With that said I decided to get updated and tell you a little bit about my favorites, and some of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon, from colorful streets to hidden gems.
As a fellow Portuguese, and Alfacinha (natural from Lisbon), you’re sure to find some of the best photography spots in Lisbon in this guide – perfect if you’re planning to visit the stunning Portuguese city!
In Portugal, we have a lot of places with very distinct colors from one building to the next.
This makes it a wee bit easy for you to go and have fun while upgrading your Instagram game. Killer views from sunny miradouros, completely pink streets, and colorful palaces – yes, please!
And if you’d like to discover more instagrammable places and cities, check out the following guides:
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Paris
- The Most Colorful Places in London
- The Most Colorful Cities in the World
- The Best Pink Cafes in London
18 Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon Portugal + Colorful
Lisbon is one of the most colorful cities in Europe, and spending three days to a week there makes for an affordable vacation, and a great look into a warm, Mediterranean type of atmosphere.
In Rua Augusta, you have some of the best pasteis de nata in Lisbon, for instance – these will keep you full while walking around the large city.
In Alfama, you have really colorful streets, filled with coffee shops to work in Lisbon perfect if you’re a digital nomad.
There are so many hidden gems and things to do in Lisbon – so let’s start with the most instagrammable places in Lisbon for today, and we’ll see plenty of other spots, coffee shops, and restaurants in other guides!
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Cais das Colunas
Cais das Colunas is to this day one of the best photo spots in Lisbon. Picture this: a real postcard view of sorts.
You, sitting on the floor with lots of passionate couples, groups of friends, people relaxing there alone, musicians echoing in the streets and filling the air with harmony and the most tempting smells of tasty food coming from the stalls.
With a lemonade in your hand take deep breaths whilst watching the sunset over River Tejo bathing your soul, showing you the end of a good day well spent in the city.
Cais das Colunas Pier is considered to be the entrance into the city over its marble steps – an entrance to Lisbon, to Portugal.
My best advice, when facing the pillars and the river don’t just stay there where there are a lot of tourists and locals.
Instead, just go to the right and walk towards the Cais do Sodré Station, there you will be able to seat on the marble stairs and watch the sunset better close to the 25 de Abril bridge.
Almost everyone there will be using their phones or cameras to capture that perfect ending of the day. And now – so can you! A must include if you’re looking for the most instagrammable places in Lisbon.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul
Most Colorful Places in Lisbon: Miradouro de Santa Lúzia
If color is what you are after then check Miradouro de Santa Lúzia. This not-so-secret rooftop offers one of the best views in Lisbon, right over the Alfama neighborhood.
We’ll talk about Alfama later in this guide, but it’s the oldest district in Lisbon and offers plenty of coffee shops and tiny restaurants really great to spend a few hours.
This viewpoint is one of the most colorful places in Lisbon. Between its hand-painted typical Portuguese tiles and each different color coming from every building, you will have plenty of color for your cute Instagram pictures.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Torre de Belém
Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) in Lisbon gives the same vibe as going to London and not photographing Big Ben.
I could say with almost 100% of certainty that this is without any doubt one of the best photo spots in Lisbon, if not the most visited one.
It carries a lot of history, and it is for sure one of the most popular places in Lisbon. The Belem tower was used as the departing point of many world-famous explorers like Vasco da Gama and many other Portuguese discoverers!
Belém has a certain magic, while growing up every time we could visit Belém – I don’t know, it was like going on a big trip and seeing something different.
If you wish, you can enter and pay to climb the narrow stairs to take a photo or two on the viewing platform. I don’t think it’s worth it, you can take better pictures without having to bump into tourists outside.
In case you are looking for the perfect picture without people in it, simply wait for sunset or come earlier at sunrise, when there is no one and the tower is still closed.
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Around Belém, close to the beautiful Belém Tower, you will find another big landmark called Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. (Jerónimos Monastery).
Between beautiful parks to relax and enjoy the day and Belém train station, you will find that breathtaking attraction.
The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tejo (Tagus) River in Belém, Lisbon.
It costs 10€ to visit it and it’s certainly magical – honestly, you’re going to want to pay for that one.
