Castelo de São Jorge

One of Lisbon's most recognizable landmarks, the Castelo de São Jorge looms over the city center, perched on top of a hill. Its strategic position gave it a great defensive military advantage and as a result, the hill has been the site of fortifications for millennia, dating as far back as the Visigoths in the 5th Century BCE and later followed by the Moors, Christian crusaders and the Portuguese royal family. The castle's ramparts are spread about the hillside, punctuated by 18 towers at intervals. One of these, the Tower of Ulysses, has a fascinating 360-degree view of the city via a camera. Visitors can explore remains of the city's Moorish heritage by roaming the citadel's archaeological site or visit relic-filled galleries. They can also enjoy views of Lisbon's rooftop-lined streets as they wind their way to the Tagus River or enjoy the calm of the gardens within the citadel walls.