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December 16, 2014Lisbon Portela Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on December 1, 2022
Lisbon Portela airport is the busiest airport in Portugal and according to 2019 statistics it handled 31 million passengers, continuing it’s upturn passengers growth that has been on during recent years. Apart from flag carrier TAP (and it’s affiliate TAP Express), Lisbon is a base for charter airlines White and EuroAtlantic, plus the low cost giants easyJet and Ryanair. SATA also has a base here and its Airbus fleet can bee seen operating a few flights per day.
Cargo traffic operates on weekdays only and it usually consists on a B737 from TNT, Star Air B767, DHL B757 and an ATR from Swiftair. There are also a few military movements mostly on weekdays. Lisbon (and Porto) are the only European destination for the TAAG B77W, which arrives daily in the morning and evening. TAP is the biggest European airline in terms of available seats to Brazil and its long-haul fleet can be best seen during early morning and also between approximately 3PM-4PM when there’re a couple of departures. Don’t expect to see all of the A330 in 1 or 2 days as there’s also 1 operating flights from Porto to Brasil, Venezuela and USA. If you plan to catch the remainig A340s you also need at least 3 days, as there is only one or two which you will get every day.
Lisbon, as well as all Portuguese Airports are very spotter friendly, even though there’re no official spotting locations. The police pass by frequently but don´t have a problem if you stay within the rules.
Written by Jan Seba, Jeremy Denton, Julian Mittnacht, Rui Cardoso, Patrick Weis & Severin Hackenberger. Last major update July 2022.
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02/20 | 3.805 m (12.484 ft) asphalt |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | All the non low-cost airlines except Vueling |
| Terminal 2 | Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Transavia, Transavia FR., Blue Air, Wizz |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary. |
| Car/Public Transport | Very useful and recommended as you can easily park at every location. But almost all spots are reachable by public transport from the Campo Grande Metro station by bus combined with some walking. See the detailed description below for the bus lines and stops. |
| Restrooms | Directly at spots 1 and 2 only inside the KFC and McDonalds. |
| Drinks/Food | Available on spots 1 and 2 at the petrol stations. For the remaing spots you should take all you need. Apart from the petrol stations shops, on spot 1 there’s a KFC and on spot 2 a McDonalds. |
| Hotels | There’s an airport hotel just outside T1. Lisbon is very close to city and short subway ride will take you to downtown in no time. If you’re in budget, then you’ll be happy to find that Lisbon as some of the best Hostels in the World, some for just 10€ on a shared room. |
| Season | You will have the most sunshine in sommer and the best months to visit are May to July when the days are longest and you can enjoy the great evening and morning light. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 02/20 | Usually all the arrivals and departures use runway 02. Runway 20 is used when there’s bad weather and Southern winds. |
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Repsol Station North - Arrivals and Line up 02
| WHERE | This spot is on the north side of the motorway, that passes south of the airport and goes by the name of “2nd Circular”, next to the Emergency Gate 2. If you’re driving, after passing by the Repsol petrol station, be prepared to make a right turn into the sidewalk area next to the Gate. Alternatively, you can also exit to the petrol station and park there for free.
If you are on foot, then you can walk from the terminal 1 (exit the building from the departures area) and walk down the street till the roundabout. Then take 1st to the right (Direction to Sintra) and walk on the side with care until you reach the spot. Notice that there’s a very small part where there’s no sidewalk and you have to walk on the road itself. It should take you 20 minutes. It’s also possible to take a metro to Campo Grande and then walk to this spot. It should take you no more then 20 minutes. |
| WHAT | You can photograph all the Runway 02 arrivals and partly taxiing traffic for 02 departure. Latter is a little bit tricky. You need to climb up the hill behind the gas station to reach the position and shot through the fence. You can´t see the traffic from the road so check FR24, get up and then move back down. Don´t stay too long on the hill for line up as the police will ask you to leave! Especially if a flight from Israel arrives. When taking arrival photos stay downside on the road. You will get some road signs, trees and the Airport fence obstructing the view, but there’s still enough clear areas for photos. This problem doesn’t happen on spot 2, on the other side of the motorway! |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon for arrivals, departures depends on the angle and is possible a little bit longer. |
| MISC. | There are no shades or places to seat here. If you need a restroom or food, you can use the petrol station, which is just a few meters behind you or the KFC. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70mm = B777-300, 90mm = B737-800, 145mm = Fokker 100 |
Repsol Station South - Arrival 02
| WHERE | This spot is on the south side of the motorway and spot 1. If you’re driving, coming in from the west, after you pass the spot there’s a petrol station on your right. Park here and walk to the spot. This is a big grass area with plenty of room for you to choose the best angle and to avoid trees and road signs (Notice that the needed focal length may vary and you can easily room around the area for more or less mm).
