Lisbon’s Best Miradouros and Scenic Viewpoints – A visitor’s guide

Updated Sept. 5, 2023. What is a miradouro? “Miradouro” is Portuguese for “a golden view.” Lisbon is known as the City of Seven Hills, and the City of Light, so it has several golden views. Learn more about some of Lisbon’s best miradouros and scenic viewpoints here.

Miradouro da Graça – one of Lisbon’s best views

Golden sunset at Lisbon's Miradouro da Graca scenic viewpoint
Golden sunset at Lisbon’s Miradouro da Graça scenic viewpoint

The Miradouro da Graça is also known as the Miradouro de Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, because the poet loved to hang out at this popular belvedere.

This beautiful terrace is in a church courtyard in the Graça neighborhood.

Just like at most of these viewpoints, you will find a kiosk in the courtyard serving coffee, sangria, and wine.

This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible.

Address: Calçada da Graça

GPS Coordinates: 38.716494760970264, -9.131546689253657

Transportation: Tram 28E, taxi, uber

For more information: A guide to the beautiful Miradouro de Graça viewpoint

Miradouro do Recolhimento – the secret viewpoint

So many people walk right by this scenic viewpoint without even knowing it is there. But it is one of the best viewpoints (miradouros) in Lisbon, and it probably won’t be very crowded.

To learn how to find the Miradouro do Recolhimento, see the directions in my article Is Miradouro do Recolhimento the best view in Lisbon?

Address: Rua do Recolhimento

GPS Coordinates: 38.712846720070566, -9.131742650722382

Transportation: Bus 737 to the castle doors, approach the ticket booth, but don’t go inside

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

View of the Castelo de Sao Jorge from Lisbon's Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara scenic viewpoint
View of the castle from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

The Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is located in Bairro Alto Bairro Alto – An overview of Lisbon’s most vibrant neighborhood along with plenty of great restaurants, bars and hotels. During the month of June, a stage is set up at this viewpoint, and locals and tourists come to party.

The viewpoint is located next to the upper terminal of the Ascensor da Gloria funicular. For more information on the Elevador da Gloria, read my How to get to Bairro Alto? (Hint: Take the Glória Funicular) – lisbontravelideas.com

This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible.

Address: Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara

GPS Coordinates: 38.71545201940201, -9.144149344571131

Transportation: Take the Ascensor da Glória

For more information: São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint – How to visit and what to see

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Arco da Rua Augusta scenic viewpoint

View of Lisbon's Praca do Comercio from the Rua Augusta Arch
Looking down on Praça do Comércio from the Rua Augusta Arch

In order to go to the top of this massive, beautiful arch it costs 2€. Enter at Rua Augusta 2. Elevators go most of the way to the top, but then there is a narrow spiral staircase of approximately 30 steps that must be negotiated in order to get to the roof.

For more information, see my article, What is the story behind Lisbon’s Rua Augusta Arch?

Address: Rua Augusta 2

GPS Coordinates: 38.70862049392882, -9.136845760418538

Transportation: Rossio Metro station (green line), Terreiro Paço metro station (blue line)

Elevador de Santa Justa

Looking at Lisbon's Castelo de Sao Jorge from the Santa Justa lift
Looking at Lisbon’s Castelo de Sao Jorge from the Santa Justa Lift

There is usually a long line waiting to board the Santa Justa Lift. Admission to ride the elevator is 5.30€ (round trip). There is a cash charge of 1.80€ to enter the viewing deck at the very top. For more information on this popular historic site, see my article, Elevador de Santa Justa | Everything you need to know – lisbontravelideas.com Also, there is another free, public elevator that you can take up to the viewing deck. And it has a shorter line. Lisbon’s secret elevators – free shortcuts to the hilltops

Address: Rua do Ouro

GPS Coordinates:  38.71231849133742, -9.139472607962706

Transportation: Rossio Metro station (green line), Terreiro Paço metro station (blue line)

Miradouro Castelo de São Jorge

View of the April 25 Bridge from Lisbon's Castelo de Sao Jorge.
View of the April 25 Bridge from Lisbon’s Castelo de Sao Jorge.

Address: Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo

GPS Coordinates:  38.714114280589946, -9.133486931077218

Transportation: Bus 737 from Praça da Figueira will drop you off a few meters downhill of the castle. With the help of a friend, someone in a wheelchair could enjoy the grounds of the castle. For more information, In and around Castelo de São Jorge – Lisbon’s castle

Rua da Bica

The Ascensor da Bica funicular climbing up Lisbon's Rua da Bica.
The Ascensor da Bica climbs up one of the prettiest streets in Lisbon

Address: Largo do Calhariz

GPS Coordinates:  38.71100410214113, -9.145836946418783

Transportation: Ascensor da Bica, Baixa – Chiado metro station (blue and green lines) is also a few blocks away.

To learn more: Top things to know about the Elevador da Bica

Miradouro de Santa Catarina

25 of April Bridge seen from the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint in Lisbon, Portugal
25 of April Bridge seen from the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint

A very popular sunset spot among young Lisboetas and tourists, many of whom bring their own bottles and socialize under the statue of Adamastor – a mythical sea creature created by poet Luís de Camões. It’s not the best view in Lisbon, but it is a great spot to see and be seen. Just outside of this miradouro and its cafe / bar, you also have an upscale brunch spot, one of the top hotels in Lisbon, and several rooftop bars.

This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible through a side entrance.

Address: Rua de Santa Catarina

GPS Coordinates:  38.709755277127464, -9.147666281077345

Transportation: Baixa-Chiado metro station is a few blocks away. The upper station of Elevador da Bica is one block east. Tram 28E also stops at the Elevador da Bica station at Largo de Calhariz, one block east.

