Lisbon viewpoints: the miradouros we use for photos
Lisbon is built on hills, and its viewpoints, the miradouros, are the best free thing in the city. Here are the ones we use for photos, which way each one faces, and when the light is best.
Short answer
- For sunrise and morning light: Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia in Alfama. They face south-east and are nearly empty early.
- For sunset: Senhora do Monte, Graça, São Pedro de Alcântara and Santa Catarina look west.
- Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia are two minutes apart, so one short session covers both.
- All the miradouros are public and free.
In this guide: Portas do Sol · Santa Luzia · Senhora do Monte · Graça · São Pedro de Alcântara · Santa Catarina · Time of day
Part of our Lisbon photoshoot guide: where to shoot, when to go and what to wear.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
The classic Alfama view: the rooftops falling towards the river, the white dome of the National Pantheon and the towers of São Vicente. It faces south-east, so the best light is at sunrise. By nine it is full of people; at sunrise it is almost empty. Most of our city sessions start here.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A few steps down from Portas do Sol: a pergola covered in climbing plants, benches with blue-and-white azulejo tiles and the same view over Alfama. It works in the morning, and the pergola gives shade later in the day.
Most of our city sessions start at Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia, before the tour groups arrive.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Higher up in Graça, one of the highest viewpoints in the city, with a wide view over the castle, Baixa and the river. It looks west, so it is a sunset viewpoint, and it gets busy in the evening.
Miradouro da Graça (Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen)
Next to the Graça church, under pine trees, with a view to the castle and Baixa. Also west-facing and good in the late afternoon, with a small kiosk café.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
In Bairro Alto, a long garden terrace looking east across Baixa to the castle and Graça. At sunset the castle side of the city is lit in warm light, which is the reason to go.
Miradouro de Santa Catarina
Looks south-west over the river and the 25 de Abril Bridge. One of the best places in Lisbon to watch the sun go down, and one of the busiest at that hour.
Which viewpoint for which time of day
| Viewpoint | Faces | Best light |
|---|---|---|
| Portas do Sol | South-east, over Alfama | Sunrise |
| Santa Luzia | South-east, over Alfama | Morning |
| Senhora do Monte | West, over the city | Sunset |
| Graça | West, castle and Baixa | Late afternoon |
| São Pedro de Alcântara | East, castle and Graça | Sunset (lit castle) |
| Santa Catarina | South-west, river and bridge | Sunset |
Questions about Lisbon viewpoints
Which Lisbon viewpoint is best for photos?
For the classic view of rooftops and the river, Miradouro das Portas do Sol. For a quieter terrace with tiles and climbing plants, Santa Luzia next door. For sunset, Senhora do Monte.
Do you need tickets for the miradouros?
No. Lisbon’s viewpoints are public squares and terraces: free and open all day.
How do you get to the Alfama viewpoints?
Tram 28 stops next to Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol (timetables on Carris, the city’s transport company). On foot it is about 15 minutes uphill from Praça do Comércio.
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.
