7 Most Instagrammable Places In Lisbon
This guide is written by Marga from Discover Portugal blog. Marga is a travel writer and photographer currently living in Lisbon.
Azulejo tiles, stunning viewpoints and tiny cobblestone streets?
Welcome to Lisbon!
It will be hard putting your camera down in this photogenic city!
As a portrait and family photographer in Lisbon, I know all the best places to capture its beauty!
And with the help of this list full of Instagrammable places, you can do the same!
1. The Fenicular at Rua da Bica
📍 Location: Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo
Let’s start with one of the most iconic spots in the city!
Lisbon is known for its historical trams and funiculars.
At Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo, you can find one of the bright yellow ones (often covered in graffiti!) with a stunning backdrop of the river Tagus!
It’s a very steep road, so riding the funicular is an easy way to get up the hill when you come from the lower area around Cais do Sodré.
It’s also easy to reach from Chiado and a walking distance from Praça Luís de Camões.
Tip: It’s free to visit and can get pretty busy during the day. If you want to avoid big crowds, come early!
But if you are here at night, you can grab a bite to eat nearby.
Recommendations are Bicaense Est.1959, Os Bons Malandros, Flat Café, and Estrela da Bica.
You can see the funicular travelling up and down the hill from all restaurants!
Extra spot: Head over to Miradouro de Santa Catarina to enjoy the sunset over Lisbon.
It’s a popular spot to bring a drink and snack and listen to live music while the sun goes down.
2. Pink Street
📍 Location: Pink Street, Rua Nova do Carvalho
Pink Street literally thanks the nickname by the colour of the street!
The official street name is Rua Nova do Carvalho, but it consists of a bright pink lane surrounded by bars and restaurants.
Pink Street is close to Cais do Sodré, a district known for its lively nightlife.
If you like to party, you can come back here later at night! But it’s a cute spot to take Instagrammable pictures during the day.
Especially the start of the road is suitable for taking images, as you’ll see many colourful umbrellas hanging here.
You’ll also spot a bridge covered in colourful graffiti in the middle.
Tip: Come during the day when most bars are still closed. Pink Street can be busy day and night, and if you come very early, you might still walk into some partygoers from the night before!
Extra spot: Do you prefer to avoid crowds and busy bars? Visit Green Street at Rua da Silva.
It’s within walking distance from Pink Street, but the atmosphere is very different. It’s also a fantastic place to eat something!
3. Alfama
📍 Location: The neighbourhood of Alfama
Alfama is the oldest part of Lisbon and a paradise for photographers!
I do most of my photoshoots in the neighbourhood of Alfama, a labyrinth of tiny streets, colourful houses, and viewpoints.
There are many spots to cover, which are highlighted on the map below.
Excellent viewpoints, for example, are Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro das Portas do Sol, Miradouro da Graça, and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (some are just outside Alfama but in walking distance!).
The famous Tram 28 also runs through Alfama, creating an excellent background for your images.
And don’t forget to discover the many buildings covered in azulejo tiles. You’re going to love it here for sure!
Best time to visit: Wandering around Alfama is entirely free, but some places get very busy during the day.
The light and crowds are best early in the morning (before 10 AM) and later in the evening (in summer, between 7 and 9 PM)
Extra spot: You get another great view from Castle São Jorge.
You have to pay to enter, but especially at sunset, the views are amazing here! In summer, it’s open until 9 PM!
4. The Sintra Palaces
📍 Location: Sintra
It only takes 40 minutes from Lisbon to reach the magical city of Sintra!
You can take a train or ride an Uber for your convenience. Sintra is the most popular day trip from Lisbon, and the surrounding area is known for its many palaces!
That makes it one of the most Instagrammable Places In Lisbon, for sure!
Most famous is Pena Palace, once the summer residence of the Portuguese Royal Family.
You have a remarkable view over the Sintra Mountains and the Moorish Castle.
And with clear skies, you can see as far as the Atlantic Ocean! Quinta da Regaleira is also popular, and here you’ll discover a lot of symbolism and hidden messages.
