Portugal’s coastal, hilly capital city Lisbon, is home to diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Perfect for a quick city break or a longer sunny holiday, Lisbon is a colourful delight and exploring its unique districts makes for an adventurous trip away. Plus, with a break to Lisbon you can combine city with beach, as just outside of the capital you’ll find a host of Atlantic beaches, from Cascais to Estoril.
One of the oldest areas of Lisbon, Alfama is packed full of character and charm. It’s narrow streets and colourful homes were once busy with fishermen, but are now lined with shops and cafes. Alfama is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and São Jorge Castle and so naturally is a modest fishing neighbourhood in Lisbon.
There are several viewpoints or miradouros around Lisbon, so if you’re looking for one in Alfama, head to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or Miradouro da Graça. Both of these amazing viewpoints will offer you stunning views of the whole neighbourhood, including the Tagus River and the port.
Alfama is also where Fado music was created in the 1820s. Fado was the music of Lisbon’s fishing neighbourhoods, ports and taverns. It’s similar to Argentina’s tango music, however, rather than having flamboyant dancers, Fado has a more humble and intimate way of showcasing its style which relates to melancholia and nostalgia.
Buzzing, narrow streets full of graffiti and a number of fado bars, restaurants and clubs, Bairro Alto is the best place to go for nightlife in Lisbon. Whatever your budget or vibe, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, so grab a beer or caipirinha and get onto the dancefloor!
Aside from live music and it’s vibrant nightlife, there’s plenty to do in Bairro Alto during the daytime. Lisbon is known for it’s funicular or cable railway system. Ride the Bica Funicular, which is often considered the most picturesque funicular as it leads up to the Bairro Alto and Bica neighbourhoods offering a lovely view and little shops and tasty restaurants along the way.
Take a walk and discover the street art in Bairro Alto, visit São Roque Church or enjoy the panoramic views from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântar.
Lisbon’s most central and best-known neighbourhood, Baixa, was completely rebuilt after the earthquake that demolished part of the capital in the eighteenth century. If you’re looking to take a break from Lisbon’s hills, Baixa is thankfully flat and will give your legs a rest! Baixa is filled with avenues lined by typical Lisbon-style houses and packed with shops and restaurants, so there’s plenty to do here.
Baixa is home to lovely squares and shopping streets. Head to Praça do Comércio which is considered to be the most incredible square in Lisbon, located on the stunning riverfront. Rua Augusta is a pedestrian street that leads to Praça do Comércio, it’s got seve
ral shops and cafes and is flanked by streets that specialise in trades such as Rua do Ouro and Rua da Prata: gold and silver streets.
If you’re looking to tick off more of Lisbon’s squares from your list, visit Restauradores Square which has a large obelisk in the centre dedicated to the restoration of Portugal’s independence. Next door is Rossio Square which is also called Pedro IV Square – this is perhaps Lisbon’s most dynamic square.
If you’re all about sightseeing and visiting the major monuments of Lisbon, then Belém is an unmissable neighbourhood in the city for you. Situated at the mouth of the River Tagus, Belém is easily accessible from the city centre. Belém’s most famous landmarks are Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower and the Discoveries Monument.
Belém is also where many of Portugal’s explorers set sail to other parts of the world, so there’s plenty to learn about the country’s maritime history here.
But aside from all the history Belém has to offer, there’s something else much tastier that this Lisbon neighbourhood is known for… Pastéis de Nata – yummy! Pastéis de Belém is the original bakery where these creamy egg tart or custard tart pastries were invented in 1837. So, join the line because you don’t want to miss out on these sweet treats.
Do you like to shop ‘til you drop whilst on holiday? Well, for shopping in Lisbon, Chiado is the neighbourhood you’ll want to visit. Chiado is located between Bairro Alto and Baixa Pombalina, it was rebuilt after being destroyed by a fire in 1988. Now, it’s known to be complete bliss for shoppers. From independent boutiques and high-end stores to unique Portuguese brands and high-street shops.
Aside from shopping, you can take a walk down Rua do Carmo for fascinating church ruins or Rua Garrett in the centre of Chiado. Chiado’s square and streets are filled with bohemian cafes, theatres and museums.
The iconic café, A Brasileira, is a must-visit and located on Rua Garrett. It was originally opened in the 19th century to import and sell Brazilian coffee, eventually it became a watering hole for intellectuals, artists and writers. Bookworms will not only enjoy a visit here, but also at Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest bookstore!
Has Lisbon caught your eye? These neighbourhoods are a perfect start to your Lisbon travel guide. Each with their own unique style and personality, it’s worth visiting as many of them as you can. If you’d like to book a trip to Lisbon, look for the ABTA logo and book with an ABTA member. ABTA travel agents and tour operators can tailor-make your Lisbon trip and keep you up-to-date on issues affecting your travel.
