Are you planning a trip to one of Europe’s most beautiful cities? Then Lisbon must be on your bucket list! The city is a popular weekend getaway destination and is known for being one of the continent’s most relaxed and sunny capitals. ☀️ Lisbon was built on seven hills, serving up multiple viewpoints, and boasts an unrivalled seafront location. 🏖️ Couple that with colourful tiled walls and picturesque cobbled streets, and you have a recipe for one of the most photogenic cities around. Wondering where to go to get the best photos for your own camera roll? We’ve got you covered with the top ten places to take photos in Lisbon!
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Louisa captures memories on a solo adventure in Lisbon with a Modern Headshot photoshoot in Alfama.
1. Portas do Sol Square & Alfama
The beautiful cityscape is the perfect backdrop for your photos. Start with the stunning Portas do Sol Square, one of Lisbon’s official hilltop views. It is located in Alfama’s old town, overlooking the Tejo River. With a view of the city’s orange rooftops cascading down to the water, this location is one of the city’s best viewpoints, It’s the perfect place to unwind and socialize with friends and family while admiring the stunning architecture and, of course, taking great photos. 📸
Portas do Sol Square is also close to a number of other fantastic sites to visit throughout the old town of Alfama. Belem Tower, Avenida da Liberdade, Estela Basilica, Jardim Botanico, Tropical de Lisboa, and Jeronimos Monastery are some of the surrounding Instagrammable sights to cross off your list of things to do in Lisbon.
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Erika and partner celebrate an anniversary in Lisbon on a couple photoshoot with Flytographer Portas do Sol Square.
2. Largo da Graça
Alfama, once one of Lisbon’s most run-down areas, is today a popular and quaint district with twisting lanes and history in every tiled façade.
This area is home to Largo da Graça, a central Lisbon square with a variety of photo opportunities. It is one of Lisbon’s most popular and highest “miradouros,” or viewpoints, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the entire city and the Tagus River in the distance. There’s also the large church and convent, Largo da Graça,which makes for a terrific photo shoot backdrop, as well as a pretty park if you’re craving a floral respite. 💐
The adjacent Capela de Nossa Senhora do Monte, the Aljube Museum, and Teatro da Graça are just a few of the Alfama district’s other attractions.
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Sara and partner celebrate an anniversary in Lisbon on a couple photoshoot with Flytographer Largo da Graça.
3. Praça do Comércio
The Praça do Comércio is a big, harbour-facing plaza in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. It is one of Portugal’s largest squares and is close to the Pink Street (Nova do Carvalho). Start in this colourful and iconic square before making your way down to the Tagus River.
It has a historical background as a grand reception hall for royal visitors such as monarchs and leaders of state arriving by ship to disembark during their visit to Portugal. Today, it is a renowned tourist attraction in downtown Lisbon, or “Baixa” as the locals call it, that frequently exhibits exquisite works of art 🎭 .
Climb the Arco da Rua Augusta while you’re there to admire the symmetry of the streets, the calçada portuguesa (patterned stone streets), and the view of the river. While you’re there, make sure you take a lot of pics because this is definitely one of the best places to take photos in Lisbon.
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Rachel and partner captures memories in Lisbon on a couple photoshoot with Flytographer at the Praca do Comercio.
4. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara
The Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara is a garden offering a panoramic view of Lisbon, including St. George’s Castle and the city centre. It is one of Lisbon’s largest and most famous observation sites.
This geometric park features statues of Greek and Roman mythological heroes and gods like Minerva and Ulysses, as well as sweeping panoramic views of the São Jorge Castle and its walls, the Alfama neighbourhood, and the city centre.
It’s also a popular place to meet up with friends late at night, especially before heading out to experience the famous Bairro Alto nightlife. 🌃
Begin at the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara overlook and then stroll through Bairro Alto’s colourful streets — you’ll uncover a wealth of photo ops!
Photo: Orsi in Lisbon for Flytographer. Stephanie and partner celebrate their babymoon in Lisbon on a maternity photoshoot with Flytographer at Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara & Bairro Alto.
5. São Jorge Castle
The Castelo de São Jorge (or St George’s Castle) is a historic castle 🏰 in the parish of Santa Maria Maior in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. It is the city’s most frequented tourist attraction and is positioned on the tallest of Lisbon’s seven hills.
According to Flytographer Claudia in Lisbon, the colourful and distinctively Portuguese buildings and neighbourhoods complement the site. Outside, the warm light makes it come alive at sunset 🌇, and you can see the buildings and river beneath. Note that an entrance ticket, costing ten euros per person, is required at this location.
