What this solves
Lisbon has seven hills — São Jorge, São Vicente, Santo Estêvão, Chagas, Santa Catarina, Sant'Ana, and the Marvila side. Two of these (São Vicente, São Jorge) are connected to the same castle complex. Most tourists don't realise walking all seven in one day is roughly 18 km with 350 m of ascent, not 50 km.
This tool ranks the hills against your fitness, time available, weather, and willingness to take the Ascensor / tram for the steepest sections. It then proposes a route with the steepest 1–2 sections replaced by the Ascensor da Glória, da Lavra, or Tram 28.
Build your hill route
How to read the result
The route is sequenced top-to-bottom: it starts at the highest hill and ends at the lowest, so you don't retrace. Profile pieces together the ride sections (Ascensores / tram) and the walk sections, with explicit warnings where the route recommends a ride.
- São Jorge hill (Castelo) is the steepest. Tram 28 plus the walk from Portas do Sol is the standard ascent; full walk from Sé is 18% for 250 m.
- Graça hill is gentler. The Tram 28 also serves it, but the walk up from Alfama is 12% — manageable.
- Bairro Alto / Chagas is 13%. The Ascensor da Glória is the standard ride up; the descent on foot is gentler.
- Bica is short but very steep (15%). Ascensor da Bica for both directions.
Per-hill reference (2026)
| Hill | Top (m) | Ascent | Max gradient | Walk time | Best ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Jorge (Castelo) | 95 | 75 m | 18% | 25 min up | Tram 28 to Portas do Sol + 5 min |
| Graça | 85 | 55 m | 12% | 18 min up | Tram 28 to Largo das Portas do Sol |
| Alfama (São Vicente) | 70 | 45 m | 13% | 15 min up | Tram 28 to Sé |
| Bairro Alto (Chagas) | 75 | 55 m | 13% | 18 min up | Ascensor da Glória |
| Bica | 60 | 35 m | 15% | 8 min up | Ascensor da Bica |
| Sant'Ana | 55 | 30 m | 10% | 12 min up | Walk (gentle) |
| Santo Estêvão | 50 | 25 m | 9% | 10 min up | Walk (very gentle) |
| Santa Catarina | 45 | 20 m | 8% | 8 min up | Walk |
Gradient is max segment, not average. The walk times are the typical 60–75 steps/min pace, with one short rest. Add 10 min per hill for viewpoints, churches, and the inevitable pastel de nata stop.
Limitations
- The seven hills listed here are the traditional count. Some historians count São Jorge and São Vicente as one (they share the same plateau), and Marvila side has an eighth hill (Monte) that few tourists know.
- The route does not include bathroom stops. Use the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or Largo de Camões café.
- The tool does not model pedestrian closing hours. Some streets in Alfama become one-way or steep for cars during festivals.
- Cobblestones (calçada portuguesa) become treacherous in rain. The wet weather input bumps the ride share to 50–60%.
- If you have a knee injury, the descent is the problem, not the ascent. Ride up, walk down — not the other way.
FAQ
Which hill has the best sunset?
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (Graça side, not São Jorge) is the highest point accessible to the public, and faces west over the Tagus. Arrive 30 min before sunset. The Portas do Sol (São Vicente) is the photo you already have.
Are the Ascensores included in the Lisbon Card?
Yes. The 24h Lisbon Card covers all three Ascensores and Carris trams.
Is walking Lisbon safe at night?
Yes for the main routes (Bairro Alto, Alfama). Avoid the Beco do Carrasco (between Alfama and Castelo) after 22:00 — poorly lit.
How fit do I need to be?
The "Average" preset corresponds to a 40-year-old who walks 5 km a day. The tool downgrades steep ascents to rides for limited mobility.
Related tools
Sources & methodology
- Câmara Municipal de Lisboa — altimetria das sete colinas (historical record).
- Carris (carris.pt) — Ascensor and tram routes 2026.
- Visit Lisboa — recommended viewpoints and tourist routes.
- Gradient data computed from public topo maps; verify on Google Street View for current road conditions.