How to climb the Elevador de Santa Justa for free

If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, you’ll have probably come across the Elevador de Santa Justa. This quirky outdoor lift is one of the city’s most iconic attractions, but with steep ticket prices and long queues, it’s not the most budget-friendly stop.

The good news? There’s a super simple way to reach the top of the Elevador de Santa Justa for free. No ticket, no queue, and the same stunning views over Lisbon. Read on for the exact steps you need to climb the Santa Justa Lift without spending a penny.

Last updated: 09/07/2025 | This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Read more in my disclaimer.

About the Elevador de Santa Justa

Lisbon’s hilly layout means lifts and funiculars are a big part of getting around, and the Elevador de Santa Justa is the most famous of them all. Built over 100 years ago to connect the Baixa and Bairro Alto districts, it’s still a functional way to travel (though most riders these days are tourists).

The Neo-Gothic structure is also one of Lisbon’s most striking landmarks. And while the city isn’t short on viewpoints, the elevador offers a unique perspective over downtown Baixa.

How to climb the Elevador de Santa Justa for free

If you want to climb to the top of the Santa Justa lift without paying a ticket fee, I’ll take you step-by-step through the route to reach the free viewpoint.

The route to the top is fairly simple, so just follow these simple steps and you’ll be there:

1. Walk past the Elevador de Santa Justa to Rua do Carmo. With the lift behind you, turn left and walk along the street.
2. Take the first right onto Rua Garrett, then the first right again onto Calçada do Sacramento
3. At the top of this street, you will see the Carmo Convent. Turn right just before the Convent, along Travessa Dom Pedro de Menezes.
4. At the end of the Travessa, you’ll see a short flight of stairs to a terrace. Climb up, and you’re nearly there!
5. You’ll see the bridge connecting the Santa Justa Elevador, and you can cross to see views over Lisbon for free!

From the bridge and lower platform, you’ll get lovely views over downtown Lisbon, though they’re partially blocked by a metal grating. For just €1.50, you can access the upper viewing platform, where you’ll be rewarded with 360° panoramic views. Although the initial views are great, it’s well worth the small fee, especially since you’ve climbed up for free!

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 you might find that you still want to experience a ride on this iconic lift.

A return ride on the Santa Justa Lift costs around €6 (July 2025) and includes access to the upper viewing platform – not budget-breaking, but pretty steep for a short elevator ride. You’ll want to arrive as early as possible (it opens at 7 am daily) to try and avoid the queues – the historic lift can only transport around 20 people at a time, so there’s almost always a line.

You can also get more value for money by purchasing a Lisboa card or a 24-hour transport card. The Lisboa card includes free entry to many attractions across the city, plus unlimited public transport, a great option if you want to cram a lot into your trip to Lisbon. You can book your Lisboa card in advance to avoid any hassle when you arrive.

A navegante card, which you can get at metro or train stations in the city, costs €7 for 24 hours and covers all metro, tram, and funicular transport (including the Bica Funicular and Tram 28) – just a euro more than the ticket price for the Santa Justa lift.

Check out the top attractions and tours in Lisbon!

Things to Do Near the Santa Justa Lift

Start with the Carmo Convent, just a short walk from the top of the lift. These hauntingly beautiful Gothic ruins are packed with history and now house a small archaeological museum.

If you head north, you’ll reach Praça Dom Pedro IV (also known as Rossio Square), one of Lisbon’s grandest public spaces, great for people-watching and soaking up the city’s atmosphere.

Or walk south along Rua Augusta, Lisbon’s main shopping street. It leads straight to the stunning Arco da Rua Augusta, the city’s triumphal arch. From here, you’ll be right on the waterfront at Praça do Comércio, where you can visit the Lisboa Story Centre and dive deeper into Lisbon’s fascinating past.