Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon (Closed temporarly)

Santa Justa Lift is an elevator from 1902 located in the heart of Lisbon, in Baixa.

It can take you from the bottom of Baixa to a beautiful viewpoint of Lisbon, where you can see the Tagus River, Chiado, and Baixa.

A return ticket costs around €6, and you can’t buy it in advance, but if you have the Lisboa Card, you can ride the elevator as many times as you want for free.

It’s a monument in Lisbon and one of the most popular tourist attractions. It has a very interesting history.

Obs.: Be aware the Santa Justa Lift is temporarily closed with no date at the moment for reopening. You can still see the wonder though, just not ride it.

The elevator was finished in 1902, and the Portuguese engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard created the distinctive structure. Its construction marked a pivotal moment in Lisbon’s history, representing its commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure.

The design is very similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, reflecting the influence of Gustave Eiffel, under whom Mesnier du Ponsard had previously worked.

The lift served a dual purpose: facilitating the movement of residents and visitors between the lower streets of Baixa and the elevated Carmo Square while providing an enchanting panoramic experience.

Its initial function was to alleviate the challenge of navigating the steep hills on foot, particularly for those commuting between Baixa and the charming Bairro Alto.

Would you like to see more nearby attractions? Then check out my interactive Lisbon map.

History of Elevador de Santa Justa

The elevator has a rich history, and interestingly, almost 100 years later, the city built two more lifts, the Elevador Castelo and the Graça funicular.

• 1896: Lisbon Council proposed building a vertical lift.
• 1900: Construction began under Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard.
• Mid 1901: King Carlos I inaugurated the walkway and tower.
• Late 1901: A steam engine was installed at the top of the tower to power the lift.
• 1902: The lift opened to the public.
• 1907: The steam engine was replaced by an electric one.
• 2006: Major restoration added modern safety features.

The viewing platform at the top was once where the steam engine stood. Instead of lifting the cabins directly, the engine pumped water into tanks beneath the cabins.

As the water made the upper cabin heavier, it lifted the lower cabin. Mechanical brakes controlled the speed. Later, the electric engine took over this role.

Is it Worth Using The Elevador de Santa Justa?

It really depends. It’s a popular tourist attraction, and if you really want to cross it off your bucket list, try it.

It’s nothing that special. The view is phenomenal, but in the end, it’s just an elevator that takes you from the bottom to the top.

You can walk up the hill in a few minutes, and then you’ll be at the viewpoint for free.

If you do choose to try it, I recommend getting there early to avoid waiting in lines.

Tip: The viewing platform at the top is closed for safety reasons, but you can walk to the existing lift level to see Lisbon from the top.

Wrap-Up

The Elevador de Santa Justa is a monument in Lisbon and one of the most popular tourist attractions.

When you’re at the top you get beautiful panoramic views of Lisbon, and especially Baixa, Chiado and Alfama.

You can both ride the elevator or walk to the viewpoint for free, it’s entirely up to you.

If the lines to the Elevador de Santa Justa are too long, then I don’t recommend waiting as it only takes 25 people at a time, so you can end up waiting quite a long time.

One thing I do recommend seeing near Elevador de Santa Justa is the Carmo Convent; it’s magnificent.

Frequently Asked Questions