11 of the Best Views in Lisbon and Where To Find Them

When it comes to the best views in Lisbon, it’s only natural to kick off with Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, the city’s highest point. From here, you can see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and spot top Lisbon landmarks, such as Castelo de São Jorge. Take the exertion out of reaching the top on a tuk-tuk tour or electric bike tour, which help you navigate the attraction-packed neighborhoods of Alfama and Chiado with ease.

Insider tip: Thanks to its 360-degree views, this lookout point is one of the best places to watch a sunset in Lisbon.

One of Lisbon’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites, the 16th-century Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) isn’t just nice to look at. Once you’ve admired the regal artifacts in the Throne Rooms and descended to the dimly-lit dungeons, you can head up to the rooftop terrace for sweeping views of the Tagus River (Rio Tejo) and the architecturally rich Belém district. If you're still curious, you can dive deeper into the history of Belém on a walking tour that combines the tower with the Jerónimos Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Near the top of lists of rooftop bars in Lisbon, you’ll often find Bar Terraco de Santa Luzia, a tiny terrace in the heart of the historic Alfama district. As it only has 65 seats, you'll want to arrive early enough to grab a table—but once you're there, you’ll appreciate its small size and intimate atmosphere. It serves cocktails and light snacks, and there are often live guitarists serenading the sunset. If you’re keen to visit more of Lisbon’s nightlife hot spots, keep the party going on a bar crawl of some local Lisbon favorites.

Perched on a lovely swath of green space in Graça—one of Lisbon’s coolest neighborhoods—Miradouro da Graça is a less-crowded and more spacious alternative to other better-known Lisbon viewpoints. From here, you can enjoy dramatic vistas of Lisbon's neighborhoods, such as Baixa District (Lower Town) and Bairro Alto, where the colorful houses appear to tumble into the sea. While you're here, you can explore the often-overlooked neighborhood’s fabulous culinary scene on a food tour that reveals secret spots you might otherwise have missed.

It’s not often that a mode of transportation becomes a tourist attraction in itself, but the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) is one of the top landmarks with great views in Lisbon. Connecting the city’s upper and lower towns, this historic elevator is a neo-Gothic gem built in the same style as Paris’ Eiffel Tower. There’s also an observation deck at the top of the lift for even better views, but keep in mind that you'll need to buy separate tickets for the elevator ride and viewing platform. There's plenty to explore in the area beyond the lift, too: Admire the lovely landmarks that surround it on a Lisbon walking tour.

Insider tip: The lift can only carry 20 people up and (curiously) 15 people down, so try to arrive as close to its 7am opening time as you can to minimize wait times.

Lisbon's observation decks are typically compact, so you often have to jostle with crowds to get the best views of Portugal’s capital. Not so much at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, which boasts the title of Lisbon's largest observation point. Along with views for days, one of this lookout point’s best features is the map of Lisbon depicted using traditional azulejo tiles. While you can climb up to the lookout, to save your legs, you can zip up to several Lisbon lookout points on a private tuk-tuk tour.

As the westernmost point in continental Europe, it’ll come as little surprise that Cabo da Roca is an excellent place to admire the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Up until the 14th century, when Portuguese explorers returned with news of other lands, this rugged headland was believed to be the edge of the world. Thanks to its location near the charming resort town of Cascais, many day trips to the fairy-tale landscapes of Sintra stop at Cabo da Roca along the way.

You don’t necessarily have to go high to enjoy some of the most scenic spots in Lisbon. The egg-yolk-yellow Tram 28 is indisputably the capital’s most famous public transport route, thanks to the scenery along its route. From your perch on the tram, you’ll rattle past Lisbon sights, such as Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa). Make the most of your ride by combining a ticket with an audio guide for Tram 28, so you can get the inside scoop on the history of the landmarks you pass.

With its confectionary-colored exterior and turreted towers, Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena) looks good enough to eat. But its beautifully bright exterior isn't the only thing worth feasting your eyes on—the palace sits atop a hill in the Sintra Mountains and therefore affords sweeping views of the UNESCO–listed town and forest below. The landscapes feel a million miles from nearby Lisbon’s urban sprawl and are worth exploring on a day trip from the capital, which typically takes care of transportation. Many also stop at other Sintra highlights, such as Quinta da Regaleira and Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros).

If you want to pack in as much sightseeing as you can during a limited time in Lisbon, head straight to the Tagus River (Rio Tejo). The sights from Lisbon’s major river are sublime at any time of day, but you can set sail at sunset on a catamaran cruise featuring wine and tapas for truly memorable twilight views. Not only will you escape the crowds on land, but from your vantage point on the water you'll cruise past landmarks such as the 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril), the National Sanctuary of Christ the King (Cristo Rei), and the UNESCO–listed monuments of Belém, including the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos).

If you're ready for a break from the bustle of Lisbon's city center, you can head to one of the hidden viewpoints in Lisbon. Not only is the Amoreiras Shopping Center Lisbon’s flagship mall, it also boasts a panoramic lookout point that few first-time visitors know about. While it’s free to browse the stores in the shopping center, there’s an extra charge for the viewpoint. However, admiring Lisbon from one of its highest points is well worth the €5. If you’re left wanting more retail therapy, continue searching for a bargain on a Lisbon shopping tour.