How To Get The Best Photos in Lisbon, Portugal
Imagine a Lisbon photography tour with a local friend who can show you places you’d never find on your own – – unique spots that most visitors to the city never see.
During this private Lisbon photo tour, you chat about the city’s history and local customs. And if you want, you get plenty of expert photography tips to make sure you come away with the very best photos of this enchanting city.
And on my first visit to Lisbon, Portugal I needed a lot of coaching.
I have to admit that, at the time, I was one of those people who was walking around with a DSLR camera and using the automatic settings most of the time.
I know I’m not alone.
When I made plans to visit Lisbon, I knew I had to up my game because Lisbon is a photographer’s dream.
So, based on photos like the one above and his ranking as the top Lisbon photography tour on Trip Advisor, I added a tour to my Lisbon itinerary with Miguel Helfrich, a brilliant Lisbon photographer and owner of Lisbon Photo. His evening Lisbon walking tour in the Chiado neighbourhood seemed like a perfect opportunity for a solo traveler like me to discover the top photo spots in Lisbon and to learn about night photography — all at the same time.
My Lisbon photo tour
Upon meeting Miguel in Rossio Square, it was immediately apparent that his home town and photography are two great loves of his life. Anyone who can get me racing up a steep cobblestone street to get this shot must have an innate ability to inspire through sheer enthusiasm. Of course, he happens to know when to catch the moment that these two trams pass.
The trams have been transporting passengers up the hills into Chiado and Bairro Alto since the 1890s. It’s an iconic Lisbon photo opportunity, not to be missed.
Bliss tip! Where to stay in Lisbon:
Airbnb has many affordable options in Lisbon. Click on this link to get $33 off your first booking with Airbnb.
My favourite guesthouse in Lisbon is Alecrim ao Chiado, an affordable 4-star stay in the Chiado neighbourhood. Check pricing and reviews for Alecrim ao Chiado.
For an upscale Alfama hotel with a fabulous view, I enjoyed Memmo Alfama. Check pricing and reviews for Memmo Alfama.
At the top of the hill, we paused at one of Lisbon’s miradouros (viewpoints) with a view of the Moorish castle, Castelo de São Jorge, to capture the blue hour — that fleetingly poetic period after the sun sets when the indirect light casts a blue shade over the city’s seven hills.
This is the first photo I have ever taken in manual mode on my camera. It was a start, but as the blue light faded, Miguel gave me a mini-workshop on how to get the settings for aperture, exposure time and light sensitivity just right. The mysteries of manual shooting were starting to become clear.
It was time to get back to practice. While Miguel showed me some of the iconic photo spots in Lisbon, he also seeks to provide a taste of real life.
Lisbon night photography
Chiado is a chic, sophisticated district of theatres, shops and old-style cafes, with wonderful light for Lisbon night photography.. The neighbourhood next door is Bairro Alto, the nightlife hub of Lisbon with countless restaurants and small bars, where the haunting sounds of Fado music can be heard. Miguel suggested that enjoying fresh seafood in a restaurant in this area is one of the best things to do in Lisbon. The small venues and mild nights of the city make al fresco dining a charming option, while the day’s laundry flutters overhead, one of the many Lisbon images you will capture on this tour.
What’s in my camera bag? I use a Nikon D5300 DSLR with an 18 – 140 mm lens
Some history with your photography
The tour isn’t just about the techniques of photography – – it’s also about getting a sense of the place.
In Carmo Square, we sat outside this entrance to the gothic ruins of the Carmo Convent, destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, while Miguel told me about the ‘Carnation Revolution‘. I had heard the story once before but, as a photographer, Miguel has a way of painting the picture. It was here in this square that half a century of dictatorship came to an end.
It happened on April 25, 1974. Until then, Portugal had been under a fascist dictatorship for 50 years, the longest in Europe. Culture and expression were controlled by the state. Women were not allowed to vote.
But on that day, a revolt by idealistic young army officers turned into a popular uprising. Armed military officers surrounded the military barracks next to the church where the Prime Minister and several of his Ministers had taken refuge. They surrendered and thousands of people poured into the streets, handing out spring carnations to the soldiers and placing them into the muzzles of their rifles.
It was a near bloodless military coup that led to democracy and it remains a source of immense pride in this country.
Lisbon street photography
My photography lesson continued in the streets just outside Camões square, where I managed to get a shot (handheld) of the classic Tram 28 which passes through the popular tourist areas of Lisbon.
Here, we talked about composition and how to get the Lisbon architecture lines straight in the camera, a particular challenge for a geometrically challenged individual like me.
Miguel also has a keen eye for detail and it gave me a fresh perspective to the standard postcard style photos I normally pursue for the blog.
Miguel’s top tip for travel photography: Keep it simple. Don’t try to include too many elements in the frame. Less is more when it comes to composition.
A tailored photo tour
I enjoy tours because they provide context for what you are seeing. However, most other Lisbon city tours don’t take into account the light, the angles and the time needed to not only to take a good photo, but to capture a sense of place.
With the Lisbon Photo tour, I discovered the city in a unique way – – through a photographer’s lens. Based on my tour, the experience can be highly customized to your needs or any skill level. On my first visit, that included plenty of photography tips about camera settings and the like.
I was so impressed with the experience that I signed up for a full day Lisbon tour when I returned some months later. Miguel provided more helpful advice on composition. But we spent most of the day exploring the secret lane ways and charming streets of Alfama and Mouraria in old Lisbon.
Beyond the Lisbon photography tour
Not only did I fall for Portugal during my visits, these tours have fundamentally changed the way I approach photography. I still have much to learn and practice, but a real advantage of the tour with Miguel at Lisbon Photo is that the benefits continue long after the tour ends.
Blue hour in Ottawa, Canada
More Information:
Lisbon Photo also provides Lisbon day tours in a number of neighbourhoods and to Sintra, Obidos and Porto, along with custom Portugal photo tours. Family and VIP tours, photography workshops or a photo album of your visit are also available. See also Lisbon Photo on Facebook.
Tourism Information: Visit Lisboa, Visit Portugal and get these Tips on 10 Things to do in Lisbon
My main camera gear: Nikon D5300 DSLR with an 18 – 140 mm lens
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This sounds fantastic…. do you think this tour might be useful for someone who uses an iphone camera?
Thanks Null! It really was a fantastic tour and it would be very useful for someone who uses any kind of camera, including an iphone. The key thing is that the guide is a local photographer and will show you all the best spots, share lots of information, and make suggestions on composition and angles for the shot, if you like.
This really was a great article and beautiful photos! Not only does it make me want to visit Lisbon, but it also makes me want to go out and take a photography course!
Thanks so much Laura! Lisbon is beautiful, and this tour will ensure that you come back with great photos. They also offer workshops.
I wish I had known about this tour when I was in Lisbon. Sounds really worthwhile.
Thanks Joanne. Perhaps a return visit? It’s really a great way to see the city and my photography is improving because of it.
Beautiful photos – either you underestimated your abilities or you really learned a lot on your tour! I’m glad to heard about this tour, as you say, its a great way for a photographer with any level of skills to discover great locations to shoot, see the city, pick up a few tips, and stay safe. I love night photography, but even with my husband in tow I’m a little hesitant to wander too far at night in an unfamiliar city – having a photographer guide would be ideal!!
Thanks Cindy! This really was my first time shooting in manual mode. Lisbon Photo offers tours during the day also, but I picked the night tour for just the reasons you say. Lisbon is pretty safe, but wandering aimlessly while looking through a camera lens is not always smart. That and I wanted to see the city and improve my night photography.
My compliments on your photography. Fabulous photos….especially the night time ones! I was really intrigued to read your post as I JUST booked a trip to Portugal in February. Hopefully I’ll get some good shots like you did!
Thank you so much Janice! You will love Portugal, and it’s very photogenic. If you want to get some good shots in Lisbon neighbourhoods, I can certainly recommend Lisbon Photo. I learned a lot about the city and photography.
Well, judging by your shots during and since, your photo tour of Lisbon was a success! and thanks for taking me back there to when my husband and I were there last year!
Thanks Jane! I learned a lot on the tour, and Lisbon is such a lovely place to visit, isn’t it?
OK, you got me. I am definitely doing this on my next trip to Lisbon. I fell in love with the city on my first trip two years ago and now can’t wait to go back. I want to get all those photos I missed (or which looked lousy!) on my first trip. This Lisbon Photo Tour is going to fix that. Thanks so much.
Thank you Donna! I feel the same way about Lisbon. I hope you get back there soon — the Lisbon Photo tour will definitely ensure that you get the photos you want. I’m going back for the tour in Alfama (and some egg tarts. of course!)
Thank you all for your interest in Lisbon and in Photography.
LISBON PHOTO will help you find the best spots, the hidden details and the best composition… the simple one.
Workshop or normal photo tour, we can all become friends!
Thank you Miguel! And thanks for teaching me so much about Lisbon and photography.
What a wonderful collection of photos and tips. You’re inspiring on both the country and photography. Could make a good series!
Thank you Zoe! Great idea… I stopped in again recently and did the Alfama tour in Lisbon, which was just as inspiring on both counts!
This looks amazing! I don’t know what your photos looked like before but these ones are great – exactly what I was trying for (and I’m pretty sure failing) when I was in Lisbon :). Is it a private tour?
Thanks so much Claire! Yes, it’s a private tour with personal photography coaching and customized to what you want to see or learn. Best investment I’ve made in learning photography, plus a great way to see Lisbon.
Cindy I love these shots. My fave? The cable cars with street art. Neat.
Thanks Ryan. Those trams are a wonderful icon of Lisbon. The city is also filled with impressive street art, beyond the “graffiti-style” stuff on the trams.