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Lisbon is ridiculously photogenic! Between the azulejo-covered façades, yellow trams, hilltop viewpoints and tiny cobblestone streets, there is always something to photograph.
But not every famous Lisbon photo spot works equally well in real life. Some are packed with people by mid-morning, some look much better at a certain time of day, and a few of the places you see all over Instagram honestly aren’t my favourites for portraits.
I live in Lisbon and work as a portrait and family photographer, so I’ve photographed many of these locations countless times, both for myself and with clients.
In this guide, I’m sharing 16 of my favourite Lisbon photo spots, including famous landmarks and quieter corners. I’ll also tell you when to go, what each location is best for, and where I’d personally choose a different angle or nearby spot.
Whether you want to photograph Lisbon yourself or find a beautiful backdrop to be photographed in, this guide will help you decide where to go.
Best photo spots in Lisbon at a glance
Short on time? Here’s a quick comparison of my favourite Lisbon photography spots, including what each location is best for, when to go, and what to expect from the crowds.
| Location | Best for | Best time | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bica Funicular | Yellow trams, street scenes and portraits | Early morning | Very busy later in the day |
| Green Street | Colourful streets, details and relaxed portraits | Morning | Usually manageable; busier around meal times |
| Pink Street | Colourful details and iconic Lisbon photos | Very early morning | Very busy later in the day |
| São Jorge Castle | City views, historic architecture and surrounding streets | Morning or late afternoon | Busy near the entrance; quieter on nearby streets |
| Miradouro de Santa Luzia | Azulejos, bougainvillea, portraits and Alfama views | Sunrise or early morning | Very busy from late morning and around sunset |
| Miradouro das Portas do Sol | Alfama rooftops, cityscapes and Tram 28 | Sunrise or early morning | Quiet early; busy later in the day |
| Miradouro da Graça | Lisbon skyline, viewpoints and street photography | Sunrise or sunset | Quietest in the morning; busy around sunset |
| Lisbon Cathedral + Tram 28 | Architecture, trams and classic Lisbon street scenes | Morning | Busy during the day |
| São Vicente de Fora | Architecture, portraits and Tram 28 compositions | Sunrise or sunset | Usually calmer than nearby Alfama viewpoints |
| Praça do Comércio + Rua Augusta Arch | Grand architecture, symmetry and portraits | Early morning | Quietest early; very busy later |
| Santa Justa Lift | Architecture, perspective and city details | Early morning | Very busy during the day; lift and connecting walkway currently closed |
| Carmo Convent | Gothic architecture, ruins and dramatic details | Morning | Moderate; busier later in the day |
| Casa do Alentejo | Interiors, symmetry and decorative architecture | Daytime | Usually manageable |
| LX Factory | Street art, urban photography and colourful details | Morning | Quieter early; much busier later and at weekends. Commercial photography is not allowed. |
| Belém | Monuments, waterfront photography, modern architecture and sunsets | Morning or golden hour | Busy around the main monuments; more space along the waterfront |
| Lisbon Gardens and Parks | Greenery, flowers, details and relaxed portraits | Morning or late afternoon/evening | Usually much calmer than the main landmarks |
Map of the best Lisbon photo spots
I’ve also added all locations to the map below, so you can quickly see which photo spots are close together and plan your route around Lisbon.
16 best places to take photos in Lisbon
Now for the fun part! These are the Lisbon photo spots I actually recommend, from famous landmarks to colourful streets and viewpoints. For each one, I’ll share the best time to go, what it photographs well for, and the little things worth knowing before you arrive.
1. Bica Funicular
Bica is one of the most iconic photo spots in Lisbon, with its yellow funicular running through a steep street lined with colourful buildings, balconies and traditional Portuguese tiles.
It’s also one of those places that looks much easier to photograph online than it actually is! The street gets busy with visitors, and you’ll have people, delivery vans and other distractions appearing in your frame throughout the day.
For photos, I recommend coming early in the morning. You’ll have a much better chance of photographing the street without crowds, and the softer light is much nicer for portraits than the harsh midday sun.