For more information: Ultimate guide to the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint

Jardim de Torel

Looking down on the public pool at Lisbon's Jardim de Torel
Looking down at the public pool at Jardim de Torel

Address: Rua Julio de Andrade

GPS Coordinates:  38.71899144115328, -9.141330631077112

Transportation: Behind the Hard Rock Cafe (one block northeast), you will find the Elevador do Lavra. Take this funicular up the hill, exit the funicular, take a left, and another left, and walk along the wall until you see the entrance to the garden.

For more information: Miradouro do Jardim do Torel – All you need to know

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

View from Lisbon's Miradouro Portas do Sol viewpoint
A view from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol

One of the two most popular miradouros (scenic viewpoints in Lisbon), it has views of Alfama, the National Pantheon, the church and monastery of São Vicente de Fora, and the Tejo River. While on an incline, it is not a terrible uphill walk from the Baixa neighborhood, but bus 737 stops right in front, as do the 28E tram and the 12E tram.

Address: Largo das Portas do Sol

GPS Coordinates:  38.71275956956254, -9.130262259912598

Transportation: Bus 737, Tram 28E, Tram 12E

To learn more, see my article: Miradouro Portas do Sol viewpoint – What you need to know

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

View of the Tejo River from Lisbon's Miradouro de Santa Luzia
View of the Tejo River from Miradouro de Santa Luzia

A few steps downhill from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, this might be the most beautiful viewpoint in Lisbon. It is the first stop on Tram 28E where you say, “Wow, I need to hop off here.” You see the little chapel of Santa Luzia (built in the 1100s), the lush pink bougainvillea, the white walls, and the blue and white azulejo tile. One panel depicts the castle being seized from the Moors in 1147.  The other azulejo panel depicts Praça do Comércio and the royal palace prior to their destruction in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. And then there is the view. This is the place!

Address: Largo da Santa Luzia

GPS Coordinates:  38.71173667213828, -9.130352102241925

Transportation: Bus 737, Tram 28E, Tram 12E

For more information, read my: Miradouro de Santa Luzia – one of the best places to take photos in Lisbon

Miradouro da Nossa Sra. do Monte

Lisbon's Miradouro da Nossa Sra. do Monte scenic viewpoint

Address: Largo do Monte

GPS Coordinates:  38.72003123400967, -9.133099650927816

Transportation:

Tram 28E will drop you off at Rua da Graça, from there walk sharply uphill for a few minutes.  A taxi or uber may be your best bet for this scenic viewpoint, but it is worth it.

To learn more: Miradouro Senhora do Monte – Lisbon’s highest Viewpoint – know this

Pilar 7 at 25 April Bridge

Admission is 6€.  Seniors and students pay 3.50€.  Take a multimedia tour of parts of the 25 of April Bridge and take an elevator to the glass-floored platform for great views of Lisbon and the Tejo River.  Free admission with the Lisboa Card.  https://lisbontravelideas.com/2021/12/lisboa-card-everything-you-need-to-know

Address:  Avenida da Índia

GPS Coordinates: 38.700567600258644, -9.178544731077634

Transportation: Bus 728 or take the teain to Cascais from Cais do Sodré station.  Get off at the Alcântara-Mar station.

Panorâmico de Monsanto

Located in Lisbon‘s largest park, the Parque Florestal de Monsanto, the Panorâmico de Monsanto was a high-end restaurant in the 1970s but today it is an abandoned building with a lot of graffiti and murals and a fantastic 360-degree view of the city.  Even though it was abandoned, the city came in 2017 and cleaned up and installed safety features at the site so that you can enjoy the artwork and the vie

Address: Estrada da Bela Vista

GPS Coordinates:  38.72888229870642, -9.18450455991215

Transportation: Take bus 711 from Rossio, and then plan on a ten-minute walk. The site closes at 6 pm, but is free to enter.

Miradouro do Monte Agudo

Looking into the setting sun at Lisbon's Miradouro do Monte Agudo, with a view of the central Lisbon skyline
Miradouro do Monte Agudo, a golden sunset

This is a quiet spot favored by locals. 

The miradouro has views of the central Lisbon skyline.  There is a bench, a pergola, and a kiosk selling wine and beer. 

From the Anjos metro station, walk up the steep hill to the park, pass the park, take a left, walk to the end of the street.  On your right, find a steep staircase.  At the top of the stairs, turn right, follow the street.  Pass the school, and take an immediate right to go behind the school.

Address: Rua Heliadoro Salgado

GPS Coordinates: 38.72642753709618, -9.131513153020993

Transportation:  The metro green line will take you to the bottom of the hill.  This is also a good miradouro for a taxi or uber ride.

Aqueduto das Águas Livres

Mmm. yep. You can walk across it. Not me!

Address: Calçada da Quintinha 6

GPS Coordinates:  38.72685560404875, -9.16646004457078

Transportation: Bus 702

Cristo Rei – the Christ Statue

Finally, across the Tejo River, to the left of the 25 de Abril Bridge is the Cristo Rei statue. The 269 foot-tall monument sits on a 133-meter hill. A combination of stairs and elevator takes visitors to the viewing platform at Christ’s feet.

You will have a great view of the 25 of April Bridge as well as Lisbon’s skyline. For more information, see my article Visit Cristo Rei – Portugal’s Christ Statue

Where to find Lisbon’s best miradouros and scenic viewpoints

I challenge you to try to see all of these best miradouros and scenic viewpoints in Lisbon. If you do, you will cover a lot of ground, you will be tired, you will have seen a lot of Lisbon, and your Instagram will pop.

For more amazing views of the city, see my article Lisbon’s best rooftop views.

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