Lisbon secret shortcuts/elevators to make ascend easier!

I remember that you could go in a dept store( I think) not far from Santa Justa elevator and use the stores elevators up. The Santa Justa was included in my transit pass when I was there.

The easiest way to Chiado (and Carmo Convent) is to walk through the Baixa-Chiado metro station. You can walk in and go straight through without paying. At the Chiado side there are several escalators going up to Chiado.

To go up to Alfama is a bit trickier. On the same street as the Baixa-Chiado metro station, walk straight across Baixa (toward Alfama, away from Chiado) until you can’t go further. Go inside that building and you will see a couple of elevators. When you get off at the top, you will cross the street and turn left. In a short distance (at the first opportunity), turn right. Walk straight until you see the signs for Pingo Doce.

Inside the Pingo Doce building, you will see elevators. Take them as far up as they go.

Unfortunately, you will still have to climb some, but it’s a big help. You also might search for the new escalator from Martim Moniz up to the castle. They have been completed in the last year and I haven’t used them yet, so don’t have details.. Martim Moniz square is the terminus of Tram 28.

Here’s another description on how to find the elevator that will take you closest to the castle. It’s #4 on the list. https://www.the500hiddensecrets.com/portugal/lisbon/buildings/lifts-and-elevators. As @kathrynj said, when you get to the top of the first elevator you have to cross the street and turn left to get to the second elevator.

Page 47 of the RS Portugal guide lists a number of options including:
Elevador Gloria (funicular)
Elevador Santa Justa
Escalators inside the Baixa-Chiado metro. RS says you can take the escalators entering from the street without taking the metro
Elevators inside the Armazens mall
See the book for details on where these are located and where they take you.

Also, from the walking tour I did, our guide showed us:
Escalators inside the Rossio train station take you from Rossio square into Chiado avoiding the steps
To get toward the Castle, there was an elevator inside a building -- I believe it is Elevador Castelo describe on this website: https://www.weheartlisbon.com/en/sights/elevador-castelo

Thank you for a lot of useful information!
Found a couple of videos showing how to use the elevators to the castle. I guess after you exit the second one, there is still a bit of a (steep) hike.

As for the taxis, how close do they get to the castle? One thing I was considering doing in the morning when we leave the hotel is to ask the hotel to arrange a number of taxis that could all drop us off at the same location (in front of ?) the castle for example. We've done that when going to Granada's Alhambra.. saved a lot of walking this way. Then after visiitng the castle walk down to Alfama (again how difficult is it to walk down?) to do a walking tour (House of spikes, Cathedral, old Moorish history).

Does this make sense?

Taxis will get you fairly close to the castle, but there will still be a bit of a climb.

FYI - there really isn’t a lot to see in the castle as it is unfurnished. The biggest thing about going is the view. And, IMO, the view is better further up in Graça at the Miradouro da Nossa da Monte. Taxis can get you very close to that miradouro. The Portas del Sol also has lovely views out over the river. It’s a bit below the castle.

We have stayed right by the Castle twice. I really like the neighbourhood, and think it is worth going up there. We didn't go into the Castle our first trip, as we had heard mixed reviews, but did our second trip and really felt it was worth it. We went fairly early in the morning.

There is an elevator that cuts off the large majority of the climb. It is in the back of a grocery store called Pingo Doce. There is a very short uphill walk after that. There also was a mini bus that goes up to the castle. I believe it was #737. My notes say you catch it at Praca da Figuera.

Another option ( and I am hesitant to suggest this, as I am not a big fan of them) is to catch a tuk-tuk up, as there are many of them around.
One thing to keep in mind, even if sticking to flat surfaces in Portugal is that the sidewalks are made up of small marble stones. They are very uneven. Shoes with good grip are really important, particularly if it is wet.

The Carmo convent really is a fabulous sight. I think you should be able to cab up to that, or find public transit.

The Elevator de Santa Justa has the added attraction of a connection to the great wrought-iron master Eiffel. One of his students is said to have designed the lift. Pretty flossy stuff, too, fancier than his master, to judge from the photos here:
https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Baixa-Lisbon/Elevador-Santa-Justa-Lisbon-elevator-lift-guide.html

For collectors of Eiffel, one of the great arches over the river Porto in the city of that name is also connected to him. And of course there are several mock-ups of the Statue of Liberty surviving in Paris (he designed the skeleton that holds her aloft).

Thank you everyone!

@kathrynj! I am torn. Inded to the castle is just for the views and the peacocks! The ruins look quite nice and I thought it'd be nice to combine wiht Alfama later on. But I will keep the view point in Graca in mind.

@ Lisa, I think (if we manage to go) to use taxis to the castle, and then elevators hafl way to the Alfama. As for the Carmo convent, I am excited. I hear there are ways of using escalators / elevators up there. Saw in one of the youtube video tours of LIsbon that there is a public elevator near Santa Justa (very close to the MUJI store) that takes you up to the area of the Carmo convent.

@Southam, with a large group and long lines, we probably will jsut look at the elevator Santa Justa from the outside (and maybe...just maybe) try to use the observation deck at the top which if I understand correctly can be done from the Carmo Convent area. Those who are too tired to walk up all those stairs can possibly sit at the cafe and have a refreshment. And yes for Porto bridge! I hope it's not too streinous to walk across it from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia side.

Anna, how old ARE these "elderly people" ? Some would use the phrase for anyone over 50 -- others would envision a tour of 80-year-olds.

Laura, 65 to ...83 :)). They are all pretty active with the exception of one lady who is a bit on a heavier side and has a little more difficulty walking. Last year in Georgia and Armenia she kept up with everyone even when I offered her to relax at a cafe instead of going up with everyone. That said, Portugal scares me :))). So many hills and cobbled streets! I just want to find the best solution or at least have an idea of how to react quickly if the group gets tired.