View Points of Lisbon

Lisbon is spread over 7 hills and this provides visitors many great opportunities to view Lisbon from high vantage points, the following guide details the best panoramic viewpoints over Lisbon.

The Praca Alegria View Point

The Praca Alegria View Point is to the west of the historic centre of Lisbon and provides panoramic views over Baxia and down towards the River Tejo. The view point is on the opposite hill to Castelo de Sao Jorge and the castle raises high above the historic centre of Lisbon, perfect for pictures of the castle. Praca Alegria view point is a split level square, with the upper level under the shade of ancient trees while the lower has carefully maintained gardens. The Praca Alegria View Point is reached from Praca dos Restauradores by the traditional Funicular Gloria.

Castelo de Sao Jorge View Point

The castle stands high on the highest hill of Lisbon and the site has always been a defensive position due to its vantage point above the River Tejo estuary and the mouth of the river into the Atlantic ocean. The battlements of the castle provide spectacular views over Baixa and the River Tejo. Significant sights viewed from the view point include the ruined Igreja do Carmo, the 4 squares of Baxia and the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. The only slight down side to the view point is that the entrance fee to the castle must be paid and during the height of summer must be shared with lots of, mainly spanish, tourists.

Adamastor View Point

Many of the view points of Lisbon are poorly signed or indicated and the Adamastor View Point is a prime example. The view point on the edge of Bairro Alto provides panoramic views south over the River Tejo, the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge and the Cristo-Rei statue. The Adamastor View Point is a trendy hang out for students who like to joke while drinking coffee under the shade of the trees. There is a stone monument dedicated to the explores who were able to conquer the seas around the Cape of Good Hope. The monument personifies the dangerous seas as a demon who the explorers must over come. The Adamastor View Point is close to the Brazilian embassy and the street which leads to it is opposite a bank - for more details see the walking tour of the area. The Adamastor View Point is worth hunting out.

Padrao dos Descobrimentos Monument

Though not a traditional view point, the monument of Padrao dos Descobrimentos in Belem provides amazing views of the River Tejo and the sights of Belem. The 52m high Padrao dos Descobrimentos resonates from an era of self promoting dictatorship but unlike the monuments of the communist era has delicate detail. At the top of the monument there is a viewing platform which directly looks over the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and the Torre de Belem. This view point must be paid for but is well worth the entrance fee.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

The Miradouro de Santa Luzia is in the Alfama district of Lisbon and over looks the roofs of the haphazardous Alfama district. The Miradouro de Santa Luzia view point is on the number 28 tram route which passes the Se cathedral on it's way to the district of Graca. The view point is surrounded by delightfully painted buildings, cafes and restaurants.