Don’t focus only on getting the classic straight-down-the-street shot either. Walk around the surrounding streets and look back towards Bica from different angles. There are plenty of colourful façades and small details nearby that make great photographs without needing the funicular perfectly positioned in the background.
Best for: Yellow trams, classic Lisbon street scenes and portraits
Best time: Early morning
Crowds: Very busy later in the day
My tip: Get your classic Bica shot first, then explore the nearby streets while they’re still quiet.
2. Green Street
Green Street is one of my favourite colourful streets in Lisbon, and I actually prefer it to the much more famous Pink Street.
The street has tons of colourful buildings, plants (see where the name comes from?), small restaurants and cafés, so there are lots of little details to work with. It feels much more relaxed than some of Lisbon’s better-known Instagram spots, which also makes it easier to photograph people naturally.
For portraits, I especially like that you don’t need one specific angle to make the location work. You can move around, use the façades and greenery as backgrounds, or simply photograph along the street for a more everyday Lisbon feel.
It can still get busier as the day goes on, particularly around lunch and dinner, so I prefer photographing here in the morning. It’s located in Rua da Silva, and it’s within walking distance from Pink Street.
Best for: Colourful street photography, details and relaxed portraits
Best time: Morning
Crowds: Usually manageable, but busier around meal times
My tip: Don’t look for one “perfect” shot. Walk the street slowly and use the different colours, plants and façades as separate backgrounds.
3. Pink Street
Pink Street is probably one of the most photographed streets in Lisbon. The bright pink pavement, colourful umbrellas and surrounding buildings make it instantly recognisable. And that I love!
But I’ll be honest: it isn’t one of my favourite places in Lisbon and I don't often come to this area. It's dirty, loud and crowded, unless you come early in the morning.
It gets very busy, and during the day there can be tables, signs, delivery vehicles and lots of people competing for space in your frame. If you’ve seen a perfectly empty Pink Street photo online, there’s a good chance it was taken very early.
If getting the classic Lisbon Instagram shot is important to you, come first thing in the morning. You’ll have a much better chance of getting a clean composition before the area wakes up.
Otherwise, I’d personally choose Green Street or one of the nearby streets for portraits. They still give you plenty of colour, but the experience usually feels much less chaotic.
Best for: Colourful umbrellas and iconic Instagram photos
Best time: Early morning
Crowds: Very busy later in the day
My tip: Get the classic shot early, but don’t spend too long here. There are better streets nearby if you want more natural portraits.
4. São Jorge Castle
Let’s move over to Alfama, one of my favourite spots to photograph. Alfama is the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, and it’s a maze of cobbled streets and small alleys. It’s located on a hill, and at the top, you can find the Lisbon Castle.
The castle itself is beautiful to photograph, but I actually love the streets surrounding it just as much. Once you move away from the main entrance, you’ll find narrow lanes, tiled façades and quieter corners that work really well for portraits and street photography.
It’s also a lovely area for a proposal in Lisbon. You can combine the historic setting with views over the city, then continue through the surrounding streets for photos afterwards. If you're planning to propose here, I have a separate guide with tips where I go into the practical side in more detail.
The area around the castle gets busy during the day, so I prefer coming earlier or later when the streets feel calmer and the light is softer.
Best for: Lisbon views, historic architecture, street photography and portraits
Best time: Morning or late afternoon
Crowds: Busy around the castle entrance; quieter in the surrounding streets and after 7 PM in summer
My tip: Don’t photograph only the castle. Give yourself time to wander the nearby streets, as some of my favourite backgrounds are just outside the main attraction.
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5. Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Miradouro de Santa Luzia is one of the most famous photo spots, and for good reason! Between the blue-and-white tiles, pergola, views over Alfama and bright bougainvillea in summer, there are several completely different backgrounds in one small area.
I photograph here regularly, but timing makes a huge difference. Early morning is my favourite, especially around sunrise. The viewpoint is peaceful, the light is soft, and you can actually use the tiled benches and pergola without constantly waiting for people to move out of your frame.
