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Cristo Rei Lisbon – a gigantic statue of Jesus – stands south of the Lisbon city center across the Tagus River on a hill in Almada. One of the most famous Lisbon monuments, visiting the Cristo Rei statue is one of the top things to do in the city.
Visitors can easily access Cristo Rei in Almada by hopping on a Lisbon ferry across the River Tejo and taking a short walk to the iconic Portugal statue for incredible views over the city. This post contains everything you need to know about visiting the Lisbon Christ Statue.
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About Cristo Rei Lisbon, Portugal
The official name of the Jesus statue in Lisbon is the National Sanctuary of Christ the King (or Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei). However, because of its likeness to the Cristo Redentor – or Christ the Redeemer – statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, many people refer to the Lisbon statue as Christ the Redeemer Portugal.
The 92-foot-tall statue of Christ stands on a 269-foot-tall base and is one of the most recognizable of all the Lisbon monuments. Fun Fact: The Brazil Jesus statue is slightly larger – 98-feet-tall – but stands on a much shorter pedestal, which is only 26-feet-tall.
The Lisbon statue of Christ the King stands facing the city with open arms (in the form of a cross) on a 435-foot bluff on the south bank of the Tagus River. The Cristo Rei statue was built to show appreciation to God for keeping Portugal safe during World War II.
It took 10 years to construct the concrete monument, which was inaugurated in 1959. The Cristo Rei site has been restored and expanded on several occasions. The complex now includes a chapel, viewing platform, sanctuary, gardens and galleries.
How To Get To Cristo Rei Lisbon
Getting to the Christ statue from Lisbon is fairly easy. Day trips from Lisbon can be made by car, metro, bus or ferry. Cristo Rei is also one of the stops on the Lisbon Hop On Hop Off Bus. Our preferred route is to ride the ferry to Cacilhas, then walk to Lisbon Cristo Rei.
Lisbon-Cacilhas Ferry
The Cacilhas Ferry departs from Cais do Sodre, just west of Praca do Comercio in the city center. The Lisbon ferry to Cacilhas runs on a regular schedule, with boats make the crossing every 10 minutes at rush hour and at least every 30 minutes in the middle of the day. There are fewer ferries on evenings, weekends and holidays. Find the current Lisbon Ferry to Cacilhas Timetable on the official website.
Tickets for the ferry from Lisbon to Cacilhas are inexpensive. Each one-way ticket costs just €1.40 (at time of publishing). However, a Viva Viagem Card – which costs an additional €.50 – is required to buy ferry tickets. That said, the entire roundtrip ferry fee to Cristo Rei Lisbon – including the price of the card – is only €3.30.
The ride on the ferry from Lisbon to Cacilhas takes just 10 minutes, but the short boat trip offers nice views (even though there is no outdoor space). The Cacilhas-Lisboa ferry is a commuter boat – as opposed to a tourist boat – so most of the passengers are locals just taking the easiest route across the river. Visitors, however, will want to take a seat on the upper level by an open window for the best views.
Looking for more cheap Lisbon activities? Check out our list of Free Things To Do in Lisbon!
Walk or Bus to Christ the King Lisbon
From the Cacilhas Ferry Dock, you have a few options of how to get to the Portugal Christ statue: Walk through the neighborhood or ride bus 3001. Visitors can also detour to a scenic elevator viewpoint – and from the top either walk the rest of the way or ride the bus.
Walk from Cacilhas to the Lisbon Jesus Monument
We love walking – so we opted to take the 2-mile uphill walk (with an elevation gain of about 325 feet) from the Cacilhas Port to Cristo Rei. From the ferry terminal, walk straight into town and then start the climb to the statue. Although not heavily posted, there are a few signs along the way that point walkers in the right direction. Google Maps is a lot more useful; the walk takes about 45 minutes.
Lisbon Bus 3001
Visitors who would rather not make the trek have the option of riding the bus from the ferry direct to Cristo Rei. Bus 3001 departs from the bus station directly in front of the ferry landing. Tickets can be purchased from the driver (about €2.30), but there may be a discounted fare if using the Viva Viagem Card. Check the Bus 3001 Cacilhas-Cristo Rei timetable here.
Panoramic Elevator: Boca do Vento
The third option for getting from the Cacilhas ferry terminal to the Christ the King Lisbon monument requires a slight detour, but uses a unique method of transport: the Elevador Boca do Vento. From the ferry dock, walk west along the shoreline past the abandoned factories (with some engaging street art) to the panoramic viewpoint elevator. Ring the bell (if the elevator is not there), and ride to the top of the cliff. Once at the top, travelers can continue the walk to Cristo Rei or find the stop for the 3001 Bus.
Visiting Cristo Rei Portugal
The gigantic statue, which is so clearly visible from afar, is extraordinary up close. It is free to enter the complex, but a Cristo Rei ticket is required to ride the elevators to the viewing platform.
Cristo Rei Park
Cristo Rei stands in the center of a large, grassy park and gardens. The hilltop grounds offer stunning viewpoints of the city of Lisbon and its famous suspension bridge, 25 de Abril Bridge. The ‘Lisbon April Bridge’ was based on both the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
In addition to the views, along the cliff’s edge are the 14 Stations of the Cross. An enormous cross – gifted by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima – lies in the center of the park and a statue of the Virgin Mary sits in front of the statue. A gift shop and café are also on site, but we recommend bringing a picnic lunch and finding a spot to enjoy the view!
Cristo Rei Church
Inside the base of the Christ the King statue is the Cristo Rei Church, which like most Lisbon Churches, is free to visit. There are pews for praying and interesting modern artwork that fill the quiet space. A few relics are also on display.
Cristo Rei Statue Lisbon Viewpoint
The top of the 269-foot statue base is one of the city’s most popular viewing platforms. For a fee, visitors ride an elevator, then climb a narrow set of stairs to an open-air deck. Views extend over the river, city of Lisbon and beyond.
The 2023 ticket price for the Cristo Rei Lisbon Viewing Platform is €8 for adults and €4 for children. The lift is open daily from 9:30am (except on Christmas and New Year’s Day), but closing times vary by season. In the winter, the lift typically closes at 6:00pm, but in the summertime it stays open until 7:30pm.
Looking for other great views of Lisbon? Check out our guide of the Best Lisbon Viewpoints!
Return Ferry To Lisbon, Portugal
To get back to Lisbon city center, we recommend that visitors retrace their steps and take the ferry. The downhill walk is quite enjoyable – and, if it’s not too late in the day, consider stopping in the Cacilhas center for a glass of wine or dinner on the wide, pedestrian street.
Top Tip: Check what time the sun sets and time your ferry crossing back to Lisbon to watch an amazing sunset!
Full Day Tour From Lisbon
Join a highly-rated day tour from Lisbon for a full day of exploration that includes a stop at the Cristo Rei Sanctuary and Wine Tastings at local wineries. The small-group tour by minivan begins by crossing the Vasco da Gama Bridge and makes the first stop at Pamela Castle. After nearby wine tastings, visit the Arrabida Nature Park and the Sesimbra fishing village. Enjoy more wine tastings before taking in the views from Cristo Rei and returning to Lisbon. Find Out More!
Cristo Rei Lisbon Map
Use this link to Google Maps to find you way to Cristo Rei Lisbon!
Plan an Amazing Lisbon Itinerary (including Visiting Sintra)!
Start planning your trip to Portugal! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Also Visiting Porto? Super! Be sure to read our articles to plan the Best Porto Itinerary, take our Free Porto Walking Tour and advice on Where To Eat in Porto!
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