If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, the Elevador de Santa Justa will be high on your to-do list. The outdoor elevator is a hugely popular tourist attraction, mainly due to its novelty – Lisbon certainly isn’t alone with its funiculars and traditional trams but vertical outdoor lifts are a little rarer.
If you’ve looked at the prices for the Santa Just lift and thought “does it really cost that much to ride an elevator?!” don’t worry – I’ve got the travel hack for you. In reality, it’s really simple to climb the Elevador de Santa Justa for free. Not only can you save some money, which is great if you’re visiting Lisbon on a budget, but you can also skip the huge queues of tourists that line the streets around the lift.
Read on for the step-by-step to accessing the Santa Just lift for free and enjoy the spectacular views of Lisbon without paying a penny!
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About the Elevador de Santa Justa
Lisbon is a city built on several hills which makes navigating it by foot somewhat of a challenge. This has paved the way for the introduction of several lifts and funicular railways around the city to aid both residents and tourists. Although now used mainly by tourists simply for the experience, these means of transport are functional. The Elevador de Santa Justa transports passengers from Baixa to Barrio Alto, two of the busiest neighbourhoods in the city.
It’s easy to see why this lift is an absolute must-see in Lisbon. At over 100 years old, the Neo-Gothic architecture stands out amongst the traditional buildings. And although the city is certainly not lacking in viewpoints, the elevador has a unique view over the Baixa district.
Santa Justa Lift Key Information
- The Elevador de Santa Justa is open daily from early until late (around 7 am-10 pm).
- The lift and its viewpoint are separate – you must pay an additional fee to access the viewpoint
- You’ll find the Santa Justa lift on Rua de Santa Justa in the Baixa district of Lisbon.
- A return ticket costs €5,15 and includes the entrance fee to the viewpoint.
- Lisbon’s 24-hour transport card includes a ride on the Elevador de Santa Justa however it doesn’t include the viewpoint and you’ll have to pay the extra fee.
Read Next: Lisbon: The Ultimate Weekend Guide
How to Climb the Elevador de Santa Justa for free
If you want to climb the Santa Justa lift without paying the expensive ticket fee, I’ll take you step-by-step through the route to reach the Elevador de Santa Justa free viewpoint.
The route to the top is fairly simple, but it’s not widely known or signposted, so pay close attention to these steps.
- Walk past the Elevador de Santa Justa to Rua do Carmo. With the lift behind you, turn left and walk along the street.
- Take the first right on to Rua Garrett.
- Take the first right again on to Calçada do Sacramento. There will be a sign for Largo do Carmo.
- At the top of this street, you will see the Carmo Convent. Turn right just before the Convent, along Travessa Dom Pedro de Menezes.
- At the end of the Travessa, you’ll see a short flight of stairs to a terrace. Climb up, and you’re nearly there!
- You’ll see the bridge connecting the Santa Justa Elevador, and you can cross to see amazing views over Lisbon for free!
If you want to access the main Santa Justa Lift viewpoint, you will still have to pay the viewpoint fee (around €1,50). However, you can still see some amazing views over Lisbon and the Baixa district from the free viewpoint and the bridge, so you can keep this as a completely free thing to do in Lisbon!
Check out the top attractions and tours in Lisbon!
Still Want to Ride the Elevador?
Walking to the top of the Elevador de Santa Justa for free is a great way to save money and time, but if you want the experience of riding this iconic lift, this is still a really fun activity in Lisbon.
Alternatively, if you’d like the experience of riding one of Lisbon’s funiculars I recommend riding the Elevador da Bica. This cute yellow tram car runs up a narrow street and is as fun to ride as it is to watch from the streets!
The Lisbon 24-hour transport card is great value for money if you do plan to pay for these attractions. The Viva Viagem is around €6 for a day and is valid on Lisbon’s metro lines and trams (including the iconic Tram 28), as well as the funicular railways and the Elevador de Santa Justa. Considering the Santa Justa Lift costs €5 to ride, this can end up being great value for money.
Things to Do Near the Santa Justa Lift
There are loads of amazing things to do in Lisbon, so after you’ve climbed the Elevador de Santa Justa for free, why not check out some of these nearby attractions?
The Carmo Convent is a great first stop after visiting the Santa Justa Lift. The ruins of this gothic church are steeped in history and have been turned into a museum. Heading north from the elevador will take you to the grand Praça Dom Pedro IV square.
Alternatively, head south towards the water along Lisbon’s main shopping street, Rua Augusta. When you reach Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon’s triumphal arch, take in the impressive waterfront surroundings and then head to the Lisboa Story Centre to learn about the Portuguese capital’s rich history.
Whether you’re visiting Lisbon on a budget or just want to save some money and skip the queues, this guide to climbing the Elevador de Santa Justa for free is the perfect way to make the most of this iconic Lisbon landmark. Get in those extra steps and enjoy the well-earned views at the top!
If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, make sure you check out my other Portugal guides. Or, for more budget travel hacks, here are 26 Completely Free Things to Do in Barcelona, and 20 Budget Travel Tips to help you save money!