By late morning, it’s a completely different experience. The viewpoint fills up quickly (as early as 8:30 AM), and the light can become very harsh, particularly for portraits. Sunset is beautiful, but it’s also one of the busiest times, with visitors coming for the view, live music and evening atmosphere.
Santa Luzia is also a popular spot for a proposal in Alfama, and I’ve photographed several proposals here throughout the years. If privacy is important, I would always choose early morning rather than sunset.
Don’t forget to photograph beyond the main viewpoint either. The surrounding Alfama streets give you plenty of tiled façades, colourful houses and quieter corners within just a few minutes’ walk.
Best for: Portraits, azulejos, bougainvillea and Alfama views
Best time: Sunrise or early morning
Crowds: Very busy from late morning and around sunset
My tip: Come early for portraits. At sunset, enjoy the atmosphere, but don’t expect an empty viewpoint.
6. Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Miradouro das Portas do Sol is right next to Santa Luzia, but the view is completely different. From here, you get one of my favourite views over Alfama, with the orange rooftops, Igreja de São Vicente de Fora, the National Pantheon and the Tagus River all in the background.
It’s a fantastic spot for landscape and city photography, especially if you want that classic shot looking over Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood. Tram 28 also passes nearby from time to time, giving you another very Lisbon-looking photo opportunity.
Like Santa Luzia, timing matters! Early morning is by far the easiest time to photograph here. Later in the day, the viewpoint gets busy with visitors stopping for the view, and sunset can be especially crowded.
For portraits, I don’t usually stay on the main terrace for very long. There are plenty of streets and viewpoints nearby where we can get a similar Alfama feel without having quite so many people around.
And don’t miss the stairs nearby with the History of Lisbon mural by Nuno Saraiva. It’s an easy detail to walk past, but it gives you something completely different to photograph from the usual panoramic views.
Best for: Alfama rooftops, cityscapes, Tram 28 and portraits
Best time: Sunrise or early morning
Crowds: Quiet early, busy from late morning onwards
My tip: Take the wide Alfama view first, then explore the streets around the viewpoint for quieter compositions.
7. Miradouro da Graça
If you’re happy to tackle another Lisbon hill, Miradouro da Graça is worth the climb. From here, you get a wide view across the city, with São Jorge Castle, the terracotta rooftops, the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge in the distance.
I like this area because there’s much more to photograph than just the viewpoint. In front of Igreja da Graça, you’ll find Jardim da Graça, and you can also visit the roof of the church for an even higher perspective over Lisbon.
Sunrise is the best choice if you want fewer people and softer light. Sunset is beautiful too, but expect the viewpoint to be much busier as people come here for the views and evening atmosphere.
If you have time, keep exploring Graça afterwards. I love Jardim da Cerca da Graça, and nearby Miradouro da Senhora do Monte gives you another fantastic view from one of the highest points in the city. Graça is also a great neighbourhood for street art, so it’s worth wandering rather than heading straight back downhill.
Best for: Lisbon skylines, viewpoints, street photography and sunset views
Best time: Sunrise or sunset
Crowds: Quietest in the morning; busy around sunset
My tip: Don’t stop at the main viewpoint. Explore the surrounding Graça streets and gardens for completely different photos.
Extra tip: Café da Garagem is one of my favourite places nearby to take a break with a view.
8. Lisbon Cathedral and Tram 28
Lisbon Cathedral is one of those photo spots where a little patience can completely change the shot. The cathedral itself is impressive, but the classic image is Tram 28 passing directly in front of it.
The trams run regularly, so you usually won’t have to wait too long. I recommend finding your composition first and then waiting for the tram to enter the frame rather than chasing it down the street!
The area gets busy quickly because this is one of the main routes into Alfama. There are pedestrians, tuk-tuks, cars and trams all sharing a fairly small space, so morning is much easier for photography.
For portraits, I like using the cathedral as part of the background rather than trying to photograph directly in front of the entrance. Moving slightly away from the busiest area gives you more room and still keeps that unmistakable Lisbon architecture in the shot.