The building beams with History, which by now you already realised is a must of my existence. All that breaths history and mystery with a touch of fantasy – a perfect escape to faraway lands.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Edinburgh
Most Colorful Places in Lisbon: Pink Street
Let’s stop with history for a while, and bring you back to central Lisbon, in Cais do Sodré. Nearby, you have some of the best cafes to study in Lisbon, in a trendy neighborhood that gives vibes of LX Factory (another super cool spot in Lisbon).
There is a relatively new place called “the pink street” in the Chiado neighborhood. It is a cute pink color dyed on the ground with a bridge in the background that attracts many tourists and some locals.
Indeed, the pink street is one of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon due to its colorful vibes. The bridge on the background is yellow, the ground is pink and the houses/local businesses have each one a different color – orange, green, white, etc.
This street is also known as Rua Nova do Carvalho, and you will find nearby some cafes and bars to enjoy your day/night.
On a historical note – this street used to be one the most popular places in Lisbon’s nightlife as it had the reputation of having lots of local criminals and prostitutes back in the day.
Nowadays, it is a good place to hang out with friends and enjoy your most Instagrammable photos.
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Rua Augusta
Rua Augusta is one of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon, and one you will not miss when in town. Care to know why?
There are beautiful cafes, restaurants, shops, terraces, mosaics on the floor, musicians everywhere, entertainers, and a lovely mood – a colorful vibe echoing in those walls.
At the top of Rua Augusta, there is the iconic Arco da Rua Augusta (Augusta’s Street Arch). There is an elevator that leads you to the top of the Arch, a viewpoint with one of the best views of Lisbon.
Passing this arch you will get to see one of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon, Praça do Comércio.
Make sure to check the entrance to the right as well, where you will see lovely arches and columns holding it attached to yellow buildings as an entrance to the stunning square.
This is the place where you will find Cais das Colunas. You are starting to trace a mind map, right?
Lisbon is big in scale, but when you think of it, it’s like a small place with lots of people and very good attractions.
Rua Augusta hosts some of the most colorful houses in Lisbon and really makes for stunning pictures of the city.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Barcelona
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Convento do Carmo
This one has a special place in my heart for what it represents.
This is a beautiful amphitheater with the remaining marks of the devastating earthquake that destroyed Lisbon in 1755. These are the remains of an old church under Lisbon’s stunning sky.
The Convent of Lady of Mount Carmel is a former Catholic convent located in Santa Maria Maior, another one of Lisbon’s neighborhoods.
If you wish to get access to this place you can always get the famous Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa lift) to a pretty viewpoint which will eventually lead you to Convento do Carmo.
Personally, I think it’s a waste of time. You will get to stay in the queue for so long with so many tourists and noises coming from the local businesses – it would be a wee bit of a waste of time.
As for Convento do Carmo (or archaeological museum of Carmo), nowadays, it is used as an amphitheater that holds different events, especially at night, where you can watch a concert watching the glorious starry night sky.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Rome
Most Colorful Places in Lisbon: Escadinhas de São Cristovão
One of the things you will see a lot in Lisbon are graffitis. Some of them are very stunning and skillful art walls.
Escadinhas de São Cristovão is one of the most famous photo spots in Lisbon for anyone even closely interested in street art.
Most forms of art in the streets in central touristy Lisbon tend to represent landmarks and historical scenes, but here, we dive deep into street art and another kind of culture.
This street in particular has beautiful art representing Fado, an iconic Portuguese music style. The fado art wall in Escadinhas de São Cristovão represents different elements of Fado, and are clearly a staple of Lisbon.
Read: The Best Nontouristy Things to Do in London
Most Colorful Places in Lisbon: Alfama Neighborhood
As I told you before, Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon.
You can feel its vibrant and beautiful sense of community there. Actually, in these old communities in Lisbon, you can almost spot it in every local neighborhood.
With that said, I picked Alfama for its colorful vibes but also, due to one of the main events at the beginning of summer, in Lisbon.
In Portugal, there is one of the largest festivals “carnival” of Lisbon is called Festas dos Santos Populares (Popular Saint’s Festival).
It is a celebration that covers the National day of Saint Peter, Saint John, and most importantly for this article – Saint Anthony, the patron saint of Lisbon.
These celebrations take the entire month of June, but the most important day/night is from the 12th of June to the 13th of June – the National Day of Saint Anthony.
Lisbon is colorful as it is, but during the celebrations, you can count on thousands if not millions of people, local businesses, stalls everywhere, noises, music echoing on every corner of Lisbon, food, and bars.
Everyone is awake until dawn celebrating Saint Anthony. Alfama is usually that one neighborhood that feels like it’s bursting with extra color and lights.
Read: The Best Things to Do on Solo Travel to Rome
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Castelo de S. Jorge
Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle) is located at the top of Alfama. It might cost you a wee bit to climb this beauty, however, the views and gardens are worth it.
This castle is another landmark of Lisbon, and it is one of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon.
Saint George’s Castle is a very ancient historic castle and its human occupation of the hill dates to at least the 8th century BC, while the first fortification dates from the 1st century BC.
It has one of the most glorious views in all of Lisbon, lots of viewpoints and it’s perfect during any time of the day. Within the city center, this is one of the coolest places in Lisbon and one of the most popular ones as well.
I love it, it is majestic, and it has beautiful gardens with some shades to hide from the Portuguese sunlight. It is honestly one of the most beautiful places in Lisbon – in the historic city center, at least.
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Most Colorful Places in Lisbon: Palácio da Pena
I know Sintra belongs to the district of Lisbon, but it is debatable whether it is actually part of the capital or not. I lived all my life in the Sintra suburbs and it truly is the complete opposite of life in Lisbon, at least the touristy life and vibes you get in the capital.
With that said, you can still catch the train at Rossio’s Station and do a lovely & memorable day in Sintra’s village which for me is the best place in all of Sintra.
The Village, Lagoa Azul, Quinta da Regaleira, Pub do Fauno, Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors), Parque das Merendas, Serra de Sintra are part of the most beautiful attractions to see and enjoy in Sintra.
The National Palace of Pena is the most colorful palace in Lisbon. It is located at the top of the Sintra Mountains on the outskirts of the capital, and there are lots of legends and myths regarding this palace and its mysterious woods.
Between vivid colored turrets that you can spot rising from the dark dense forest, the architecture with a mix of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Manuelline styles.
If you do have the time, take a 2 or 3-day trip to Sintra, there are so many beautiful sights and good things to try out (especially their Travesseiro de Sintra or my favorite, Queijadinha de Sintra treats), and everything is top of the most colorful places in Lisbon & 100% Instagrammable.
Read: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Rome
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Trobadores Taberna Medieval
With all the walking and exploring, you might feel the urge to eat something. Now, this might not be the most colorful place in Lisbon, but it’s definitely oh-so-instagrammable.
In central Lisbon, you have lots of typical cafes and beautiful lounges or restaurants every few meters! However, this one is magical, super tasty, lively, and moody.
Trobadores is a medieval tavern in the heart of Lisbon, I spent many good memories and birthdays there. It is a cozy, candle-light tavern with medieval music and you can even drink mead from a horn!
It’s like stepping into a renaissance fair. Personal advice if you visit – make sure to try their famous Tibornas and their cheese board! This lass of yours is tempting herself while writing these words.
If you go on Halloween, Trobadores has a very special vibe, one that I hold very close to my heart. The place is decorated and it keeps the coziness with a wee touch of witchy vibes.
Read: The Best Restaurants in Trastevere Rome
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Rossio Square
Rossio Square, also known as Praça de Dom Pedro, is one of the most visited squares in all of central Lisbon. It connects you to different good main attractions in Lisbon.
This one is very lively, with all the stalls, local businesses, and taxis coming from everywhere, along with theatres, shops, restaurants, and hotels.
It boasts the famous Portuguese cobblestone with a wavy mosaic pavement that you will recognize in most cities all over Portugal.
This place is instagrammable as it is, but if you visit it during December, you will get the Christmas vibes that make it extra IG-Worthy!
