Baixa to the castle through the old Sé quarter: a walk in Lisbon

Uphill from the riverside square past the cathedral, the Roman theatre and the Alfama viewpoints to the castle, ending with a tasca lunch in Mouraria.

Best time: Morning, to reach the castle before the midday crowds

The route, stop by stop

1
Praça do Comércio
Start at the river steps (Cais das Colunas); 10 min.
The riverfront square rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, framed by yellow arcades and the Rua Augusta arch; the Cais das Colunas steps lead down to the Tagus.
2
Lisbon Cathedral
Romanesque nave; cloister optional; 20 min.
Lisbon's 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, built soon after the Christian conquest; the cloister excavations show Roman and Islamic layers.
3
Aljube Museum - Resistance and Freedom
Former political prison; 45 min if you go in.
A former political prison of the Salazar dictatorship, now a museum on censorship, the secret police and the road to 25 April 1974; tiny isolation cells are preserved. Lisbon…
4
Museum of Lisbon - Roman Theatre
Roman theatre remains; 20 min.
Remains of the 1st-century theatre of Roman Olisipo, uncovered after the 1755 earthquake, with a small museum on the Roman city.
5
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Tile panels and Alfama rooftops; 10 min.
A bougainvillea-covered terrace over Alfama's rooftops with two outdoor azulejo panels, one showing Praça do Comércio before the 1755 earthquake.
6
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
The wider view next door; 10 min.
A broad terrace beside Santa Luzia looking over Alfama and São Vicente de Fora to the river; weekend DJ sets around the statue of São Vicente.
7
São Jorge Castle
Ramparts and archaeological site; 90 min.
Moorish-era hilltop castle whose ramparts give the widest view over Baixa, the Tagus and the bridges; the archaeological site shows remains from the Iron Age to the Islamic…
8
O Velho Eurico
Walk down to Largo de São Cristóvão for lunch; arrive by 12:30.
An old neighbourhood tasca revived by young owners who kept the paper tablecloths and the classics; Lisboetas queue for bacalhau à Brás, octopus à lagareiro and the piglet…

Walking directions

Baixa to the castle through the old Sé quarter

The route, stop by stop

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