Viewspoints (miradouros) of Lisbon are just one of the many attractions of the Portuguese capital! Lisbon is known as the “city of the seven hills”. This means that in Lisbon there are several high points from which you can see the beautiful landscapes that characterize it. Important monuments, typical neighborhoods, historic areas, the Tagus River or the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge: these are just a few examples of the wonders we can observe from the numerous viewpoints that exist in the capital of Portugal. In Lisbon, viewpoints are also meeting points or places to rest. Visit a viewpoint and enjoy the landscape in good company while having a nice drink!
THE 22 BEST VIEWPOINTS IN LISBON
TOREL GARDEN (jardim do torel)
The “Jardim do Torel” was built in the 18th century and has been open to the public since the 1960s. Torel was the name of the owner of the mansion to which the garden and viewpoint belong. The viewpoint is accessible by the Lavra elevator and has an excellent view of the downtown area and the Avenida da Liberdade. In the garden you will find an area of trees and a café with an esplanade.
SÃO PEDRO DE ALCÂNTARA VIEWPOINT
This viewpoint offers one of the best panoramic views of Lisbon. From here you can see the downtown (Baixa), Alfama and São Jorge Castle. The miradouro has lunettes that help you see the details of the landscape better and a map of the city painted on tiles. It can be reached by taking the Glória elevator and is known to be the meeting point of the city’s nightlife.
SANTA LUZIA VIEWPOINT
The Santa Luzia viewpoint is right next to a church with the same name. From here we have a view of the Tagus River and the Alfama neighborhood. The miradouro has an esplanade and there are two tile panels with historical scenes represented. Given its proximity to the São Jorge Castle, it is a great place to take a break after visiting the monument.
ROCOLHIMENTO VIEWPOINT (MIRADOURO DO RECOLHIMENTO)
The “miradouro do recolhimento” is located in an almost hidden place, which makes it little known. It has been open to the public since 2015 and overlooks the oldest part of the city. The Monastery of São Vicente and the National Pantheon are two examples of the monuments you can see from here. It has several trees that create areas of shade.
PORTAS DO SOL VIEWPOINT
This is one of the most famous viewpoints in Lisbon. It is the ideal place to photograph the Lisbon landscape in all its splendor! It is located above Alfama and has the best view of the typical neighborhood. Its shape is reminiscent of a huge balcony. There is a kiosk at the viewpoint and a nearby café with an esplanade.
ADAMASTOR’S VIEWPOINT
This viewpoint is actually called “miradouro de Santa Catarina”. However, it is better known as the Adamastor viewpoint. The mythical figure from The Lusiads is represented here by a statue. It is a popular place where friends gather to watch the sunset after a day’s work. It allows you to see many points of interest, such as the 25 de Abril bridge, Cristo Rei, Baixa (downtown) and the ocean.
GRAÇA VIEWPOINT
The official name of this viewpoint is Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. She was a Portuguese poetess who loved to spend time at this spot. Currently, the miradouro has a bust of the poetess as well as one of her poems inscribed on a wall. This is another meeting place for friends in Lisbon and is much appreciated by artists. It has a shady area with pine trees, a kiosk and an esplanade.
NOSSA SENHORA DO MONTE VIEWPOINT
This viewpoint is located in front of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte, at the highest point of the Graça neighborhood. From here we can see, on one side the Castle, the Downtown and the river; on the other side the Bairro Alto and the Monsanto Forest Park. Not very busy, it offers excellent views of the city. Besides, it is a historical site: it was here that D. Afonso Henriques camped during the conquest of Lisbon.
CASTELO DE SÃO JORGE VIEWPOINT
This viewpoint is part of São Jorge Castle and is one of the highlights of this monument. From here you will have a privileged view of the river and the city. It is also an excellent area to rest. The viewpoint was built in the 18th century and still bears the cannons that in the past were essential to ensure the safety of the city. To access the viewpoint you must pay the entrance ticket to the castle.
AUGUSTA STREET ARCH (ARCO DA RUA AUGUSTA)
The arch of Rua Augusta is one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks and has been open to the public since 2013. It was built to honor the resilience of the Portuguese people and mark the rebirth of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. Inside, you can see an exhibition about the history of this monument. From the top, the view is mainly of the Tagus River and the Baixa area.
