Aah, the 7 hills of Lisbon, what a sight to see, as I have traveled them often, and there is always something new to explore along the hills in Portugal.
But now that you are planning a trip, you may wonder how to get up and down Lisbon’s seven hills. Thankfully, I know all the shortcuts, and most are free!
You do not need to use public transport if you do not want to. Let’s discover them together, as you will easily tackle Lisbon’s city of seven hills with some comfortable walking shoes.
Grab your shoes, and let’s get moving.
7 Hills Lisbon: Symbolic Points
The 7 hills of Lisbon are as legendary as Rome’s; the city was founded on seven hills. These hills are:
- São Roque
- São Jorge
- São Vicente
- Santo André
- Santa Catarina
- Chagas
- Sant’Ana.
The seven hills of Lisbon remain prominent features of the city today. Many poems and songs have been written about the 7 hills of Lisbon. The best part is the incredible viewpoints, like:
- Miradouro de Santa Catarina
- São Pedro de Alcântara
- Miradoura da Graça
Tip: Check out my article on how walkable Lisbon is for helpful tips.
Why Explore The Seven Lisbon Hills?
Visiting Portugal, especially Lisbon, is magnificent, with much to see on the seven hills and, of course, the cobbled streets.
The best part is that you can easily access many routes across the 7 hills of Lisbon without paying for a car or a day pass, costing €6.60.
Is it worth it? Yes! Walking uphill might seem tedious, but there are many ways to get there, so let’s find out how.
Tip: If you are wondering when to visit 7 hills, why not check out why you should visit Lisbon in May for a great vacation?
Getting Around The 7 Hills of Lisbon
Thankfully, when I went to Lisbon, I discovered an outstanding public transportation system to navigate the city of 7 hills.
It made it easy for me to travel between the hills to see all the highlights.
The city is known for its funicular elevators and trams. Still, most people take the famous Tram 28 or the Santa Justa Elevator.
The most comfortable way to travel around the 7 hills of Lisbon, especially in summer, is the public transport system.
Which Bus or Tram Should You Take to Explore Lisbon’s 7 Hills?
- To visit Castelo de São Jorge (Castle São Jorge), take bus 737, which takes you up São Jorge Hill.
- For stops near Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro da Graça, take Tram 28. From here, you can also head to the castle Castelo de São Jorge, Igreja de São Vicente de Fora, Lisbon Cathedral, and the famous Feira da Ladra flea market in São Vicente, and not to forget the National Pantheon.
- To explore Bairro Alto, travel with the historic Elevador de Santa Justa. You find it close to Rua Augusta, and when you reach the top, you enjoy a spectacular view over the Tagus River.
- Another way to reach Bairro Alto is by taking the Ascensor da Bica to explore Santa Catarina Hill; the Miradouro de Santa Catarina is located there.
- To reach Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and head to Principe Real, travel with the Ascensor da Glória.
All of the above are excellent ways to travel up and down the 7 hills of Lisbon.
Using The Lisbon Public Transport System
The Lisbon transport system comprises all funiculars, buses, and trams. Still, when you get on these transport systems, you must pay a high fee for a one-way ticket, €3.80, or a return ticket, €5.80.
I recommend investing in the Lisboa Card to avoid these high costs. The card provides access to famous sights around the city, including monuments and museums. Alternatively, for €0.50, you can use a Navegante card.
The great thing about the card is that you can top it up to purchase transportation tickets. Alternatively, use your Navegante card to purchase a 24-hour ticket for €6.60.
So, you can easily use it to explore all the 7 Hills of Lisbon.
Take The Lisbon Tuk-Tuk
Another favorite of mine is exploring the 7 hills of Lisbon in an electric tuk-tuk. It is a great way to explore the city when pressed for time.
I have a guide to help you figure out if the Lisbon Tuk-Tuk is for you.
These transport systems are sustainable and climate-friendly. You will have a guide who will show you all the sights, saving you time on foot.
You can find a variety of tours, from street art tuk-tuk tours to ones with snacks. So, you can enjoy the fabulous view along the River Tagus.
Tramcar Lisbon Tour
Another way I found fabulous to uncover the city’s charms is with the Lisbon Hills Tramcar Tour.
The fantastic thing is exploring the city at your own pace, as the tickets are valid for up to 24 hours. Hence, exploring the 7 Hills of Lisbon becomes a breeze.
Another highlight is that only a few people use the tramcar, and you can board and alight at your convenience. Also, a quick reminder: the Historic Hills Tram is a guided tour, and Tram 28 is part of the public transport system.
Furthermore, you can get audio guides in English, Dutch, and German. A 24-hour tram ticket includes free entry to the funiculars Bica, Lavra, and Glória.
On the other hand, you also have free entry to the Carris yellow trams and the Yellow Bus red trams for 24 hours. Unfortunately, Tram 28 is not part of the ticket.
Take a Free Escalator or Lift Ride
Another great thing is that you can walk the 7 Hills of Lisbon if you’re not afraid of heights. But make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes on.
But you can defeat the heights by taking the escalators. These are free, but you must pay for cable car rides.
An escalator at Martim Moniz Square takes you up to the Moreira top. While closer to the boarding stop of Tram 28, you have Escadinhas da Saúde 2.
While the Elevador Castelo takes you to the Castelo de São Jorge castle. Still, the 1st elevator takes you halfway from Baixa Rua dos Fanqueiros to Rua da Madalena. Once you leave the elevator, the walking distance to Elevador da Baixa is short.
It is located on Largo Chão do Loureiro and is near the palace. You will find the lifts next to the Pingo Doce supermarket. Then, you will reach the Castelo de Sāo Jorge from the Lift Castelo in ten minutes.
