By Alaric 
One of the best Lisbon viewpoints has to be Miradouro de Santa Luzia. A spectacular panorama that captures the city in one postcard-worthy picture.
From here, you can see the stunning historic district of Alfama with its hotchpotch of houses and spires perched beside the Tagus River.
But, what makes this view especially magical is the stunning blue and white azulejo tiles and magenta bougainvilleas that bloom on a romantic pergola.
It’s one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Lisbon and a gorgeous photography location. But, there are a few things you should know before you visit.
Here is a complete guide on how to visit Miradouro de Santa Luzia and what to expect!
What can you see from the Santa Luzia viewpoint?
The reason why this viewpoint is so popular is because you can get one of the most romantic views of the city from here.
Just beyond the pergola, you can see whitewashed houses with terracotta rooftops that look like they are stacked on top of each other.
You can also see some of the most iconic Lisbon attractions including the glittering dome of the National Pantheon of Santa Engracia.
There are also incredible views of São Miguel Church and the Church of Santo Estêvão. But, one of the best parts has to be the views of the mighty and glittering Tagus River!
Honestly waking up to see sunrise here is a moment I will never forget. Especially with all the colours in the sky. It was utterly magical and made me quite emotional.
Stunning blue & white azulejo tiles
Beyond the fabulous views, one of my favourite parts of visiting Miradouro de Santa Luzia was the blue and white azulejo tiles.
They made a stunning addition to the pergola and were so romantic.
You could find all sorts of birds and animals in the ceramic pattern so make sure to check them out.
Also, there were little tiled benches that you could sit on here which made an ideal photo opportunity!
Portugal is famous for their ceramic azulejo tiles and the tradition dates back to the 13th century.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be entranced by these artistic designs. I recommend visiting the National Tile Museum in Lisbon to learn more.
How to get to Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Lisbon
Miradouro de Santa Luzia is in the Alfama district in Lisbon which is the oldest part of the city.
You’ll find it just up the hill from Lisbon Cathedral and down the hill from São Jorge Castle.
It’s located in Largo de Santa Luzia which you can get to on foot. But, don’t underestimate how many hills there are to traverse in the city. Every day is a leg day in Lisbon!
I recommend getting a local tram or taxi there to save yourself a tiring walk especially if you’re heading there for sunrise.
Thankfully, there is a tram/bus stop called ‘Miradouro Sta. Luzia’ that drops you off by the viewpoint.
This is serviced by the famous No. 28 tram that provides some of the best views of Lisbon on the journey.
What is the best time to visit?
As one of the most popular viewpoints in the city, I would aim to visit around sunrise or as early as you can.
This will not only be better for softer lighting but also for crowd levels.
This viewpoint can get incredibly busy throughout the day, especially around sunset. Sunrise is a great time as there won’t be as many people around.
Even when I visited at sunrise in early March, this viewpoint had a few people there already but thankfully everyone was kind and let everyone get their photos.
I can’t say this will be the same on your visit but visiting earlier just makes it a less chaotic.
Also, this viewpoint is best visited around April/May when the bright pink Bougainvilleas are blooming on the pergola. It will add a pop of colour and frame your photos beautifully.
Although it would have been nice, I preferred March as it avoided a huge cruise ship in the background which is not the vibe.
Is Miradouro de Santa Luzia worth visiting?
Yes, out of all the Lisbon viewpoints I visited, this one was my favourite by a mile.
Not only is the panorama breathtaking and a great way to capture the city but I also loved all the blue and white azulejo tiles you could find that added a touch of magic.
A lot of people complain that it gets too busy here but there are ways to avoid that by visiting early morning or in the off-season.
Don’t skip this incredible viewpoint in Lisbon, Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a spectacular view you won’t forget!
Opening hours and prices
Miradouro de Santa Luzia is open 24 hours a day so you can visit any time that you like.
I recommend sunrise as during the day and sunset can be overwhelmingly busy and hot. This is especially important in the high season of summer.
The viewpoint is also completely FREE to visit so it makes a great budget activity in Lisbon.
My top tips for visiting Miradouro de Santa Luzia
- Visit early in the morning – I cannot tell you how busy this viewpoint gets during the daytime. I would visit at sunrise for good lighting and fewer crowds.
- Spring is best – The view itself doesn’t change throughout the year, but the pergola has dreamy Bougainvilleas growing here in the springtime!
- Watch your things – this is a popular pickpocketing location due to all the tourists and camera equipment. Be careful!
- Be a nice human – There will normally be lots of people waiting for photos here so play nice and let everyone get what they came for :).
