LisbonLisboaPortugal.com
The best independent guide to Lisbon
LisbonLisboaPortugal.com
The best independent guide to Lisbon
Lisbon Instagram spots and photography guide: best photo locations and sights
Lisbon is a city that seems purpose-built for photography. Its seven hills provide endless dramatic viewpoints, while a unique Atlantic light illuminates the city’s pastel-hued facades and intricate tilework, creating stunning scenes from grand plazas to the narrowest of alleys.
This powerful visual appeal has made Lisbon a star on social media. It’s a city where iconic shots, like the classic yellow number 28 tram rattling through a historic street, exist alongside countless smaller moments: a beautifully tiled doorway, a colourful street art mural, or the view from a hidden rooftop bar. The challenge isn't finding something beautiful to capture, but knowing where to find the most memorable compositions.
Whether you're looking to capture the classic postcard views or discover the more subtle details that define the city's character, this guide details Lisbon’s most photogenic spots. We'll cover the iconic viewpoints, charming streets, and unique locations that will make your photos of the city truly stand out.
Related articles: Top 10 Lisbon – Undiscovered Lisbon – 24 hours in Lisbon
Our top Instagram photo locations in Lisbon
The map below displays the finest locations to capture the beauty of the city. Having so many potential locations we have divided the list into two - the blue set highlights the inspirational and cultural sights of Lisbon while the yellow tags display best viewpoints.
Note: This article only considers Lisbon and does not discuss scenic Sintra, the glorious beaches of Cascais or the pretty walled town of Obidos. For a full guide to the day trips from Lisbon please see this article.
The following section details why each of the monuments or viewpoints has been included in our top Instagram locations of Lisbon, and provides links to further in-depth guides.
The Torre de Belém #torredebelem (no.1 attraction)
The delightful Torre de Belém is the monument of Lisbon. It’s white limestone battlements glistens against the deep blues of the Tejo estuary, and the distinctive architecture makes it perfect for the focus of an image or as a unique backdrop. The little tower is surrounded by a moat, which also means it is surprisingly easy to get a tourist-free image.
Instagram tip: The decorative features of the tower are all on the outside, so there is no real need to stand in the long queue for an expensive admission fee.
Related article: Torre de Belém guide
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (no.1 viewpoint)
The Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is the finest viewpoint in Lisbon. From this terrace are majestic views across the Baixa district and out to the Tejo Estuary, while to the south are beautiful views of the castle.
Historically, this secluded location was where young Portuguese lovers would meet for romantic liaisons, and today it is still one of the most romantic settings of Lisbon.
Advice: This is the highest viewpoint in Lisbon and is a challenging uphill walk to reach it, unless you hire a tuk-tuk tour or taxi.
Lxfactory #lxfactory (no.2 attraction)
Lisbon is a creative and artisan city, and the Lxfactory is the focal point for this blossoming scene. The once-abandoned factory is now adorned with vivid street art and houses artist studios, co-working offices and a dynamic tech crowd.
Quirkiness and artisan retro emanate through the complex, from the former printing press bookshop to the bohemian antique stalls; Lxfactory will inspire your images and posts.
Cristo Rei (viewpoint) #cristorei (no.2 viewpoint)
The Cristo Rei statue is the prominent monument of Lisbon, standing high on the southern banks of the Tejo Estuary, and captured in a pose of blessing the city. The statue’s viewing terrace offers wonderous waterside views of Lisbon, while the cliffside viewpoint perfect positions the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge in the rear of any image.
Expert insight: The viewing terrace at the top of the Cristo Rei monument offers the better views, but the high guard rails are obtrusive in any photo.
Related article: Cristo Rei gudie and travel info
How about a small group tour?
One of the best ways to discover Lisbon and to meet fellow travellers is to join a guided tour. We have worked with Getyourguide.com for the last six years, and some of the best tours of Lisbon include:
The Praça do Comércio #pracadocomercio (no.3 attraction)
The Praça do Comércio is the most magnificent plaza in Lisbon, and always a favourite setting for artistic images and creative posts. The plaza combines a water aspect, three sides of vivid yellow buildings and the triumphant Arco da Rua Augusta. Historically this was where explorers and merchants would trade exotic goods, and today the plaza buzzes with tourism.
Insider tip: Arco da Rua Augusta viewing platform provides a completely different perspective over the plaza.
Castelo de São Jorge #castelodesaojorge (no.3 viewpoint)
The strategic positioning of Lisbon castles means that it is both a fascinating tourist attraction and marvelous viewpoint. From the lower terraces, the castle’s defenders could spy across the entire city and out to the ocean, while the main citadel was constructed to withstand the most powerful attacks.
Insight: The surprisingly large castle complex means it is always possible to find a tourist-free section, and there is potential for unique images or settings.
