17 best viewpoints and rooftops to see Lisbon from above

Where to find the best viewpoints in Lisbon to see this iconic city from above? Here are some of the most popular spots as well as hidden gems and rooftops you might not know in Lisbon where you can get the best scenic views over the city!

We spent more than two weeks living in Lisbon and exploring everything this iconic city had to offer. In this blog post, you will find the best viewpoints and rooftops in Lisbon with photos, descriptions, and locations on the map. Happy exploring!

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1. Miradouro de Santa Luzia

If you are looking for the best viewpoints in Lisbon, then this is it – Miradouro de Santa Luzia. Thanks to the beautiful pergola covered with vines and flower bushes as well as tile-covered walls this viewpoint has the perfect setup for a stunning photo.

If you are an early riser I highly recommend coming here in the morning. The glowing sun rays from the sunrise make the whole place even more scenic and magical. It will be quite busy during the day, so there’s another reason for an early morning visit!

The viewpoint offers picturesque views over Lisbon’s red terracotta roofs and the scenic Tagus river. Lisbon is a popular cruise stop so it is very possible that you will get some of those giants in the background as well – it is part of the daily life in Lisbon!

Location: Miradouro de Santa Luzia

2. Basílica of Estrela

The Estrela Basilica was one of my favorite and most beautiful places in Lisbon! This 18th-century church was ordered by the Queen Maria I of Portugal and today holds Queen Maria’s tomb inside the premises of the building. You can visit the church for free.

However, the most special thing about the church is that you can climb up to the roof to see the impressive dome and two bell towers up close. I always love climbing up to the rooftops wherever I can and this basilica offers the most amazing views!

There is a small door to enter the dome and see it from within. It is quite spectacular and incredible! It is hard to imagine what it was like for them to build such a grand and complex building centuries ago. A visit to the roof costs 4 EUR per person.

Basílica of Estrela is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Lisbon. But because it is a bit further away from the center of the city it gets fewer visitors than other landmark buildings in Lisbon. If you can, I highly recommend visiting this church!

Location: Basílica of Estrela

3. Castelo de São Jorge

When in Lisbon it is impossible to miss the majestic São Jorge Castle sitting atop a hill in the heart of Lisbon. It was one of my favorite places to see Lisbon from above. If you happen to be there at sunset it will be especially beautiful to see everything in golden shade.

The fortifications of a castle that we see today date back a thousand years when they were built by the Moorish forces that had occupied the territory of Lisbon. However, there is evidence that humans lived on the castle hill as far back as the 8th century BC.

São Jorge Castle is one of the bucket list places to visit in Lisbon. During the Middle Ages, this site had a royal palace that was the residence of the kings of Portugal. As of today not much is left of the castle except the impressive defensive towers and walls.

Visit to the castle cost us 11 EUR per person which is a bit pricey to see the walls of a castle from the Middle Ages, but if you time it around sunset then you can get some magical golden views over the whole city. Plus there are smaller crowds in the evening!

Location: Castelo de São Jorge

4. Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Miradouro das Portas do Sol is another famous viewpoint located in the heart of the city – right next to the popular Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint. There is a wide platform with picturesque views over the city and the Tagus River.

There is also a hidden secret to the viewpoint – right under the observation deck you can find a special spot – a secret tunnel dedicated to the most important historic events that have happened in Lisbon.

The tunnel has numerous comic-style illustrations created by the artist Nuno Saraiva that depict the story of Lisbon. It is a great photo spot and you can also see the iconic Igreja de São Vicente de Fora church right through the tunnel. Definitely stop by!

Location: Miradouro das Portas do Sol – Tunnel of the history of Lisbon

5. National Pantheon

One of the best viewpoints in Lisbon you will find on the roof of the National Pantheon – a beautiful 17th-century monument that is among the most popular and most beautiful places to visit in Lisbon. The National Pantheon was initially built as a church but was later redesigned.

Today the National Pantheon hosts multiple burial sites of some of the most important Portuguese personalities like presidents, generals, and also artists. You can visit the Pantheon for an entrance fee of 4 EUR (a visit to the roof is included in the price).

The most impressive part of the Pantheon is the dome. It was only finished in the 20th century. If you climb up to the roof of the Pantheon, you can walk around the circular shape of the dome from the inside – there is a pathway with railings (see photos).

From the rooftop of the Pantheon, you can get 360-degree views over Lisbon city, the Tagus River, and the port. This was definitely one of my favorite viewpoints in Lisbon. Pantheon itself is located on a hill so the views were great!