You can also go inside the cathedral if you enjoy architectural photography. It’s Lisbon’s oldest church, and the darker stone interior gives you something completely different from the bright streets outside.
Best for: Tram photography, architecture, street scenes and classic Lisbon images
Best time: Morning
Crowds: Busy during the day
My tip: Choose your frame before the tram arrives, then wait for Tram 28 to complete the composition.
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9. Igreja de São Vicente de Fora
Igreja de São Vicente de Fora is another religious building on the edge of Alfama. Most people will see the building from the outside but don’t enter it. If you love azulejo tiles and stunning views, I highly recommend taking a visit! It’s also often much quieter than the famous Alfama sights.
The light here can be beautiful at both ends of the day. Morning is quieter, but I particularly like coming back towards sunset when the warm light hits the front of the building. It gives the pale stone a completely different look.
Don’t just photograph the church straight on. Walk around the monastery and surrounding streets, where you can use the building in the background or combine it with trams, colourful façades and everyday street scenes.
If you have time, the monastery itself is also worth visiting for its architecture and famous blue-and-white azulejo panels.
Best for: Architecture, portraits, azulejos and quieter Lisbon street scenes
Best time: Sunrise or sunset
Crowds: Usually calmer than nearby Alfama highlights. Busier on Tuesdays and Saturdays when the Feira da Ladra flea market is happening.
My tip: Come towards sunset to catch the warm light across the white façade.
10. Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch
Praça do Comércio is one of Lisbon’s most famous squares and one of its most recognisable photography locations. And because the square is so enormous, you can get completely different photographs depending on where you stand.
The yellow buildings, patterned pavement and Rua Augusta Arch give you plenty to work with, while turning in the opposite direction gives you views towards the Tagus River. I’ve combined the square and arch into one photo spot because realistically, you’ll photograph both while you’re here.
For me, early morning is by far the best time. Later in the day, the square fills with visitors, walking tours and restaurant terraces, whereas in the morning you can make much more use of the symmetry and open space. In late November and December I love the sunset as there are countless Christmas decorations in this area.
For portraits, I like using the arch and yellow façades as backgrounds rather than always photographing someone in the middle of the square. Moving closer to the surrounding buildings also gives you more options when the centre starts getting busy.
Don’t forget to walk underneath the arch into Rua Augusta afterwards. Looking back towards Praça do Comércio gives you another classic Lisbon composition, and the surrounding Baixa streets are great for street photography too.
Best for: Architecture, symmetry, portraits and iconic Lisbon scenes
Best time: Early morning
Crowds: Quietest early; very busy later in the day
My tip: Photograph the square from several directions rather than chasing one classic angle. The arch, yellow façades and river all give you completely different backgrounds.
11. Santa Justa Lift
The Santa Justa Lift is one of Lisbon’s most recognisable pieces of architecture. The dark iron structure stands out against the lighter buildings of Baixa, and there are some great angles from the surrounding streets.
The lift is currently closed, so you can’t ride it or access the footbridge for now. But you can still photograph the structure itself from street level, and honestly, some of the best photos are from outside anyway.
The area around the entrance gets incredibly busy during the day, so I prefer coming early in the morning if you want a cleaner composition. The narrow streets also mean the light can change quickly as the sun moves between the buildings.
One of the reasons I like photographing the Santa Justa Lift is that there are so many different angles to play with. Stand further back to capture the full structure, photograph from underneath for a more dramatic perspective, explore the lower level, and then walk up towards the top to find completely different compositions from above.
Best for: Architecture, details and classic Lisbon city scenes
Best time: Early morning
Crowds: Very busy during the day
Current status: The lift and connecting footbridge are temporarily closed
My tip: Spend some time walking around. Take pictures from the lower and higher levels and play with composition and angles.
12. Carmo Convent
The Carmo Convent is one of the most atmospheric places to photograph in central Lisbon. The roofless Gothic ruins are completely different from the colourful streets outside, and the open arches create some really striking compositions.
Inside the convent you can play with symmetry, shadows and the contrast between the stone walls and the open sky. It works well for architecture, but I don't like it much for portraits.
