If there’s something that Lisbon does particularly well, it’s viewpoints… and also pastries, colorful architecture, weather, and more, but today, we’ll focus on the best views of Lisbon.
With its famously hilly topography that overlooks the soft curve of the Tagus River (like Rome, Lisbon boasts the nickname “City of 7 Hills”), Lisbon immediately lends itself to the possibility of gorgeous city views.
And over the centuries, the city has delivered: from its many famous miradouros (or viewpoints) that you can access for free, to monuments like the Arco da Rua Augusta to, of course, the iconic Castelo de São Jorge that overlooks the city, there are seemingly endless angles to admire Lisbon’s cityscape from.
After spending more than a year in the Portuguese capital, we complied this guide to the best views of Lisbon–and threw in some runner-ups, as well, because we couldn’t quite bear to leave them off.
Here’s where to find Lisbon’s best views!
Table of Contents
The Best Classic Lisbon Viewpoints (Miradouros)
Looking for those classic miradouros?
While “miradouro” literally means “viewpoint” in Portuguese, when speaking English it colloquially tends to refer to the small public parks and gardens that are situated at particularly gorgeous overlooks in the city.
They’re free and easy to visit–no lines or entrance fees, simply walk up and enjoy–though some get much more crowded than others.
Each of these miradouros offers sweeping views of Lisbon’s colorful buildings, and most also feature a view of the Tagus River as well.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
As the highest viewpoint in Lisbon, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte offers one of the widest, most dramatic views of the city and is absolutely worth the trek (and it is a bit of a trek) to the top.
Due to being a bit more out of the way than some miradouros, it’s generally bustling but not absolutely packed, and you should be able to find a spot to perch on the wall and enjoy both the view and the music from one of the buskers who will no doubt be nearby.
There are usually carts selling snacks around here, too.
If you opt to take one of the hard-selling tuk-tuks that park here to or from the viewpoint, be sure to negotiate very, very carefully–and know that they’re interested in selling tours, not really transportation.
Miradouro da Graça
Located about a 10-minute walk from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Miradouro da Graça is home to one of the most incredible views of Lisbon that you can find anywhere in the city.
With Castelo de São Jorge located to your left and sweeping views that tumble downward all the way to the Abril de 25 Bridge in the distance, it would arguably be just as crowded as the next two viewpoints on our list… if it was as easy to access.
While Route 12 will deliver you here by tram, the climb to and through Graça is worth the leg workout for travelers eager to get beyond busy neighborhoods like Alfama and Castelo without traveling too (geographically) far.
Graça is a casual and beautiful neighborhood with a village-like atmosphere and lots of street art to admire, and is well worth visiting even without its gorgeous view (which is admittedly the star of the show).
There’s a cafe on-site named Esplanada da Graça, and if you’re looking for a scenic place to enjoy a quick drink or snack, it’s a lovely choice.
And, like many of these Lisbon viewpoints, there’s a church on-site as well: the Igreja da Graça doesn’t take long to see, but is worth stepping inside.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Easily one of Lisbon’s most famous viewpoints, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama offers gorgeous azulejos, excellent views of the Lisbon skyline, and a charming (albeit often crowded) small park to enjoy.
Thanks to the many azulejo-covered details in the park itself, Miradouro de Santa Luzia is one of the best places to see azulejos in Lisbon, which isn’t quite as coated in the iconic Portuguese art as, say, Porto is.
While the Miradouro de Santa Luzia is one of the most famous viewpoints in Lisbon, and no roundup of local miradouros would be complete without mentioning it, it’s worth pointing out that the view itself–while lovely–isn’t the absolute best among those included here.
… And that’s especially true on days when a giant cruise ship or 3 is parked on the Tagus right underneath the viewpoint, lending a less-than-idyllic atmosphere to the river view.
It is located in Alfama, though, and right next door to what is probably Lisbon’s most famous viewpoint, so it’s incredibly popular–and what it (slightly) lacks in views it more than makes up for in the charm of its azulejo-covered park.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Right next door to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, you’ll find the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
The view from here has graced many a Lisbon travel guide, postcard, and advertisement, and it is stunning!
This is essentially the better version of the view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, and while the view of Lisbon itself is better (or requires less neck-craning to enjoy, anyway), the terrace and park that make up the actual viewpoint are less charming than the option next door.
In other words, it’s definitely worth seeing both–especially since they’re right by each other!
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Located at the top of the Glória Funicular, Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is one of my personal favorite miradouros in Lisbon.