The Poço Iniciático well is a highlight of this historical sight!
Best time to visit: Both Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira get busy in the high season. Book your tickets well in advance and try to visit at 9.30 AM in the morning or after 5 PM.
Extra spot: There are many more palaces with fewer crowds. For example, Parque e Palácio de Monserrate is just as stunning and has beautiful Moorish architecture and gardens.
5. LX Factory
📍 Location: LX Factory, Rua 1º de Maio
The LX Factory is a favourite spot of many. It is great to take good pictures, and you will also find fantastic stores and restaurants here.
You’ll notice the relaxed vibe and art scene as soon as you enter the former industrial complex.
It was once a textile factory but has been transformed into one of the trendiest places in Lisbon.
It’s located just beneath the Ponte de 25 Abril Bridge, and you’ll even spot some famous artworks.
Highlights are the Bumblebee by Bordalo II, the library Ler Devagar, and some of the rooftop bars!
The area constantly changes, adding new buildings and old ones demolishing.
That means some street art will be gone the next time you visit Lisbon, so make sure to visit!
Best time to visit: The LX Factory is pretty quiet in the morning. So come before midday if you prefer visiting instagrammable places in Lisbon without crowds. The evening is great if you want to visit a bar and grab a bite to eat.
Extra spot: Visit Miradouro do Largo das Necessidades for a stunning Ponte de 25 Abril Bridge view. Especially during sunset, this place is magical for taking pictures!
6. Praça do Comércio
📍Location: Arco da Rua Augusta at Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio is one of the most famous squares in Lisbon and has a lot of history.
The area is a whopping 175 by 175 meters and is facing the river Tagus.
It’s a great spot to watch the sun go down, and the view from Cais das Colunas over the water is breathtaking!
The square has another stunning background that looks great in your images!
Arco da Rua Augusta is located towards Lisbon’s city centre, and the memorial arch-like structure is a famous landmark in the city.
You can take lovely images from the square and from Rua Augusta.
Tip: Like most places, it gets busier later in the day. But the square is so big that there are never considerable crowds to block your view. (unless there is an event!)
Extra spot: You can climb Arco da Rua Augusta for only a few euros for a different fantastic view! You’ll see Praça do Comércio, São Jorge Castle and the city centre.
7. Belém
📍Location: Belém
Last up is the neighbourhood Belém! It’s located towards the west of Lisbon and is famous for its landmarks.
How cool is it to have a photograph with the Belém Tower in the background?
It’s one of the best-known sights in Lisbon, and the bridge leading to the tower makes a great photo spot.
Or take a moment to discover Padrão dos Descobrimentos or even climb it!
The river views are beautiful! And when you cross Jardim da Praça do Império, you’ll also find the Jerónimos Monastery.
This landmark is significant to visit, but it makes a stunning backdrop too!
The monastery and Belém Tower are also famous for their Portuguese Gothic Manueline style, which will be unique in your pictures!
Best time to visit: Belém is busy in summer, and early mornings are best to avoid crowds. Especially when the monuments are closed, there are better photo opportunities to take some Instagrammable shots!
Extra tip: many sunset sailing trips leave from the harbour in Belém!
After visiting the sights, it’s great to wind down and enjoy a boat tour over the Tagus. M
ost excursions offer welcome drinks and even some Portuguese snacks. Lisbon looks even better from the river, and you get to take many more images!
Extra spot: Remember to try the original Pastel de Nata! Pastéis de Belém uses the one and only recipe, and they’re often still warm! It’s one of the best treats to enjoy during your stay in Lisbon! They have many more delicious cakes and pastries on the menu to try!
Best Time To Visit Lisbon
Lisbon is a great city to visit all year round. But especially during Christmas and spring, it’s extra colourful!
When the flowers start blooming, the city creates the best backgrounds! Lisbon is pretty easy to get around by public transport, and Uber and Bolt are reasonably priced.
I’m sure you’re going to have a great time in the city and that you’ll take lots of memorable images!
Map Of The Best Photo Spots In Lisbon
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