The garden of the Castelo de São Jorge is Lisbon’s only remaining green zone where native Portuguese forest species predominate. In commemoration of the Royal Palace of the Alcáçova’s vegetable garden, visitors may see trees like cork oak, olive, carob, strawberry, umbrella pine, and numerous fruit trees.
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Joe and partner celebrate their engagement in Lisbon on a surprise photoshoot at St. Jorge’s Castle.
6. Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is the newest of Lisbon’s historic districts, literally meaning “upper neighbourhood,” located at the top of one of the city’s many hills. Laid out in 1513, it was Lisbon’s first planned district, with a small grid of narrow streets outside the medieval wall where the two churches ⛪ in Praça Lus de Cames now stand.
By the 1980s, Bairro Alto had become identified with a bohemian lifestyle and was a famous nightlife destination. Chiado, Principe Real, Estrela, and Cais do Sodre are all close by. Today, this neighbourhood has been deemed one of the top places to take photos in Lisbon. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take the Santa Justa Lift, a 7-storey elevator with a viewig platform,which is the fastest means of public transport to get to Bairro Alto from the lower areas in the city.
Photo: Ana Lucia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Nicole and family capture memories in Lisbon on a family photoshoot with Flytographer at Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara & Bairro Alto.
7. Elevador da Bica with Trams
The most photographed street in Lisbon is Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo, which features a lovely funicular as well as a picturesque view of the river. 🚣🏾♀️ This yellow funicular, which is close to Pink Street (Rua Nova do Carvalho), opened in 1892 and transports tourists and commuters between the Cais do Sodré district on the seaside and the Bairro Alto neighborhood at the top of a hill.
The yellow tram can accommodate up to 23 passengers and takes less than 5 minutes to accomplish the journey. It’s fun way to see the city and get some great photos!
Photo: Ana Lucia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Nicole and family celebrate an anniversary in Lisbon on a family photoshoot with Flytographer at Bairro Alto & Elevador da Bica.
8. São Vicente de Fora
The São Vicente de Fora Monastery (St. Vincent Outside the Walls) is one of Lisbon’s most prominent hidden gems. It’s a 17th-century church ⛪ and monastery in Lisbon, Portugal, and one of the country’s most prominent monasteries and Mannerist structures.The royal pantheon of Portugal’s Braganza rulers is also housed in the awe-inspiring monastery.
If you don’t want to travel to the Jerónimos Monastery in Belem’s suburbs or pay the exorbitant entrance price 💶 to see the cloisters, this monastery is an excellent substitute. It’s economical, quiet, and has a fantastic rooftop outlook. From St. George’s Castle in Alfama, you may get a good view of the monastery itself.
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Sherri and family capture their family trip in Lisbon on a family photoshoot with Flytographer at São Vicente de Fora.
9. Santa Luzia’s Viewpoint
Get a view of Alfama from this tranquil vantage point called Miradouro de Santa Luzia. It’s a manicured terrace near the Church ⛪ of St. Lucy (“Santa Luzia”), and it’s one of the city’s most charming sites. This terrace provides tourists with a panoramic view of the city’s residences, churches, and the Tagus River.
The Decorative Arts 🖼️ Museum is just a few feet up the hill from the Santa Luzia viewpoint, and the castle is just a few steps away. Another perspective within the castle walls is the Miradouro do Recolhimento. Capture amazing photos at every turn!
Photo: Ana Lucia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Craig and partner celebrate their engagement in Lisbon on a surprise proposal photoshoot with Flytographer at the Santa Luiza Viewpoint.
10. Belem Tower and Gardens
The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) is a 16th-century structure in Lisbon that functioned as a point of departure and evacuation for Portuguese explorers as well as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.
The Tower is home to gorgeous riverside walkways, lovely gardens 🏡, and a number of historic landmarks and institutions. From Belém Tower to the Cais do Sodre, it’s approximately five miles, with the most lovely length between the tower and the Ponte 25 de Abril, which resembles a little Golden Gate Bridge.
The medieval Belem Tour offers stunning views of the Tagus River and neighbouring gardens, as well as a stroll along the Tagus Riverfront. Your day won’t be complete without sampling Lisbon’s famous custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém. There’s often a queue, but they are worth it!
Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Jamil proposes to partner in Lisbon on a surprise proposal photoshoot with Flytographer at Belem Tower and Gardens.
Best Places to Take Photos in Lisbon
Just when you think that you know all of the amazing photography spots in this beautiful city, there are more attractions to check off on your Lisbon bucket list. Other honourable mentions include the National Azulejo Museum, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Vasco da Gama Bridge, Ler Devagar Bookstore, Miradouro das Portas do Sol, Cristo Rei Statue, and Pena Palace. Other famous cities in Portugal to cross off your list include neighbouring Sintra, Porto to the north and the Algarve to the south.
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