The park is nearly always bustling but not overwhelmingly crowded (and various markets and food stalls pop up over the seasons), and the views encompass wide swaths of central Lisbon, including the prominent Castelo de São Jorge located on the next hill over.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is located in Bairro Alto, near both Chiado and Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
The glittering Church of São Roque is located just a short walk away!
Miradouro do Torel (Jardim do Torel)
One of the quietest and most out-of-the-way Lisbon miradouros, the Miradouro do Torel is situated in a beautiful garden that basically sits facing the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, and offers great views of Avenida da Liberdade (more or less Lisbon’s Champs-Élysées, which it was modeled after).
In addition to the view, one of the biggest reasons to visit Miraodouro do Torel has to do with getting there!
While you can climb up to the viewpoint on foot, you can also get very close to it via the Elevador do Lavra, the oldest and least-visited of Lisbon’s 3 funiculars.
Monuments + Beyond With the Best Views of Lisbon
While the capital city’s miradouros are rightfully famous, they aren’t the only places with beautiful views of Lisbon!
Here are a few more gorgeous Lisbon viewpoints, from a castle to a monastery and beyond.
Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle)
Lisbon’s famous Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle) is situated at the top of São Jorge Hill and–as you might expect for a defensive castle whose roots date back more than 1000 years–it commands an excellent view of the city.
The castle has been rebuilt many times, and today, ramparts, peacocks, and a small museum remain… plus, of course, those epic views.
However, there are no interior rooms or furnishings, like what you’ll see in the palaces of Sintra.
Because of the lack of interiors, some argue that Castelo de São Jorge is overrated, however, our family and friends who visited us in Lisbon have loved it, with some even naming it their favorite sight that we saw in the city!
And, if you’re looking for the best viewpoints in Lisbon, you can’t go wrong with this one.
The lines to get in are notoriously long, so we highly recommend getting started as early as you can (the castle opens at 9:00 AM) and pre-booking your tickets in advance!
This skip-the-line ticket also includes a 15-minute introduction to the castle and city.
Book your skip-the-line ticket for Castelo de São Jorge today!
Parque Eduardo VII Viewpoint
Situated toward the top of one of Lisbon’s largest (and in our opinion, loveliest) parks, the Parque Eduardo VII viewpoint draws the eye downhill, through the hedge-strewn lawn, the famous Marquês de Pombal Square, and the shaded Avenida de Liberdade, all the way down through the neighborhood of Baixa and to the Tagus River.
It’s a fantastic place to relax and enjoy not only the view, but the atmosphere of a beloved Portuguese park.
Parque Eduardo VII is a wonderfully welcoming and relaxed space in Lisbon, perfect for travelers looking to get a bit off the beaten path without straying (geographically) far.
The crowd here tends to be a mix of locals, residents, and tourists, and despite being situated near some of Lisbon’s top luxury hotels (like the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, for example), the atmosphere is far from the more tourist-dominated one by, say, the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
If you happen to be planning a trip to Lisbon in winter, it’s also home to one of the city’s best Christmas markets!
Sanctuary of Christ the King
Easily one of the most offbeat views of Lisbon, in large part due to being literally out of the way compared to most of the potential viewpoints around the city, the Sanctuary of Christ the King (or in Portuguese, Cristo Rei) certainly offers a unique angle!
The statue itself, which was inspired by the more-famous Brazilian Christ the Redeemer statue, immediately draws the eye when admiring views of Lisbon–you might even notice it before touching down in Lisbon, if your flight path takes you over the Tagus!
Situated near the Abril de 25 Bridge, the Sanctuary of Christ the King is located on the opposite side of the Tagus River from the rest of these viewpoints (or in fact, from virtually all of the top things to see in Lisbon–technically, Cristo Rei is located in the city of Almada).
As a result, very few travelers admire the city from its striking viewing platform–but those who make the trek are rewarded with one of the most unique views of Lisbon, complete with the Tagus and the Abril de 25 Bridge in the foreground!
Arco da Rua Augusta
Just about everyone who visits Lisbon will marvel at (and probably photograph) the beautiful Arco da Rua Augusta that stands proudly at the edge of the Praça do Comércio–but only a small handful will admire the view from the top!
This intricate triumphal arch, built to honor the city’s rebirth after the devastating earthquake of 1755, boasts a fantastic view of the Praça do Comércio to one side, the climbing hill of Alfama to another, and Baixa to the rear.
Heading to the top, which is accomplished by a combination of an elevator ride and a quick climb, is fast and simple.
Despite walking by the arch more times than I can count, I’ve never seen a line here!
I won’t necessarily say the view is the very best in Lisbon–but it is pretty fantastic, and worth the few Euro (visiting is also included with the Lisbon Card) for travelers seeking out several of the best views of Lisbon.
