There are not many fun side effects of jet lag. Between sleepless nights and late-night food cravings it is probably safe to say that jet lag sucks. But the other day I found a silver lining. Because it’s not every day that I’m willing to wake up at 5am just to watch the sunrise.

After a 60-hour journey from hell, I was 100% exhausted and 140% jet lagged. My body was telling me sleep, but my mind was screaming ‘GET UP, EAT, DO THINGS’. Apparently my mind is louder than my body and wins more arguments…

But if I am going to be awake at 5am on a Sunday morning, I need a pretty good damn excuse other than ‘GET UP, EAT, DO THINGS’. Watching the sunrise was my excuse.

I had an hour before the sun would make it’s way over that horizon so I was determined to find the perfect position for my first day in beautiful Portugal. According to Google, Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol was that position. It did not disappoint.

Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol  is just a few steps away from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, and features aa balcony that opens onto the river offering truly spectacular views over Alfama. From the balcony you can witness stunning view from São Vicente de Fora Church to the river.

I don’t know whether it was my overly emotional state from sleep deprivation or the pure beauty of Lisbon, but this is one sunrise that left me in awe. The orange rooftops and beautiful water only becomes more and more stunning as the sun rises. For the jet-lagged and early rises, this is not a sight that you want to miss. (Especially on a Sunday morning when you have the place completely to yourself).

To find Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol, walk towards the cattle and lookout for the statue of St. Vincent (the city’s patron saint) holding a boat with two ravens, the symbols of Lisbon. If you find him then you have found the best sunrise in Lisbon.