The Most Beautiful Viewpoints in Lisbon

Steep stairs and alleys, going uphill and downhill: Lisbon is not for those who shy away from walking. The city by the Tagus is built on numerous hills. This circumstance makes Portugal's capital famous for its many viewpoints with sometimes spectacular panoramas.

The so-called Miradouros can be found on historical buildings and monuments, in parks, and on café terraces - and once even on the roof of an elevator shaft. We'll reveal them to you.

Alfama is sometimes affectionately referred to as the village within the city. Narrow alleys wind through the district, residents chat from window to window, and sometimes grill sardines in front of their doors. Fado venues and restaurants attract many tourists.

Amidst the maze of alleys, travelers will find the Miradouro das Portas do Sol (Largo Portas do Sol) near the Igreja de Santa Luzia. From the square, which also has a statue of the city's patron saint, Saint Vincent of Saragossa, visitors have a great view of the houses of Alfama, the São Vicente de Fora Church from the 16th century located northeast of the Miradouro, and southward to the Tagus.

For those who haven't had enough, another viewpoint is located about 160 meters away directly behind the Santa Luzia Church: the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. It not only offers a beautiful panorama; a pergola and a garden with bougainvillea and tiled images depicting the Praça do Comércio make it worth visiting in its own right.

Travelers will find the triumphal arch Arco da Rua Augusta in the center of Portugal, in the Baixa district, the lower city. The monumental structure connects Praça do Comércio with Rua Augusta, the capital's bustling shopping street. It symbolizes the strength of Lisbon, which had to be rebuilt after an earthquake with a tsunami and a great fire in 1755.

Since August 9, 2013, the Arco da Rua Augusta has been accessible to the public and is a popular Miradouro. The observation deck is directly below the sculptures of Portugal's first minister, Marquês de Pombal, the navigator Vasco da Gama, and the tribal and army leaders Viriatus and Nuno Álvares Pereira. Visitors have a 360-degree panoramic view over the Praça do Comércio, the old town, the Sé de Lisboa Cathedral, the Tagus, and the Castelo de São Jorge.

The arch is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, and the observation deck is accessible via an elevator inside the building. Admission costs 3 euros, with children under five entering for free.

A different kind of viewpoint is the Elevador de Santa Justa (Rua do Ouro), which travelers will find half a kilometer north of the Arco da Rua Augusta in the Baixa district. The futuristic-looking public elevator is more than a century old. The cast-iron structure was inaugurated in 1902 and was formerly known as Elevador Ouro-Carmo because it connected Rua do Ouro in the Baixa district with Largo do Carmo in the higher-lying Chiado district.

The neo-gothic looking structure was designed by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard. In its early years, it was powered by steam technology. In cabins adorned with brass fittings, up to 24 travelers can ascend toward Chiado. At a height of 45 meters, a 25-meter metal walkway leads to Largo do Carmo.

Above the elevator cabin is an observation deck. From here, visitors can enjoy another spectacular panorama. Besides the Baixa with its buildings, the Castelo de São Jorge, the Tagus, and the ruins of the Convento do Carmo can be seen. The elevator is operated by the state transportation company Companhia de Carris de Ferro de Lisboa (Carris), with a single ticket, including the ascent and descent, costing 5.30 euros.

The Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (R. de São Pedro de Alcântara) is located in the Bairro Alto district, the upper city. It is one of Lisbon's largest and most famous viewpoints and is situated in a green area that also includes a kiosk. From there, travelers can see the Praça dos Restauradores and the adjoining Avenida da Liberdade, a grand avenue modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

Below the observation terrace stretches the lower city, Baixa. Beyond its rooftops, there is a clear view of old Lisbon with the Alfama district and the Castelo de São Jorge. A city map made of mosaics highlights the landmarks. The observation terrace has several benches for taking in the panorama and resting. Those wanting to avoid the sun can find some shade-providing trees above the terrace.

Those who enjoy walking can reach the Miradouro on foot. Alternatively, there is the Elevador da Glória, a funicular that connects the Baixa district with the upper city. It stops right next to the viewpoint.

The ascent is strenuous, but it's worth it: In the heart of one of Lisbon's many hills rises the unmistakable Castelo de São Jorge. The historic fortress was built in the mid-11th century. Eleven well-preserved crenellated towers, arrow slits, and a dried-out moat characterize the sturdy structure, which was once held by the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors.

Within the expansive fortress grounds, travelers will also find the Miradouro (R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo) of the same name. It was built only at the end of the 18th century, though its supporting walls are about 400 years older. From here, there is a spectacular panoramic view over the historic center of Lisbon, the southern bank of the Tagus, and the northern part of the capital.

Numerous trees provide visitors with shade, and free-roaming peacocks and native plants are part of the setting. Inside the castle courtyard is a small café. The fortress, including the Miradouro, is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with an entrance fee of 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children aged 13 and above. Younger children enter free.

To see Lisbon from an entirely different perspective, you must cross to the southern bank of the Tagus. There, in the city of Almada, 113 meters above the river lies the Santuário do Cristo-Rei. The 28-meter-high Christ statue stands on a 75-meter-high pedestal, making it the sixth largest of its kind globally and among the tallest structures in all of Portugal.

The figure gazes with outstretched arms over the river and the Ponte 25 de Abril toward Lisbon. The monument was constructed over ten years from 1949, inspired by the statue in Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites on the Iberian Peninsula and also serves as a viewpoint.

Visitors can reach the platform located more than 100 meters up by elevator. From there, visitors can see the entire Portuguese capital, including its landmark, the Torre de Belém. Admission costs 6 euros per person, with children aged eight and older paying 3 euros.