From the Tagus
While a bit more unconventional, since you’re seeing the city from water level rather than from above, no roundup of the best views of Lisbon could be complete without mentioning admiring the city from a boat on the Tagus!
Lisbon’s history and culture are deeply tied to the Tejo and to the wide open sea that lies beyond it, and relaxing on a sailboat is a fantastic way to admire views of the city.
After all, for centuries, the Tagus has been Lisbon’s source of power and trade, and is the reason the city was located amongst these hills in the first place!
Be sure to pay special attention to the Praça do Comércio, where the royal palace stood pre-1755: this is exactly where people arriving by boat used to disembark and step into Lisbon for the first time.
Plus taking a cruise on the river is simply lots of fun, and more affordable than you might expect!
Most Tagus River cruises leave from Belém, so consider combining your ride with visits to spots like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.
(Free) Santa Justa Lift Viewpoint
The Santa Justa Lift, with its dramatic tower erupting into the sky, is home to one of the longest lines in Lisbon… but you don’t need to fork over money for a ticket or wait in line in order to head to the top of the Santa Justa Lift and admire one of the absolute best views of Lisbon!
If you’re standing in the shady Largo di Carmo square, facing the Carmo Convent, you’ll see a road leading alongside the right side of the convent.
Follow it, and within less than a minute, you’ll find yourself at the top of the Santa Justa Lift!
From here, you can freely walk onto the beautiful iron structure, admiring the same views that you would have gotten by waiting in line to ride it.
It’s one of my favorite views of Lisbon, too–the dead-center view of the São Jorge Castle perched high on a hill above Baixa is stunning.
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
Tucked away in a quiet spot near Graça, the gorgeous (and azulejo-decorated) Monastery of São Vicente de Fora would be worth visiting even without considering the gorgeous views of Lisbon available from its rooftop… but the views are remarkable!
The monastery’s rooftop offers sweeping cityscape views, including a close-up view of the National Pantheon, a wide expanse of the Tagus, and monuments like the 25 de Abril Bridge and Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance.
If you look closely, you can even see a sliver of Castelo de São Jorge!
More Lisbon Views That We Like
Of course, in a city as hilly as this one, it’s no surprise that there are far more interesting viewpoints in Lisbon than we can highlight here, but we’d like to quickly outline a few more that travelers hoping to avoid the more crowded miradouros might enjoy–call them honorable mentions.
These include the rooftop of the National Pantheon (the view from the nearby Monastery of São Vicente de Fora has it beat in our opinion, but it’s still a great view), the view from the back of the Prazeres Cemetery in Campo de Ourique (you can get a great angle on the Abril de 25 Bridge), the view of Belém and the Tagus River from the top of the Monument to the Discoveries, and the view from the upstairs balcony of the Lisbon Cathedral (access is included with your ticket).
And, while it’s a bit of an unconventional “viewpoint”, since you’re looking up instead of down, be sure to turn in the direction of the Tagus and look up when standing in Rossio Square: you can catch a great view of Lisbon architecture from this angle, including an excellent view of the roofless Carmo Convent from afar.
The view from the top of the Basilica da Estrela is also lovely, though one that we’d struggle to qualify as anywhere near the best view of Lisbon.
However, climbing to its rooftop puts you squarely in one of our favorite churches in one of our favorite neighborhoods in the city (be sure to meander through the Jardim da Estrela afterward), with the added bonus of likely experiencing the view with almost no other visitors, so it’s a great under-the-radar pick for some travelers.
While we wouldn’t rank these spots among the absolute best views of Lisbon, they’re all very enjoyable viewpoints.
It’s also worth noting that for travelers hoping to explore Lisbon well off the beaten path, hiking up to the abandoned Panorâmico de Monsanto restaurant once offered a very cool view of the city, but recent updates show that the site has been secured with a fence and security guards these days.
Read More About Visiting Lisbon (and Beyond)
Excited to plan your trip to Lisbon and want to keep reading?
We’d be thrilled to help!
You can browse our dozens of Portugal blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- Inside Livraria Bertrand, Lisbon: The Oldest Bookstore in the World
- 15 Exciting Things to Do in Evora, Portugal (+ Nearby!)
- How to Travel From Lisbon to Porto (By Train, Car, or Bus!)
- What to Buy in Portugal: 21+ Best Portugal Souvenirs
- 21+ Absolute Best Day Trips from Lisbon (+ How to Get There!)
Map of the Best Viewpoints in Lisbon
Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.
I didn’t see Ranger in any of your updated photos of Lisbon…I hope he’s ok!
Cheers!
He is doing great! Napping at my feet as I type. 🙂 Thanks for checking on him!