It's pretty cramped, which makes posing more difficult. I once photographed a proposal here, but the outside area offered much better portrait opportunities. For example, the door and steps in the image below make a lovely backdrop for portraits.
Best for: Gothic architecture, symmetry, and details
Best time: Morning and before closing
Crowds: Moderate, busier later in the day
My tip: Use the arches to frame your subject rather than only photographing the ruins straight on.
13. Casa do Alentejo
Casa do Alentejo is one of those places that can be easy to walk straight past, but the interior is absolutely worth photographing. From the street, you’d never guess what’s hiding behind the entrance!
Inside, you’ll find an incredible Moorish-inspired courtyard, colourful tiles, decorative arches and beautifully detailed rooms. It feels completely different from the streets of Lisbon outside and gives you a good option when you want to photograph interiors rather than another viewpoint or tiled façade.
I love the courtyard because there are so many details to play with. You can photograph the whole space symmetrically, focus on the arches and patterns, or get closer to the tiles and decorative details.
It’s generally much calmer than Lisbon’s major attractions, although you should always be respectful as it’s an active cultural association. There is also a lovely patio where you can enjoy something to eat and there is a restaurant.
Best for: Interiors, architecture, symmetry and decorative details
Best time: Daytime
Crowds: Usually manageable
My tip: Stay for a snack or a drink at Taberna Casa do Alentejo, or book a table for dinner in the upstairs restaurant.
14. LX Factory
LX Factory is completely different from Lisbon’s historic centre. Instead of tiled façades and viewpoints, you’ll find industrial buildings, street art, colourful murals, quirky shops and lots of small details to photograph.
I like coming here when I want something a bit more urban. There isn’t one single “must-get” shot, which makes it a fun place to wander with your camera and see what catches your eye.
The murals change over time, so even if you’ve visited before, you may find something completely new. Like the graffiti behind me in the picture below is completely gone now! Look up as well as around you. Some of the most interesting details are on walls, staircases and the old factory buildings themselves.
One important thing to know is that commercial photography is not allowed at LX Factory. It’s a great place to bring your own camera and photograph the street art and surroundings, but I don’t use it for professional portrait sessions with clients.
Best for: Street art, urban photography and colourful details
Best time: Morning
Crowds: Quieter early, much busier later and at weekends
Photography rules: Commercial photography is not allowed
My tip: Wander through the whole complex, because the changing street art and industrial details are what make LX Factory fun to photograph.
15. Belém District
Belém gives you several completely different Lisbon photo spots in one neighbourhood, so it’s worth allowing more time here rather than visiting just one landmark.
The Belém Tower is probably the most iconic backdrop, especially from the waterfront. It’s also a beautiful location for a proposal, and I love using the tower and river together rather than focusing only on the monument itself.
From there, you can photograph Padrão dos Descobrimentos, walk along the Tagus, and continue towards Jerónimos Monastery. The monastery is one of my favourite architectural backdrops in Belém thanks to all the details in its Manueline façade.
Another favourite is the MAAT Museum for architecture. There’s the newer MAAT building as well as the former power station, and both have many unique angles to capture. You can climb the roof of the MAAT Museum and I can literally spend hours here finding new angles.
Timing matters here because the main monuments get busy. Morning is best for fewer people, while late afternoon and golden hour give you beautiful softer light along the waterfront. Sunset is beautiful also, and many day trippers are gone by this time.
Because Belém is quite spread out, don’t try to rush between every landmark just to tick them off your list. Pick a few locations and give yourself time to experiment with different angles.
Best for: Landmarks, architecture, waterfront photography and portraits
Best time: Morning or golden hour
Crowds: Busy around the main monuments during the day
My tip: Create a list up front with everything you'd like to photograph. Some highlights are: the Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the Jerónimos Monastery, The MAAT Museum, and Ponte 25 de Abril.
Extra spot: Remember to try the original Pastel de Nata! Pastéis de Belém is the original bakery, 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!
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16. Gardens and parks in Lisbon
If you need a break from Lisbon’s busy streets, the city has some beautiful gardens that are also fantastic for photography. They give you a completely different backdrop, with tropical plants, enormous trees, colourful flowers and plenty of greenery.
