Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, is defined by vividly colorful architecture set against a picturesque coastal backdrop. Beyond the aesthetic draws to the region, Lisbon is rich with history, art, and culture. You can visit museums that focus on a variety of topics, visit historic ruins, drink incredible wine, and explore the maze of alleyways and open plazas that make up the city.
If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Lisbon but aren’t sure exactly where to start, picking a singular neighborhood to explore is a great place to start. Lisbon consists of nine major neighborhoods, each with its own highlights to offer visitors. While you’ll have a great time no matter where in Lisbon you decide to stay, here is a list of six of the best neighborhoods in Lisbon to help you narrow down your list and make a decision about where to stay.
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1. Baixa & Rossio
Often considered one of the most tourist-friendly neighborhoods in Lisbon, Baixa and Rossio are the neighborhoods to visit if you want to see the primary highlights of the city. It is considered to be the historic center of the city and is where several landmarks and more specific areas are located. For example, this is where the Avenida da Liberdade is located – this tree-lined boulevard is lined with some of the world’s best luxury shopping.
The neighborhood also has a fascinating history. It was first founded in 1755 as part of reconstruction efforts the city implemented to recover from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The resulting construction is one of the world’s first examples of earthquake-resistant architecture. To test it, troops would march around to attempt to create enough movement to simulate an earthquake.
Where to Stay in Baixa:
Here are some of our favorite hotels in this Baixa neighborhood.
Click here to browse more hotels & accommodation options available in the Baixa area.
Things to do in Baixa District:
Looking for more things to do in the Baixa area? Check out the top attractions and the best things you can do in the area here.
2. Chiado
Like Baixa, Chiado is often considered to be one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Lisbon. There are many places to shop, eat, and explore within the area. In addition to being a fun place to stay, it’s also a convenient location to pick if you’re hoping to explore more of Lisbon than just one neighborhood as it’s well connected via trains, bus routes, and a tram.
You can spend your time in Chiado visiting museums such as the Archaeological Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as several independent art galleries. There are multiple incredible eateries that you can pick from that offer delicious options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or happy hour. In the evening, you can catch a show at the São Carlos Theatre which is a beautiful theater with gilded interiors that was first built in the late 1700s.
Where to Stay in Chiado:
Click here to browse more hotels & accommodation options available in this area.
Things to do in Chiado District:
Looking for more things to do in the Chiado area? Check out the top attractions and the best things you can do in the area here.
3. Bairro Alto
If you’re interested in experiencing the nightlife of Lisbon, Bairro Alto is the best neighborhood for you. This neighborhood is one of the oldest in Lisbon, and it’s located along a hilltop. The neighborhood currently has a bohemian vibe and is popular amongst younger generations as well as old. Bairro Alto is filled with unique shops, restaurants, tattoo parlors, and art galleries. You could spend any amount of days here, wandering the picturesque streets and admiring the multi-story buildings in various muted tones that are typical of the area.
Not only is there a thriving nightlife with many clubs and bars to experience, but Bairro Alto is decorated with street art and you can take tours to see all of the highlights. There are also other tours you can take to experience the exciting art and culture present throughout this classic Lisbon neighborhood.
Where to Stay in Bairro Alto:
Click here to browse more hotels & accommodation options available in this area.
Things to do in Bairro Alto:
Looking for more things to do in the Bairro Alto area? Check out the top attractions and the best things you can do in the area here.
4. Alfama
Alfama is a stunning and picturesque village near the river that is full of history and traditional Portuguese architecture. It’s much less touristy than other neighborhoods and areas within Lisbon and retains more of a small village feel. It’s not as car-friendly as other areas within Portugal so you can spend time exploring the maze of narrow alleyways and streets on foot. As you walk through Alfama you can stop into shops or sample some local traditional Portuguese fare like sardinhas assadas, a type of grilled sardines that you’ll be able to see, taste, and smell when you’re visiting Alfama.
While Alfama isn’t necessarily known for its nightlife in the way that Bairro Alto is, there is still plenty to do here after the sun sets. Various festivals take place throughout the year. You may also be able to listen to fado music – this type of Portuguese music originated as a type of folk music sung and played by sailors. If you want to know more about it, you can visit the Museu do Fado while you’re in Alfama.
Where to Stay in Alfama:
Here are some of our favorite accommodations in Alfama area to stay in.
Click here to browse more hotels & accommodation options available in this area.
Things to do in Alfama:
Looking for more things to do in the Alfama area? Check out the top attractions and the best things you can do in the area here.
5. Mouraria
The Mouraria, or the Moorish Quarter, is described as a more traditional neighborhood within Lisbon. Alfama, the previously mentioned neighborhood, is less popular with tourists and Mouraria is even more so. Even with the lack of crowds and touristy things to do, Mouraria remains a delightful and worthwhile place to visit.
You can get a glimpse of vintage Mouraria by visiting A Vida Portuguesa. This shop was opened recently but has a retro vibe. It’s a great place to pick up a unique souvenir for you to bring home so you’ll always remember your time in Portugal.
Mouraria is also an ideal place to visit if you’re interested in visiting historic sites. For example, the Praça do Comércio is a large square that has walls and structures on three of its sides leaving one open facing the Tagus River. The square was built in the late 1700s after the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake where much of the city was destroyed. It was built to be a thriving economic center, and it was just that for many years. Today the Praça do Comércio is a historic monument surrounded by shops and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Mouraria:
Click here to browse more hotels & accommodation options available in this area.
Things to Do in Mouraria:
Looking for more things to do in the Mouraria area? Check out the top attractions and the best things you can do in the area here.
6. Alcântara
Like Bairro Alto, Alcantara has a thriving nightlife. Alcantara’s nightlife has been growing ever since the early 1990s when multiple pubs and discotheques were established in the neighborhood. As the area is not quite as centralized, it was ideal for this as the loud music coming from these venues would disturb far fewer people here.
Apart from clubs and bars, Alcantara has a lot to offer its guests. For example, you can head to LxFactory for all your shopping needs. Housed in a renovated historic warehouse, this collection of shops includes mostly local stores that you have likely never encountered before. This is a great place to pick up unique souvenirs before grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that are located within the LxFactory complex. In addition to modern shopping experiences, Alcantara also offers historic buildings and ruins to explore.
Where to Stay in Alcantara:
Things to Do in Alcântara:
Looking for more things to do in the Alcântara area? Check out the top attractions and the best things you can do in the area here.
No matter where in Lisbon you choose as your base to explore the city, you’ll be able to experience a fascinating and historic city with beautiful examples of innovative architecture, stunning works of art, and delicious local food and drinks. Each neighborhood listed here has something special that you can experience when you visit and each neighborhood is worth visiting.
Video Guide: 6 Top Lisbon Neighborhoods to Stay and Visit
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