Best photo spots in Lisbon, from two local photographers
Where we actually take people for photos in Lisbon, in the order we usually walk them, with the best time of day for each.
Short answer
- Start in Alfama early: the viewpoints, red doors and bougainvillea are quiet before the tour groups arrive.
- Walk downhill to Baixa for the yellow trams, then finish at Praça do Comércio and the river.
- That route covers five spots in about two hours on foot.
- Pink Street, LX Factory and Belém are separate trips, better planned for another part of the day.
In this guide: Alfama viewpoints · Red doors and bougainvillea in the Alfama lanes · The Sé cathedral and the tram rails · Yellow trams in Baixa · Praça do Comércio and the Rua Augusta Arch · Cais das Colunas · Pink Street · LX Factory · Belém
Part of our Lisbon photoshoot guide: where to shoot, when to go and what to wear.
Alfama viewpoints
Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia, above the rooftops of Alfama. Best at sunrise, busy by nine. See our guide to Lisbon viewpoints.
Red doors and bougainvillea in the Alfama lanes
A few minutes down from the viewpoints, the lanes have tiled walls, red doors and bougainvillea in summer. They are narrow, so they stay in soft shade most of the morning.
The Sé cathedral and the tram rails
The twelfth-century cathedral with tram rails in front of it. Trams pass every few minutes, so you can wait for one to enter the frame.
Yellow trams in Baixa
The yellow trams climbing and turning through Baixa and Alfama. Tram 28 is the famous line (routes and timetables on Carris, the city’s transport company); for photos, we pick a quiet corner and time the shot to the tram rather than riding it.
This is the route of our two-hour city session: viewpoints, lanes, trams and the river in one walk.
Praça do Comércio and the Rua Augusta Arch
The big yellow square on the river, with arcades, the statue of King José I and the arch into Rua Augusta. Open and bright; best early, before the square fills.
Cais das Colunas
Two stone columns and steps going straight into the Tagus at the edge of Praça do Comércio. Calm water and open sky at sunrise.
Pink Street
Rua Nova do Carvalho in Cais do Sodré, painted pink and full of bars at night. For photos go in the morning, when it is empty and clean.
LX Factory
A former industrial complex in Alcântara, under the 25 de Abril Bridge, now full of shops, murals and cafés. Good on a grey day, and busy at weekends.
Belém
The Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, about 20 minutes west of the centre by tram 15. Beautiful but crowded; early morning is the only quiet time.
Questions about photo spots in Lisbon
What is the most photogenic place in Lisbon?
The Alfama viewpoints, Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia: rooftops, the river and tiles in one frame. For more, see our guide to Lisbon viewpoints.
Can we see several photo spots in one session?
Yes. In two hours we usually walk from the Alfama viewpoints through the lanes and Baixa to the river, four or five spots in total.
Is Lisbon crowded for photos?
The old town gets busy from mid-morning, especially in summer. Early in the day the same places are almost empty, which is why we start most sessions then.
Planning a photoshoot in Lisbon?
Tell us when you’re in Lisbon. We reply within 24 hours with a start time for the best light and a route through the places in this guide.
