Best Viewpoints in Lisbon: Tips & Hidden Gems
Lisbon is a city of hills, and that's exactly why it has so many miradouros. But not all of them are equally good. Some are packed with tourists from early morning, while others remain quiet and almost empty even in high season. We visited many of them, and here are the ones I'd come back to.
- Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol are a few dozen meters apart in Alfama, so you can see both on one early-morning walk.
- Come to Santa Luzia and Graรงa early in the morning: fewer people, soft light and, at Santa Luzia, a golden sunrise over the rooftops.
- Miradouro da Graรงa has one of the widest views in the city, reaching the Vasco da Gama Bridge on a clear day.
- Santo Amaro, near Belรฉm, is the quiet one: the Ponte 25 de Abril at sunset and planes landing low over the water.
- R. do Jasmim has no miradouro sign: it's a narrow street that suddenly opens onto the Ponte 25 de Abril.
Lisbon spreads across seven hills - and this isnโt just a pretty line from a guidebook. It means that around every corner there could be another miradouro with a panoramic view of the city, the Tagus river, and the red rooftops of Alfama. There are truly many viewpoints here, but weโve selected five that deserve a dedicated morning or evening in your itinerary.
Lisbon viewpoints at a glance
The five miradouros from this guide, with our tip for each.
| Viewpoint | What you see | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Miradouro de Santa Luzia | Alfama rooftops, the Tagus, azulejos | Come early: sunrise light, fewer people |
| Miradouro das Portas do Sol | A wider view over Alfama, cafรฉ terrace | A few dozen meters from Santa Luzia: see both on one walk |
| Miradouro da Graรงa | All of Lisbon: Sรฃo Jorge Castle, Alfama, the river, the Vasco da Gama Bridge on clear days | Come before the tour buses; cafรฉ nearby |
| Miradouro de Santo Amaro | Ponte 25 de Abril, the Tagus, planes landing low over the water | Quiet; best at sunset |
| R. do Jasmim | Ponte 25 de Abril at the end of a narrow street, colorful facades | No miradouro sign, just a street |
5 best viewpoints in Lisbon
1. Miradouro de Santa Luzia ๐
One of the most famous and photogenic miradouros in Lisbon. From here you get the classic Portuguese view: terracotta rooftops, the narrow streets of Alfama, and the wide Tagus on the horizon. The terrace is decorated with traditional blue-and-white azulejos and draped in bougainvillea - in good light itโs simply magical.
Come early in the morning - there are far fewer people, but theyโre still around. In return, youโll get soft morning light and a golden sunrise over the rooftops - perfect for photos.
2. Miradouro das Portas do Sol ๐๏ธ
Just a few dozen meters from Santa Luzia - and a completely different angle. Thereโs more space here, a cafรฉ terrace, and the view is a bit wider. The two miradouros stand nearly side by side, so itโs easy to visit both in one walk. Ideal if you come early in the morning, when the city hasnโt fully woken up yet.
3. Miradouro da Graรงa ๐
This miradouro sits slightly off the tourist trail, but the view from here is one of the widest in the city. It opens up a panorama of all of Lisbon: Sรฃo Jorge Castle, Alfama, the river, and even the Vasco da Gama Bridge on a clear day. We recommend coming early in the morning before the tourist buses arrive.
Thereโs a small cafรฉ nearby - you can grab a coffee and watch the city wake up. The best spot for a slow morning in Lisbon.
4. Miradouro de Santo Amaro ๐
A completely different mood - and a completely different part of the city. This miradouro is located closer to Belรฉm, and the view here isnโt of Alfama, but of the Ponte 25 de Abril and the Tagus river. On a cloudy day the atmosphere is almost mystical. Another highlight: from here you can see planes coming in to land at Lisbon airport - right over the water, flying incredibly low.
And the main thing - this is a quiet place. When we were here, there were no more than eight people, and everyone spread out across the large space - nobody was in anybodyโs way. Compared to other miradouros, this is a true oasis of calm.
Best to come at sunset - the Ponte 25 de Abril in evening light looks incredible, and the reflections on the water add magic. If youโre lucky with the weather - one of the most beautiful sunsets in Lisbon.
5. R. do Jasmim ๐๏ธ
No official name, no miradouro sign - just a narrow Lisbon street that suddenly opens up with a view of the Ponte 25 de Abril. The architecture here is quintessentially Portuguese: colorful facades, terracotta rooftops, old doorways. Exactly the kind of Lisbon you want to photograph without stopping.
Lisbon is generous with panoramas - you can find your own miradouro around almost every corner. But if you want to see the city in the best light - literally and figuratively - plan early morning walks through the hills of Alfama and one quiet evening at Santo Amaro.
For more photo spots across the city, see our guide to the best places in Lisbon. Outside the city, Sintra and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, are each about 40 minutes away. And if youโre chasing volcanic panoramas next, Teide on Tenerife is a short flight away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best viewpoint in Lisbon?
For the classic view of Alfama's rooftops and the Tagus, Miradouro de Santa Luzia. For the widest panorama, Miradouro da Graรงa. For a quiet sunset over the Ponte 25 de Abril, Miradouro de Santo Amaro, near Belรฉm.
What is the best time to visit Lisbon viewpoints?
Early morning for Alfama and Graรงa: there are fewer people and the light is soft. Santo Amaro is best at sunset, when the Ponte 25 de Abril looks incredible in the evening light.
Which Lisbon viewpoint is the least crowded?
Miradouro de Santo Amaro. When we were there, there were no more than eight people, spread across a large space.
Are Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol close to each other?
Yes, they're only a few dozen meters apart, so it's easy to visit both on one walk. Portas do Sol has more space, a cafรฉ terrace and a slightly wider view.
Where can you see the Ponte 25 de Abril in Lisbon?
From Miradouro de Santo Amaro, closer to Belรฉm, and from R. do Jasmim, a narrow street with no miradouro sign that suddenly opens onto the bridge.
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