Sunrise in Lisbon - The 5 Best Spots to Watch the Sunrise [100% Epic] (2024)

List of the Best Sunrise Spots in Lisbon

Let me guess: you’re in Lisbon, it’s late at night, and you’re trying to figure out where to go for sunrise tomorrow morning.

Did I get it right? (well that’s me 90% of the time when I get somewhere new)

If that’s your case, and you’re looking for a spot to go at sunrise time, here’s a quick list you can copy/paste and look up on Google Maps. Good luck for tomorrow!

If you’re still at home and planning your trip in advance, good job! You’re definitely way better at planning than me.

Where to watch the sunrise in Lisbon?

1. Miradouro das Portas do Sol
2. Santa Justa Lift
3. Belém Tower
4. Ascensor da Bica
5. Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar

So there you have them, the 5 best spots to watch the sunrise in Lisbon. If you want more information about these spots, including photos, location and practical tips, keep reading below.

5 Best Spots to Watch the Sunrise – Lisbon

We’ll go over the 5 best spots to watch the sunrise in Lisbon in details: we’ll see why it’s the best spot for sunrise, a photo of the spot, the location, and practical tips if you go there for sunrise (not a morning person? Check out the best spots for sunset here!)

1 – Miradouro das Portas do Sol

The first sunrise spot is the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

“Miradouro” means “viewpoint” in Portuguese; Lisbon is literally filled with them! This first item on the list could have been called “1 – Miradouros” because any viewpoint in the city will make for a good sunrise-watching spot.

I’ve chosen to list the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, because it’s one of my favorites in the city, and definitely my favorite for sunrise.

From the viewpoint, you’ll have a grand view over the Alfama district, with the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora on the left, and the Panteão Nacional right in front of you.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol Location

The viewpoint is located in the Alfama district, a 10 minutes walk away from the Lisbon Cathedral.

Tip: after you’ve watched the sun rise over the city, make sure to visit this secret tunnel

What to see next: Visit the National Pantheon that you saw from the viewpoint

2 – Santa Justa Lift

The Santa Justa lift is one of the most famous attractions in Lisbon; it’s also an ideal location to watch the Lisbon sunrise.

Why is it a good spot for sunrise? For 2 reasons.

The first reason is that the Santa Justa lift is very tall: 45 meters (148 feet). It overlooks all of the surroundings, and gives an unobstructed view over Lisbon.

The second reason is not directly related to sunrise itself. The Santa Justa lift is a very popular attraction, and during the day people queue up for long times to be able to take the lift. By visiting at sunrise, you’ll be able to take the lift without having to wait in line forever.

Note that the viewpoint (very top) only opens at 9am. You’ll still have a good view from the top of the lift and the skywalk, which open at 7am.

Santa Justa Lift Location

The Santa Justa lift is located in Lisbon City Center, right next to the Baixa-Chiado metro stop. It’s a 6 minutes walk away from the main square, Plaça do Comércio.

Tip: you can access the top without paying by using the top entrance

3 – Belém Tower

The Belém Tower is a favorite spot for sunrise in Lisbon from a photographer standpoint.

What makes it such a good spot for sunrise is the fact that it’s the only time of the day where you’ll be able to enjoy the view over the Belém Tower without crowds of tourists.

I love how quiet the area is at sunrise. Just go there early morning, pack a thermos of coffee and some snacks, and go sit on the steps in front of the tower. Watch the sun rise behind the tower, while all you hear is the sound of the waves coming and going.

Belém Tower Location

The Belém Tower is located in the Belém district, in the South West of Lisbon.

To reach this spot, it’s a 20 minutes drive from the city center, or a 40 minutes bus ride (bus 15E direction Algés, stop at Lg. Princesa)

Tip: the tower doesn’t open until 10am; after sunrise, go to Pastéis de Belém (pastry shop) for breakfast, then come back a bit before 10am to start queuing up (lines get very long in the day)

What to see next: After exploring Belém, go check out the highest viewpoint in the area, the Cristo Rei

4 – Ascensor da Bica

The Ascensor da Bica is an iconic gem of Lisbon, as one of the 3 funiculars in the city (along with Ascensor da Gloria and Ascensor do Lavra).

