Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Lisboa – Visit the Highest Point of Lisbon

The Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Lisboa is a massive 110 meters high statue of Jesus, built on a cliff. It’s located across the river from Lisbon, right next to the massive iconic suspension bridge. Oh, and you can also go up the monument for one epic view of the area!

Want to visit for yourself?

This guide has everything you need to know to plan your visit. Let’s jump right in!

 

 

Popular belief is that the Cristo Rei monument was built in gratitude for Portugal avoiding World War II. For this reason, the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei is a popular pilgrimage destination for religious visitors.

Historically though, the statue was built after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon went on a trip to Rio de Janeiro (in 1934, before the war), and was inspired by the statue of Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado mountain.

Either way, the statue of Christ is still an impressive monument, and definitely worth a visit if you’re in Lisbon.

 

 

In this travel guide about the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei in Lisbon, you’ll find in the table of contents below everything that we’ll see. Simply click on the table to expand it, then click on any part you’d like to jump to.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Where is the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei?
• Interesting facts about the Cristo Rei monument
• Visiting The Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Lisboa
• Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Entry Fee
• Cristo Rei Lisboa Opening Hours
• How to Get to Cristo Rei Lisbon
• Where to Stay near Cristo Rei in Lisbon
• Visit Portugal

Where is the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei?

The Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei is located in Portugal, south of Portugal capital city, Lisbon.

The monument of Cristo Rei is actually not in Lisbon, but in Almada, a neighbor city. The two cities are separated by the Tagus river, and connected by the 25 de Abril bridge.

Interesting facts about the Cristo Rei monument

Are you fond of facts? I know I am! I love learning more about a place and its history with some quick & interesting facts, so I’ve gathered a few about the Cristo Rei for you:

• the Santuario de Cristo Rei was inspired by the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
• it was built in 1959, but the construction started 10 years before, in 1949
• the monument is 110 meters high: the pedestal is 82 meters high, and the statue of Christ the King is 28 meters high
• the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei was built on a cliff 133 meters above the river, which means the statue culminates at 243 meters above the Targus river

Visiting The Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Lisboa

During our 2 weeks road trip in Portugal, Lisbon was definitely a must-see. Before heading to Sintra, the stunning coastal region of Lisbon, we explored the capital city a little bit.

The thought of finding a mix of San Francisco (with the Ponte 25 de Abril) and Rio de Janeiro (with the Cristo Rei) in the same place was very exciting to me. At the end of a very packed day of city exploration, we drove across the red bridge, and all the way up to the Santuario Nacional Cristo Rei.

When you get to the top of the hill on which the Lisbon statue of Christ is located, you’ll see the monument towering above the palm trees and the building of the visitor center. It looks absolutely massive.

The Cristo Rei Viewing Platform

More than simply being a very impressive monument, the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Lisboa is also a viewing platform; you can go up in the monument, to gain a nice vantage point over the bridge and the river below.

You can’t actually go all the way up to the top of the statue, but you can go to the viewing platform, which is on top of the pedestal, 82 meters above the ground.

A lift will take you almost all the way up: when you exit the lift, you’ll be in the gift shop. After climbing the final flight of stairs, you’ll finally make it to the viewing platform, where you’ll be able to enjoy the absolutely stunning panoramic view.

From the top of the viewing platform, you’ll see the 25 de Abril bridge, the city of Lisbon on the other side of the river, and even the mountains if the sky is clear that day.

Do I need to go up the Cristo Rei?

The best view of the surrounding area is from up the viewing platform. However, you don’t necessarily have to go up.

First, the best way to see the statue of Christ the King is… not on the statue itself (obviously… duh!). From the ground, you’ll have a good view of the statue itself.

The second reason you don’t have to climb up is that from the grounds of Cristo Rei, below the Jesus statue, you’ll also have a gorgeous view of the bridge and the river. It’s almost as good as the views from the viewing platform!

If you post your photos of the Cristo Rei on Instagram, tag them with #kevmrc so that we can see them!

