The Scenic Miradouros of Lisbon

Lisbon’s many hills have allowed the city to create numerous miradouros, or viewpoints, around its center, which offer vistas ranging from stupendous to rather forgettable. Two of the best are in the Alfama, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which presents an iconic view of the neighborhood’s slope, and the Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (formerly the Miradouro da Graça) in front of the Igreja and Convento da Graça, which has a glorious sweeping panorama. On the other side of the city, the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara has fine views of the Alfama hill from a two-level formal parklike setting.

Skip the Alfama’s small Miradouro de Santo Estêvão, which has unremarkable views of the Tagus River, as well as the scruffy Miradouro de Santa Catarina in Bairro Alto. Its Tagus panorama is spoiled by modern rooftops.