Stand under Christ the King

Cristo Rei (Christ the King) feels like Lisbon's best-kept secret. This 110-meter monument stands across the Tagus River, arms outstretched over the city. It was inspired by Rio's Christ the Redeemer and built in 1959 as a thank-offering for Portugal being spared from WWII.

From the viewing platform at the base of the statue, you get sweeping panoramic views of Lisbon's skyline, the red 25 de Abril Bridge (which looks remarkably like San Francisco's Golden Gate), and the river flowing to the Atlantic.

Getting there is part of the experience - take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then a bus or taxi up the hill. The whole trip takes about 30 minutes from central Lisbon.

Pro tip: Come at sunset for the best light on the city across the river. It's much less crowded than Lisbon's other viewpoints and feels like a local discovery. Combine it with lunch in Cacilhas for fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants.