We must admit – if you’re spending New Year’s Eve in Lisbon, you’re quite lucky! You’ll have the opportunity to see for yourself how much fun Portuguese people have!

Be it that you want to welcome 2024 from your hotel room or spend it wandering through the lightened streets of the historical center engulfing you with their magic – we’re sure you’ll have the greatest time!

If you want to see the fireworks somewhere in the city but haven’t decided on the best spot yet, we’re here to help you! Keep reading to discover where to see the fireworks in Lisbon on New Year’s Eve!

4 Places to Watch Fireworks in Lisbon

We must warn you that whatever place you choose, it will probably get pretty crowded. Therefore, we advise you to prepare your New Year’s Eve journey beforehand, taking into consideration this aspect. Maybe you can schedule your arrival early or go for a more unpopular spot.

We also recommend checking the festivity programs beforehand to ensure you don’t miss anything important.

Furthermore, don’t forget to check the program of the metro (and other types of public transport) to make sure you have the means to arrive at the spot you’ve chosen. Finding an Uber or a Bolt will likely be quite challenging on the 31st of December and the 1st of January.

Here’s another tip from us – although Lisbon can get quite warm and even springish during the day, nights are cold and sometimes windy, so don’t forget to wear a warm sweater and pack a scarf, especially if you watch the fireworks from one of the viewpoints, which are located at higher altitudes where it’s windier.

1. Praça do Comércio

The main New Year’s Eve event in Lisbon takes place in Praça do Comércio, the city’s most iconic place that marks the heart of its historical center. It is also the spot where the city meets the water!

Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço, is located at the end of Rua Augusta, which opens toward Praça do Comércio through the famous Rua Augusta Arch. So why are we sharing all these architectural and technical details?

We want you to envision just what a delightful experience you’ll have if you spend New Year’s Eve in such an iconic location, enjoying not only the fireworks but also the pure joy of locals and tourists, thus experiencing the capital in a truly authentic way!

Not to mention that Lisbon’s Christmas tree is (unsurprisingly!) installed in Praça do Comércio (which, by the way, is also Europe’s tallest Christmas tree!).

On the night of the 31st, the location will be strictly monitored and people will only be able to access it by foot. There will be six entries and seven exits. The entrances and the exits are located on Rua Augusta, Rua do Ouro, Rua do Arsenal, Rua da Alfândega, Avenida da Ribeira das Naus, and Rua da Prata.

Ensure to arrive there on time, check your bags for any prohibited items, and prepare yourself to be pushed around by people because it’s probably going to be quite crowded! Nonetheless, the fun is guaranteed!

2. Viewpoints

If you want to see the fireworks from a slightly different point, you can head instead to any of the viewpoints that overlook the Tagus River – luckily, there are plenty!

For example, you can choose Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which offers a splendid view of the city, the river, and the famous 25th of April Bridge. It is located in the Alfama neighborhood, on Largo Santa Luzia. In fact, Alfama has several excellent viewpoints, so there are multiple choices in the neighborhood.

However, don’t expect that you’ll be the only one thinking about this! The viewpoints, particularly those in Alfama, which are quite famous among tourists, will likely be filled with people, so we recommend arriving earlier and booking your seat!

Another viewpoint you can opt for is Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. It is located on Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara and offers quite a spectacular view over the city. However, it is located farther away from Praça do Comércio than Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

The same is valid for Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, which is located in a churchyard. Although farther away from Praça do Comércio, it is the highest point of the neighborhood, ensuring a decent panoramic view over the historical center and the river.

Another popular viewpoint in Lisbon is Miradouro da Graça, located near Igreja Paroquial da Graça.

3. Parque das Nações

Parque das Nações is Lisbon’s region known as Expo. It overlooks the Tagus River and the iconic, lengthy Vasco da Gama bridge.

The neighborhood has a splendid riverfront walkway equipped with a myriad of restaurants and several green spaces. It starts right from the bridge and ends close to the Oceanarium. In short, it’s not only an excellent location to lose yourself in the magic of the New Year’s Eve fireworks! It also makes for an excellent destination to visit during a regular day.

We particularly love the location for its splendid sunsets! During the winter, the panoramic view of the river crossed by the lengthy bridge and united with the sky at the horizon is of incredible beauty! If the sky is clear, it is filled with the most beautiful shades of pink, violet, and blue.

Therefore, you can go for a walk in the evening, enjoy the sunset, dine out at one of the restaurants nearby, and, at midnight, watch the fireworks!

Like the fireworks in the historical center, those at Parque das Nações will enchant locals and tourists for approximately 10-12 minutes.

Here’s another tip from us! At Casino Lisboa, located right beside the Oceanarium in Parque das Nações, you’ll be able to listen to Xutos & Pontapés on New Year’s Eve. It’s a famous Portuguese rock & roll band with four decades of fans behind them! However, the event hours are still to be announced, so keep an eye on their website!

4. Other Places in Lisbon to See the Fireworks

Besides the two spots where fireworks will be set off at midnight and the myriad of viewpoints you can choose from, you can also consider these ideas:

• Terraces or rooftops. If you’re planning to attend a New Year’s Eve event at a restaurant, make sure to choose one that overlooks the city.
• Hotels. If you’re lucky enough to book a room in a hotel which offers panoramic views over the city, you can watch the fireworks from there. Maybe you can even book a room with your own panoramic view, so you could welcome the new year from the intimacy of your room!
• Belém region. While there won’t be fireworks in that region, it’s a less crowded location where you can watch the ones that will be set off from the city center.
• Almada. If you open your Google Maps, you’ll see that Almada is located right in front of Praça do Comércio (on the opposite side of the river), except that you’ll have to cross the bridge to get there. If you have a car, you can take advantage of this opportunity because Almada will probably be less crowded than Lisbon’s historical center. Or you can take the ferry boat from Lisbon to Cacilhas, which usually runs until 2 am on that night. You may even like spending New Year’s Eve there more than in Lisbon. Why so? Easy! Because it will probably have a more local touch than the party in Lisbon’s city center!

Where to Watch Fireworks Around Lisbon

If you want to get away from the busyness of the capital, you can always choose a region outside Lisbon. For example, you can go to Setúbal, a city south of Lisbon known for its adjacent beaches that attract hundreds of thousands every year.

On the 31st of December, starting at 10:30 pm, locals will have the best time of their lives at a party close to Doca dos Pescadores. At midnight, the fireworks will set off over the river, after which the party will continue until 3 am. People in Setúbal definitely know how to have fun and will make you feel at home!

Another excellent location to watch the fireworks and party till morning is Sesimbra. The New Year’s Eve program begins at 10 pm, lasts until 4 am, and will include multiple shows and, naturally, the midnight fireworks, which you’ll be able to watch from one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches.

If you don’t want to cross the bridge toward the south of Lisbon, you can go to Sintra, the famous castle-filled region. The top destination in Sintra is Praia das Maçãs, where locals organize festivities and set off fireworks at night. People are even said to have made a tradition of taking their first baths of the year on the night of the 1st of January!

Let’s not forget about Cascais! However, if you do decide to spend New Year’s Eve in Cascais, you must expect slightly more luxurious prices, especially if you plan to attend a party, book a hotel, or dine out for New Year’s Eve.