BEST VIEWS IN LISBON, CITY OF HILLS
Looking for the Best Views in Lisbon to Capture the Beauty of This City of Hills?
The many hills of Lisbon may make the city more difficult to traverse on foot. However, they also create spectacular views in multiple directions. Visitors have opportunities to gaze upon a landscape of red tiled roofs amid patches of green with the blue Tagus River as a backdrop. Here are my favorite places to hang out and enjoy the best views of Lisbon.
Miradouros – Perfectly Placed Viewpoints around Lisbon
Miradouros, “viewpoints” in Portuguese, top many of the hills of Lisbon. You will find a crowd of visitors lined up along the railings, taking photos, and resting on the park benches. Make the climb on foot to feel a sense of real accomplishment, or grab a yellow tram for a fun ride to the top.
Miradouro de San Pedro de Alcantara – My Favorite Viewpoint
When I travel to Lisbon, I try to stay within a short walk of the Miradouro de San Pedro de Alcantara in the Barrio Alto or Principe Real neighborhood. The wide plaza offers plenty of benches for relaxing and gazing out over the city while listening to street musicians. Across the bowl of Lisbon, the Castelo de Sao Jorge tops the opposing hill, and the blue of the Tagus River provides a backdrop. A kiosk offers food and drinks, and, while the service tends to be slow, I am not in a rush to move on from this spot.
Miradouoro de Senhora do Monte – The Highest Miradouro in Lisbon
Unless you are prepared to climb a long flight of stairs, call a Bolt ride-share to bring you up to Miradouro de Senhora do Monte. I braved the steps off Rua Damasceno Monteiro and was rewarded with a span of the entire city of Lisbon – the National Pantheon and Castelo Sao Jorge on the west side to the 90-foot-tall Cristo Rei statue across the Tagus River and the 25 Abril Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Europe.
This viewpoint makes a perfect start point to wind your way down the narrow streets of Alfama. You can also stop along the way downhill to check out Miradouro da Graca, at the edge of a small park.
Miradouro do Jardim do Torel – A Different Perspective
The Miradouro do Jardim do Torel also offers a view from the city’s east side. I liked that it is not as high as the others and therefore, I could look at the city from above, but with a closer perspective. This viewpoint was also much less crowded than the others with a park leading up to it.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol – Perfect Spot for a Snack
I first visited the Miradouro das Portas do Sol after jumping off the famous Tram 28 after a brief, bumpy, crowded ride through the city. A friend that I had made through a Facebook travel group and I had waited over 30 minutes in the line for the tram and needed a snack. A kiosk at the viewpoint offered pastries and refreshments.
We then wandered down the nearby stone steps to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with the look of a Mediterranean tiled portico with blue tiles and fuchsia blooms. Two musicians with a guitar and a box drum filled the air with song.
A couple of weeks later, I had lunch with a friend from my Portuguese class in a quiet restaurant on the edge of the overlook with a gorgeous view of the river. Afterwards, while we meandered down the sinuous streets, we bought a one euro shot of ginja from two older women with a counter set up in a doorway.
Castelo de SãoJorge – Imagine Defending the City from the Castle of Saint Jorge
The Romans first established a defensive position at the site of the current castle when they created the city of Olisipo. Castelo de SãoJorge was built and restructured through the centuries, with the current layout mainly constructed in the 13th century.
While the castle grounds and walkways along the top of the walls are fun to explore, save some time to ponder the views. The turrets and walls offer a 360-degree view of the city. From the terrace on the east side of the complex, I got my first glimpse over Lisbon’s white walls and terra cotta roofs and fell in love with this magnificent place.
National Pantheon – Incredible Views Inside and on Top
The National Pantheon began as the Church of Saint Engratia in the 1600s, but the structure collapsed shortly after construction. The rebuild was never completed, and the government of Portugal converted the building into the pantheon in 1916. The impressive dome and expansive rooftop were finished in the 1960s.
The multitude of colorful marble and soaring dome inspired me from the ground floor. However, as my daughter and I climbed each level, the view changed and improved. The rooftop terrace is massive and provides an up-close look at the dome structure as well as a panoramic view of Lisbon from the east end of the city.
