TLDR: Lisbon is a city of seven hills, which means a lot of free panoramic terraces. The ten best miradouros: Senhora do Monte (highest, 360-degree), Santa Luzia (painted azulejo terrace, Casa Almada’s closest), Portas do Sol (the larger Alfama view), Graça, São Pedro de Alcântara, Santa Catarina, Sé Cathedral terrace, Castelo de São Jorge battlements, Park Bar rooftop, and Cristo Rei across the river. All free except the Castelo (€15) and Cristo Rei lift (€8).
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Insider tip from Casa Almada
Climb to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte 30 minutes before sunset. It is the highest viewpoint in central Lisbon (almost 100 m above sea level) and the only one with a genuine 360-degree view — the Tagus to the south, the Castelo to the southeast, the Ponte Vasco da Gama to the east, and the Atlantic spread to the west. Bring a small bottle of vinho verde and a paper cup. The benches around the chapel fill up by 30 min before sundown.
Lisbon is built on hills and Lisbon people have always lived for the view. The miradouro — literally “the looking place” — is a uniquely Lisbon institution. Small terraces with low walls, often a kiosk café, sometimes a fountain or a chapel, and always a panoramic stretch of city below. They are free, mostly always open, and the right place to start understanding the geography of the city.
Casa Almada sits in the Old Town with three of the best miradouros within 5 minutes’ walk and seven more within 20. This is the local ranking of the ten best, with what each one offers and the order to walk them in for a slow afternoon.
The headline three near Casa Almada — Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol, Senhora do Monte
Miradouro de Santa Luzia is the closest to Casa Almada at 4 minutes’ walk. Painted azulejo tile panels on the terrace wall depict the Christian recapture of Lisbon in 1147 and the Praça do Comércio before the 1755 earthquake. Climbing roses overhead, a small bench seating area, and the panoramic Alfama rooftop view to the river. Free, always open. Best at golden hour.
Largo das Portas do Sol sits 100 metres along from Santa Luzia, slightly higher up. Bigger viewpoint, with a small kiosk café (cervejas €1.80, espresso €1, sandwiches €4-€7). The view extends further east toward the Tile Museum than Santa Luzia. 5 min from Casa Almada.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is the highest in central Lisbon at almost 100 m above sea level. From Casa Almada it is a 15-minute uphill walk, or take the 28 tram to the Graça stop and walk 5 minutes from there. The only 360-degree view in central Lisbon — Tagus south, Castelo southeast, Vasco da Gama bridge east, Atlantic spread west. Free, always open. The small chapel of Senhora do Monte is the modest 16th-century structure on the terrace.
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The Bairro Alto and Chiado side
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara sits at the top of the Glória funicular, 18 minutes’ walk from Casa Almada. Two-tier terraced viewpoint looking east across Baixa to the Castelo de São Jorge on the opposite hill. A bust of poet Eduardo Coelho in the middle, a small kiosk café, and dense plantings of jacaranda and bougainvillea. Free, always open.
Miradouro de Santa Catarina sits in Bica, 22 min walk from Casa Almada (or take the Bica funicular up). The local-favourite sunset spot — wide grassy terrace, a giant statue of Adamastor (the mythological sea giant from Camões’ Lusiads), and the bridge view. Locals bring beer from the kiosk and sit on the low wall. Free, always open. Slightly rough crowd late at night.
Miradouro da Graça on Calçada da Graça is 12 min walk from Casa Almada. Set in front of the Igreja da Graça (1271, the oldest church in the city centre). Wide flat terrace with pine trees, a kiosk, and the panoramic view of the Old Town below.
The lesser-known and the paid options
Miradouro da Sé is the small terrace at the back of the Sé Cathedral cloister — only accessible with the €5 cloister ticket, but you get a quiet panoramic view of Alfama almost no one else finds. Worth the cloister ticket alone for visitors who want to escape the crowds.
Castelo de São Jorge battlements (€15 entry) give the highest panoramic view inside the central old town — the entire city spread below, the Tagus to the south, the seven hills counted off one by one. The right place to orient yourself on the first morning of a Lisbon trip.
