From Arroios, Lisbon Cathedral is the historic landmark at the far end of a day that moves from the city’s eastern neighbourhoods through Baixa to Alfama. Also called the Sé de Lisboa, it is a church with a visitor route that includes the High Choir and Treasury Museum.
- Start: Arroios and Jardim da Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques.
- Central stop: Baixa, Lisbon’s city-centre district.
- Finish: Lisbon Cathedral in Alfama.
- Cathedral hours vary by season, and it is closed on Sundays and Holy Days.
Start in Arroios and Alameda
Arroios gives you a starting point for the day, with the Jardim da Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques as an open-air stop.
From Hotel Do Chile, Arroios station is about a 1-minute walk; start at the station and continue to the garden before travelling into the centre. Arroios and Alameda’s Metro connections help link this neighbourhood start with the rest of the route; details are in this guide to getting around Arroios and Alameda.
Travel into Baixa for the morning
Baixa is the central section of this route between Arroios and Alfama. Spend the morning walking through its streets, then carry on toward Alfama and the cathedral; this leaves the cathedral visit for later in the day.
Baixa and Chiado form the central leg between the Arroios start and the Alfama finish, a connection covered in this guide to Lisbon city centre Baixa and Chiado from Arroios.
Walk through Alfama to Lisbon Cathedral
Lisbon Cathedral stands at Largo da Sé, 1100-585 Lisboa, on the Alfama leg of the day. Established in 1147 after the city was taken from the Moors, it is also known as Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa.
A tourist ticket covers the High Choir, the Cathedral Treasury Museum, and a walk through the church’s naves and ambulatory. The Treasury Museum displays the Patriarchal Monstrance, a Portuguese liturgical object from the 18th century. The sightseeing ticket covers the visitor route; the cathedral also sets aside a free area for prayer and worship.
From November to May, visiting hours are Monday–Saturday, 10:00–18:00; from June to October, they are Monday–Saturday, 09:30–19:00. The cathedral is closed on Sundays and Holy Days, and last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Hours and ticket details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Finish with a viewpoint or riverside stop
After the cathedral, finish in Alfama at Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a viewpoint over the neighbourhood’s rooftops. If you would rather continue across the city, tram 28 passes the cathedral and runs between Graça and Prazeres through Baixa, Chiado and Estrela, ending in Campo de Ourique.
From the cathedral, you can choose between staying in Alfama for the viewpoint or using the tram route to continue across central Lisbon.
FAQs
What does a Lisbon Cathedral tourist ticket include?
It includes the High Choir, the Cathedral Treasury Museum, and a walk through the naves and ambulatory. The sightseeing route is separate from the free area set aside for prayer and worship.
How much is a ticket to Lisbon Cathedral?
The tourist ticket costs €7 for adults, €5 for Lisboa Card holders and children aged 7–12, and is free for children up to age 6. The optional Sé Digital smartphone guide costs an additional €3 and is offered in German, Spanish, French, English, Italian and Portuguese.
Is Lisbon Cathedral open on Sundays?
No. The cathedral is closed on Sundays and Holy Days.
Can you combine Arroios with Feira da Ladra?
Feira da Ladra is another Lisbon outing from Arroios; the guide to visiting Feira da Ladra from Arroios focuses on that market.