The 30 Viewpoints with the Best Views of Lisbon


Lisbon is one of the world’s most scenic capitals, thanks to its several hills which offer beautiful views from the top. Many hilltops have been landscaped to be “miradouros” (viewpoints), and miradouro-hopping is an activity that no one should miss in the city.
You’ll find several by chance as you walk around, others are worth going out of your way to see. Many of these viewpoints have kiosks serving refreshments, making them meeting points for locals and tourists, and the perfect break as you sightsee. Below is a list of the “official” viewpoints, plus other spots from where you can admire the city, and terraces and observation decks at the top of monuments.



Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Largo das Portas do Sol (Alfama)

Miradouro das Portas do Sol, Lisbon

Found not far from the castle, this terrace offers the best postcard views of Lisbon. It overlooks the domes and rooftops of the city's oldest neighborhood and the waterfront.


Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara (Bairro Alto)

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, Lisbon

This beautiful landscaped terrace, on a hill directly across from the castle, offers a view over Avenida da Liberdade , downtown and the river. It's also one of the most romantic spots in the city.


Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Largo de Santa Luzia (Alfama)

Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Lisbon

You can look out to the terracota rooftops of Alfama and the river from this incredibly charming terrace, always filled with tourists snapping photos.


St. George's Castle

Rua de Santa Cruz (Alfama)

Castle view, Lisbon

The castle stands at the top of Lisbon’s tallest hill, and therefore offers the most complete view of the city. For the views alone, it’s worth visiting the monument.


Miradouro da Graça

Largo da Graça (Graça)

Miradouro da Graça, Lisbon

This seems to be the favorite viewpoint of artists who paint the city. With a kiosk-café and views of the castle, it's also a popular meeting point, mixing locals and tourists, from morning to night.


Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Rua da Senhora do Monte (Graça)

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Lisbon

You find a panoramic view of almost the entire city at this once-secret viewpoint. It's one of the favorite sunset spots for the local youth and tourists.


Santa Justa Elevator

Rua de Santa Justa (Baixa); Largo do Carmo (Chiado)

Elevador de Santa Justa, Lisbon

From the top of this historic elevator you have breathtaking bird's-eye views of downtown, which explains why it's one of the city's most visited monuments.


Miradouro do Arco da Rua Augusta

Rua Augusta (Baixa)

Vista do Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon

The top of the landmark triumphal arch only opened for visits in 2013, but quickly became one of the city’s must-see attractions. It overlooks Comércio Square to the south and the city's main pedestrian street (Rua Augusta ) to the north.


Miradouro de Santa Catarina

Rua de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina)

Miradouro de Santa Catarina, Lisbon

The port of Lisbon and 25 de Abril Bridge are seen from this terrace, where you may also sit and watch the cruise ships navigating by, or stay for the sunset. A kiosk serves drinks to the many locals who join the tourists at the end of the day.


Miradouro do Parque Eduardo VII

Alameda Cardeal Cerejeira; Praça do Marquês de Pombal (Avenida da Liberdade)

Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon

All of downtown Lisbon, built between two hills, can be seen from the top of this sloping park. With a view of the castle and the river, this is a picture-perfect spot.


Miradouro do Largo da Academia das Belas Artes

Largo da Academia das Belas Artes (Chiado)

Miradouro do Largo da Academia das Belas Artes, Lisbon

A quiet square in Chiado hides a terrace that's used as a private parking lot, with a beautiful view over the center of Lisbon. A few feet from there you get a closer look at the top of the triumphal arch and the Municipal Palace (City Hall).


Discoveries Monument

Avenida Brasília (Belém)

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Belém, Lisbon

Most of Lisbon's main landmarks (like the Jerónimos Monastery ) can be seen from the top of this monument, standing on the spot where many explorers departed to uncharted territories. When you look down, you see a map of the world illustrated on the pavement, tracing the routes of the famous navigators.


Miradouro do Cristo Rei

Avenida Cristo Rei (Almada)

Miradouro do Cristo Rei, Lisbon

Almost all of Lisbon can be seen from across the river in Almada. The best spot is at the foot of the Monument to Christ , which stands above the 25 de Abril Bridge.


Miradouro do Recolhimento

Beco do Recolhimento (Castelo)

Miradouro do Recolhimento, Lisbon

It's the city's secret viewpoint, as it only opened in 2015 and not even many locals know about it. It's found a short walk from the entrance to the castle, and has a panoramic view over the neighborhoods of Graça and Alfama.


Miradouro do Torel

Travessa do Torel (Pena)

Miradouro do Torel, Lisbon

This hilltop terrace overlooking downtown towards the triumphal arch of Rua Augusta is also a garden laid out in the 1960s. Due to its off-the-beaten-path location, it gets very few visitors.