PANORAMIC VIEW OF MONSANTO
This is a peculiar building that functioned as a restaurant until the early 2000s. It was abandoned and eventually fell into ruin, becoming a dangerous place. Located at the highest point of Monsanto, this building has a round floor plan, which allows a 360ºC view. Because it is a captivating place, in 2017 it underwent renovations to make it safe again and officially opened to the public.
AMOREIRAS 360º PANORAMIC VIEW
Situated at the top of the Amoreiras Towers, this is one of the highest visitable points in the city. This viewpoint is 174 meters high. It offers a 360º view, which allows you to see all of the capital’s points of interest. The lunettes and maps provided on site make the visit more informative and complete.
PILAR 7
Pilar 7 is an interactive center located in Avenida da Índia, in Alcântara. The purpose of this experience is to provide an in-depth knowledge of the 25th of April Bridge, through the history of its construction and the elevator ride up to the viewpoint. The viewpoint is located on pillar 7 of the bridge, hence the name of the experience. Due to its unexpected location, it offers a unique view of the river and the city of Lisbon.
PENHA DE FRANÇA VIEWPOINT
It is located next to the late 16th century Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França. It is a little frequented viewpoint, so there is plenty of space to relax and move around freely. From it you can see Alto de São João, Olivais, Chelas and Marvila, which are lesser known landscapes of the city of Lisbon.
SANTO AMARO CHAPEL VIEWPOINT
As the name implies, it is located next to the Capela de Santo Amaro. It is not very frequented, which makes it an unknown treasure of the capital. From this viewpoint you can see the Tagus River, the bridge and the south bank of the river. Due to its characteristics and the beauty of the landscape, it is a great place to relax with a group of friends watching the sunset.
LARGO DAS NECESSIDADES
It is located in front of “Palácio das Necessidades” and is part of the Olavo Bilac Garden. Since it is located at the same level as the surrounding buildings, it does not offer clear views. Still, it is possible to see Alcântara, the Tagus River and the South bank. It is worth a visit to this square, which has a beautiful baroque fountain and green areas, which make it very pleasant.
ANFITEATRO KEIL DO AMARAL
Located in the Monsanto Forest Park, it is an open-air amphitheater. It is an ample space where you can picnic, rest, run and bike. It is also the stage for several shows. Among the Park’s pine trees, from the amphitheater you can see the Tagus River and the bridge: a view that looks like something out of a postcard.
CHRIST THE KING (CRISTO REI)
Christ the King is a monumental statue that was inaugurated in 1959. It shares some similarities with the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Since it is located on the south bank, you can see the whole silhouette of Lisbon from here. It also has what is considered one of the best views of the 25 de Abril bridge. The entrance to the terrace is free, but to go up to the upper level it is necessary to buy a ticket.
SANTA JUSTA ELEVATOR
This 45-meter high elevator connects Baixa to Bairro Alto. It was inaugurated in 1902 and has a style inspired by the work of Gustave Eiffel. Built for practical purposes, today it is used as a viewpoint, being one of the most popular in Lisbon. It offers an excellent view of downtown.
PARQUE EDUARDO VII VIEWPOINT
This is a monumental viewpoint in central Lisbon from which you can get a good sense of the size of the city. The view goes down the hill: you can see the gardens of the Park, the statue of the “Marques of Pombal” and, in the background, the river. Besides the views, the surrounding gardens are very beautiful, so it is worth a visit.
DISCOVERIES MONUMENT (PADRÃO DOS DESCOBRIMENTOS)
It is located in Belém and was built in honor of Infante D. Henrique and the navigators who contributed to the Discoveries. To access this viewpoint, which is about 50 meters high, you must buy an entrance ticket to the monument. The view is breathtaking: from the viewpoint you can see the river and the south bank, but also the most important monuments of Belém and the huge compass rose that marks the entrance of the monument.
MONTE AGUDO VIEWPOINT
This viewpoint is located between Graça and Anjos and is little known. It offers views of the northern and western areas of Lisbon. But it is also a good place to relax and rest. At the viewpoint there is a pearl that provides pleasant shade and there is also a kiosk that sells drinks.
