If you’re searching for Lisbon Cathedral tickets and the most up-to-date visiting info, this guide covers everything you need to plan a smooth visit to Sé de Lisboa—Lisbon’s oldest church, built after the city’s reconission in 1147.

Quick visitor facts

Official name: Lisbon Cathedral / Sé de Lisboa (Santa Maria Maior)
Address: Largo da Sé, 1, 1100-585 Lisboa
Official website: (see links in the code block below)

Nearest public transport

  • Metro (Lisbon Metro – Blue Line / Linha Azul):
    • Terreiro do Paço (short uphill walk into Alfama)
    • Santa Apolónia (also walkable; good if you’re arriving by train/cruise)
  • Tram (Carris):
    • Tram 12E stops at “Sé”
    • Tram 28E stops at “Sé” (classic tourist route—often crowded)

Why Lisbon Cathedral is worth visiting

Lisbon Cathedral isn’t the flashiest church in Portugal—but it’s one of the most “Lisbon” places you can step into. The building has been reshaped by centuries of expansions, disasters, and restorations, including major damage in the 1755 earthquake.

What makes it special:

  • It’s the oldest church in Lisbon, with construction beginning in 1147.
  • The cathedral combines Romanesque foundations with Gothic and later additions, reflecting how the city evolved (and rebuilt) over time.
  • The paid “tourist visit” isn’t just a quick peek—your ticket includes key areas like the High Choir and the Treasury Museum (details below).

Lisbon Cathedral tickets (prices + what’s included)

Ticket prices (tourist visit)

  • Adult: €7
  • Children 7–12: €5
  • Children up to 6: free

Optional add-on:

  • Sé Digital Supplement: +€3 (smartphone-guided interactive tour with an AI audio guide; multiple languages)

What your ticket includes

According to the cathedral’s official info, the tourist ticket includes:

  • Ascent to the High Choir
  • Visit to the Treasury Museum
  • Walk along the naves and the ambulatory (deambulatory)

Important timing note:

  • Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.

Also good to know:

  • The cathedral notes that there is free access to a space reserved for prayer and worship.

Opening hours (tourist visits)

The cathedral publishes seasonal hours for tourist visits:

  • April to October: Monday–Saturday 09:30–19:00
  • November to March: Monday–Saturday 10:00–18:00
  • Sundays & Holy Days: Closed (also closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)

Tip: If you’re building a day around Belém + riverside, the cathedral is better placed for late afternoon (when Alfama feels magical). If you want calmer interiors, aim for opening time and go straight to the included areas first.

What to see inside (don’t rush these)

1) The High Choir (views + perspective)

Your ticket includes an ascent to the High Choir, which changes how you experience the cathedral—suddenly you’re looking across the space, not just up at it.

2) Treasury Museum (Tesouro da Sé)

If you like museum-style exhibits, the cathedral’s own Treasury page describes it as a curated collection spanning goldsmithing, vestments, sculpture, and painting—many pieces arriving between the 16th and 19th centuries. It has been open to the public as a museum since 1993 and is organized into multiple rooms (including areas focused on relics and the liturgical year).

3) Naves + ambulatory

The tourist ticket includes walking along the naves and the ambulatory—this is where you notice the “layering” of Lisbon’s history and the building’s changing styles across centuries.

How to get there (simple routes)

By metro (fast + reliable)

Two Blue Line stations are the most practical for walking:

  • Terreiro do Paço (Linha Azul) – convenient if you’re coming from Baixa/riverfront
  • Santa Apolónia (Linha Azul) – useful if you’re arriving via train/cruise terminal

General metro operating hours are typically 06:30–01:00.

By tram (the scenic option)

  • Tram 12E includes the stop “Sé”
  • Tram 28E includes the stop “Sé”

Practical tip: Tram 28E is iconic, but it’s also the most likely to be overcrowded. If your goal is simply to reach the cathedral, 12E or metro + walk is usually less stressful.

Planning tips (save time + avoid surprises)

  • Check the season hours before you go (summer vs winter schedule differs).
  • Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before closing if you want to enjoy the High Choir + Treasury without rushing (remember last entry is 45 minutes before closing).
  • Wear solid shoes: Alfama streets around Sé are uneven and can be slippery in rain.
  • Combine nearby spots: São Jorge Castle viewpoints, Alfama miradouros, and classic photo streets are close—easy to plan as one walk.

FAQ

Is Lisbon Cathedral free?

There is free access to a space reserved for prayer and worship, but the tourist visit areas (like the High Choir and Treasury) require a ticket.

What are the official opening hours?

Tourist visits: Mon–Sat (seasonal hours), closed Sundays and holy days.

What’s the nearest metro station?

Most visitors use Terreiro do Paço or Santa Apolónia, both on the Blue Line.

Official links (copy/paste)

Official website (EN): https://www.sedelisboa.pt/?lang=en
Tickets: https://www.sedelisboa.pt/tickets/?lang=en
Tourist visits (hours): https://www.sedelisboa.pt/tourist-visits/?lang=en
Contacts / Address: https://www.sedelisboa.pt/contacts/?lang=en

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