If you’re coming from the airport by foot, do the same route above, except that you will take the 2nd exit on the roundabout, so that when you’re walking to the spot, cars will be going opposite direction then you. It’s also possible to take a metro to Campo Grande station and then walk to this spot. It should take you no more then 20 minutes. +++ UPDATE MAY 2019: A big billboard has been installed just next to the road which which influences the view of the approach. Taking pictures is still possible but limited. +++ |
| WHAT | You can see all the Runway 02 arrivals and you can also read the registrations of taxiing traffic for departure. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | There are some trees spending shadow. A McDonalds and a gas station with a shop is directly at the spot. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 120mm = A320, 190mm = ERJ-145 |
Barriers - Arrivals and line up 02
| WHERE | From spot 1, continue walking (or driving) westbound around the airport. After leaving the “2nd Circular” follow directions to “Cargo Terminal” from the first huge roundabout and always keep on the right side lane. Then there is a crossway next to Cargo terminal where you can turn right into a small flat area where are the bushes removed. Park your car here (but be careful its very bumpy!). Otherwise park your car as descriped at #4 and #5. From spot 2, if on foot keep walking westbound, exit the motorway and pass under the tunel (there’s a path and you won’t need to walk on the road itself). Go along the airport fence to the Cargo Terminal. If you’re driving, after leaving the petrol station keep right and exit the motorway. Take first to the left to the roundabout that leads to Departures of T1. And then follow directions to Sintra, which will put you back on the motorway, westbound. Follow directions to the Cargo Terminal as described above. By public transport use bus 798 from Campo Grande station and exit at Alta de Lisboa – Qta Conchas and walk down to the spot. |
| WHAT | Traffic lining up on taxiway M5 and N2 for departure on runway 02 in front of you, as well as all 02 landings. |
| TIME | From the afternoon till sunset. For the line up you can start a little bit earlier as at #4 but not for 90 degree photos. |
| MISC. | There are some concrete barriers installed where you can climb up to photograph over the fence. No shops, restrooms or any shade here. Do not park, as some locals do, on the roundabout at #4 or before it. There are police officers on this spot who will quickly ask you to remove the car. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 60mm = B777-300; 80mm = B767-300; 120mm = A319 |
Roundabout - Arrivals and line up 02
| WHERE | Same as Spot #3 but a few meters northwards just next to the roundabout at the cargo entrance. Do not park, as some locals do, on the roundabout or before it. There are police officers on this spot who will quickly ask you to remove the car. There is an charged parking lot at the cargo complex which you can use for free for one hour. You can either take out the car every hour or pay for the rest of the day. But it won’t get too expensive and you won’t pay more than 5€ for an evening from around 15:30 until sunset. Furthermore you can park along the Eixo Central (Spot #5) for free and just walk a few minutes down to this spot or at #3. By public transport use bus 798 from Campo Grande station and exit at Alta de Lisboa – Qta Conchas and walk down to the spot. |
| WHAT | This is an alternative to spot #3. You don´t need a ladder here too and can easily shot over the fence as he is on a lower level. For heavies you can stay on the barrier (see overview photo). The angle of the aircraft is a little bit different here to #3 because at this point, the planes are more straight on the runway. Arrival pictures are possible too but you have some objects in the background (see sample pics). |
| TIME | From afternoon until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | There’re no shops, restrooms or any shade here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Ground/Arrival almost the same: A320 and 734 = 120mm; A332 = 80mm |
Mound - Arrivals and line up 02
| WHERE | Same direction as to #3 and #4 but instead of use the first exit into the “cargo terminal” take the second one into the Eixo Central. Drive all the way up until you find some parking bays to your right. Park there and cross the meadow to your right until you reach the end of the mound. You are exactly in front of spot #4, but you are on a higher level and have a different view from here. By public transport use bus 798 from Campo Grande station and exit at Alta de Lisboa – Qta Conchas and walk to the spot. |
| WHAT | You can move all the way up and down on the path to find your prefered angle for line up and the arrivals on RWY02. There are some disturbing light poles but you should be able to find a gap to take a photo of the aircraft. |
| TIME | From afternoon until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby except some shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Line-Up: A320=170mm; A343=110mm; ATR72=220mm Arrival: A320=190mm; 77LR=130mm |
Cross Runways - 02/20 movements
| WHERE | This is an alternative spot from Lisbon’s most popular spotting location Spot 7 with a great view over the whole airport. Easy to reach by car from there. You can park directly at the spot. You can also walk from spot 5 approx 25 minutes. By public transport use bus 798 or bus 717 from Campo Grande station and exit at Igreja Charneca and walk to the spot for a few minutes. |
| WHAT | All movements on RWY 02/20 some nice take-off shots and rotations from 02. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | There’s no shade and no places to buy food or restrooms. Take what you need before coming at this spot. If there is no wind heat distortion can be an issues from this location. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Falcon 50 : 340mm / Boeing 762 : 240mm / Airbus 320 : 170mm / Airbus 343 : 95mm |
Airport Overlook - 02/20 movements
| WHERE | This is Lisbons most popular spotting location with a great view over the whole airport. Located at a small industrial zone, north of the spots 3-6 and easy to reach by car from there. You can park directly at the spot. There are plenty of opportunities to get there thats why there is no detailed description. GPS 38.78265, -9.13932 By public transport use bus 798 or bus 717 from Campo Grande station and exit at Igreja Charneca and walk to the spot for a few minutes. |
| WHAT | All movements on RWY 02/20. 20 movements are all still on the ground while a few departures from 02 are already airborne (TAP ATR72) but usually they rotate infront of you. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | There’s some shade and some small cafes but no restrooms. If there is no wind heat distortion can be an issues from this location. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 737 = 150mm, A330 = 120mm, ATR = 240mm |
Bairro de S. Francisco / Rua Pero Escobar - 20 arrivals and departures
| WHERE | From the previous spots just continue northwards and pass the bridge of the Ave Santos e Castro and then turn right and drive till the location. Park on the side of the road. At the location there is a fence near a gate with large holes to photograph through By public transport use bus 798 or bus 717 from Campo Grande station and exit at Charneca and walk to the spot for a few minutes. |
| WHAT | Perfect location for the arrivals on rwy20 when some planes are still in the air compared to the previous locations. Furthermore you can photograph all departures for 20 on the nearby taxiway Sierra and on the runway. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | There are some small coffee shops in the neighborhood. No shadow. If there is no wind heat distortion can be an issues from this location. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A321 on runway = 250mm 738 on taxiway = 180mm |
Dirt hills - 20 dep and arr
| WHERE | This spot is at the end of the road that leads you through some car tuning hangars and similar buildings. Park you car by the roadside and climb one of the hills, if you wanna shot Line-Ups/departures. If you wanna shot arrivals, go away from the fence to the other end of the meadow to have a better angle. There is no public transport to this locations. Maybe you can walk from spot 10 but we did not test it. |
| WHAT | You will have a very close look to traffic lining up via last taxiway onto runway 20 as well as 20 arrivals. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon, depends on angle you prefer. |
| MISC. | Parking a bit limited and tricky. Ladder recommended if there is a big highlight, because hills are quite small and sometimes you won’t come over the fence. Heat haze big problem due to the grass from 20 degrees on. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50 – 200mm 50mm 77W on runway/short final |
Prior Velho playground - 20 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is inside the park of the village of Prior Velho entrance at the Rua de Bissau. Just park somewhere along the road. It is a place intended for locals where they have tables and a barbecue. You can either stay on the north side for the arrivals or go down to the south side for the departures. The angle for the arrivals is better than previous spot 9 and its a bit cleaner too but you can´t photograph the ground as the runway is on a higher level. By public transport use bus 783 from Campo Grande station or the airport and exit at Prior Velho and walk to the spot for a few minutes. |