Church Rooftops – Always Worth the Climb and Extra Cost
Lisbon contains many beautiful churches, and I explore any that I come across when wandering the city. Whether there is an expected donation or not, I always pay the extra euro or two for any available roof access. I recommend being aware of any bell towers if you tend to jump-scare like I do when they ring next to you.
Sao Vicente de Fora – Scenic Walk to the Terrace
The church of Saint Vincent de Fora sits between the National Pantheon and the Castle of Saint Jorge. The walk to the roof brings you through the cloisters lined with 65 blue tile panels filled with depictions of people, animals, and landscapes.
At the top, the mannerist architecture shined with ornately curved stone columns and spires and peaks in each quarter of the roof. I moved around the perimeter carefully to gaze at the river, the Pantheon, and the pastel-colored buildings in the neighborhood. I believe that I jumped about three feet when the bells tolled just as I settled next to the tower.
Basilica da Estrela
In the 1770s, Queen Dona Maria I commissioned the construction of the Basilica da Estrela to fulfill a pledge if she received a male heir to the throne. Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles combine to create a stunningly ornate interior and façade.
The open expanse of the roof of the basilica provides a great view of the Jardim da Estrela and the western part of Lisbon. Don’t pass up a visit to the Nativity Scene in a small room behind the altar.
Santa Justa Lift – Iconic Elevator Connecting Neighborhoods
The Santa Justa Lift serves as an elevator from the Baixa to the Barrio Alto in the center of Lisbon. The public transportation system built the structure in 1902, and it first ran on steam. If it makes you think of the famous tower in Paris, that is because architect Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard was an admirer of Eiffel.
While I have marveled at the 147-foot-tall, ornate metal structure often, I must admit that I have never ridden the lift or seen the view from the top. Every time I passed it, long lines of people waited to pay six euros to go to the top, and I delayed it for another day. On a future trip, I will find the back way to reach the upper platform near the Largo do Carmo.
Restaurant Rooftop Patios – Dine with a View
Just about any rooftop bar in Lisbon will have a scenic view to enjoy. These are perfect spots for an afternoon break or after-dinner drink. Two of my favorites are the SEEN Sky Bar, at the top of the Tivoli Hotel, and Park, on top of a parking garage.
Seen Sky Bar has a classy but hip vibe with a view across the Avenida da Liberdade and the Baixa to the Tagus River. I arrived before the bar had opened and lounged in the Tivoli Hotel lobby on the ground floor. The lunch menu offers a mix of high-end Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine. They also have bar bites to go with their extensive cocktail choices.
Park Rooftop Bar sports the feel of hanging out on a friend’s deck with a view of the Abril 25 Bridge. It was crowded but easy enough to snag a couple of spots on a bench. You reach the roof by entering the parking garage at Calcada do Combro 58 and taking the elevator up to the fifth floor.
When I want a lovely view of Castelo San Jorge across the colorful Lisbon buildings, I eat dinner at Visto do Castelo. The restaurant sits along the steps to the right of the exit at the top of the Rossio Station. If you are arriving from the Baixa, take the long escalator inside the train station to avoid a large portion of climbing.
Helicopter tour – Soar Over Lisbon
I gained a completely new view of Lisbon when hovering over the city in a helicopter. The Tour Guy invited me on a tour of the city by land, sea, and sky. After a walking tour through the neighborhoods, learning the history and culture of the city, our small group of seven cruised along the coast of the Tagus to Belem. We then took turns in a four-seater helicopter for a ride over the water for an incredible tableau. My fear of flying in a small aircraft couldn’t top my desire to see Lisbon in this way.
Conclusion – The Best Views in Lisbon Provide Many Opportunities to Appreciate This Incredible City
For anyone planning a trip to Portugal, I have included my choice of the best views in Lisbon. The city offers many sites from which to gaze at the terra cotta tiled roofs, colorful buildings, and patches of greenery covering the hills, with the Tagus River serving as a backdrop. Reserve some time during your trip to stand at a railing or sit on a bench and enjoy a snack and local music.
Learn more about ways to explore Lisbon at Solo Travel in Lisbon – Your Ultimate Guide. You will find great tips for visiting the city during solo travel, with many ideas for anyone traveling to this incredible city.
