Discover the Charm of Lisbon Hills

Viewpoint Senhora do Monte, located in the Graça district, offers a unique panorama, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon, especially as it is one of the highest points in the city. The half-moon shape gives a broader view of Lisbon, from which you can see the Grace Church, the Tagus estuary and the other bank, St. George Castle and the roofs of Mouraria. Further on, the lower Pombaline, the ruins of the Carmo Convent, the Monsanto Mountains and the Penha de França. These points are marked on a tilted panel in the viewpoint, so that visitors can identify the monuments.

Known as Grace Viewpoint, from 2009 adopted the name of one of the most important Portuguese poets of the twentieth century and was renamed Sophia Viewpoint by Mello Breyner Andresen. This tribute came 5 years after his death, as it was in this place that Sophia spent many of her days admiring Lisbon. This is a privileged place from which you can glimpse the whole city. To get an idea, from the top of Grace Hill you can see St. George Castle, St. Just Lift, Carmo Convent, 25th April Bridge, St. Peter of Alcantara Viewpoint, Mouraria, Martim Moniz, Monsanto (the lung of the city), the Mulberry trees, the Eduardo VII Park, the Lady of Mount Viewpoint, the Tagus… Is the list going long? Believe me that other points of interest are still missing! Better, just seeing. If I can't do it soon, we will help. You can make a Virtual Visit here. Facing the viewpoint overlooking the city and the Tagus, is the Grace Church and Convent, classified as a National Monument, whose construction dates back to 1271.

The Park and the Pena Palace, implanted in the Sintra mountain range and fruit of the creative genius of D. Fernando II, are the maximum exponent of Romanticism of the 19th century in Portugal, with architectural references of Manueline and Moorish influence. The Palace was built to be observed from any point of the Park, forest and lush gardens with more than five hundred tree species from the four corners of the world.

The Church of Sao Vicente de Fora stands as an emblematic image of Philip I's architectural patronage, after having ascended to the Portuguese throne. The church of Sao Vicente de Fora originated in a monastery erected in 1147 by D. Afonso Henriques for the veneration of Sao Vicente, patron of Lisbon. The expression on the outside results from being outside the wall, which then protected the city. It was renovated in 1527 in the reign of King John III. But it was only with D. Filipe I (the first of the Spanish kings in Portugal) that - for the sake of political legitimation - the church and the monastery were refounded, adding to them the function of the royal pantheon. This work was due to Juan de Herrera (author of El Escorial Madrid) and was executed, between 1582 and 1627, by Baltazar Alvares and Filippo Terzi. After the National Restoration, King John V had an imposing Baroque altar added to the main chapel of the church, which highlights eight monumental images of white painted wood.

The Santa Catarina viewpoint, also known as Adamastor viewpoint, is situated on one of Lisbon's seven hills and is famous as a viewpoint and observers retreat. Tradition tells that, in the 16th to 18th centuries, the movement of ships was appreciated, one of them being the imposing departure of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil, thus emerging the popular prolocation “see ships from the top of Santa Catarina”.

This former Portuguese monastery of the order of St. Jerome of the 17th century, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It is the greatest example of Manueline architecture, also known as the “Portuguese Gothic” and which deserves to highlight the facades , the Church. and the cloisters.

Built on the northern bank of the Tagus between 1514 and 1520 as part of the Tagus estuary defense system, the Tower of Belem is one of the architectural jewels of the reign of Manuel I. As a protector of Portuguese individuality and universality, the tower saw its role confirmed in 1983 when it was classified by UNESCO as the “Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.

In a prominent position on the northern bank of the Tagus River, the original monument was erected in 1940 at the Portuguese World Exposition to honor the historical figures involved in the Portuguese Discoveries. Having opened to the pulic in 1960 and standing 52 meters tall, the monument symbolizes a caravel, led by the figure of Infante D. Henry, followed in procession by 32 historical personalities who contributed to the Age of the Discoveries, such as King D. Afonso V (1432-81), father of the first discoveries, Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) who discovered the Maritime Way to India, Pedro Álvares Cabral (1467-1520), discoverer of Brazil and Ferdinand Magellan, who crossed the Atlantic in 1520-21, among others. The earth-facing façade is shaped like a cross decorated with the Sword of the Order of Aviz, the financial patron of these endeavors.