Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Lisbon's highest viewpoint, in Graça, with a 180º view over the castle, Baixa and Tagus, perfect at sunset.
Lisbon's highest viewpoint — and you feel every metre of it
The Miradouro da Senhora do Monte sits at the top of the Graça hill and is, without question, Lisbon's highest panoramic point. From the low wall you get an almost 180-degree sweep: the Baixa below, Alfama cascading down to the river, the Castelo de São Jorge close enough to touch and the Tagus stretching away in the background. On a clear day you can even make out the Cristo Rei statue on the far bank of the estuary, 5.6 km away. What sets it apart from busier viewpoints is that it still draws plenty of locals: they come for the kiosk, sit on the wall and let the afternoon drift by. Right beside the viewpoint stands a baroque chapel rebuilt in 1796 after the 1755 earthquake; inside, a stone chair attributed to the martyr bishop São Gens survives, along with the long-held belief that pregnant women who sit in it will have an easy birth — a superstition powerful enough that Queen Dona Maria Ana sat there in 1711. The hill is also associated with Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, who camped here during the reconquest of Lisbon in 1147.
Free, open 24 hours — and how to have it almost to yourself
Access is completely free: this is a public space with no ticket office or online reservation, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With that in mind, the difference between enjoying it and fighting for a spot comes down to timing. Allow 20 to 40 minutes for the views; if you want to look inside the chapel, add another 10–15 minutes. To find it almost deserted, go early, before 10:00. Sunset in summer (around 20:00–21:00) is beautiful but also the busiest moment; if you want a spot on the wall or a table at the kiosk terrace, arrive about an hour ahead. Avoid weekends between 10:00 and 18:00, and peak sunset hour in July and August. One useful note: in summer the sun sets behind the hills of Bairro Alto so you won't see it sink directly; in winter it drops visibly over the Tagus estuary, which makes the cold months better for sunset photography.
Getting there and tips from someone who's been
However you arrive, there will always be a stretch of uphill walking — wear comfortable shoes. The most direct option is the bus: lines 726 and 734 stop closest to the viewpoint, while lines 708, 712 and 735 also serve the area with nearby stops in Graça. The famous Tram 28E drops you at the Rua da Graça stop, from where you walk about 400 m up a steep slope along Rua da Senhora do Monte; bear in mind that in high season the 28E will be packed, so buses 726/734 are usually more comfortable. By metro, the nearest station is Martim Moniz (Green Line), about 9 minutes uphill on foot, with Anjos (also Green Line) as an alternative at around 10 minutes; the metro is not the most restful option given the final climb. Two practical warnings: there are no public toilets at the viewpoint itself — the nearest ones are at the Jardim da Cerca da Graça, about a 5-minute walk away — and the kiosk terrace tables are in high demand at sunset, so expect a wait. As of June 2026 no works or closures have been announced, but if your trip is imminent, do check before heading up.
Frequently asked questions
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