What’s Inside the Cristo Rei, Lisboa

I originally thought there wasn’t anything in the monument, and that it was just a massive Jesus Christ statue; but it turns out that there are several things inside the pedestal.

You’ll find a library, and a bar where you can sit for a while and enjoy a nice beverage. There are also 2 chapels (Capela de Nossa Senhora da Paz and Capela dos Confidentes de Jesus), with religious relics that you can see inside.

Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Entry Fee

Getting to the Sanctuary of Christ the King is free. You can go there, enter the Cristo Rei grounds, and enjoy the view from up the cliffs.

If you want to go up to the viewing platform, you’ll have to buy a ticket. You’ll find the price below:

Adult Ticket: 6€ / Child Ticket: 3€

Cristo Rei Lisboa Opening Hours

If you want to come see the Cristo Rei, or if you want to go up on the viewing platform, you’ll have to be aware of the opening hours. Outside of these hours, the grounds are closed, and you can’t approach the Cristo Rei.

The opening times change based on the time of the year.

You’ll find below the Cristo Rei opening hours:

From September 21st to June 30th – 9:30am to 6pm

From July 1st to July 14th – 9:30am to 6:45pm

From July 15th to August 31st – 9:30am to 7:30pm

From September 1st to September 20th – 9:30am to 6:45pm

How to Get to Cristo Rei Lisbon

You can either get to the Cristo Rei by car, or by public transportation.

Get to Cristo Rei by car

Driving to the Cristo Rei is the fastest way to get there. From the center of Lisbon, it will take you around 30 minutes to reach the Sanctuary. You’ll have to cross the bridge, which gets quite busy during rush hour.

Get to Cristo Rei by public transportation

To reach the Cristo Rei in Lisboa with public transportation, you’ll have to take the ferry, and a bus.

Ferry from Lisbon to Cacilhas

First things first, you’ll need to cross the Tagus river; to do so, you can take the ferry.

From: Ferry Terminal – Cais do Sodré

To: Cacilhas

Time: 15 minutes

Cost: 1.25€ + 0.50€ for the Lisboa Card

Bus from Cacilhas to Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei Lisboa

The bus 101 will take you from Cacilhas straight to the Cristo Rei monument.

Bus: 101

From: Cacilhas

To: Cristo Rei

Time: 15 minutes

Cost: 1.45€ one way

Check the Bus 101 time schedule here: Bus 101

Where to Stay near Cristo Rei in Lisbon

If you’re visiting the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei and Lisbon, you have several options for where to stay:

Budget: Host Bell Rooms and Suites

Very cheap accommodation, around 14€ per night for a bed in a 12 beds dorm room.

This hostel has the best location, it’s right next to the main square, and everything is within walking distance. There’s also tea and coffee machines in every room, which is a big plus.

Best Prices: Host Bell Rooms and Suites

Comfy: Lost Lisbon: Avenida House

Very comfy rooms, with private bathroom, for around 78€ per night.

The two nice bonuses? It’s within walking distance of the city center, and it also comes with a free breakfast!

Best Prices: Lost Lisbon: Avenida House

Luxury: The One Palacio da Anunciada

If you’re looking for the perfect dreamy place to relax and enjoy your stay in Lisbon, look no further.

The One Palacio da Anunciada might very well be your favorite place in the city; private bathroom, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, indoor pool and even a sauna! It also has breakfast included, and its location is hard to beat.

Best Prices: The One Palacio da Anunciada

Visit Portugal

Planning a trip to Portugal? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip:

Lisbon Guides:

25 de Abril bridge – The Golden Gate Bridge of Portugal

Basilica da Estrela – Gem of Baroque Architecture

Panteao Nacional – National Monument

Portugal Guides:

The Ultimate Algarve Travel Guide

What to see in Sintra – next to Lisbon

Explore the Douro Valley

I hope you enjoy your trip to the Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei and to Portugal!

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.