Elevador Santa Justa

The Santa Justa lift and its adjacent platform offer direct sight lines into downtown Lisbon. You can look down at Rua Áurea as it bustles with locals and tourists alike, observe residents of nearby apartments reading or enjoying a chat out on balconies, and take a deep breath amongst the endless sea of terracotta roofs.

The ride in this elevator is always a thrill. as you ascend to the Bairro Alto of Lisbon, you have fantastic views of the city and the river. When you exit the elevator, you can walk around to the stairwell that you climb to the top and take in the amazing view. I am sorry to say, I couldn’t make the steep climb. I chickened out. When you arrive in the “High” section of Lisbon, there are many churches, some museums, restaurants, and parks. The Carmo Museum has been left in ruins since the earthquake of 1755 destroyed it ( and the entire city of Lisbon as well). You look up at the empty spaces and see the blue sky. You can imagine the granite stones crashing down on the people (Including the King and his family). The devastation must have been unbelievable. Don’t miss this museum.

Walking in Lisbon can be a hilly affair but you can ride in style on one of the city’s classic elevators. The dramatic Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) connects Lisbon’s Baixa, the lower town, and Carmo Square, in the upper town. Yes, you will likely have to wait in line, but the crowded, bumpy ride, makes up for the discomfort in atmosphere and spectacular views.

The appeal of the Santa Justa lift isn’t as much the elevator itself as the platform and the amazing panorama it provides. The surrounding Baixa Pombalina district was almost entirely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake in the Pombaline style—utilizing some of the first earthquake-resistant construction methods, a product of Enlightenment-era engineering. The tower’s walkway connects to a hill behind it, so you can walk up along a nearby street such as R. Garrett. After your climb, you’ll walk out to views that rival those of Castelo de São Jorge, but with more direct sightlines into downtown Lisbon. Look down at Rua Áurea, bustling with locals and tourists alike; observe residents of nearby apartments reading or enjoying a chat out on balconies; and exhale a deep breath over the endless sea of terracotta roofs.