Places to visit nearby in Alfama
After you’ve visited this viewpoint, there are plenty of other Lisbon viewpoints and attractions to visit in the area nearby.
Here are some of the best places to visit near Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Aflama.
History of Lisbon Mural
Almost underneath the viewpoint via the steps nearby, you can find a tunnel which has the History of Lisbon Mural (Mural Historico de Lisboa).
It’s a fun and quirky artwork which almost looks like a comic book and you can see an entire play-through of how the city of Lisboa came to be.
It is also really colourful and makes an incredible photo opportunity So, have your camera ready!
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Aside from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, the next most popular viewpoint in Lisbon is just a two-minute walk away.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol is a gorgeous viewpoint that looks over the vista of Aflama.
From here, you can see pretty much the same view as Santa Luiza viewpoint but it’s unobstructed by the pergola.
This platform is a lot bigger so there is more space to grab a nice photo without people in the backdrop.
Again, I would still recommend visiting this location in the early morning as it does get packed with tourists and hired photographers taking photos!
Lisbon Cathedral
Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral) is another stunning location that you can visit just down the hill from Miradouro de Santa Luzia.
It’s the oldest church in the city that was built in 1147 and is dedicated to St Mary.
Miraculously, it has survived many of the city’s notable earthquakes including the 1755 Great Earthquake.
Over the centuries, it has had several renovations so now there is a mix of architectural styles including Gothic and Romanesque.
Today, it’s a national monument and you can pay to go inside and see the marvellous interiors.
Even if you don’t go in, I would still recommend visiting the outside as the building is stunning.
You can also take a photo of the Number 28 tram as it whizzes by which makes a lovely souvenir.
Castelo de São Jorge
I love visiting historic castles when I travel and one of my favourites in Portugal was the Castelo de São Jorge or St George’s Castle.
The fortification dates back to the 1st century and was occupied by many groups including Romans and Moors until the Portuguese conquered it in 1147 during the Siege of Lisbon.
The Crusader Alfonso Henrique, later King Alfonso I, then moved in and transformed the castle into his Royal Palace.
Later, it became an army barracks, national archives, and finally a national monument and museum that you can visit.
You can walk along the castle walls and visit many of the towers that provide incredible panoramic views over the city!
Top tip: buy your ticket online and in advance. Not only will this save you money but you’ll skip the large queues at the ticket office.
Are you looking for more things to do in Lisbon?
Lisbon is a beautiful city in Portugal. As the capital, you can expect it to be busy throughout the year.
If you head to the centre, you can find the historic Santa Justa Lift. You must take it to see beautiful views over the city skyline.
You can then pop into Carmo Covent, a goth ruin which gives you a look into the great earthquake of 1755.
Don’t forget to try the cherry liquor, Ginjinha which is a must.
Praça do Comércio is the heart of the city by the river with its Arco da Rua Augusta.
From here, you can visit the famous Pink Street and Time Out Market.
Away from the historic centre, you can visit the incredible bohemian LX Factory art village with the famous Livraria Ler Devagar.
Then, move on to Belem where there are plenty of incredible things to do along the mighty River Tagus.
I would recommend heading to the Belem Tower, Belem Lighthouse and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
You can also visit the MAAT museum and get a picture-perfect view over the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Further inland, you can visit the magical Jeronimos Monastery with its stunning cloister courtyard.
These cloisters had some of the most beautiful carving work I had ever seen.
Just nearby, you must visit Pasteis de Belém which is the birthplace of the famous custard egg tarts.
And no visit to Lisbon would be complete without a ride on a historic tram. You can catch the famous Tram 28 or take the Elevador de Bica.
Where to stay in Lisbon
During my visit to Lisbon, I stayed in the fabulous Pousada de Lisboa which is part of the Small Luxury Hotels Of The World.
It’s based in Praça de Commercio and used to be part of the Royal Ribeira Palace before the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake.
The entire square was rebuilt by Marquês de Pombal and this hotel was built on the previous Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Today, it has many luxurious rooms and suites to stay in the heart of Lisbon. Their breakfast buffet is exquisite in the mornings.
Also, whilst you’re here you must visit their RIB Beef & Wine restaurant which is a fine dining experience and top-rated in the city.
Read my Portugal travel guides
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Visiting the fairytale Palacio da Bolsa aka Bolsa Palace
The very best things to do in Sintra
Why you shouldn’t skip Monserrate Palace in Sintra
The mysterious Initiation Well in Quinta de Regaleira
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