I especially like gardens for portrait photography because they tend to be much quieter than Lisbon’s famous viewpoints and landmarks. If you feel awkward being photographed with lots of people watching, this can be a much more relaxed option. The botanical garden, for example, is also perfect for more intimate proposals in Lisbon!
There isn’t just one garden to choose from either. I love the Lisbon Botanical Garden, the Tropical Botanical Garden in Belém and Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. For somewhere a little less obvious, Tapada das Necessidades and Jardim Botânico da Ajuda are two of my favourite hidden green spaces in the city.
Morning is lovely when the gardens are quieter, but I also like late afternoon and early evening when the light becomes softer. The trees provide plenty of shade too, so gardens can sometimes be more forgiving for portraits than Lisbon’s exposed streets during a sunny day.
Best for: Nature photography, flowers, details and relaxed portraits
Best time: Morning or late afternoon/evening
Crowds: Usually much calmer than Lisbon’s major landmarks
My tip: Don’t only photograph the flowers. Use leaves, pathways and large trees to frame your subject and create layers in your images.
Best time to photograph Lisbon
The best time to enjoy the city is early in the morning. Until 9 AM, most Lisbon streets are empty! For the best light, get up at sunrise and start exploring Lisbon. In summer, you’ll even catch cooler temperatures, making it more comfortable to discover the colourful buildings and viewpoints.
The sights will still be closed, but if you want to take images in front of the famous landmarks, now is the time. There are no lines of queuing people yet, and the city is just waking up from a quiet night.
Although I’m not an early riser, I love getting up at sunrise to capture the beautiful light and explore Lisbon without crowds.
In winter, you can enjoy the low sun, which creates excellent photo opportunities as well. But even then, it can be too bright outside, especially for portrait photography. Sunset is my second favourite time of day.
The golden hour is a fantastic time to create images, although the streets will be busier.
How to plan your Lisbon photo adventure?
If you want to visit these amazing spots, it’s best to group them by location so you can visit as many as possible. You can use the map I added earlier and see which locations are near each other. Or here are two routes I’d recommend depending on the part of the city you want to explore and the kind of light you’re after.
Sunrise in Alfama
Santa Luzia → Portas do Sol → Alfama streets → Escolas Gerais → São Vicente de Fora → Graça OR Lisbon Cathedral + Praça do Comércio
Start at Miradouro de Santa Luzia around sunrise, when the viewpoint is still quiet and the light is soft. This gives you a chance to photograph the tiles, bougainvillea and Alfama views before everyone else arrives.
From there, it’s only a minute to Portas do Sol, where you can get the wider view over Alfama, the rooftops and the Tagus River.
Then start wandering through Alfama and be ready to get lost in a maze of narrow streets. You'll see laundry moving in the wind, you might meet a friendly street cat or run into the locals.
One of my favourite areas for photography is Rua das Escolas Gerais. Tram 28 runs through here, and there are lots of opportunities to photograph the tram between the old buildings, including some beautiful angles with São Vicente de Fora in the background.
There are also a couple of very popular Tram 28 photo spots along this route. Breakfast Lovers Tram 28 and Fora Artisan Pastry have become especially popular. They’re not really the kind of busy “Instagram spots” I personally seek out, but they can be fun to photograph if they’re on your list.
Continue towards São Vicente de Fora, where the façade gives you a completely different composition from the narrow Alfama streets. Morning is peaceful here, although I also love photographing the church later in the day when the evening light hits the building.
From São Vicente, you have two good options.
If you want to keep climbing, continue towards Graça for more viewpoints, street art and local streets.
Or, if you want to head back downtown, wind your way through Alfama towards Lisbon Cathedral, before finishing at Praça do Comércio.