But remember to stop and take in the city’s scenic view. You must pay an entrance fee at the castle, but it is worth it. There is also a colossal periscope for viewing Lisbon.
The elevators are open daily between 7h00 and 21h00. Then there is the Elevador de Santa Luzia, which takes you to the Alfama district, where you can reach Santa Luzia and the Portas do Sol.
Now, reaching the top in Baixa is challenging for lower-lying neighborhoods. I recommend entering the Baixa-Chiado Metro station and taking the inside escalator to the top. You will not need a ticket when crossing the station.
Between Restauradores and Rossio Metro station, you can find a lovely building with a Starbucks. Another set of escalators is found inside Estação do Rossio.
These lifts take you to Calçada do Carmo. When you reach the top, you can enjoy the sights of the Carmo Convent, which is a quick walk away.
As you can see, these are great ways to travel the 7 hills of Lisbon and make the trip a breeze.
A Short Summary of The Lisbon Elevators
- To explore the Mouraria neighborhood, you can head to Martim Moniz Square to take the Escadinhas da Saúde.
- To visit Bairro Alto, take the Rossio Square Station escalator toward Calçada do Carmo or head to Baixa Chiado metro station for a shortcut.
- To explore Lisbon Castle, take the Elevador Castelo and the Elevador da Baixa found on Largo Chão do Loureiro.
- To reach Poras do Sol, head to Alfama to take Elevador de Santa Luzia.
Travel The 7 Hills of Lisbon by Taxi
Okay, if the above sounds like a lot of walking, you can take a Bolt or an Uber. Don’t take a taxi, it’s a much better experience with one of the other services.
For instance, if you want to be dropped off at the Castelo de São Jorge, the drivers will stop as close to the castle as possible, as they cannot enter a car-free zone.
Here are the best things to do in Lisbon in February 2026
I’ll send you a list of the best things to do in February and every month thereafter.
It’s based on my personal experience of living and traveling around Lisbon for years. I’m sharing many hidden gems.
Looking for weekly Lisbon tips? Check out my Lisbon Newsletter.
What Can You Do at The 7 Hills of Lisbon
One thing I found worth visiting each of the 7 hills of Lisbon was the sights, and you can explore a few things at each.
The Famous Hill São Jorge
This hill offers excellent views, including Portas do Sol, Sé Cathedral, and São Jorge Castle.
The Mouraria and Alfama districts are great for exploring on foot, as they have many parallel streets with fado restaurants serving excellent food.
You can see the Fado Museum or enjoy incredible panoramic views from any miradouro.
Tip: For some other great sunsets in Lisbon, check out these great spots.
Formerly Known Santa Engrácia
On the Alfama outskirts, you find São Vicente, famous for the National Pantheon and Monastery São Vicente de Fora.
Visit the Feira da Ladra flea market, which is open every Tuesday and Saturday. The Campo de Santa Clara area has a few highlights.
Another fantastic place is the church tower of São Vincente de Fora, or take in the view of the Pantheon.
Tip: The hills make for a great photographic spot; why not also check out these great Instagram spots in Lisbon?
The Hidden Alleys in Alfama, Santo André
Santo André is behind the castle, close to the Graca district. It is an ideal spot to enjoy the Lisbon sunset.
At Santo André, you can find parks, art, and numerous restaurants to enjoy a meal while getting your breath and enjoying nature. I recommend visiting Jardim da Cerca da Graca.
Or look at the Azulejo tiles in the Igreja Paroquial da Graça church. Miradouro da Graça. A new cable car is being built here to improve access to the site.
Visiting the 7 Hills of Lisbon: São Roque
Close to Elevador da Gloria, you find São Roque, and the easiest way to reach the surrounding areas and São Pedro de Alcântara is the cable tram.
At the top of the hill is the neighborhood of Príncipe Real, with bars, excellent restaurants, and concept stores. Also, check out the beautiful architecture of the São Roque cafe.
You can also visit the Lisbon Botanical Garden to escape the bustling city. São Roque is in the city center of Lisbon, and you must not miss the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara view.
Exploring the neighborhood at night is also fun, as are visiting eateries and bars.
Carmo Convent
When you take the Santa Justa Elevator, you reach the home of the Carmo Convent in Chagas Hill. Or if you want to miss out on all the queues, take the escalator at the Baixa-Chiado metro station.
Sant’Ana, One of the Favorite 7 Hills of Lisbon
@ Zenith Lisbon
Head to Sant’Ana to explore Jardim do Torel for hidden gems and discover a great view with quiet restaurants.
Some of my favorites are Sr. Lisboa for dinner and Zenith for brunch. There is also a park you can visit on Campo Mártires da Pátria.
Santa Catarina
You get a spectacular Miradouro Santa Catarina Hill view from the Santa Catarina Hill. Here, you will find bustling nightlife and restaurants in Bairro Alto.
When you head down to the bottom, you find Cais do Sodre and Pink Street, lovely streets to explore. Here, you may even find a street musician along the way.
Then head west to Belem and Cascais, and remember to visit Green Street, which is filled with plants and restaurants.
Wrap-Up
As you can see, there are many ways to travel around the 7 Hills of Lisbon to explore the magnificent sights in the city.
Hopefully, the information helps you navigate Lisbon easily, whether you take a tram, bus, escalator, or taxi.
Alternatively, you can get on an iconic funicular or tram to complete your trip through Lisbon.
Also, remember to explore Lisbon’s lower parts. Some of the most charming spots are Belem, Cais do Sodre, Baixa, and Oriente. Each hill serves a different neighborhood, and they all have distinct character.
Some of the most charming spots are Belem, Cais do Sodre, Baixa, and Oriente. Here, you can enjoy a flat surface and fresh air while cycling along the River Tagus.
