The Best Sunset Spots in Portugal

Portugal faces the Atlantic, so its sunsets over the ocean are spectacular. Watch the sun go down from a Lisbon viewpoint with a glass of wine, from wild clifftops at the end of Europe, or over the river in Porto. Here are the best sunset spots in Portugal.

Quick answer: the classic sunset spots are Cape St Vincent near Sagres, Cabo da Roca near Sintra, Jardim do Morro in Gaia (looking across to Porto), Lisbon’s Miradouro de Santa Catarina and Senhora do Monte, Ponta da Piedade in Lagos and the Nazaré lighthouse. Arrive early in summer.

Lisbon

• Miradouro de Santa Catarina: a lively terrace with views to the bridge.
• Senhora do Monte: Lisbon’s highest viewpoint, with views over the castle.
• Cristo Rei: across the river, with the whole city in front of you.
• Rooftop bars: see Lisbon rooftop bars.
• A sunset cruise on the Tagus.

See the best Lisbon viewpoints.

Around Lisbon

• Cabo da Roca: sunset from the westernmost point of mainland Europe. See Lisbon to Sintra.
• Guincho beach: wild dunes and surf near Cascais.
• Ericeira: clifftop sunsets over the surf. See Ericeira.

Porto

• Jardim do Morro: a park in Gaia with the whole of Porto turning gold in front of you.
• The top deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge.
• Foz do Douro: where the river meets the ocean.

See the best Porto viewpoints.

The Algarve

• Cape St Vincent: the most famous sunset in Portugal, at the southwest tip of Europe. See Sagres.
• Ponta da Piedade: golden cliffs and rock stacks near Lagos.
• Praia da Marinha: sunset over the arches.
• A sunset boat cruise. See catamaran trips.

Elsewhere

• Nazaré: from the lighthouse fort or the Sitio clifftop. See Nazaré.
• Monsaraz: over the Alqueva lake, then stargazing. See Monsaraz.
• Madeira: sunsets at Ponta do Sol, and sunrise at Pico do Arieiro.
• The Azores: Sete Cidades and the west coast of São Miguel.

Tips

• Times: sunset is around 9pm in June and around 5:15pm in December.
• Bring a layer: clifftops get windy and cold after dark.
• Stay safe near cliff edges.

More: the most Instagrammable places in Portugal.

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