Discover Lisbon
A city of hills, light and river. Start here to understand Lisbon before you walk it.
Lisbon spreads along the north bank of the Tagus over hills that turn every corner into a viewpoint. The Baixa, rebuilt on a grid after 1755, is the centre of gravity; around it rise neighbourhoods with very different personalities.
The best way to know it is on foot, with breaks on the trams that tackle the climbs. Pick one neighbourhood per morning and save afternoons for viewpoints.
Neighbourhoods
- AlvaladeNeighbourhood planned in the 1940s by architect Faria da Costa, served by the Alvalade and Roma Metro stations.
- Príncipe RealGardens, mansions and independent shops.
- Avenidas NovasAvenidas Novas is home to the Gulbenkian complex, bringing together its museum, garden and CAM in Lisbon.
- BelémRiverside monuments and major museums.
- Campo de OuriqueResidential parish west of the centre, with a municipal market and the 28E tram running through it.
- Lapa e SantosFormer parishes within Estrela, home to the Museum of Ancient Art, Basílica da Estrela and the Puppet Museum.
- AlcântaraRiverside district by the 25 de Abril bridge, with the Carris Museum, LX Factory and, at the dock, Museu do Oriente.
- Xabregas e BeatoRiverside area in eastern Lisbon, with Convento do Grilo and, next door, Museu Nacional do Azulejo, closed for works.
- BenficaParish in north-west Lisbon, with a 1971 municipal market and Parque Silva Porto, opened as a public garden.
- LumiarLumiar brings together museum heritage and Parque Botânico do Monteiro-Mor in a Lisbon parish with a long history.
- GraçaA hilltop neighbourhood of viewpoints and local life.
- Avenida da LiberdadeA tree-lined avenue from Restauradores to Marquês de Pombal, with cultural venues and Parque Mayer nearby.
- ArroiosParish stretching from Intendente to Saldanha, crossed by Avenida Almirante Reis and the green Metro line.
- AlfamaMaze-like lanes, fado and river viewpoints.
- Baixa & ChiadoThe gridded rebuilt centre and the elegant café quarter.
- Bairro AltoQuiet by day, lively by night.
- Parque das NaçõesA riverside Lisbon district redeveloped for Expo 98, with cultural venues, gardens and attractions beside the Tagus.