The best viewpoint in Lisbon

When your city lies on seven hills you’ve got lots of great views. This one is my favorite in Lisbon because the beautiful Tagus River and St. George Castle are both in its sightlines.

The Miradouro’s of Lisbon

It’s no secret that Lisbon is a beautiful city. From the flamboyant and Gothic inspired Manueline architecture to the neo classical Pombaline style to the Baroque interiors of some of Lisbon’s most famous churches, jaw dropping buildings are all around.

Then there’s the Tagus River, which is lovely in its own right. Not to mention the stunning engineering marvel of the Ponte 25 de Abril that crosses it.

And, with the Seven Hills of Lisbon, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy the sprawling and tumble down city.

The best views in Lisbon are at places called Miradouros which translates to “viewpoints.” The Miradouros of Lisbon are more than just spots with a nice vista. They are usually built out with terraces. The best Miradouros might also have a small garden, water feature or a mural of tiles (azulejos).

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Of all the Miradouros in Lisbon, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia is my favorite.

From the lookout point you get a sweeping view of the Tagus River. To the west you can see the ferries that shuttle tourists and commuters across the waterway. To the east, you’ll see the church of Santo Estevão. And, if you look behind you, there’s the Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of Saint George). And take a look through the round port hole with wrought iron for an especially nice vista.

Adding to the evocative experience are the Azeulijo (painted tile) murals at Miradouro de Santa Luzia. One shows what Comercio Square looked like before the devastating earthquake of 1755.

There’s also blooming trees, a small water feature, and a nearby cafe. Plus, the bells ringing of the characteristic Lisbon trams adds to this place’s charm.

How to get to Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Miradouro de Santa Luzia is in Lisbon’s characteristic Alfama neighborhood. Since Lisbon has an excellent public transportation system, it is easily accessible. The famous 28 tram stops right in front of Miradouro de Santa Luzia as do several buses.

If you’re already in Alfama, Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a short walk from Castelo de S. Jorge and about 15 minutes from the top of the Santa Justa Lift.

About the Author

Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection “That Bird.” He’s also written dozens of foodie travel guides to cities around the world on Destination Eat Drink, including in-depth eating and drinking guides to Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Monsaraz, and Evora in Portugal. Brent’s podcast, also called Destination Eat Drink, is available on all major podcasting platforms and is distributed by the Radio Misfits Podcast Network.