Location: National Pantheon

6. Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

If you travel to Lisbon then visiting Igreja de São Vicente de Fora church and the monastery right next to it is a must! It is an absolutely massive complex that consists of a large church, a monastery that features the royal pantheon, and a courtyard.

It was built in the 17th century in the Mannerist style and features some of the most impressive tile artworks in Lisbon. One of the best things about it is that you can climb up to the roof of it and see Lisbon and, especially, the nearby National Pantheon from above.

The inside of the monastery features a famous sacristy covered by different types of marble. There are courtyards lined with arches and walls decorated with illustrations on painted tiles. The church hall ceiling is covered by beautiful barrel vaulting.

The whole building is a piece of art and is one of the most important monasteries in the country as it hosts the royal pantheon of tombs from the Portuguese monarchs from the Braganza dynasty. I would definitely include this in my Lisbon bucket list!

Location: Igreja de São Vicente de Fora

7. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is among the best viewpoints in Lisbon for sure. If you are looking for the perfect place to watch the sunset in Lisbon, this is probably the most popular viewpoint of all for that.

This viewpoint is located in a churchyard on the highest point on one of the hills in Lisbon. It will definitely be a decent hike up to the viewpoint however you can always rent a tuk-tuk to get around Lisbon without constantly battling the hills, haha!

We visited this viewpoint in the morning and during the day. It offers sweeping views over the whole city and is probably one of the best viewpoints you will find in Lisbon. it will definitely be full of buzz during the day and evening, however, the views are worth everything!

Location: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

8. Miradouro da Graça

One of the best viewpoints in Lisbon is Miradouro da Graça. It is a beautiful scenic terrace on one of the hills of Lisbon offering stunning panoramic views over the whole city. I especially loved the view of the São Jorge Castle on a nearby hill.

Basically, the whole hill is like a viewpoint but there are many parts that you can visit – there is a beautiful large park with benches and trees that offer shade during the day. But there is also a large terrace with a restaurant next to the church.

The photos were taken from a square right next to the Igreja Paroquial da Graça church. It must be one of the most popular places to watch the sunset in Lisbon as it offers sweeping views in the direction of the sunset. I really loved this spot!

Location: Miradouro da Graça

9. Roof of Convento da Graça

There is a hidden gem right next to the Miradouro da Graça viewpoint. While the viewpoint is absolutely beautiful and has incredible views over Lisbon, there is a spot nearby to get even better views – climb on the roof of Convento da Graça!

As we visited the viewpoint below, I noticed some people hanging around the bell tower of the church which is right next to the viewpoint. So we went inside to investigate and realized that you can visit the rooftop for 5 EUR.

The entrance fee even includes a drink – wine or juice. You can buy tickets to the roof at the entrance to the Convento da Graça convent. Definitely check out the ground floor as well – the convent has some of the most amazing tile illustrations you will see!

The rooftop of the convent gives you panoramic views over the whole of Lisbon. The best views are right next to the bell tower – don’t forget to walk behind it to get the best views! This was one of my favorite viewpoints and hidden gems in Lisbon!

Location: Convento da Graça

10. Elevador de Santa Justa

Elevador de Santa Justa is probably one of the most iconic places in Lisbon and one of the most iconic viewpoints as well. It is an iron elevator built in 1902 to connect different levels of the city. It does look pretty unique!

The iron elevator is 45 meters high and was built in a Neo-Gothic architectural style. Moving around the city has always caused problems because of the hills. So different solutions to that problem have been introduced over time – this lift being one of them.

Taking the famous elevator and driving up to the observation deck is among the top things to do for many tourists. You can normally see a big line waiting for their turn to go up with the iconic lift. However, you can also visit the top of the elevator for free.

Taking an iconic iron elevator that is more than 100 years old is definitely a cool experience and I have done it myself. However, waiting in the long line was the worst part. If you happen to be there on a hot day then maybe you wouldn’t want to do that.

You can actually climb up to the higher level on foot (you can navigate to the Carmo Convent building which is behind the elevator) and from there, you can walk to the upper floor of the elevator for free. It is located next to a bar and is open to everyone.

Those who buy tickets and drive up with the elevator are allowed to climb up a few meters higher and see a rooftop view but it doesn’t differ too much from the one you get for free, so it is up to you to decide. Elevator tickets cost about 5 EUR per person.