Miradouro de Santo Estêvão

Largo de Santo Estêvão (Alfama)

Miradouro de Santo Estêvão, Lisbon

The terrace next to St. Stephen’s Church forces wandering tourists to stop and admire the view of the whitewashed houses and church towers of Alfama.


Miradouro dos Terraços do Carmo

Largo do Carmo (Chiado)

Terraços do Carmo, Lisbon

The terraces behind Carmo Convent , next to one of the entrances to the Santa Justa Elevator , are now a large public space that includes a bar serving drinks and light meals, to be enjoyed along with the view over Rossio Square , the castle and the elevator.


Miradouro do Jardim da Cerca da Graça

Calçada do Monte (Graça)

Jardim da Cerca da Graça, Lisbon

Very few people had access to this view and to this park throughout the centuries, but this green space below Graça Church was finally cleaned up and opened to the public in 2015. From here you may look out to the castle, to the neighborhood of Mouraria and 25 de Abril Bridge.


Miradouro do Monte Agudo

Rua Heliodoro Salgado; Rua Ilha do Príncipe (Anjos)

Miradouro do Monte Agudo, Lisbon

It’s a well-kept secret, perhaps due to its location in an off-the-beaten-path neighborhood. From here you have a panoramic view that goes from the old town to the modern avenues of the Avenidas Novas district.


Miradouro do Largo das Necessidades

Largo das Necessidades (Alcântara)

Largo das Necessidades, Lisbon

This terrace remains undiscovered by most people. It’s faced by Necessidades Palace and offers a beautiful view of 25 de Abril Bridge. Behind it (to the left of the palace) is the entrance to Tapada das Necessidades Park , one of Lisbon's "secret gardens."


Miradouro do Chão do Loureiro

Calçada do Marquês de Tancos (Mouraria)

Miradouro do Chão do Loureiro, Lisbon

This terrace, located not far from the castle, at the top of a former market that’s now a parking garage, has largely been taken over by the tables of a restaurant, but remains a public space, offering a panoramic view of downtown.


Amoreiras 360º

Avenida Eng. Duarte Pacheco (Amoreiras)

Amoreiras 360º, Lisbon

The observation deck of the Amoreiras towers finally opened to the public in 2016 (the towers date from 1985). It's accessed through the shopping mall and you must buy a ticket at the reception. The 360-degree view covers almost the entire city, and there are maps pointing out the main landmarks.


MAAT

Avenida de Brasília (Belém)

MAAT, Lisbon

One of Lisbon's most iconic buildings is an exceptional example of contemporary architecture. Visitors are allowed to walk over it, to admire a view of the river and 25 de Abril Bridge.


Ajuda Botanical Garden

Calçada da Ajuda (Ajuda)

Jardim Botânico da Ajuda, Lisbon

This botanical garden, hidden a short walk from Ajuda Palace , is beautifully decorated with plants and sculptures. It’s also a lookout point, as it’s split into two levels, and from the stairs that connect them is a wonderful view of 25 de Abril Bridge.


Belém Tower

Avenida da Índia (Belém)

Torre de Belém, Lisbon

From the top of Belém Tower there’s a view of the river and of the ocean in the distance. You also get to see the entire Belém district, from the Belém Cultural Center to the Discoveries Monument .


São Vicente de Fora Monastery

Largo de São Vicente (Alfama)

Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora, Lisbon

The rooftop view is one of the highlights of a visit to this monastery . From here you can almost touch the dome of the National Pantheon and see all of Alfama.


National Pantheon

Campo de Santa Clara (Alfama)

Panteão Nacional, Lisbon

The National Pantheon also opens its terrace (surrounding the large dome) to visitors, allowing you to admire a view over Alfama and the river.


Miradouro de Santo Amaro

Escadinhas de Santo Amaro (Alcântara)

Miradouro de Santo Amaro, Lisbon

Hidden by a small chapel from 1549, this little-known terrace is usually deserted and a great place to admire a view of 25 de Abril Bridge.


Miradouro Anfiteatro Keil do Amaral

Auto-Estrada de Lisboa-Cascais

Anfeteatro Keil do Amaral, Monsanto, Lisbon

Europe's largest urban forest has an amphitheater facing 25 de Abril Bridge. It's a popular picnic area, and the rest of the park includes sports facilities and children's playgrounds.

Basílica da Estrela

Praça da Estrela (Estrela)

Basílica da Estrela, Lisbon

Basilica da Estrela 's rooftop is open to visitors, who get a close-up view of the dome and bell towers, and look over the neighborhood all the way to the towers of Amoreiras and the castle.