The little yellow tram is a National Monument. Built in 1892, it ran for 22 years as a cable car, before being electrified and turned into a tram in 1914.

The Bica funicular is a perfect choice for a Lisbon sunrise for the same reasons than the Santa Justa lift: the experience and the view.

The experience: originally built for locals to get from sea level to the heights of the city, the funicular has now turned into a tourist attraction. Crowds of visitors flock to that spot and queue up to ride this sweet little yellow tram; the ride itself is packed, and the playground of pickpockets.

I wouldn’t recommend taking it during the day; however, the Ascensor da Bica opens very early, at 7am (9am on Sundays). If you come here for sunrise, you’ll be able to enjoy the ride in this Lisbon icon, without the usual hassle.

The view: the Bica funicular is qualified as “the funicular with the city’s most picturesque route” by the official website. As you go up the Bica street, you slowly rise above the buildings down the street, and get a magnificent view of the steep street, all the way to the Tejo river in the back.

Ascensor da Bica Location

The Bica funicular is located in Lisbon city center, not far from the main square Praça do Comércio (12 minutes walk).

Tip: there are several different trams on the Bica line, and not just the typical yellow one. If you want to see the yellow tram, wait for the next one (from 10 to 15 minutes between each one, timetable here)

What to see next: Visit the Basilica da Estrela, a gem of baroque architecture

5 – Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar

The last spot on this list of 5 best places to see the sunrise in Lisbon is a pretty off the beaten path location: the Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar.

I haven’t been to this spot yet (unlike the other 4 spots on this list), but it’s on my list of best places to take a photo in Lisbon, and I’m definitely going there next time I’m in town!

The photo above was taken at this location (by William Warby), and I think it says better than me why it’s such a good location for sunrise.

The bridge in the photo is the Ponte Vasco da Gama, the longest bridge in Europe (12.3 km / 7.7 miles); it looks even more massive in person as I’ve been told!

The Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar is the park right below the bridge. You can sit on benches, facing the sea and the bridge, to watch the sun rise over the horizon, or you can walk in the park to start your morning the right way.

Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar Location

The garden is located right below the bridge, in the Sacavém district. It’s a 23 minutes drive from the city center, or a 40 minutes ride with public transportation.

Tip: the cafés right next to the park open very early, so you’ll be able to grab a snack / hot beverage before watching the sunrise

I enjoyed sharing with you my 5 best spots to watch the sunrise in Lisbon Portugal, and I hope you’ll enjoy these spots too! But more than just the view, I love waking up for sunrise simply for the experience: being out when no one is around, and having the city for myself.

Do you have another favorite spot for sunrise in Lisbon? Share it with us in the comments below!

Where to Stay in Lisbon

If you’re visiting Lisbon, you have several options for where to stay. You’ll find below hotels depending on your travel style:

Budget: Host Bell Rooms and Suites

Very cheap accommodation, around 14€ per night for a bed in a 12 beds dorm room.

This hostel has the best location, it’s right next to the main square, and everything is within walking distance. There’s also tea and coffee machines in every room, which is a big plus.

Check for Best Price

Comfy: Lost Lisbon: Avenida House

Very comfy rooms, with private bathroom, for around 78€ per night.

The two nice bonuses? It’s within walking distance of the city center, and it also comes with a free breakfast!

Check for Best Price

Luxury: The One Palacio da Anunciada

If you’re looking for the perfect dreamy place to relax and enjoy your stay in Lisbon, look no further.

The One Palacio da Anunciada might very well be your favorite place in the city; private bathroom, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, indoor pool and even a sauna! It also has breakfast included, and its location is hard to beat.

Check for Best Price

Visit Portugal

Planning a trip to Portugal? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip:

Lisbon Guides:

25 de Abril bridge – The Golden Gate Bridge of Portugal

Basilica da Estrela – Gem of Baroque Architecture

Cristo Rei – Visit the Highest Point of Lisbon

Portugal Guides:

Pena Palace – Complete Travel Guide

What to see in Sintra – next to Lisbon

Explore the Douro Valley

I hope you enjoy your trip to Lisbonand to Portugal!

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.

Photo credits: 2 | 4 | 5 | 6| 7 | 11 | 13