Throughout the year, and especially in the summer, it’s common to see various astronomical events, such as meteor showers, supermoons, or comets passing by… with the most famous event this year being the total solar eclipse —here are some safety tips— scheduled for August 12.
If you’re as passionate about space as we are, you’re sure to find yourself gazing at the sky when one of these phenomena occurs, aren’t you?
If you can’t see and admire these incredible phenomena from your home, here’s a list of places in Lisbon where you can observe these nighttime moments in all their glory… weather permitting, of course!
São Jorge Castle
São Jorge Castle is , par excellence, one of the highest points in the city of Lisbon and, without a doubt, one of the best places to observe the starry skies and other astronomical events in the capital.
That’s also why it’s the ideal spot to admire the city in all its splendor, since from its observation deck you can see practically all the beautiful neighborhoods; it’s even been highlighted as one of the buildings with the best views in the world, ranking in the Top 10 in Europe.
Senhora do Monte Viewpoint
There’s no getting around it; viewpoints are prime spots for watching these kinds of phenomena, especially since most of them are open to the public 24 hours a day.
That’s the case with the Senhora do Monte viewpoint, one of our favorites in the city—and it’s also very romantic.
The views from Lisbon’s highest point are breathtaking, with the castle and the historic center in the foreground and the Tagus River on the horizon.
Penha de França Viewpoint
It’s one of Lisbon’s lesser-known viewpoints and one of our favorites for watching planes land and take off from the city’s airport.
It’s located next to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França and offers views not only of the Tagus River and the historic district, but also of another side of the city, such as the neighborhoods of Chelas, Marvila, and Olivais.
The view is quite unobstructed, even if it isn’t 360°, which will still allow you to see these phenomena without any major problems.
Along the Tagus River
Any spot along the Tagus River can be a great place to stargaze.
However, there are three or four spots that we think are ideal for admiring these events: near the Belém Tower, at the Monument to the Discoveries, or at Praça do Comércio. On the other side of the Tagus, Cais do Ginjal or Casa da Cerca also seem to be excellent options.
At any of these spots, just look up and wait for the magic to happen.
Monsanto
Monsanto Forest Park is on our list of spectacular spots to witness these phenomena, which usually have everyone looking up at the sky. Okay, maybe “everyone” is a bit of an exaggeration!
And in this park, the best spot will be the Alto da Serafina Lookout, located in the northern part of this expansive family “amusement” park.
This spot may not offer the best views of the city; there are far more spectacular viewpoints, but for stargazing, it’s definitely one of our top picks.
Amália Rodrigues Garden
The Amália Rodrigues Garden is located at the top of Eduardo VII Park and offers a vast , amphitheater-shaped green space that’s fortunate enough to face the city of Lisbon and, of course, the entire sky as far as the eye can see.
It’s like being in an open-air planetarium; it’s fantastic! And you can count on an unobstructed view that’s sure to provide you with some wonderful moments gazing at the sky, which we hope will be cloud-free.
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