Best for: Street photography, Tram 28, rooftops, architecture and everyday Lisbon details
Allow: Around 3-5 hours, longer if you continue into Graça
My tip: Turn off Google Maps and wander around Alfama
Belém golden-hour photo walk
Belém Tower → harbour → Padrão dos Descobrimentos → Jerónimos Monastery → pastel de nata stop → MAAT → 25 de Abril Bridge → LX Factory
Start at the Belém Tower while there’s still plenty of daylight. The waterfront gives you lots of room to experiment with wider compositions, reflections and different angles of one of Lisbon’s most recognisable landmarks.
From there, walk along the harbour and riverfront towards Padrão dos Descobrimentos. I really enjoy this stretch because you can photograph boats, the Tagus and the monuments.
Continue towards Jerónimos Monastery, where the incredibly detailed Manueline architecture gives you something completely different to photograph.
And because you’re in Belém, this is also the perfect time for a pastel de nata break. Photography walks are always better with pastries!
Afterwards, head back towards the river and continue to MAAT as the light starts getting warmer. Its curved white architecture is fantastic around golden hour, and you can play with shapes, shadows, reflections and completely different perspectives around the building.
From MAAT, continue along the waterfront towards the 25 de Abril Bridge. Around sunset, the light over the Tagus and the bridge can be beautiful, so this is where I’d slow down and stay for a while rather than rushing to the next stop.
Once you’re finished photographing, continue to LX Factory for dinner.
Best for: Architecture, waterfront photography, famous Belém landmarks, golden-hour light and sunset
Allow: Around 3–5 hours
My tip: This route works both ways, and you can also end near the Belém Tower for a stunning sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day for photography in Lisbon?
Early morning is my favourite time to photograph Lisbon, especially around Alfama, Bica, Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol. The streets are quieter, the light is softer, and you have much more freedom to work with different compositions.
Golden hour and sunset can also be beautiful, particularly around Belém, São Vicente de Fora and the Tagus waterfront. Just keep in mind that the viewpoints are usually much busier around sunset.
Can I visit all these Lisbon photo spots in one day?
Technically, you could rush between many of them, but I really wouldn’t recommend it! I’d rather spend a few hours photographing 4–6 locations properly than race around Lisbon trying to tick everything off a list.
Group nearby places together instead. Alfama and Graça work well as one route, Baixa and Chiado as another, while Belém deserves a few hours on its own.
What are the best Lisbon photo spots for portraits?
For portraits, some of my favourites are Alfama, Santa Luzia viewpoint, the quieter streets around São Jorge Castle and Lisbon’s botanical gardens.
The best location also depends on the look you want. Alfama gives you traditional Lisbon streets and tiles, while the gardens are greener and much calmer. If you prefer architecture, Praça do Comércio and Belém can work beautifully too.
Where is best for street photography in Lisbon?
I love Alfama, Graça and Bairro Alto for street photography.
Rather than only looking for famous photo spots, wander away from the main streets. Some of my favourite Lisbon photographs happen when the light, a tram or an interesting person suddenly appears in a place I hadn’t planned to photograph.
What are the best Lisbon photo spots for sunset?
For sunset, I’d choose Belém and the Tagus waterfront, or one of the viewpoints.
The viewpoints can get very crowded at this time, so if photography is your priority rather than the atmosphere, I often prefer locations where you have more room to move around.
I also like crossing the river to watch and photograph the sunset from Cacilhas.
Do I need permission to take photos in Lisbon?
For normal personal travel photography, you can photograph most of the outdoor locations in this guide without any special arrangements.
Professional and commercial photography can be different, though, and some privately managed locations have their own rules. For example, LX Factory does not allow commercial photography, so I recommend it for taking your own pictures rather than for a professional portrait session.
If you’re planning a professional shoot somewhere with controlled access, it’s always worth checking the current photography rules beforehand.
Ready to capture Lisbon your way?
Lisbon is one of those cities where you can photograph the same street ten times and still come away with something different. The light changes quickly, trams appear when you least expect them, and some of my favourite photo spots are only a few streets away from the famous viewpoints.
I would advise using this guide as a starting point rather than a checklist. Pick an area, give yourself time to wander, and don’t worry about photographing every single location in one trip.
And if you’d rather explore Lisbon with a photographer, I offer two different ways to do that.
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