful and distinctive icons, visible from practically anywhere in the city. The hill on which St George's Castle stands was originally occupied in the 6th century BC, and the first defenses were built in the 2nd century BC. The indigenous Celtic and Iberian tribes of Lisbon, as well as the Romans, Visigoths (5th century), and Moors, all saw this hill as strategically important (mid-11th century).

People nowadays largely come to St George's Castle for the stunning views of Lisbon from the Ulysses Tower (which houses the Câmara Escura, a periscope that projects views from all across the city). The Castle's silhouette shines out both during the day and when illuminated at night.

A visit to So Jorge Castle will take the better part of a morning due to the size of the site — in addition to the Castle and its 11 towers, there is a modest museum with exhibitions, including a multimedia depiction of the city's history.

Location: Lisbon