| WHAT | Perfect for 20 arrivals and 02 departures but for latter you can go to #11 which is a bit better. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | There are coffee shops in the neighborhood. The place has lots of shade and has an area with protection for the rain. The park is open from 0900 until 1900. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | arrivals: 763 = 220mm; 738 = 270mm |
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- entrance to the park
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- inside the park
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- southern part
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- northern part
Prior Velho muro na curva - 02dep and 20 arr
| WHERE | Almost the same place as #10 just a bit south at the corner of Rua Sao Tomé and Rua Cidade da Beira. Just park your car somewhere along the houses. This location is on a lower level than the runway and the wall infront of you is no problem. GPS 38.791047 -9.124497 By public transport use bus 783 from Campo Grande station or the airport and exit at Prior Velho and walk to the spot for a few minutes. |
| WHAT | Perfect for 02 departures and even 20 arrivals are possible. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | There are coffee shops in the neighborhood and the buildings provide shade |
| FOCAL LENGTH | departures: 763 = 200mm; A343 = 170mm arrivals: A320 = 250mm |
Fire Station - 02/20 movements
| WHERE | This spot is at the end of the road that leads to the AT1 (Aerodromo Transito Nr 1) and the Fire Station and the tower. There is a crash gate with a fence where you can make your pictures through the mesh which is a bit tricky but possible as you can see below! A lense with a small diameter is helpful. Park your car as marked on the map along the road and don´t block the crash gate! |
| WHAT | You will have a very close look to traffic vacating runway 02 on HN/U5-U4 , or taxing for departure on S1 to runway 20. It’s also a good spot for departures on both ways since you’re midfiled located. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon, depends on angle you prefer. |
| MISC. | There’s some shade if you stay next to the Air Force wall, but no places to buy food or restrooms. Don´t pass the barrier to the left as the police will ask you to leave! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 34mm = ERJ-145 on TWY. 250mm = B737 on RWY |
02 arrivals morning
| WHERE | Follow the R. Jorge Colaco as marked on the map until you see a abonded building at the end of the street. Pass through the gap in the wall on the left side and position you at the right sight of the entrance. No possibility to park here legal at the spot (a bit further down the R. Jorge Colaco there are parking spots with parking meter 9-19h). |
| WHAT | Only 02 arrival shots possible from this spot. We never had problems here. Keep a low profile and be not too loud to not attract the neigbours to much. We never had problems during our visits. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Nothing except some shade from the building. Take your rubish with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 400mm for B737, 250mm for A339 |
Hi, regarding the overlook, can you provide directions for once you get off the bus at Igreja Charneca? Which direction to walk and how long of a walk? Thanks so much!
Hi, from the bus stop walk along the Est. do Pisa Pimenta for approximate 5 minutes. It is a short walk!
-Julian
I´ve been to LIS the last two days and i´ve got some additional information to Spots 10+11 you might want to add to the description, as they can save some time of searching and asking.
The busstop for 783 PORTO VELHO is located at departures level. When you arrive, use the exits on the right side, pass the red Metro station and use the escalators up to departure. Then turn left and cross the road to the busstation.
Also make sure, the bus says PORTO VELHO instead of PORTELA, as this route splits. You can also walk from Portela to the spots, but it´s a 2km walk up a quite steep hill. No big deal if you´re in good fitness conditions, but be aware of it.
I´m planning a Trip to Lisbon next week and wonder about Spots 1+2.
I watched it as good as possible on Google Earth and it seems, there is no sidewalk at all for a longs stretch of the road.
Isn´t it the easier path to first reach Spot 3 by bus an then walk down to 1, just to have that dirtstrip next to the road for safety reasons?
Exactly, there are no sidewalks at these spots and we recommend to use a car to approach these.
If you start at spot 3 you can indeed walk southwards through the tunnel and then turn left to the grass strip.
-Julian
Hi aviation friends!
Are there any possibilities to spot from the terminal, after security in particular?
Kind regards
Rudi
Hi Rudi, back in 2018 I was able to take photos directly from the gate. It was S25. But of course a lot of reflections…
-Julian
Hi Julian!
I’ve been there is it was alright. Not perfect by any means but it did the job. Thanks for the reply!