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Writer's pictureYu "Fish" Cui

Lisbon: 7 Instagrammable Photo Spots

Updated: Jul 3

Lisbon is one of the most colorful and picturesque cities in Europe. The saturated wall colors, orange roofs, and unique views of the river all make this city perfect for photos. Here are my favorite photo spots of this trip. Hope you will find your travel inspirations here.


Miradouro de Santa Luzia

A terrace by the church of Santa Luzia overlooking the neighborhood Alfama and the Tagus River. It is a very popular observation deck, and street musicians often perform there. It does get crowded during the day, so I recommend going there early in the morning.


Portas do Sol

Very close to Miradouro de Santa Luzia. This is perhaps one of the most iconic viewpoints of Lisbon. The lighting is the best around mid-day, and it is not a super busy spot since it is quite spacy, and there are many different angles to capture the stunning view.


Quiosque das Portas do Sol

A cafe right at the square of Portas Do Sol. It’s a perfect spot to sit down for a cup of coffee and enjoy the city view. There are many chairs, but I recommend the ones along the terrace for the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. All these three spots can be visited together since they are right next to each other.


Santa Justa Lift

I wish I had read more about this spot before going there. Unless you really want to take the two-minute ride of the elevator, DO NOT WAIT IN LINE! We waited in line for almost two hours; little did we know that you could just walk up the stairs on the other side to the viewpoint. Don’t get me wrong; the view is spectacular. However, I suggest just google Carmo Convent, and you can access the viewpoint from there.


Belem Tower

Definitely one of the most iconic places in Lisbon. We went there at sunrise. The view was amazing, and there was no one else around. At sunrise, the photo angle would be from the bridge side. If you want to take photos on the beach there, it’s probably better in the afternoon or before sunset because it’s backlighting in the morning. Our local friend suggested not to visit inside. There is pretty much nothing inside the tower.


Graça Convent

Graça Convent one of the oldest convents in Lisbon. The church and monastery are free to visit. This hidden gem preserves incredibly beautiful tile works. It’s a beautiful piece of art. Right next to the convent, there is one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Lisbon. Make sure you stop by there and take a moment to admire the beauty of this city. I love this bench spot by the entrance in particular because there are very few tile walls where you can sit down in the front for photos.


Church of São Vicente de Fora

Another hidden gem that is a must-visit. You will be impressed by every detail of this place: from the historical pieces shown in the exhibition to the absolutely incredible tiles on the wall and the steps. If you are a fan of Portuguese tiles like me, this place will leave you stunned. The rooftop is so also stunning; you can see the panoramic views of many neighborhoods of Lisbon. On a sunny day, you can also see different shades of blue of the river.

Here are all my favorite photo spots in Lisbon! One common thing about these spots is: there is no huge line! We had to skip some of the other popular landmarks, like the Jerónimos Monastery, because the line was just too long. But these spots are all pretty easy to access, and you can see a lot within a short amount of time.


Have you been to any of these spots? Let me know what you think and if you have any tips to share!


MAP WITH ALL MENTIONED PHOTO SPOTS IN LISBON



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