Lisbon Photography Guide: 10 Fabulous Spots to Capture

When it comes to photography, Lisbon is a place like no other. From the beautiful tile roofs of the historic district to the monuments and bridges of the riverside, it is full of opportunities for a fantastic image. In this Lisbon photography guide, we will navigate its charming narrow streets together. And in doing so, visit the 10 most fabulous spots to see and photograph in Lisbon.

By day Lisbon has a naive theatrical quality that enchants and captivates, but by night it is a fairy-tale city, descending over lighted terraces to the sea, like a woman in festive garments going down to meet her dark lover.

― Erich Maria Remarque, The Night in Lisbon

Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol

• What: panoramic view over Lisbon historic district
• When: sunrise or throughout the day
• With: a telephoto
• For: free

To kick off our Lisbon photography guide, let us travel to the Alfama neighborhood in the very heart of the old town. Here, among the cobbled streets of one of Lisbon’s oldest areas, you will discover numerous photo-worthy locations.

My favorites are the two incredible viewpoints situated just a few steps away from each other. These are Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol (map). Both offer sweeping views of the Alfama district skyline that will surely take your breath away.

The two are sometimes regarded as separate photography locations. But really, to me, they are just different sides of the same terrace. Miradouro de Santa Luzia overlooks the river to the south, while Portas do Sol faces east, towards the National Pantheon.

This is a fantastic spot to photograph the sunrise over Lisbon if the weather cooperates. The soft palette of the pre-dawn sky will be gradually replaced by the morning light beautifully illuminating the red roofs. And the best part — there probably will not be many day-trippers here this early.

But don’t worry if you are unable to get here in the morning. Even on the bright afternoon, when the overlook transforms into a boiling touristy hotspot, you will find images here. And here is a trick — always look beyond just the grand vistas. 

Personally, I enjoy zooming in on the more intimate details, such as shiny red rooftops or more prominent buildings. This can easily yield you a couple of lovely shots with an undeniably Lisbon vibe to them.

São Jorge Castle

• What: burning sunset over Lisbon
• When: sunset
• With: an all-around travel zoom
• For: €10

Just a short walk away from Santa Luzia, São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge — map) is another must-see destination in Lisbon.

The admission fee to São Jorge Castle is 10 EUR, which is quite expensive by Lisbon standards. But believe me — whether you are a photographer or a casual sightseer, it will surely be worth your while. 

During the day, the castle is a fascinating monument to Lisbon’s turbulent past. If you enjoy history, you will love exploring its dark passages, massive turrets, and formidable battlements.

In the evening, the castle grounds is one of the absolute best spots in Lisbon to photograph the sunset. From its towering walls, you are treated to a fabulous view of the city to the west. 

From the river Tagus on the left to the Praça da Figueira to the right, the entire city stretches beneath you, glowing in the rays of the setting sun. So get your tripod ready — you might remain here for a while, snapping one panorama after another.

There is just one caveat — the entry to São Jorge Castle closes at 9 pm. So at the peak of summer, you might not be able to witness the entire show. This is a pity since the blue hour is equally lovely here in the right conditions. 

That said, because Lisbon is so far south, the latest the sunset can ever be here is 9.05 pm. So you should be able to take some remarkable images from this spot no matter the season.

Elevador de Santa Justa and Carmo Convent

• What: an impressive medieval ruin
• When: 10am – 7pm (Oktober to April 10am-6pm)
• With: wide-angle lens
• For: €5

The next stop in our Lisbon photography guide is the Santa Justa Elevator (Elevador de Santa Justa — map). Constructed in 1899 to ease the connection between the Baixa district below and the higher Carmo Square, today it is a popular tourist attraction.

It is an impressive structure, for sure, but the ride up hardly justifies waiting in a long line, in my opinion.

Instead, just walk around a couple of blocks, and you will arrive at the top of the lift regardless. That way, you can enjoy all the same views for free without the hassle of the tourist crowds.

More exciting than the lift, I find the ruins of the medieval church Carmo Convent nearby. The structure was largely destroyed by the Great Lisbon earthquake in 1755, but extensive sections of the walls survived.

What was left of it has since been converted into a museum. Today it remains the last visible trace of that earthquake in Lisbon. The admission fee is 5 EUR. A bit too high, but it is an intriguing historical place and an unusual photography spot.

As a photographer, you want to have your ultrawide-angle lens here. The ruins are immense, and it is hard to fit everything into the frame. If you didn’t bring one, you might want to shoot a vertical panorama as a workaround.

The Bica Funicular

• What: iconic photo location in Lisbon
• When: 7am – 9pm (Sundays 9am-9pm)
• With: wide-angle lens
• For: free (€ 3.80 for an actual ride)

The Bica Funicular (Ascensor da Bica — map) should be in any Lisbon photography guide. And for a good reason. 

The funicular sometimes referred to as the Bica lift, runs up and down a narrow street between the Bairro Alto and Bica neighborhoods. It is incredibly charming. In fact, it is often described as the most picturesque in Lisbon.