Location: Elevador de Santa Justa

11. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

If you want to feel like the whole Lisbon city is at your feet then Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is a great place to go. It is located in the Bairro Alto neighborhood and offers panoramic views over the whole city!

There is a park-like area with plants and benches, as well as a fountain. The viewpoint gets busy during the evening when people gather to watch the sunset. If you happen to be around the area, stop by! It is a great place for a picnic as well!

Location: Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

12. Miradouro do Jardim do Torel

Another wonderful viewpoint inside the city is Miradouro do Jardim do Torel. It is located inside a beautiful city garden with trees and bushes that offer some shade during the hot days. It is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the buzz!

I really liked this viewpoint because of the peacefulness it offers – it is less known than others, it is hidden inside the garden and it feels like a secret corner to get away from everybody. There are benches in the shade with scenic views over Lisbon.

Because it is located inside a garden, it has working hours, so make sure to check that before you come here. This is probably not the place to watch the sunset during summer because it closes at 8 PM. But it will be perfect during the day!

Location: Miradouro do Jardim do Torel

13. Panorâmico de Monsanto

Panorâmico de Monsanto is one of my favorite viewpoints and hidden gems in Lisbon. This secret Lisbon viewpoint is actually an abandoned multi-story building in a circular shape. It was once a high-end restaurant with scenic views over Lisbon.

The restaurant was opened in 1967 as a restaurant-café and later served for many purposes until it was eventually abandoned. Recently the municipality decided to clean it and make it more presentable as people were still going there for panoramic views.

The building is now full of street art murals and art installations, however, the main attraction here is the view. I like to call it the balcony of Lisbos as it really felt like it when we visited the viewpoint.

It is easily accessible by car (or taxi) as there is a big parking lot right next to it, however, I have heard that many people simply hike there on foot as the road there is very peaceful through the woods.

The territory has opening hours so check that before going! There is a fence and gate that will be closed outside working hours. When we went I also saw a security guard walking around. Entrance to the building and the territory is free.

Tip! Before going there, open Google Maps and check the reviews! Sort them to the newest reviews first and read through them! There might be times when it is simply closed and you don’t want to waste your time by going all the way there for nothing!

Location: Panorâmico de Monsanto

14. Miradouro de Santo Estêvão

In case you find yourself in the famous Alfama district in Lisbon, here is a great viewpoint you can walk by to get amazing views over the neighborhood and the river – Miradouro de Santo Estêvão.

The viewpoint is located in a small square right next to a beautiful 18th-century Igreja de Santo Estêvão church. The viewing platform has a big cross in the middle of it and is lined with railings. This is definitely a lesser-known viewpoint in Lisbon!

Location: Miradouro de Santo Estêvão

15. Miradouro de Santa Catarina

Located just a few hundred meters away from the famous Pink Street is this scenic viewpoint – Miradouro de Santa Catarina. There is a small park-like garden and a big platform with benches and panoramic views over the Tagus River and the port.

There is also a photo-perfect angle with an inscription of ‘Yes, life is good’ on the wall and the majestic Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in the background. This is a great and lesser-known place to wait for the sunset and have a picnic at the same time.

Location: Miradouro de Santa Catarina

16. Miradouro do Recolhimento

Miradouro do Recolhimento is definitely one of my favorite hidden gems in Lisbon. Although it is rather a simple viewpoint, you can get a beautiful photo combination of the frame and the striking towers of the church and the pantheon in the background.

You should take note that this viewpoint is located inside a playground area that has opening hours. There is no entrance fee or any other restrictions to enter this area except for the opening hours. Outside these hours the gate will be closed.

Location: Miradouro do Recolhimento

17. Lisbon Cathedral

Although the Lisbon Cathedral is probably not the best spot to see Lisbon from above, it still is located up on a hill and offers panoramic views from the upper floor where you are allowed to go if you buy the entrance tickets.

Lisbon Cathedral itself is an iconic building and the oldest church in Lisbon. The church was built in 1147 and so far has survived multiple earthquakes and has been rebuilt and redesigned multiple times over the centuries.

This means that the Lisbon Cathedral features many different architectural styles – starting from Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Rococo styles. My favorite place in the cathedral was the front facade balcony where you can walk on – I feel like the Pope!

There are two floors to explore if you buy the entrance tickets. The ground floor features the main hall with multiple chambers where you can walk around and see everything. The upper floor features rooms with artifacts and balconies to see Lisbon from above.

Location: Lisbon Cathedral