The Elevador de Santa Justa is one of those attractions that make Lisbon a unique city; how many other cities are there where tourists are fascinated by a huge… lift?
Although it is absolutely charming, walking around Lisbon sometimes can be a little too tiring due to its steep ups and downs. In order to help residents and tourists, elevators and cable cars allow to move from an area to another of the city avoiding its steepest and most demanding climbs.
Thanks to the Elevador de Santa Justa moving from the district of Baixa to Carmo hill is not just fast and easy, but also very fascinating. Thanks to its designer, this elevator – which was built in order to be a functional project – became a real architectonic magnificence characterized by a steel structure, elegant wooden cabins, and different decorations at each floor.
Admire this beautiful structure and go up to its panoramic terrace in order to enjoy a breathtaking view of Baixa and then, just like a real local, find yourself in another area of the city.
The Elevador de Santa Justa, also known as the Elevador do Carmo, conquers all tourists that can’t resist to the past of Lisbon and its old means of transport. It is characterized by a romantic and vintage charme, but at the same time it is a masterpiece of engineering and an avant-garde project for the times of its construction.
At the top of the tower there is an elegant caffetteria. From here it is possible to enjoy a magnificent view of the Baixa, Rossio, the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus river.
It is beautiful all day long, however at night the elevator is illuminated and it is wonderful to photograph, not to mention the magical atmosphere you can breath on the panoramic terrace. It is a must visit place!
In order to visit the Elevador de Santa Justa there are different kinds of tickets; some allow only the use of the elevator, some allow to visit only the panoramic terrace, and others can be used for both.
Lisbon public transport cards, like Lisboa Viva, 7Colinas or Viva Viagem, can be used to ride elevators or cable cars, including the Elevador de Santa Justa.
If you don’t own any of these cards, you can still purchase your ticket at the ticket office located behind the tower, although the price of the ticket may be a little slightly more expensive.
Use of the lift and access to the rooftop terrace are free for Lisboa Card holders.
The Elevador de Santa Justa is the only public vertical elevator of Lisbon. The project was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, an engineer from France living in Portugal who designed another elevator of Lisbon, that is to say the Elevador do Lavra. Apparently he was a student of Gustave Eiffel, author of the famous Eiffel tower. Although many experts may disagree on this assumption, a French taste in the construction of the elevator is undeniable.
Construction works started in 1898 and the elevator was inaugurated at the beginning of the century. During the first two years it was powered by steam, then the lift was converted to electrical operation. It is one of the most visited attractions of Lisbon.
The use of the elevator and the access to the panoramic view are free for Lisboa Card holders.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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