Related articles: Lisbon castle guide
The Oceanário de Lisboa #oceanariodelisboa (no.4 attraction)
The Oceanário de Lisboa is a place of calm and tranquillity, with enchanting fish and deadly predators gently circling around the vast tanks. The central tank is memorising, with a floor to ceiling glass wall, and the perfect setting for a silhouette image in front of a shark, ray or shoal of fish.
Insight: don’t miss the adorable sea otters, who when not preening, hold hands, so as not to lose each other when out in the open sea.
Official website: https://www.oceanario.pt
Portas do Sol #alfama (no.4 viewpoint)
The Portas do Sol is the classic view of Lisbon, which you saw in a thousand posts before heading to Lisbon. It overlooks the tiled roofs of the Alfama district and out to the Tejo Estuary, and during cruise season, massive cruise liners moor along the riverfront.
Insider tip: There is a viewpoint behind the Igreja de Santa Luzia church, and is less touristy along with having benches, tiled walls and wrought iron-rails, ideal for varied poses.
The number 28 tram #tram28 (no.5 attraction)
The number 28 tram is the quaint yellow tram that rattles and screeches through the narrow streets of the historic section of the city. In any other city, these 1930s trams would be an exhibit in a museum, but in Lisbon they are key to the public transport.
Stepping inside is stepping back in time, there are polished wooden benches, a stop bell and antiquated brass dials. The number 28 tram is not only a wonderful photo opportunity but a piece of Lisbon’s heritage.
Instagram tip: The best location to photograph the 28 tram is outside the Se cathedral, while passing through the Portas Do Sol plaza, or waiting in from of the Basílica da Estrela.
Related articles: Guide to number 28 tram
Elevador de Santa Justa #elevadordesantajusta (no.5 viewpoint)
The Elevador de Santa Justa ascends one of the steepest hills in Lisbon, and was constructed in an age when machines had character and iron was used as an art form. At the top of the structure is a viewing terrace which once housed the steam engine, and from here are panoramic views over the Baixa district.
Our opinion: The Elevador de Santa Justa viewing terrace is one of the most romantic locations in the early evening.
Rossio #rossio (no.6 attraction)
Rossio plaza is the charismatic heart of the city, and a popular location to embrace the vibe of the city. There are cooling fountains, cobbled streets and extravagant 18th-century architecture. The plaza is always bustling and a hive of activity, and a great setting to capture city life in your images and posts.
Miradouro Parque Eduardo VII (no.6 viewpoint)
The Miradouro Parque Eduardo VII is positioned at the top of the Eduardo VII park, and looks down the greenway into the heart of the city.
Alfama district #alfama (no.7 attraction)
Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon and is a delightful maze of narrow streets, which climb the steep hill up to the castle. Concealed within the warren of streets chances to experience authentic Lisbon, from the family-run restaurants, the independent shops, or the houses which have been in the same families for generations.
It is a joy to simply get lost in Alfama and simply stumble upon a hidden gem, of a plaza, restaurant or cheerful local.
Related articles: Alfama guide
Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Adamastror) (no.7 viewpoint)
Inside knowledge: At the viewpoint is the statue of the Adamastror, which was the personified monster which terrorised sailors, when rounding the Cape of Good Hope
Pink Street #pinkstreet (no.8 attraction)
Pink Street is the centre for Lisbon’s buzzing nightlife, and is where you will eventually end up when out, out. Late-night Pink Street post and stories are often influenced by inebriation and are rarely coherent, but this is the fun of being on holiday…
Timeout food market #timeoutlisbon (no.9 attraction)
The Timeout food market gathers together menus and dishes prepared by some of the best chiefs of Portugal, in a lively and social setting. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is even better; this is the ideal location for lunch and to experiment with Portuguese food.
If you are after food posts and images, this is the place to head to for beautifully presented dishes.
Se cathedral (no.10 attraction)
The Sé de Lisboa is the ancient gothic cathedral and one of the most important historic monuments of the city.
Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara (no.10 viewpoint)
The Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara
Discover more of Lisbon with our most popular guides
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A complete list of all of our Lisbon articles
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If you've found our content valuable, we'd welcome your support.
The digital publishing landscape has evolved significantly. As a small independent publisher, we face growing challenges. Search engines increasingly favour paid content over organic results, while AI-generated content often reproduces original work without attribution.
To support our work, please consider bookmarking this page (press Ctrl + D) for quick access. If you find an article helpful, we'd be grateful if you'd share it with friends on social media.
For specific questions, please see our Reddit community at r/LisbonPortugalTravel.
Should you notice any outdated or incorrect information, please contact us at [email protected]
Thank you for helping us continue to provide valuable content in an increasingly challenging digital environment.