First time visiting Lisbon Cathedral in Lisbon, Portugal? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there.
Lisbon Cathedral – or Sé de Lisboa – sits in the heart of the Alfama district looking like a fortress that wandered into the wrong neighbourhood. And that’s essentially what it is. Built in 1147 right after Portugal’s first king kicked the Moors out of Lisbon, the cathedral was designed to be defensible as well as holy. Those twin bell towers and thick Romanesque walls aren’t just for show.
When I first visited, I was struck by how austere it looks compared to other European cathedrals. There’s none of the Gothic extravagance you see in France or the Baroque excess of Spanish churches. It’s squat, solid, and built to last – which is fortunate, given that it’s survived multiple earthquakes, including the catastrophic 1755 quake that destroyed much of Lisbon.
- To skip the explanation and book Lisbon Cathedral tickets, head this way.
The oldest church in Lisbon
Construction began in 1147 under Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, making this the oldest church in modern-day Lisbon. An English crusader named Gilbert of Hastings was appointed the first bishop – a nice reward for helping reconquer the city from the Muslims.
The original building was Romanesque with a Latin cross plan, three naves, and a tripartite apse. But like most ancient cathedrals, it’s been tinkered with constantly over the centuries. They added a Gothic cloister in the 13th century (unusually positioned at the back of the building), built a Gothic ambulatory in the 14th century to house the relics of Saint Vincent, and tacked on a Mannerist sacristy in 1649.
Then came the 1755 earthquake. It destroyed the Gothic chancel, the Chapel of the Most Holy, the south tower, and much of the roof. The rebuilding took decades. In the early 20th century, they stripped away most of the Baroque additions and rebuilt it with a Neo-Romanesque appearance – which is what you see today.
5 great things to do in Lisbon 🇵🇹
- 🏰 Combine nearby highlights on a small group tour – to Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais.
- 🍷 Eat your way through lesser-visited neighbourhoods – on a food and wine tour.
- 🛺 Get a local’s eye view of Lisbon – on a tuk-tuk tour.
- 🥐 Take a bakery masterclass – and make your own pastel de nata.
- ⛵ Enjoy wine at sunset – on a river sailing cruise.
Inside the cathedral
The interior is surprisingly plain compared to Portugal’s more ornate churches. The three naves are separated by thick Romanesque columns, and the overall effect is one of heavy, solid simplicity. There’s a rose window on the west front that was rebuilt in the 20th century, and various Gothic elements that survived the earthquake.
The Gothic cloister is worth seeing – it dates from the 13th century and contains archaeological excavations showing layers of Roman, Visigothic and Moorish remains. The cathedral was built on top of a mosque, which was built on top of earlier structures, and you can see fragments of all these periods in the cloister area.
The Treasury Museum (Museu do Tesouro) houses religious artefacts including vestments, reliquaries, and illuminated manuscripts. It’s small but interesting if you’re into ecclesiastical art.
The High Choir offers elevated views over the nave and is included in the ticket price. It’s not particularly high or dramatic, but gives you a different perspective on the building’s structure.
Ticket prices for Lisbon Cathedral
The pricing at Lisbon Cathedral is mercifully simple. When I checked in December 2025, there’s just one ticket that covers everything.
Standard admission
Adults:
- €7.00
Children (ages 7-12):
- €5.00
Children under 7:
- Free
Free admission:
- Clergy (with professional ID)
- Journalists (with professional ID)
Digital guide supplement
There’s an optional “Sé Digital” add-on that uses artificial intelligence to provide an interactive audio guide on your smartphone:
- €3.00 additional
This is available in six languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. I haven’t tried it myself, so can’t comment on whether it’s worth the extra money.
What’s included in admission
Your €7 ticket includes:
- Access to the High Choir
- Visit to the Treasury Museum
- Access to the naves and ambulatory
- Walk through the Gothic cloister (when accessible)
There’s also a separate area reserved for prayer and worship that’s free to access if you’re just coming to pray rather than sightsee.
Opening hours
This is where Lisbon Cathedral is refreshingly straightforward – at least compared to some continental cathedrals.
November to March (winter schedule):
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00-18:00
April to October (summer schedule):
- Monday to Saturday: 09:30-19:00
Closed:
- All Sundays
- All Holy Days
- Christmas Day (25 December)
- New Year’s Day (1 January)
Yes, the cathedral is closed to tourists on Sundays. If you’re planning a Sunday visit to Lisbon, don’t count on seeing the Sé. This is purely a weekday attraction.
