Lisbon in Photographs – Trams, Light and Urban Poetry
Discover Lisbon through a series of art photographs captured in December: colorful trams, azulejos, historic facades, and bold modern structures reveal the poetic soul of the Portuguese capital.
A weekend in Lisbon in December: soft light and urban contrasts
Lisbon in December exudes a unique charm, blending golden winter light with the vibrant energy of its steep streets. This stay was the perfect opportunity to explore the Portuguese capital through its landmarks, working-class neighborhoods, and contemporary architecture.
The Ascensor da Bica, covered in graffiti, tirelessly climbs one of the city’s steepest streets. Below, the Tagus River appears between colorful facades, adding depth to this urban perspective. At the upper station, the same yellow funicular emerges from an archway framed by overhead cables and the evening sky—a Lisbon scene both picturesque and authentic.
In the Alfama district, cobbled alleys wind between pale pink walls and tiled houses. The aged textures of the facades catch the slanting light, and the shadows cast by balconies sculpt the surroundings. Every door tells a story, like a traditional shop seemingly frozen in time with vintage displays and black-and-white mosaic flooring.
The city’s hills offer splendid views of terracotta rooftops stretching out to the river. From the miradouros, the 25th of April Bridge can be seen in the distance, reminiscent of San Francisco’s Golden Gate. At one end of the span, the Cristo Rei statue overlooks the city with open arms.
In the heart of Lisbon, the iconic Tram 28 winds through narrow streets, carrying passengers in wooden carriages with a nostalgic scent. Inside, bathed in natural light, one sees the diversity of faces and the unhurried rhythm of the capital.
The Oriente train station, a futuristic work by Santiago Calatrava, reveals a soaring structure of steel and concrete. Inside, its clean lines and organic shapes provide the perfect canvas for black-and-white graphic compositions. Nearby, the Parque das Nações unfolds a futuristic riverside promenade. The cable car glides silently above the Tagus, and the silhouettes of pedestrians become tiny dots on a minimalist horizon.
In contrast to this modernity, the historic city center reveals stark oppositions: the Pink Street, vibrant and saturated with color, stands in contrast to the serenity of grand squares like Terreiro do Paço, where arcades and yellow facades frame a majestic view of the river.
The Santa Justa Lift impresses with its neo-Gothic architecture, and its vertical perspective offers a spectacular composition pointing toward the sky. Leading lines, symmetry, and upward angles all come together to elevate this emblematic monument.
In the district of Belém, the Belém Tower is reflected in the calm low-tide waters, creating subtle graphic interplay between stone and mirror. This Manueline-style architecture evokes the age of Portuguese explorers.
Nearby, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument to the Discoveries, unveils its monumental prow adorned with historical figures facing the ocean. Photographed from below, it becomes a sculptural tribute to the spirit of adventure. Seen head-on, it takes on the appearance of a stylized ship bathed in golden late-afternoon light.
Down along the riverbanks, silhouettes of passersby stand out in the slanting light of sunset. Trees, benches, lampposts—everything composes a serene and contemplative scene where time seems suspended.
This December weekend in Lisbon offered a visual immersion into a city of many faces. Between ancient alleyways, avant-garde architecture, and sunlit riverbanks, I sought to capture the poetry of daily life and the ever-changing lines of an urban landscape.
About the author: Sebastien Desnoulez is a professional photographer specializing in architectural, travel, and landscape photography. His work focuses on contrast, geometry, and emotion, revealing the poetry of urban spaces. Learn more.
Click on the photos below to view them full screen.
All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
Legal notice
Tags
