5 Discretos Miradouros de Lisboa, Varandas Para o Tejo

5 Discreet Viewpoints of Lisbon, Tagus River Balconies

Original article published on 8 July 2020.

These 5 discreet viewpoints of Lisbon aren’t among the most well-known of the city of the seven hills, but they offer different and unpredictable perspectives that only a few know.

The emblematic views from São Jorge Castle or from the viewpoints of Portas do Sol, São Pedro de Alcântara or of Senhora do Monte are unmatchable. They’re undoubtedly a must for those visiting and looking for the best spots to admire our typical buildings, the river and the light of Lisbon.

But there are other more discreet ones that also deserve to be visited.

Get to know Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods in a guided tour and discover unmissable places of this magnificent city.

The 5 Selected Discreet Viewpoints of Lisbon

The discreet viewpoints of Lisbon are spread across the entire city between Alfama and Alcântara, and, unexpectedly, in Campo de Ourique, the final destination of the emblematic tram no. 28.

Viewpoint of Santo Estêvão

Viewpoint of Santo Estêvão located only over a kilometre away from the Viewpoints of Santa Luzia and of Portas do Sol
Viewpoint of Santo Estêvão

If you’re planning on visiting the Viewpoints of Santa Luzia and of Portas do Sol then you can’t miss the Viewpoint of Santo Estêvão that’s only over a kilometre away.

From here the river is evidently also visible, but the perspective from Alfama is opposite, allowing us to discover other enchanting nooks.

This balcony facing the oldest and most picturesque neighbourhood of Lisbon is in reality the churchyard of the Church of Santo Estêvão, one of the churches where the Procession of Saint Anthony passes by and a place that is many times mentioned in fado lyrics.

Seek for the best view and feel the spirit of this historic neighbourhood during your stay in Lisbon. Find here pleasant accommodations in Alfama.

Viewpoint of Recolhimento

Viewpoint of Recolhimento a pleasant and inviting place, as well as a terrace that offers different perspectives over emblematic monuments, such as the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and the Church of Santa Engrácia.
Viewpoint of Recolhimento

From São Jorge Castle we can almost see Lisbon in its entirety but its nearest neighbourhood, Alfama, is hidden below this wide balcony. In order to view it from the Castle, you have to immerse yourself in the streets behind the walls and enter the Recolhimento Garden.

There you’ll find a pleasant and inviting place, as well as a terrace that offers different perspectives over emblematic monuments, such as the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and the Church of Santa Engrácia.

This place is particularly good to contemplate the Portas do Sol Square, where there’s a tower of the Moorish wall. This tower is part of the Azurara Palace, today the Museum of Portuguese Decorative Arts.

Further down we can see the building of the old Water Pumping Station of Alfama, where the Fado Museum is currently installed. And, in the same direction, we can see the new cruise terminal, a project by the architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça inaugurated in 2017.



Viewpoint of Rocha Conde de Óbidos

The viewpoint of Rocha Conde de Óbidos is located in 9 de Abril Garden. From there Cais da Rocha, a part of the Port of Lisbon with the typical industrial landscape of the city and the Rocha do Conde de Óbidos Maritime Station.
Viewpoint of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos

The viewpoint of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos is located in 9 deAbril Garden, also known as Garden of the Albertas or Garden of the Rocha do Conde de Óbidos, and is undoubtedly a fantastic viewpoint over the Tagus river.

From there Cais da Rocha, a part of the Port of Lisbon with the typical industrial landscape of the city and the Rocha do Conde de Óbidos Maritime Station. In this modern building from the architect Pardal Monteiro, the most impressive set of murals of the painter Almada Negreiros dated from the late 1940s can be seen.

On the way to this viewpoint take the opportunity to also visit the National Museum of Ancient Art and, in the close-by area of Pampulha take a look at the stone caravels on the old buildings’ façades.

Viewpoint of Largo das Necessidades

5 Discreet Viewpoints of Lisbon: the Viewpoint of Largo das Necessidades is situated in the Olavo Bilac Garden, in front of Necessidades Palace and its respective park.
Viewpoint of Largo das Necessidades

This viewpoint is situated in the Olavo Bilac Garden, in front of Necessidades Palace and its respective park. This is a pleasant place with little movement located above Alcântara.

It provides a view over the south bank, as well as of Christ the King and the 25 de Abril Bridge.

In the centre of the garden there’s a fountain ordered built by King João V, who in 1747 dedicated it to Virgin Mary. It consists of a quadrilobed lake where an obelisk crowned with religious elements stands.

Around the lake, the four baroque sculptural elements that represent figureheads and dolphins are extraordinary to make up a good photo.

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Prazeres Cemetery

 In the historic Prazeres cemetery, an open-air museum, is where you can take the time to look at the privileged view over the west zone of the city
Prazeres Cemetery

The historic Prazeres cemetery truly is a surprise box.

Its paradoxical name originating from the old Quinta dos Prazeres (directly translated to “pleasures farm”), the extraordinary exemplars of funerary art, the disturbing stories such as the Trinas Case and, of course, its viewpoint are what surprise us about this place.

We suggest you visit this open-air museum and take the time to look at the privileged view over the west zone of the city.

Discover other viewpoints of Lisbon with getLISBON:
Viewpoints in National Monuments of Lisbon
Discovering the Viewpoints of Penha de França and of Monte Agudo
5 Parks and Gardens to Take the Children and Enjoy the View


 

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