Where to Find the Best Views in Lisbon (Top Lisbon Miradouros)

Last Updated on 6th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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The one thing that visitors to Lisbon remark on more than anything else is the sheer number of hills and slopes scattered across the city. Traversing Lisbon is not an easy task due to its sheer number of inclines and declines, but fortuitously this also means that there’s no shortage of beautiful viewpoints in the Portuguese capital. Here’s where to find the best views in Lisbon.

In Portuguese, viewpoint is known as ‘miradouro’ or ‘miradouros’ in the plural. As a result, when scanning maps of the city or indeed reading travel guides about the best things to do in Lisbon, you’ll often come across the term miradouro. Though there are an infinite number of beautiful vistas across the city, here are some of the best:

Best views in Lisbon

The Triumphal Arc of Rua Augusta

Somewhat of a hidden gem of Lisbon on account of the fact that not too many people visit this little viewpoint, the top of the triumphal arch of Rua Augusta provides unparalleled views of the Praça do Comércio.

If you already have the Lisboa Card, then going up the arch is included in the price of the card. Please note that this isn’t exactly the best view of Lisbon, but it’s still a pretty cool view and there is hardly ever a queue to go up the arch! Nearby, you can go and try a shot of Ginjinha or sample a pastel de nata at Fábrica da Nata.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

On any search of the best miardouros of Lisbon, the first viewpoint that you’re likely to come upon in the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, which is literally translated as the doors of the sun. This view can get really quickly so be sure to arrive earlier in the day rather than later if you want to catch a good view!

Around, there are plenty of iconic sights to see, including the 28 tram (which is honestly one of the busiest trams I’ve ever seen in my life). Nearby, there are plenty of sellers touting wares such as fridge magnets and mini models of the Lisboa tram.

This is easily one of the best places to enjoy a view of the iconic Alfama neighbourhood. After enjoying the views from the view, you can head to the Santa Luzia vista before continuing down the hill towards the rest of Alfama district and Lisbon Cathedral.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Just a couple of minutes stroll down the hill from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol (so be sure to start your day in Lisbon at the prior point to avoid having to walk up and then down again), the Miradouro de Santa Luzia is free to visit.

This terrace is a particularly good Lisbon miradouro to visit as the terrace is also decorated with plenty of traditional blue azueljos (tiles) which are as emblematic of the city as good weather or pastel de natas.

The viewpoint is open 24/7 meaning that you can enjoy beautiful vistas during the day as well as at night. In the summer, there’s bougainvillea in bloom, while a restaurant at the end of the terrace (Bar Terraço de Santa Luzia) offers thirsty visitors the chance to enjoy the view while sipping on a drink or indulging in a snack.

Miradouro de Saõ Pedro de Alcântara

If there’s one vista that provides a great view of the city while offering an equally convivial ambiance, it’s the Saint Peter viewpoint. Just steps away from the church of Saõ Roque (which is a must-see while int he area on account of its ornately decorated interior), this viewpoint is open day and night.

The view is free to enjoy, offers one of the best views of the Castelo de Saõ Jorge, and one particular point of interest is a little plaque which shows visitors exactly what they’re looking at from the top.

In the summer, part of the wide terrace is transformed into an outdoor festival area, with pop up stands selling snacks and drinks, as well as live music performances.

The viewpoint is also a short walk walk away from O Cauteleiro, a statue that is one of the best hidden gems of Lisbon. Afterwards, you can carry on walking down into the Chiado neighbourhood and see delights such as the Carmo Monastery and the Bertrand bookstore, the oldest bookshop in the world.

Santa Justa Lift viewing platform 

While many visitors to Lisbon opt to ride the Santa Justa lift, what many people don’t know is that you can actually enjoy beautiful views of the city from the platform that’s accessible at the same level of the top of the lift, which in turn offers views onto the castle and the Baixa neighbourhood.

While you’ll have to pay to take the iconic Santa Justa lift (and waste some of your precious time waiting around in a queue in order to do so), you can get an even better view from the edge of the Chiado district.

When facing the Carmo Monastery head on while in the Chiado district, head to the right-hand side of the ecclesiastical building on the Largo do Carmo road. Then, take the Tv. Dom Pedro de Menezes and you’ll see the steps to the lift. Walk up the steps, around the ticketing area and to the end of the platform, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the town.

Lisbon Cathedral Terrace

One unique Lisbon view that you’ll have to pay to enjoy is from the terrace of the cathedral. The Lisbon cathedral boasts castellated towers and dates back to the 12th-century and is now known in Portuguese as just the Sé.

Presiding over the rest of the Alfama district, the cathedral costs €5 to enter. Once inside, you’ll be able to discover the cathedral’s treasury, enjoy a lovely view of the district from the terrace between the twin clock towers, and see the rather plain nave and altar.

Dom Pedro V, 56

One of the more out of the way viewpoints in Lisbon is from the end of road Dom Pedro V 56 in the Bairro Alto neighbourhood. Trendy and chic, this district oozes bohemian elegance and is full of up and coming bars and restaurants. This vista is free to access and offers pretty views over the Portuguese city.

Best rooftop bars in Lisbon

Thanks to its status as a trendy, hip, and cool modern capital city (not to mention the number of hills in town), there are a variety of rooftop bars to choose from. Please note that many of the bars are more expensive than other bars in the city (you’re definitely paying for the view) and many should be booked in advance to avoid dissapointment:

• The V Rooftop Bar
• Memmo Principe Real
• TOPO MARTIM MONIZ
• Topo Chiado
• Lumi rooftop bar

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