Cristo Rei is the giant Christ statue across the river in Almada, 110 metres tall on a 75 metre plinth. Take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (10 min, €1.50) then bus 101 (15 min). The lift inside the plinth costs €8 and takes you to the platform under Christ’s feet for the most amazing view back across the river to central Lisbon.
Park Bar rooftop on Calçada do Combro 58 (the bar on top of a multi-storey car park) is the best free panoramic the locals know. Buy a €5 craft beer and the rooftop is yours from 6pm Tue-Sat.
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The right order to walk them
For a slow afternoon walking the central viewpoints, this is the right sequence. Start at Casa Almada at 3pm. Walk to Miradouro de Santa Luzia (4 min) and Largo das Portas do Sol (5 min). 30 minutes here.
Walk uphill 8 min to Miradouro da Graça for the late afternoon light. 20 min. Continue uphill 7 min to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for sunset. 30-45 min waiting for the light.
After sunset, walk 12 min downhill to Largo do Camões in Chiado, then 4 min to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for the lit-up Castelo view across the valley. 15 min.
Finish at Park Bar on Calçada do Combro for a craft beer with the bridge in the dark. 30 min. Bolt back to Casa Almada at 9pm. Five viewpoints, one sunset, one beer.
- Santa Luzia: Painted azulejo terrace. Free. 4 min from Casa Almada.
- Portas do Sol: Bigger Alfama view + kiosk café. Free. 5 min walk.
- Senhora do Monte: Highest, 360-degree view. Free. 15 min uphill walk.
- Graça: Wide terrace by the 1271 church. Free. 12 min walk.
- São Pedro de Alcântara: Two-tier terrace, jacaranda. Free. 18 min walk.
- Santa Catarina: Bica grassy terrace, Adamastor statue, bridge view. Free.
- Sé Cathedral cloister terrace: €5 (cloister ticket). 90 sec from Casa Almada.
- Castelo de São Jorge battlements: €15. Highest official panoramic.
- Cristo Rei lift: €8 + ferry €1.50. View back across the river.
- Park Bar rooftop: Free entry, €5+ drinks. 6pm Tue-Sat.
Photos of Casa Almada
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Casa Almada — luxury family apartment in the heart of Lisbon
220 m² of beautifully restored space across 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, sleeping up to 9 guests plus 2 infants. Three super king beds that split into singles, blackout blinds throughout, original art by Lisbon artists, Egyptian cotton linens, Rituals products, and a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. Tram 28 at the bottom of the street, Sé Cathedral around the corner, Castelo de São Jorge ten minutes on foot. A far cry from the soulless chain hotels of yesterday.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a miradouro?
Literally “the looking place”. A miradouro is a Lisbon-Portuguese viewing terrace — typically a small public square with a low wall, often a kiosk café, sometimes a fountain or a chapel, always with a panoramic view of the city. There are around 30 official miradouros across central Lisbon.
What is the best free viewpoint in Lisbon?
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte at almost 100 m above sea level — the highest in central Lisbon and the only one with a genuine 360-degree view. Best 30 minutes before sunset. Miradouro de Santa Luzia is the closest to Casa Almada (4 min walk) and the most photogenic with the painted azulejo tile panels.
Are the miradouros in Lisbon free?
All the public terraces are free and open at all times. The only paid viewpoints are the Castelo de São Jorge battlements (€15 castle entry), the Sé Cathedral cloister terrace (€5 cloister ticket), and the lift up Cristo Rei across the river (€8 lift + €1.50 ferry).
When is the best time to visit a Lisbon miradouro?
30 minutes before sunset for the warm golden light on the painted houses. 9-10am for the cleanest air and morning light. Avoid 12-3pm in summer when the sun is harsh and the crowds peak. After dark the lit-up Castelo and the bridge make Senhora do Monte and São Pedro de Alcântara worth a separate evening visit.
How many miradouros can I walk in one afternoon?
Five comfortably in a 4-5 hour slow afternoon walk: start at Santa Luzia, walk to Portas do Sol, climb to Graça, continue to Senhora do Monte for sunset, then walk down to São Pedro de Alcântara for the lit-up Castelo view. Add Park Bar after dark for a craft beer with the bridge view.
If you are planning your stay around this, take a look at the rest of our Lisbon travel blog for itineraries, restaurants and seasonal tips.