10 Best Photo Spots in Lisbon, Portugal

From mouthwatering pastries to gorgeous tiled doors and candy colored houses, Lisbon has it all. For someone who always explores with camera in hand, Lisbon is everything I hoped it would be and more (more because of how much I loved the pastries…that was unexpected.)

Moving on from my minor pastry obsession, today we’re going to check out the best photo spots in Lisbon, Portugal and why you should probably go there (like right now). It’s been 4 months since I’ve been in Lisbon, and am still head over heels for this place. Read on and you’ll definitely see why Lisbon deserves all the love!

This post may contain affiliate links.

1 | Alfama

One of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, Alfama is a charming maze of cobblestone streets and colorful houses. Also, it has views like this, easily making is one of the best photo spots in Lisbon!

2 | Castelo de São Jorge

Climb up to the castle and enjoy beautiful views over the city of Lisbon! You can climb the castle walls, and this spot makes for plenty of fun photo ops! Plus, make sure to turn around and snap some pics of the castle itself!

3 | Lisbon Trams

You’ll see these all over the city, so no worries, you’ll eventually get the perfect picture of a tram. I definitely learned to have my camera at the ready to start capturing those moments…my first tries were mostly just shots of the back half of the tram fleeing into the distance…

4 | Rossio Square

Not only does the square serve as an easy meeting place, but the black and white waves on the ground make for some sweet pictures!

5 | Belem

There are so many awesome spots to take photos in Belem, but one of my favorites is in the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos; the architecture is extravagant!

While you’re in Belem, make sure to check out the street art, Torre de Belem, and of course, snack on a Pastéis de Nata.

6 | Praca do Comercio (Commerce Square)

You get statues, arches, water views, and pretty yellow buildings…what more could you ask for? The square is one of the iconic symbols of Lisbon, so you’ll definitely want to add this to your bucket list as one of the best photo spots in Lisbon.

7 | Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)

If you’re strolling through Lisbon, it’s hard to miss this giant church. I saw it during the day, but make sure to come by in the evening when it’s all lit up!

8 | Doors throughout Lisbon

This one is kind of generic, but once you get to Lisbon, you’ll definitely understand. Lisbon has some of the most gorgeous tiled doors I’ve ever seen. Turns out I was somewhat obsessed with them; when I returned home, I had over 100 pictures of just doors on my camera…try not to judge me.

9 | Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift)

The lift has become one of the hottest tourist attractions in Lisbon, so if you want to take it up, make sure to get there early! It’s also beautifully lit up at night, so make sure to snap a shot then! I sadly didn’t have my camera when I was out and about at night, so you’ll have to make do with my daytime photo!

10 | Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Hike up to one of the hills overlooking the castle, and grab some beautiful shots of Castelo de São Jorge. No, you won’t be able to feel your legs by the end of the day, but at least you’ll have some awesome photos! I seriously did not appreciate how many hills were in Lisbon!

Where to Stay in Lisbon, Portugal

Budget: As a solo traveler, I’d recommend Yes! Hostel Lisbon, and I LOVED it! It possibly tops my list for favorite hostel ever. Not only does it have a fantastic location near Lisbon’s main sights, but it’s incredibly clean and has such a social, fun atmosphere. Every night, there was a family dinner (€10 for dinner and unlimited sangria/wine/beer.) Turns out this is an excellent way to make friends!

Affordable: An awesome option for a hotel is Hotel Avenida Palace, which is a beautiful old hotel building in the middle of Lisbon. Another top rated hotel in Lisbon is Residentas Apóstolos, spacious and luxurious apartments in the Chiado neighborhood of Lisbon. You get a fully equipped kitchen, and Barrio Alto (aka the fun nightlife spot in Lisbon) is only a 3 minute walk!

Flights to Lisbon

Flights to Lisbon: I’d recommend searching through eDreams.net. They scan tons of different travel discount sites and feature special flight deals.

Portugal Resources

For further reading on Portugal, make sure to check out the following guides!

• Best Day Trips from Lisbon – Aside from checking out the sights of Lisbon, make sure you save a few days to take advantage of these awesome day trips!
• Porto, Portugal 3 day itinerary – Grab the train up to Porto, and enjoy the best of what this city has to offer! Hint: It includes wine, canyoning, and so much delicious food!

Other Lisbon Activities

After walking around the city and getting acquainted, I’d recommend checking out the following activities:

• Sunset Sailing Tour: Sail past some of Lisbon’s main attractions with a glass of wine in hand, and see the sunset go down over the city.
• Live Fado Show: Fado is Portugal’s most famous musical genre, and something you have to take part in during your time in Lisbon! The shows can book up in advance, so make sure to plan ahead!
• Street Art Tour: From murals to large scale art installations, check out all the street art Lisbon has to offer!
• Food Tour & Wine Tasting: Food & wine tastings are pretty much always in my suggestions, and Lisbon is no different! You’ll love the wines, meats, cheeses…pretty much everything you can try on the tour!

And there you have it, my guide to the best photo spots in Lisbon. Have you been to this beautiful city? What are some of your favorite photo spots in Lisbon?

Pin for Later!