From cafés, restaurants and historic stores to monuments and emblematic churches, there’s plenty to (re)discover in downtown Lisbon, which still retains the charm of the past.
What if you took a trip there? Check out our guide and get ready to wander from street to street and square to square, always with the river in sight and a new story around every corner.
Table Of Contents
- Swiss Pastry
- Rossio Station
- Peruvian restaurant QOSQO
- D. Maria II National Theatre
- Pedro IV Square
- Bizzarro Gelataria
- Citron
- Church of São Domingos
- Figueira Square
- Santa Justa Elevator
- Rua Augusta
- Pizzico
- Rua Augusta Arch
- STO Grocery
- Praça do Comércio
- La Romana Ice Cream Parlor
- Map of the best places downtown, and the list for your phone!
Swiss Pastry
Renewed and more beautiful than ever, a Swiss Pastry has reopened at a new address downtown, very close to the space that Lisboners have missed so much, in Rossio.
Now you’ll find it in Praça da Figueira and with many of the iconic delicacies from the first version, such as the Duchesses, the Russians, the Eskimos, the Babas, the Tibias and the Jesuits, as well as many other novelties. And have you seen the size of the terrace?
Address: Praça da Figueira 5C
Opening hours: every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m
Rossio Station
Inaugurated at the end of the 19th century (1891), the Rossio Station, the most central in Lisbon, stands out for its harmonious main façade with eight doors and 18 windows decorated with Manueline arches.
Inside, the pier is an example of the iron architecture that was widely used at the time.
In the past, it served as a station for regional and international trains, but today it is the departure and arrival point for the Sintra Line.
Peruvian restaurant QOSQO
If you’re looking for a good spot with Peruvian food in Lisbon, the restaurant QOSQO is the oldest and most traditional restaurant of this cuisine in the city, with incredible menus you’ll love it!
Address: Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 26A (near Campo das Cebolas)
Opening hours: every day from 1pm to 11pm
Menu suggestions: at Fever
D. Maria II National Theatre
Built between 1842 and 1846 in neoclassical style, it is Lisbon’s most imposing (and important) theater.
It owes its name to Queen Maria II, a passionate theatergoer. At the top of the façade is a statue of Gil Vicente.
Address: Dom Pedro IV Square
Opening hours: Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 8 p.m
Pedro IV Square
Everyone knows it as Rossio, but the original name evokes D. Pedro IV, a king who also has the right to a statue right in the center of the square.
Around this monument, built in 1870, stands out the floor in portuguese sidewalk e two sources.
Bizzarro Gelataria
Lisbon is a sunny city and the question of eating ice cream in any season is an unavoidable reality.
That’s why, so that you can try something really different in the city, we’ve discovered a ice cream shop with the strangest flavors you’ll ever taste.
Address: Rua de São Julião 54
Opening hours: every day from 12 noon to 7.30 p.m
Prices: 3,80€ one flavor (cup or cone); 5,20€ two flavors (cup or cone); and 5,30€ three flavors (cup); takeaway boxes between 14€ (0,5l) and 24€ (1l)
Citron
Also located in downtown Lisbon, the Citron is one of the newest restaurants specializing in Lebanese food in the capital.
Known for offering an authentic Middle Eastern dining experience, we had an incredible time at the venue, where we had the chance to sample a variety of dishes, including hot and cold mezzes, as well as the house specialties.
The restaurant follows the concept of sharing, which makes it a pleasant place to enjoy with friends and family.
In short, Citrón is an excellent option for those looking for the true richness of Lebanese cuisine.
Address: Rua da Padaria 30 (Baixa)
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday, from 12 noon to 10:30 p.m
Reservations: on 96 579 01 96; or takeaway and delivery on site
Church of São Domingos
Situated in the square of the same name, between Rossio and Praça da Figueira, has its origins in the 13th century, but has undergone several refurbishments and has even survived the Earthquake of 1755 and a fire in 1959.
Since then, it has never been fully restored and still bears traces of that episode.
Right next door is Ginjinha, also a must-see in this part of the city.
Address: Largo de São Domingos
Hours: every day between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m
Figueira Square
A Figueira Square located between Praça D. Pedro IV and Martim Moniz, is a large square where there was once a hospital (before the 1755 earthquake) and a covered market between 1885 and 1950.
In the center is a bronze equestrian statue of King João I.
Santa Justa Elevator
Since June 10, 1902, the Santa Justa Elevator connects Rua do Ouro, in downtown Lisbon, to Largo do Carmo. At 45 meters high, it was designed by the Portuguese engineer (of French origin) Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel.
At the top of this neo-Gothic tower, built from cast iron and decorated with filigree elements, there is a belvedere with incredible views of the city. A stone’s throw away, the Carmo Archaeological Museum is also worth a visit.
Address: Gold Street
Hours: every day between 7am and 11pm
Rua Augusta
A Rua Augusta is the most emblematic street in Baixa (and one of the most famous in the city) invites Lisboners and tourists to walk from Praça D. Pedro IV to Praça do Comércio.
With Portuguese cobbled floors, it mixes historic stores with megastores of major international brands. Street performers will be in charge of the entertainment.
Pizzico
If you’re looking for a pizzeria with the best Neapolitan pizzas, in downtown Lisbon you’ll find a Pizzico, which is also one of the newest in the city.
Here, in addition to 14 options full of flavor, you’ll also be able to taste some of the best natural and organic wines, which we suggest to accompany a Maciste or a Marini, the pizzas we’ve already tried from this house.
Address: Rua dos Correeiros 113 (Baixa)
Rua Augusta Arch
O triumphal arch of Rua Augusta was designed during the reconstruction of Baixa, after the 1755 earthquake, but it wasn’t until a century later that the work was completed.
The sculptures at the top symbolize Glory crowning Genius and Valor, while below are Vasco da Gama, Marquês de Pombal, Viriato and Nuno Álvares Pereira.
In 2013, this monument also became an incredible viewpoint, where you can see Praça do Comércio and the Tagus on one side and Rua Augusta and much of Baixa on the other.
Address: Rua Augusta 2
Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m
Tickets: 3€; free for children up to 5 years old
STO Grocery
There’s a new store in the neighborhood, one of those where you can only buy Portuguese products, either to consume in the friendly space or to take home.
STO Mercearia is an “old-fashioned” store and the owners are passionate about Portuguese gastronomy, having even launched a Portuguese Brunch that covers various Portuguese geographies. Let’s go peek?
Address: Rua dos Fanqueiros 83
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Praça do Comércio
Also known as Terreiro do Paço, is an authentic living room of the city, surrounded by the Baixa and the Tagus.
In the center is a statue of King José and in one of the corners is the home of the historic Café Martinho da Arcada, one of the oldest in the city.
La Romana Ice Cream Parlor
While you stroll around downtown Lisbon, relaxes a bit in the la Romana ice cream parlor, where you can taste the unique flavors of real Italian ice cream.
It is located at Rua de São Nicolau 44 and boasts a sizable restaurant area with a generous terrace that is sure to delight those who want to relax a little after strolling around the city.
Address: Rua de São Nicolau 44
Opening hours: every day from 1pm to 11pm
