Lisbon Sights: Neighbourhoods

Full Lisbon Travel Guide »    Lisbon Interactive Map »    Print This Article »

• Chiado, www.museudochiado-ipmuseus.pt. Take a stroll along the historical streets of this elegant shopping district, stopping for a cup of coffee with the statue of Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's great Modernist poet. Head uphill to Bairro Alto, for stunning views of the city and some wild partying in Lisbon's most popular nightclub district.

Downtown (Baixa)

• Downtown (Baixa). This part of the city was completely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake by the Marquis de Pombal. The planned layout, greatly different from what you will see in the more ancient neighborhoods, is a testimony to the ideas of the Enlightenment.

• Alfama. This neighborhood is a sign of the Muslim presence in the city, with the buildings very close to each other, and very irregular streets. Its very atmospheric and a great spot in which to wander around.

• Praça do Comércio, (Take the metro to Terreiro do Paço Station), www.cityzeum.com/en/praca-de-comerico. This magnificent plaza, facing the river, is the beginning of Lisboa's downtown. It is also known as 'Terreiro do Paço', meaning 'Grounds of the Palace', relating to its function before the Great Earthquake of 1755.

This monument-packed neighborhood is a must-see place.

Take tram 15 to the west, which follows the coast line. Check the route map inside the tram: it helps to find a right station for most famous of Belém attractions.

The neighbourhood features:

Belem tower

• Belem Tower (Torre de Belém). The likes of the tower. entry fee €4.

Jeronimos Monastery

• Jerónimos Monastery, www.mosteirojeronimos.pt/index_mosteiro.html. free entry.

• Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos). entry fee €4.

• CCB (Belém Cultural Center), www.ccb.pt. The modern CCB is holding a permanent contemporany art exhibition, from the Berardo Collection - it features works from Picasso, Dalí, Duchamp, Magritte, Andy Warhol, among others.

• Coach Museum (Museu dos Coches), www.museudoscoches-ipmuseus.pt. Housed in the former ridding school of the palace, don't miss the world's largest collection of coaches and royal vehicles.

• statue to Afonso de Albuquerque. In front of the former Royal Palace of Belém, now the Presidential Palace, there is a massive statue looking out to sea, representing Afonso de Albuquerque, second ruler of Portuguese India in the early 16th century.

A stroll around its many gardens enjoying the river's bright blue is also a must.

Jeronimos Monastery

• www.museudochiado-ipmuseus.pt
• www.cityzeum.com/en/praca-de-comerico
• www.mosteirojeronimos.pt/index_mosteiro.html
• www.ccb.pt
• www.museudoscoches-ipmuseus.pt