Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)

The Sé is the closest major monument to the cruise terminal: about 850 m and 13 minutes on foot, uphill but short, on the western edge of Alfama. It works as a quick first stop, or as the place to board Tram 28E, which stops outside on its way up to the viewpoints and the castle. Two things catch cruise passengers out. First, the cathedral is closed to tourist visits on Sundays and holy days, so check your port day. Second, sightseeing is not free: a tourist ticket (adult €7) is required, while a separate area stays open free of charge for prayer. The ticket covers the naves, the ambulatory behind the altar, the climb to the High Choir and the Treasury museum. Last entry is 17:30 from November to March and 18:30 from April to October. If time is short, look at the fortress-like façade from Largo da Sé, go straight up to the High Choir for the view down the nave and through the rose window, and finish in the Treasury, whose showpiece is a monstrance set with more than 4,000 precious stones. That takes 30 to 45 minutes. The Gothic cloister and archaeological area have been closed for a long restoration; reopening was announced for 2026, so ask at the entrance before counting on them. Between about 10:00 and 15:00 the square fills with tour groups and tuk-tuks. Opening time (10:00 in winter, 09:30 in summer) is the calmest. This is a working cathedral, so modest dress and quiet near the prayer area are expected. Inside it is plain compared with Lisbon's Baroque churches; if you have only an hour ashore, the viewpoints a few minutes uphill may be the better use of it.