Top 8 Miradouros Walk

Overview

This GuruWalk listing, run by a guide named Ricardo, strings together the viewpoints Lisbon is famous for in a single 3-hour walk. It starts at Praça Luís de Camões in Chiado, where the guide waits with a dark blue umbrella marked Tips2visit, and works its way through Bairro Alto, the funiculars at Bica and Gloria, the Carmo convent ruins and the Santa Justa lift, before finishing at the highest viewpoint in the city, Miradouro Senhora do Monte. Along the way the guide mixes short history with local culture and neighbourhood commentary rather than long lectures at any one spot.

The GuruWalk listing describes the route as roughly 5 km with many climbs and descents, since Lisbon is a hilly city and this walk goes up and down repeatedly. Groups are capped at 12 people so there is room for questions. Three departure versions exist: a day walk, an afternoon walk timed for sunset, and a night walk under the city lights.

It suits travellers who want to cover a lot of ground in one outing and take photos from many angles, and it is less suited to anyone with knee, back or leg trouble, to children under 12, or to strollers, which the guide says are not possible on this route. At the final viewpoint the walk simply dissolves: the viewpoint stays open, and guests choose to linger or make their own way down.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Praça Luís de CamõesThe guide waits in Chiado with a dark blue umbrella reading Tips2visit Walking Tours. The tour departs 5 minutes after the booked time and cannot wait for latecomers.
2. Miradouro de Santa CatarinaThe first viewpoint, known as a sunset gathering spot, with a view over the 25th of April Bridge, the Tejo and Cristo Rei.
3. Elevador da BicaA stop at the famous yellow funicular, described on the GuruWalk listing as the third oldest in the city.
4. Bairro AltoThe nightlife and artist district, which the guide says holds over 200 bars. The walk continues from here through the city centre, past Largo do Carmo, Rossio Square and the Gloria funicular.
5. Finish at Miradouro Senhora do MonteThe highest viewpoint in Lisbon and the end of the roughly 5 km route. There is no metro station here, so the return is on foot, by tram, by bus or by Uber, and guests may stay at the viewpoint as long as they like since it does not close.

What To Expect From The Tour

The GuruWalk listing is unusually detailed about what the walk involves, so most of what follows comes straight from it.

• Fitness and terrain. This is a long route of roughly 5 km over 3 hours, with repeated climbs and descents across many hills. The guide makes stops for photos and short rests, but he warns against booking it with knee, back or leg problems, and says strollers are not possible.
• Bring cash. The guide states he can only accept tips in cash, because his card machine is broken. Bring notes if you plan to tip at the end.
• Group feel. Groups are capped at 12 people, which the guide says leaves time for questions during the walk. The tone is history mixed with local culture and views rather than a lecture at any single stop.
• Choose your light. The same route runs in three versions: day, afternoon for sunset, and night for the city lights. Travellers who want a particular light should check which option they are booking.
• Plan the return. The final viewpoint has no metro station. The options back down are walking, tram, bus or Uber, so it helps to know the route before the walk ends.
• Photo stops. The walk pauses at many viewpoints for photos, including the Santa Justa lift, the Carmo convent ruins and the funiculars. Travellers who like posting pictures will find the stops well suited to it.

Common issues. The honest limits are physical and logistical. The route is long and hilly, unsuitable for strollers, and the guide himself recommends a shorter, flatter Alfama walk for anyone with walking difficulties, and advises against bringing children under 12. The guide cannot wait for latecomers, since the tour leaves 5 minutes after the booked start time. Tips are cash only. Travellers who have already done other Lisbon tours may repeat views and facts, and the guide says he cannot skip stops or change the route, so the full stop list should be read before booking. The last viewpoint has no metro, so the return takes some planning.

What To Know Before You Walk