Rua Augusta Arch, Lisbon, Portugal

Today: Open today, 10:00 – 19:00
Price: €5.00 per person · Standard admission · Adult, Free for per person · Standard admission · Ages up to 5
Standing: Must see · Heritage site
Rank: Rank 55 of 3,021

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Plan your visit.

Opening hours

Monday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00
Tuesday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00
Wednesday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00
Thursday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00
Friday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00
Saturday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00
Sunday	10:00 – 19:00 Last entry at 18:30 for 10:00 – 19:00

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Admission

Per person	€5.00 Standard admission Adult
Per person	Free entry Standard admission Ages up to 5

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

About Rua Augusta Arch

The Rua Augusta Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta) is a stone triumphal arch and visitor attraction on the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, built to commemorate the city's reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake. Construction started in 1755 and was completed in 1873: originally designed as a bell tower, the building was transformed into an elaborate arch after more than a century. It has six columns, some 11 metres high, is adorned with statues of historical figures, and the space above the arch is filled with the coat of arms of Portugal.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The top cornice stands over 30 metres high, so the figures above it had to be made colossal. The allegorical group by the French sculptor Célestin Anatole Calmels represents Glory rewarding Valour and Genius; Glory, dressed in a peplos, measures 7 metres, stands on a three-step throne and holds two crowns. Four statues by Victor Bastos over the columns depict Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Marquis of Pombal, Vasco da Gama and Viriatus, and two recumbent figures represent the rivers Tagus and Douro. The arch also appeared in the 1996 miniseries Gulliver's Travels.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Season and crowds

The top of the arch has been open to the public since 9 August 2013. According to Turismo de Lisboa, which runs the visit, it is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:30. A lift takes visitors to the second floor, followed by 74 steps to the top. From the top there is a 360-degree view taking in the Terreiro do Paço square, the Pombaline downtown, the Cathedral, St George's Castle and the River Tejo. Inside, the Clock Room has an exhibition on the history of the arch.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Tickets

A ticket to the top of the arch costs €5.00 on the Visit Lisboa shop of Turismo de Lisboa. Entry is free with the Lisboa Card, and free for children up to 5 years old. Lisboa Card holders also get a 10% discount at the gift shop. A ticket bought online is a voucher valid for 6 months. The same shop also sells combined packs that add the arch to other Turismo de Lisboa attractions nearby, such as the cod fish history centre and the Lisboa Story Centre.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Place details and sources

Type of place: Attraction OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Established: 1873 Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Heritage designation: Included in protected site Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Operator: Câmara Municipal de Lisboa OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Wikipedia article: Rua Augusta Arch Wikipedia · Checked 2026-09-09