8 Best Sunset Spots in Lisbon, Portugal
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Sunsets in Lisbon are surprisingly gorgeous. When we moved into our apartment in Bairro Alto, we would go down to the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint each night and marvel at Lisbon’s skyline ablaze with deep oranges and yellows.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones with this idea. Lisbon is a hip, young city full of students, backpackers, and digital nomads, all of whom flock each evening to one of Lisbon’s famous viewpoints, which double as epic sunset spots.
As you can imagine, these locations typically draw an energetic crowd at all times of the day, but especially at sunset. Live music fills the air while constant chatter fills in the gaps between sips of bottled beer. (Yep, you can take your beverages and snacks and have a cute, dusky picnic!)
That said, watching the sunset in Lisbon is something you have to do while in the city, whether it’s from a rooftop bar, panoramic viewpoint, or quaint park.
In this guide, I’ll clue you in on the best places to watch the sunset in Lisbon! ☀️
Where to Watch the Sunset in Lisbon
Ribeira das Naus (Tagus Riverside)
The Ribeira das Naus is one of my personal favorite places to see the sunset in Lisbon. In fact, this entire boardwalk alongside the Tagus river (Tejo in Portuguese) is the perfect place for a sunny stroll.
Practically anywhere along the riverside will be a nice place to pop down and watch the sun go down. But, if you walk in the direction of the bridge, you’ll encounter a handful of bars and cafés.
Start at the Cais do Sodre metro station and walk right. It’s near here, not far from the Terreplano de Santos fair, along the stone wall that we experienced one of the best sunsets during our time in Lisbon.
While we opted to sit freely at the water’s edge, you can also order a drink and appetizer at one of the waterfront restaurants and bars located nearby:
- Portugália Cervejeria
- Monte Mar Lisboa
- Boteco da DRI
- Titanic Sur Mer
This whole stretch dons a beautiful, romantic setting on the river with unhampered views of the red Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and the towering Cristo Rei statue.
Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Local’s Sunset Spot)
As I mentioned earlier, the Santa Catarina viewpoint is perhaps one of the most popular sunset spots in Lisbon (at least around the Bairro Alto neighborhood).
Perched on one of the seven hills of Lisbon, it offers up one of the best views overlooking the city, which is illuminated in the evenings when the sun is setting.
Locals flock here to seep in the views, music, and atmosphere.
The viewpoint itself feels secluded inside a gated area, also known as the Jardim do Alto de Santa Catarina with concrete blocks for seating and a large statue devoted to Adamastor, a legendary mythological character from the poem Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões.
If you want to sit and enjoy the view and live music that’s slightly away from the crowds, go early to snag a seat at one of these cafés and bars:
- Quiosque do Adamastor café (located on the left of the garden)
- Noobai Rooftop Bar (located adjacent/on the right)
- Pharmacia cocktail bar with a grassy lawn (located behind the park on the plaza)
Castelo de São Jorge
When in Lisbon, you can’t miss the Sao Jorge Castle dominating over the city. As you can guess, being king of the hill comes with pretty fantastic views — and, yes, those views are particularly special at sunset.
Since the castle is open late (until 21h00 (Mar-Oct) and 19h00 (Nov-Feb) and has arguably the best panoramic view of Lisbon overall, you can’t miss out on sunset here!
What’s more, if you come for sunset there will be fewer crowds and you can enjoy a glass of wine from the wine truck with a view of Lisbon’s terracotta roofs. 🍷
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Known as Lisbon’s highest viewpoint, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is the best place to see the sunset if you are looking for a truly 180-degree panoramic view.
From up here, you can make out practically all of Lisbon’s top landmarks with the naked eye. An old tiled map will help you position yourself if you’re not sure what you’re looking at!
I loved this viewpoint among all the others because of its shady trees. There will inevitably be a local artist trying to earn some coins playing live music for you. The last time I went, a quaint little coffee truck was selling pasteís de nata and espresso shots.
If you plan on coming here for sunset, just be prepared for a bit of a hike! The walk back can be long, too, so plan accordingly if you’re hotel is back in the heart of Lisbon (it’s about a 25–30 minute walk back).
Is this spot too busy? If so, head to the secluded Miradouro dos Barros — there will be fewer people there!
Miradouro da Graça
The Miradouro da Graça (also known as the Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen viewpoint), is one of the most popular viewpoints in Lisbon during any time of day. You can always expect a crowd here.
I would argue that, while it may be the most popular, it’s not the best. It’s definitely the most frequented on the tourist trail, which is likely due to the fact that the yellow Tram 28 has a direct stop here. (Note: you can also reach this viewpoint via walking up the “street art stairs” — Escadas do Monte.)
I mean, the area is very cute, but you won’t have the most panoramic view. The adjacent church of Graça is also scenic, with a nearby park and fountain that, together, gives off a romantic vibe.
If you can muster the energy, it’s worth the walk from here to the Senhora do Monte viewpoint mentioned just above, which is just a block or two up the street (and up another short but steep hill).
Cais do Ginjal
Since visiting the Cristo Rei is a Lisbon bucket list item, chances are you may find yourself in the city of Almada on the other side of the Ponte 25 de Abril in the late afternoon. If so, no need to rush back to Lisbon’s city center to watch the sunset!
Here, on the other side of the Tagus is the Cais do Ginjal. Similar to the Ribeira das Naus, the Cais do Ginjal is an awesome spot for sunset, however one that is not yet on the beaten path.
Miradouro do Monte Agudo
If you were to keep heading away from Lisbon’s center, you’d reach the Miradouro do Monte Agudo. It’s even further past the Senhora do Monte.
Before you write this sunset spot off because of its distance, don’t. This place is quickly gaining in the ranks for where to watch the sunset in Lisbon, along with its neighbor to the west Miradouro da Penha de França (there are so many in Lisbon!).
To reach Monte Agudo, there is a quaint uphill walk. Once you get there, you’ll see a covered little seating area with a tiled map, and a sit-down or to-go bar for coffee and snacks.
Parque Eduardo VII
Finally, if you are running out of places to see the sunset in Lisbon (or are simply tired of walking up hills lol), ditch the miradouros and head to the scenic Parque Eduardo VII.
The park sits on 26 acres of green space just north of the Avenida da Liberdade. You will see locals here enjoying a sunset from the viewpoint!
Other Sunset Spots in Lisbon
Those are my favorite spots to watch the sunset in Lisbon, but there are loads more to discover. Lisbon is so aesthetic, it’s likely that anywhere you end up during sunset will turn out to be beautiful!
At any rate, if you’re keen to explore more, here are some other notable places to see a fiery Lisbon sunset that I didn’t feature:
- Belém, Lisbon — a definite contender, especially between the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Torre de Belém.
- LX Factory — while there isn’t exactly a viewpoint to see the city skyline from here, this neighborhood comes alive after dusk. You might be able to see the sunset from the LX Hostel rooftop!
- Parque da Bela Vista — one of Lisbon’s largest green spaces (location)
- Cais do Sodré
I hope this guide helps you find and enjoy a magical sunset in Lisbon! If you only have a couple of days in Lisbon to spare, then you should consider picking out 1 to 3 to add to your must-see list. The sunsets and sunrises here are truly something else.
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Featured image and Pin image credit: Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash