Hidden beneath the busy streets of downtown Lisbon lies one of the city’s most mysterious and exclusive archaeological treasures: the Roman Galleries of Rua da Prata. These vaulted underground chambers, known as a cryptoporticus, were originally built by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago. Today, you can only step inside for only eight days each year, which makes this one of the hardest tickets to get in all of Portugal!
A Glimpse into Roman Olissipo
The Roman Galleries date back to the reign of Emperor Augustus when Lisbon was still the Roman city of Felicitas Iulia Olisipo. They were built on sandy, unstable soil close to the Tagus River and acted as massive subterranean foundations. This hidden structure made it possible for Romans to erect important public buildings above temples, markets, or perhaps even a forum right in the heart of the city.
After the 1755 earthquake devastated Lisbon, the galleries were rediscovered in 1771 during the reconstruction of the Baixa Pombalina. Remarkably, they had survived the catastrophe intact and continued to support the buildings above them. By the early 20th century, the local population even used the chambers as a cistern and called them the “Conservas de Água da Rua da Prata”. Today, their survival is thanks to Roman engineering genius.
Why the Galleries Are So Rarely Open
So why are the Roman Galleries only open for 8 days per year? Most of the time, the galleries are submerged. Groundwater from an underground aquifer fills the chambers to more than a meter deep, which makes them inaccessible. Before each opening, the city pumps out the water and carefully prepares the monument for visitors.
Because of this unique condition, the galleries open for just eight days a year – four in April and four in September. Tickets for these openings sell out within days, if not hours, so advance planning is essential.
Visiting the Roman Galleries
The next opportunity to explore the galleries is September 18–21, 2025. Tours run as follows:
September 18–19: 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
September 20–21: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
Visits are guided by the Educational Service team of the Museum of Lisbon in Portuguese. Even if you don’t speak the language, the chance to wander through the space will be a unique and likely unforgettable experience. Tickets are only 3 € and must be booked in advance through the Blueticket platform. Keep a close eye on the Museu de Lisboa website to find out when the tickets become available. You can also check Portugal.com’s Instagram page @portugaldotcom.
Important details for visitors:
- Meeting point – corner of Rua da Conceição and Rua dos Correeiros (arrive 15 minutes early)
- Age – 6+ years old
Duration – about 25–30 minutes
Wear waterproof shoes and comfortable clothing. Please note that conditions are damp and humid.
The tour is not recommended for those with reduced mobility
What to Expect Inside
Don’t expect grand mosaics or statues here. Instead, the Roman Galleries offer a raw and atmospheric encounter with the city’s Roman foundations. Visitors walk through six vaulted galleries and several narrow passageways. Some chambers are so low you must stoop, and in others, you may still see puddles despite the area recently being pumped out.
One particularly striking spot is the Gallery of the Springs, where groundwater still seeps through. This will remind you of the structure’s dual role as both an engineering marvel and a living, breathing part of Lisbon’s geology.
It feels more like walking through the veins of the city than visiting a traditional ruin – moody, damp, and deeply authentic.
Special Tours
If you’d like to extend your Roman experience in Lisbon, there’s a special walking tour that pairs a visit to the Roman Galleries with a stop at the Archaeological Center of Casa dos Bicos. Here, you’ll see the Roman wall and fish-salting tanks that once fueled the prosperity of Olisipo.
Date – September 20, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Price – 7 €
There’s also an adapted visit in Portuguese Sign Language on September 20 at 6:45 pm, which makes the experience accessible to more visitors.
Want to Make It a Roman Holiday?
The Roman Galleries aren’t the only traces of Olisipo beneath Lisbon. Just a ten-minute walk away lies the Roman Theatre Museum, another essential stop for anyone intrigued by the city’s ancient past.
Built in the 1st century AD and rediscovered after the 1755 earthquake, the Roman Theatre once hosted performances for the people of Olisipo. Today, you can see its orchestra, stage, and seating area, alongside exhibits that trace the history of Roman Lisbon.
Practical details for the Roman Theatre
Address – Rua de São Mamede 3A
Opening hours – Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am–6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)
Entry – 3 € (free for children under 12)
Closed Mondays and on January 1, May 1, and December 25
Together, the Roman Galleries and the Roman Theatre provide a rare glimpse into the earliest days of Lisbon.
How to Get Tickets
Since tickets sell out quickly, the best strategy is to monitor the Museu de Lisboa website and Portugal.com a few weeks before the April and September openings. Tickets are exclusively sold online through Blueticket.
So set a reminder to check every day because walking through the Roman Galleries is one of the hardest tickets to get in Lisbon – and gives you access to the oldest part of the city!