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Lower Manhattan
Pretty Places in Lisbon: Lisbon’s Zoo
The Zoo in Lisbon is a little out of sight since it’s not located in the central touristy areas.
Still, this attraction is one of the top pretty places in Lisbon you must visit when bored, or for a fun family day!
It all starts with the pretty Zoo’s large iron gates. The Zoo grounds are beautiful and you also get to explore a free area with lots of animals, lakes, and ponds before the paid entrance into the Zoo.
The zoo was founded in 1884 in a different location but moved in 1905, and while it might be ‘just a zoo’, it’s actually one of the most beautiful zoos in the world (at least in my opinion).
Friendly tip: Go early so you can enjoy the entire day there with time, have lunch in one of their restaurants as well and you even have a cute souvenir shop with animal-themed stuff.
Read: The Best Stationery Shops in London
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Lx Factory
Lx is the local (rather, slang) abbreviation for ‘Lisbon’ amongst youngsters these days.
However, the Lx Factory is an all-ages sort of place. This is a 15min drive away from the historic city center, and it is considered one of the coolest places in Lisbon.
What used to be an industrial area, old warehouses abandoned and such, is now our tiny representation of Camden Town, in London. Every corner of the market is an Instagram photo waiting to be taken.
If you’re looking for more retro vibes and restaurants, toilets fully decorated with themes by local artists, exotic shops, and street art? That’s the place. This open-air market is your walking frame on the go for the best photo spots in Lisbon.
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Pretty Places in Lisbon: Panteão Nacional
Panteão Nacional, or National Pantheon, is also the church of Santa Engrácia. We’ve got here another one of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon, with colorful surroundings and rich history.
This 17th-century monument was originally a church and then became the National Pantheon. That’s the place where important Portuguese personalities are buried, so it’s kind of a big deal.
An enormous white and elegant building that most tourists and locals include on their plans when taking a trip to Lisbon – and honestly a must-visit!
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Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Take that old tram photo!
One of the most touristy things to do in Lisbon is to take a picture on the tram (elétrico in Portuguese). There are different routes and different trams that cover the historical and beautiful tourist photo spots in Lisbon.
The Elétrico in Lisbon is an iconic element that represents Lisbon by itself. You see and hear about it in every postcard or magnet, traditional fabrics, brands, poems, and catchy songs.
You have one in Sintra, which is gorgeous, and travels throughout nature, the city, and the woods. It also takes you to Praia das Maçãs, a beautiful beach in Sintra.
On the other side, in historic central Lisbon, you have several trams, but the one every tourist takes and shares on Instagram is the classic 28. This iconic tram takes you to the Alfama district. If you can, take them all! It’s a funny way to explore the city and travel around like a local!
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in London
Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon: Casa do Alentejo
Architecturally speaking, one of the most instagrammable places in Lisbon is the beautiful Casa do Alentejo.
This is considered to most to be a well-kept hidden gem. Closer to the grand magnificent theatres in the city, this former Moorish Palace is located on a very popular street and it has such a small front door that most people don’t even notice it.
Once you enter the rather modest entrance, you will find an outstanding palace with a gorgeous courtyard, beautiful grand ball saloons with beautiful tiles, and big old mirrors.
If you want to find a quiet place away from the crowds, but still instagrammable, I would recommend this one.
It’s colorful, and the whole vibe is ancient and cozy. You are free to take photos and enjoy the place, and there is also a lovely restaurant hidden inside the building.
Read: The Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch
18 Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon Portugal + Colorful
There you have them all, the most instagrammable places in Lisbon! If you’ve never been here, you have no idea how much Lisbon how to offer.
There are plenty of colorful places to visit, especially when spotted in miradouros, historical places, festivals, and of course, amazing Mediterranean food!
A little pro tip from a local – do bring sunscreen, a hat, and good comfortable shoes. You will thank me later.
Don’t feel sad if you don’t look like a proper local, but take this from a local herself, the sun in Portugal is dangerous and in Lisbon, it tends to make you all sweaty and not in the mood to explore and you wouldn’t want that to ruin your vacation, right?
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