One thing you have to be sure when visiting Lisbon is that at some point, you’ll have to walk up and down hill. Many articles and sites mention Lisbon as the land of the seven hills but actually there are eight in total (definitely seven is a more enigmatic number and more appealing for advertising).
With so many hills, it’s natural that Lisbon offers fantastic places to enjoy a fantastic view and take amazing pictures. We’ll recommend the 5 best viewpoints in Lisbon according to our guides. All of them are public viewpoints, free of charge and are open throughout the year.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
The Portas do Sol viewpoint is probably the most photographed viewpoint in Lisbon and one of the most visited ones throughout the year. Located in Alfama, on the route of the famous tram 28, it’s really easy to find it.
From this viewpoint you have an amazing view of Alfama neighborhood and its beautiful tiled roofs, the National Pantheon, São Vincent’s church and the best part, an amazing view of the Tagus estuary.
Normally, it’s one of the stops of our walking tour around Alfama and Mouraria, the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon and the perfect spot for that Instagram Picture.
There are a couple of bars and a kiosk to have a seat and enjoy the fantastic view.
Close to this viewpoint, there is another one called Miradouro de Santa Luzia, next to the church with the same name. It has a wonderful garden and also offers a fantastic view of Alfama area.
How to get there: The easiest way is to take the tram 28 and get off at Portas do Sol.
Best time to visit: It's a very good place for the sunrise (if you are an early bird). In the afternoon, you have the sunlight illuminating the hill and it's the perfect time for nice pictures.
Miradouro da Graça
Another popular viewpoint in Lisbon, the Miradouro da Graça or Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, is located in front of the imposing Graça Church and Monastery and is a favorite among the locals and tourists.
It offers a fantastic view of São Jorge’s Castle and of Baixa - Chiado, the downtown area of Lisbon. It also has a Kiosk so you can enjoy a nice cold drink while you enjoy one of the gorgeous sunsets on a sunny day in Lisbon (believe me, they are often).
This neighborhood is also called Graça and is a former working class area that started to develop after the Great Earthquake of Lisbon in 1755 and it’s a very pleasant area to hang around and discover its nice and cosy local restaurants, cafes and bars.
How to get there: The easiest way to arrive there and avoid the hill is with the 28 Tram, just get off at the stop called Graça.
Best time to visit: It's a very good place to watch the sunset but anytime of the day is good to go.
Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara
The São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint is located in the Bairro Alto area and it’s the biggest one in the city. There are a couple of terraces that have just been refurbished and a kiosk with seats to have a drink and enjoy the view. It offers the best view of Alfama and Mouraria, the old neighborhoods in Lisbon and their historical buildings.
It’s a good option anytime of the day but late in the afternoon, you can see the fading sunlight illuminates São Jorge’s Castle and the areas on that side of Lisbon.
How to get there: The best way to reach this viewpoint is by foot but if you want to avoid walking up hill, you can take the Gloria Funicular, one of the few funiculars still active in Lisbon, it stops right next to it.
Best time to visit: Late in the afternoon to watch the sunset
Miradouro Nossa Senhora do Monte
The Nossa Senhora do Monte viewpoint is the highest one in the city and according to the locals, offers the best viewpoint in Lisbon. This was the place where young couples used to meet as this was a hard place to reach and there was nobody to watch them.
It offers the most complete view of Lisbon, including 25 de Abril Bridge, Cristo Rei, São Jorge’s Castle, the downtown and the modern areas of Lisbon.
It’s a very relaxing area with a nice garden and a small church but there are no kiosks so it’s better to bring your own drinks.
How to get there: This is the hardest miradouro to reach. You can take the Tram 28 until Rua da Graça and walk the rest of the way (around 10 minutes). If you don’t want to walk, the option is to ride a tuk-tuk.
Best time to visit: In the morning and also for the sunset.
Miradouro Eduardo VII Park
The Eduardo VII Park viewpoint is located in the modern area of Lisbon and offers a different perspective of the city. The amazing view includes Marques do Pombal Square, Avenida Liberdade (Lisbon’s Champs-Élysées and the most beautiful Avenue in the city), São Jorge’s Castle and the estuary of the Tagus River.
As this viewpoint in not located in the touristic areas of Lisbon, it gives a good opportunity to visit this side of the city, including the Park itself with its famous Estufa Fria (Cold Greenhouse) and the fantastic Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
How to get there: From Rossio Square, it’s a 30 minutes walk to reach the Eduardo VII Park. If you want to use public transport, you can take the blue lane of the metro towards Reboleira and get off at Parque Station.
Best time to visit: Anytime of the day is a good time to visit this viewpoint.
