Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

The big panorama

The Miradouro da Senhora do Monte sits above the Graça neighbourhood and is Lisbon city centre's highest viewpoint. From the balustrade, a wide panorama of roughly 210 to 250 degrees opens up: São Jorge Castle, the rooftops of the old town, the grid-like streets of the Baixa, the broad Tagus and the far bank, all in one view. Of the two Graça viewpoints, this one is generally rated the better - the wider, higher outlook.

It takes its name from the small chapel Nossa Senhora do Monte, which stands right next to the square.

The chapel next door

A hermitage has stood on this spot since 1147; the current baroque building dates from 1796, built after the great earthquake of 1755. The chapel is a listed monument (Imóvel de Interesse Público), but is usually closed, opening only occasionally for a few hours in the afternoon. No fixed public opening hours are published - information is only available by phone, on +351 21 886 9856. If you're heading up for the view, it's best not to plan around the chapel, and treat any open moment as a bonus.

What to expect

The miradouro is small: no permanent kiosk, and hardly any seating. It gets busy during the day, and tuk-tuk tours pull up regularly. It's noticeably quieter early in the morning or late in the evening. The square faces west, which makes it a good sunset spot - with one caveat: in summer the sun disappears behind the hills of Bairro Alto, while in winter you can watch it set cleanly behind the Tagus.

There are no toilets or a café at the viewpoint itself. If you want to sit longer and get a drink, the nearby Miradouro da Graça, with its esplanade kiosk, is the better bet - it's only about a ten-minute walk south.

Visiting: the practicalities

Allow 20 to 40 minutes. Entry is free and possible around the clock; there are no set closing times. The spot is busiest during the day and at sunset.

The easiest way there is Tram 28 to the Rua da Graça stop, then on foot up the steep Rua da Senhora do Monte - about 400 metres, a few minutes uphill. The final stretch has to be walked; there's no reliable parking right at the square, so getting there by public transport is the more practical choice.

The visit pairs well with the other viewpoints above Alfama: the nearby Miradouro da Graça and a side trip over to São Jorge Castle. For more on Lisbon's viewing terraces, see the overview Lisbon's best miradouros.