But I have to be honest with you —getting a clean image of the funicular during the day is an impossible task. Bica lift is a popular spot among photographers and tourists alike and is always crowded.

It is not necessarily a bad thing, of course. A photo of a bustling street full of people hurrying about their business certainly has its own appeal. After all, it perfectly conveys the true experience of being in Lisbon.  

But, for an unspoiled scene, your best bet is to be here first thing in the morning while the daily swarms are still asleep. The Bica funicular operates between 7 am and 9 pm (9 am to 9 pm on Sundays), so be there for its initial round.

Note that there are two trams — a yellow one and a graffiti one. The yellow one stays in the garage overnight, so if that is one you want to photograph, there is little point in coming earlier.

For the best angle, I suggest starting at the top station. There, you will get a wonderful view down the street all the way to the waterline. Then, head down, looking for additional compositions as you go. 

The funicular runs every 15 minutes, so you will have plenty of time to figure out a good position to catch it in motion.

The Belém Tower

• What: historic fortress
• When: sunrise, sunset
• With: wide-angle lens
• For: free (€ 6 to go inside)

Moving away from the city center, the Belém Tower (Torre de Belém — map) is undeniably one of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks. It is also a tremendously picturesque sight that sure calls for a lovely photo.

The Belém Tower was built in the 16th century, during the Age of Discovery. Today, it is the Unesco World Heritage Site and a popular attraction in Lisbon. This means you will need to come early to capture it without the swarm of visitors around.

The evening is equally great for photography here. However, be prepared to have people constantly walking through or standing in the frame. My advice is to put the camera on a tripod and go for the longest exposure possible using the ND filters. 

Alternatively, try coming on Monday when the Belém Tower is closed. With it being the beginning of a workweek, chances are you will have the area mostly to yourself.

One other detail to watch out for is the tide schedule. The Belém Tower is most striking during the high tide with water all around it. It creates a simpler, cleaner, and more impactful shot, without the unnecessary distractions in the foreground.

I should also mention that you can go inside the Belém Tower. I have never done it myself, but should you choose to, the ticket costs 6 euro. Personally, I always thought it enough to watch this proud fortress from outside. 

Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Belem Waterfront Promenade

• What: a grand monument
• When: golden hour
• With: wide-angle lens
• For: free (€ 6 for the observation deck)

If you made your way to Belém Tower, do yourself a favor and walk along river Tagus for a bit. The riverbank in this area features many fantastic photo opportunities that often get overlooked.

Just a 15-minute stroll to the east and you will arrive at the Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos — map). This grand memorial was erected in the 20th century to celebrate the Portuguese Age of Discoveries.

The seemingly simple structure is a treasure trove of compelling compositions. I especially like photographing it during the sunset on a cloudless day. The last light colors the statue in rich hues of golden and red, creating some striking contrast on the stone.

During the day, you can visit the viewpoint on the top of the monument for stunning views of the surrounding areas. The ticket costs 6 euros.

Nearby, a restaurant in the middle of an artificial bay represents another noteworthy composition opportunity during the golden hour.

And just across the road, there is the majestic Jeronimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). Its impressive gothic walls and lush gardens are particularly charming in the soft afternoon light.

25 de April Bridge

• What: Lisbon’s “Golden Gate Bridge”
• When: blue hour
• With: an all-around travel zoom
• For: free

A little further along the riverbank, the 25 de April bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril — map) is another outstanding photo location in Lisbon. Reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, it makes for a spectacular subject.

Rather than shooting it from afar, I suggest searching for an angle from beneath the bridge. It is a less common perspective, and the structure feels even more imposing that way. There is plenty of room on the riverbank on both sides of it to come up with a perfect spot.

Both sunrise and sunset will work very well here, especially in the winter months. But because too many spots in Lisbon compete for that photography prime time, I actually suggest coming for the blue hour and twilight instead. There is enough illumination on the bridge and on the water to contrast them against the darkening sky.

On the opposite shore, the Sanctuary of Christ the King makes a fine addition to the composition. The well-lit statue neatly balances out the frame. Or, if you have a long lens, it can also be a notable subject in its own right.

Vasco da Gama Bridge

• What: European Union’s longest bridge
• When: sunrise
• With: a wide-angle zoom
• For: free

On the opposite side of Lisbon, the Vasco da Gama Bridge (Ponte Vasco da Gama — map) is another location that absolutely earns its right to be on the Lisbon photography guide. 

Casual visitors generally ignore this bridge because of how far it is from the center. Photographers, however, absolutely adore it.

Connecting southern and northern Portugal, Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest in the European Union. Spanning more than 12 km in the eastern direction, it is especially stunning at dawn.

A great thing about it is that you can get a perfect shot here regardless of the weather. Be that a glorious sunrise or a moody overcast morning, a simple combination of the water, sky, and concrete always works wonders. 

The only tricky part is the logistics. The photos are normally taken from Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar park nearby. Unfortunately, that area is not that well connected to the rest of Lisbon. 

