7 Best Sights in Lisbon, Portugal

Arguably Lisbon’s most romantic miradouro, this landscaped promenade is split into two levels, each offering a wonderful view across the city center to the castle on its hill on the other side. It’s a popular spot at night, as the moon shines over the city. On the upper level, a large kiosk surrounded by tables and lounge chairs serves refreshments and light meals to those who decide to stay and enjoy the views a little longer. Down the steps is another, more secluded kiosk with a smaller range of offerings.

The Santa Justa Elevator is one of Lisbon's more extraordinary structures. Designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who studied under French engineer Gustave Eiffel, the Gothic-style tower was built in 1902. Queues are often frustratingly long in high season, but it's an enjoyable ride up to the top. The return ticket sold on board includes access to a high walkway and an even higher miradouro (though this viewing platform is currently closed), but it's a poor value—a 24-hour public transportation pass costs around €7 loaded onto a €0.50 Viagem card and is valid on the elevator as well as all of the city's buses, trams, and metro lines. To skip the queues and the fare, you can access the upper walkway from Largo do Carmo.

Almada's eye-catching Mouth of the Wind elevator is a fun, free, and photogenic way to travel between Almada's Old Town and the pretty gardens and noteworthy restaurants on the riverfront of Cais do Ginjal. Enjoy the views from the glass-fronted cabin as you ascend or descend. 

Even higher than Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, this viewpoint has, of course, spectacular views. There's no permanent café, but there are generally trucks serving coffee, adult beverages, and the occasional snacks.

Also known as Miradouro do Adamastor due to a rock on the site with a sculpted image of the mythical giant from the seas in national poet Luís de Camões's epic The Lusiads, this hilltop spot boasts fine river views. Here bohemian young locals get together at sunset, drinking and smoking to the sounds of street musicians. It’s a place for chilling out, and if you want to enjoy a drink or a meal, there are several surrounding spots with outdoor seating.

Notable for its pretty terrace with blue-and-yellow azulejo tiles, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia has great views of the rooftops of Alfama and the boats along the Tagus River. Street musicians draw crowds with jazz and samba performances, and artists sell reasonably priced etchings of the scene. A pleasant kiosk serves coffee, cocktails, and snacks.

At this innovative interactive attraction you'll be whisked up to a glass-floored viewing platform alongside the beautiful Ponte 25 de Abril. You'll learn how this engineering marvel was constructed, get a glimpse inside one of the massive pillars, and take a virtual-reality tour of parts that nobody can otherwise reach.