Last entry: 45 minutes before closing time.
So if the cathedral closes at 6pm, you need to buy your ticket by 5:15pm at the latest. Don’t leave it until the last minute.
Mass times
If you want to attend Mass (which is free), the cathedral holds services throughout the week. Check their website for current Mass times, as these can vary depending on the season and special feast days.
Practical tips for visiting Lisbon Cathedral
- Location: Largo da Sé, in the Alfama district. It’s about a 15-minute walk uphill from Praça do Comércio.
- Getting there: Tram 28 stops right outside, which is the easiest way to reach it. Walking from the riverside involves a fairly steep climb.
- Time needed: Allow 45-60 minutes for a thorough visit. It’s not an enormous cathedral, so you don’t need hours.
- Dress code: As with any church, dress respectfully. Shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Photography: Generally permitted, but check current rules when you visit.
- Crowds: Weekday mornings tend to be quieter. Late afternoon can get busy with tour groups.
- Combined tickets: There’s no official combined ticket with other Lisbon attractions, so you’ll need to pay separately for nearby sites.
- The cloister: Sometimes closed for maintenance or archaeological work. If seeing the cloister is important to you, check before visiting.
- Accessibility: The cathedral has steps and uneven surfaces, but most of the ground floor including the nave is accessible. Check with staff about accessible routes.
- Ticket purchase: Buy at the entrance on the day. You don’t need to book in advance unless you’re coming with a large group.
The Saint Vincent legend
Lisbon Cathedral houses the relics of Saint Vincent, the city’s patron saint. According to legend, his body was transported from the Algarve to Lisbon in the 12th century in a boat guided by ravens. This is why Lisbon’s coat of arms features a ship with two ravens – one at the prow, one at the stern. The relics now rest in a Baroque chapel inside the cathedral.
Nearby attractions
The cathedral sits in one of Lisbon’s most historic areas, with several major attractions within easy walking distance:
- Alfama District (immediate area) – The oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, a maze of narrow streets, traditional fado houses, and viewpoints. Simply wander and get lost.
- São Jorge Castle (5-minute walk uphill) – The medieval Moorish castle overlooking the city with panoramic views. Allow 1-2 hours. Admission around €15.
- National Pantheon (10-minute walk) – The massive domed church that serves as Portugal’s national pantheon, housing tombs of presidents and famous writers. Stunning views from the roof terrace. €4 entry.
- Portas do Sol Viewpoint (5-minute walk) – Free panoramic viewpoint over Alfama and the Tagus River. Popular spot for photos, with a terrace café.
- Museu do Aljube (7-minute walk) – Museum dedicated to resistance and freedom during Portugal’s dictatorship period (1926-1974), housed in a former political prison. €3 entry.
FAQs about Lisbon Cathedral
- When was Lisbon Cathedral built? Construction began in 1147 after the Christian reconquest of Lisbon. It’s the oldest church in the city.
- Is it open on Sundays? No – the cathedral is closed to tourists on all Sundays and Holy Days.
- Do children pay? Children aged 7-12 pay €5. Under 7s enter free.
- What happened in the 1755 earthquake? Much of the cathedral was destroyed, including the Gothic chancel, south tower, and roof. Rebuilding took decades.
- Is advance booking required? No, just buy your ticket at the entrance on the day.
- How long does a visit take? Most people spend 45-60 minutes exploring the cathedral, cloister, and treasury.
- Can I attend Mass? Yes, Mass is open to everyone and free of charge. Check the website for current Mass times.
- Is photography allowed? Generally yes, but check current policy when you visit.
- Why does it look like a fortress? It was built in Romanesque style shortly after the Christian reconquest, when defensive architecture was still important.
- Where are Saint Vincent’s relics? In a Baroque chapel inside the cathedral. Saint Vincent is Lisbon’s patron saint.
More Lisbon travel
Other Lisbon travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Visiting Museu Coleção Berardo, Lisbon: practical guide for first-time visitors.
- Discovering the gorgeous tile art in Lisbon.
- A practical guide to visiting Lisbon’s Beer Museum.
- Top tips for visiting the Oceanário de Lisboa.
- Visiting the Jerónimos Monastery for the first time.