The nearest subway station is a 15-minute walk away, and the trains in Lisbon only operate from 6:30 am anyway. If you are aiming for sunrise, that will not cut it. Unless you have a car or stay nearby, pretty much your only option is a taxi or Uber.

That drives the price up slightly, but the result will probably be more than worth it.

Amoreiras Shopping Center

• What: panoramic views of Lisbon
• When: on a rainy day
• With: a telephoto
• For: € 5

Ok, a shopping mall may sound like a strange suggestion for the Lisbon photography guide, but bear with me. The reason I included it is the observation deck on the roof called Amoreiras 360° Panoramic View.

As the name suggests, from up there, you will be treated to a lovely unobstructed 360° view of Lisbon. To the north lies the Aqueduct, to the south — Tagus and Ponte 25 de Abril. 

As a fun bonus, the mall is located close to the airport, so you can fool around photographing the planes in descent right above your head.

While I would not pick Amoreiras over other photography locations, it is a superb destination for a rainy afternoon. Wait out the worst of the storm in the shops below, then sneak out to the roof for some cool photos of Lisbon under the heavy clouds. Golden!

Likewise, when trying to combine a family vacation with a photography outing, the shopping mall is hard to beat. Send your significant other on a shopping spree, while snapping gorgeous sunset images from the observation deck above.

Either way, keep this one at the back of your head — who knows when it might come in handy! Just in case, the admission fee is 5 euros. Honestly, a small price to pay for the stunning city views and memorable pictures.

The Streets of Lisbon

• What: charming streets of Lisbon
• When: all day every day
• With: an all-around travel zoom
• For: free

I will finish this Lisbon photography guide with one last noteworthy photography location. While not a particular physical place, knowing about it is imperative to a successful photo trip to Lisbon. 

I am talking about the city streets, of course. From the steep cobbled backstreets of Bairro Alto to the bustling alleys around Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), the streets of Lisbon are boiling with life and fascinating stories worth telling. 

There are the famous yellow trams and little charming cafes, sunny terraces, and bright-red rooftops, palaces, and street art. But more importantly, there are people and their ways of living. And then, all around, there is remarkable ancient history.

So do not spend all of your time in Lisbon chasing one Instagram location after another. Instead, try to stroll around its cute passages with no particular purpose in mind, observing, seeing, breathing the city. 

Trust me, you will have a heck of an experience and some incredible photos to keep for memories.

Photography Trip Essentials for Lisbon

To wrap up our Lisbon photography guide, here are a few quick things that might be useful to anyone planning a photography-oriented trip to Portugal. 

When to Go?

Lisbon is beautiful throughout the year, but my favorite season is spring, from March to May. The air is already warm and pleasant, but the touristy season is yet to begin, meaning cheaper accommodation and lesser crowds.

Autumn would be an equally splendid time. But honestly, you cannot go wrong any month of the year.

Where to Stay?

Lisbon is a large city, so no matter where you stay, you will not be able to easily access all the points of interest. 

Therefore, my recommendation is to base yourself somewhere just outside the old town. That way, you won’t have to pay a premium while being reasonably close to many major sights.

For example, the area around Praça Marquês de Pombal typically has lots of good inexpensive hotels to choose from.

How Long to Stay

I recommend at least two full days to cover most of the photo spots in Lisbon. Of course, you will have to carefully weigh which locations you want to hit during the best light and hope that the weather cooperates. 

That said, you may spend a week photographing Lisbon and not be done with it. So the longer you can be around, the better. Think 3 or 4 days for a more relaxed experience.

How to Move Around Lisbon

Lisbon is very well connected. There are all the typical means of public transport, such as subway, buses or trams. Personally, however, I suggest using your own two feet as often as possible.

Many of the sights can be easily walked to, and Lisbon is an eye-catching city. Do not rob yourself of the pleasure.

For the more remote spots, Uber is often the easiest choice. And for the relatively short distances around the riverbank in the Belem district, electric scooters are a life-saver.

What Else?

Well, no article about Lisbon can ever be complete without mentioning the world-famous Pastéis de Nata dessert. Our Lisbon photography guide is no exception. 

Yes, I have created this whole section to talk about Pastéis de Nata because they really are that good. Seriously, you have to try them!

Pastéis de Nata is a traditional Portuguese egg custard tart pastry dusted with cinnamon. You can buy some in pretty much any cafe around town. And once you do, there is no going back.

Conclusion

Lisbon is a phenomenal place for photography and arguably one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. You will have a blast photographing its narrow streets, sweeping panoramic views, and ancient monuments.

I hope you found this Lisbon photography guide helpful and got some useful information out of it. If there is anything that you would like to clarify, please let me know. 

And if you read this far, perhaps you will consider some of the below articles interesting:

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• Sintra Photography Guide: 10 Best Spots with Practical Tips
• Milan photo tips
• Top 7 locations for landscape photography on Tenerife
• Photographing Castle Neuschwanstein
• One day itinerary for landscape photography in Southern Bavaria

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