BAIRRO ALTO + CHIADO
Lisbon's cultural and bohemian heart; nightlife and shopping mecca
BAIRRO ALTO is a picturesque working class quarter dating from the 16th
century that has traditionally been the city's bohemian haunt of artists and
writers.
Its grid of streets is quiet during the day, but is transformed at night
into the city's vibrant nightlife quarter. Behind colorful and
graffiti-ridden façades is a variety of traditional and
international restaurants, tourist-packed Fado Houses, and a multitude of
bars and alternative shops that stay open until late at night. Throughout the week, and especially on weekends you'll find
people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles bar-hopping through the
cobbled lanes or standing outside with a drink in hand enjoying the city's
usual mild nights. It is possible to stay right in the heart of this district,
with many self-catering holiday rentals offered by local owners, as well as many more
traditional hotel offerings.
The main commercial streets are Rua do Norte, Rua da Atalaia, and Rua do
Diario de Noticias, from where it is easy to reach Miradouro de São Pedro
de Alcântara (a garden-terrace with a panoramic view over the city), and
two of the city's most interesting churches: São Roque with its
magnificent baroque interior and the romantic Gothic ruins of Carmo Church.
Neighboring CHIADO is an elegant, sophisticated district of theaters,
bookshops, old-style cafes, art nouveau jewelry shops, luxurious
international names such as Hermes, and local treasures such as the opulently gilded Tavares
Rico Restaurant opened in 1784, the fine porcelain shop Vista Alegre, or one of Portugal's international fashion designers, Ana
Salazar.
Much of the area was destroyed in a fire in 1988, but has since been reborn.
It remains one of Lisbon's most beloved districts, with reminders of its
past as the center of the city's intellectual life, with statues of literary
figures such as Fernando Pessoa, Luis de Camões, and Eça de Queiroz.
Up the hill is PRINCIPE REAL, an area known for its antique and interior
design shops on Rua Dom Pedro V and Rua da Escola Politecnica, and also for being
the city's gay quarter with a number of gay bars and clubs. In the streets
from the Principe Real Garden down to the riverfront, especially in Rua de
São Marçal, are attractive 19th century townhouses and some of the most
tranquil spots in the city, such as the leafy Praça das Flores.
To the west is the district of Estrela, dominated by a huge domed
basilica. It is not too far from the country's parliament, the
neoclassical São Bento Palace, and connects to the west to opulent
Lapa, the diplomatic quarter with grand embassy buildings and old mansions.
It is also the site of the Ancient Art Museum, one of the city's top
attractions.
See many of Bairro Alto and Chiado's attractions, and ride Lisbon's metro, buses, and trams for FREE with the Lisboa Card.
Bairro Alto + Chiado TIPS
The area's top 3 sights: São Roque
Church, Carmo
Church, St. Catherine Church
Don't forget to: Return to Bairro Alto at night for its vibrant
nightlife and some of the city's best restaurants, bars, and alternative
shops.
Off the beaten path: The popular tram 28 passes by, but few stop
to see the pretty Estrela
Basilica.
Transportation: Take the metro or walk from downtown to reach
Chiado and Bairro Alto. To get to Estrela and Lapa, take tram 28 or 25.
Recommended HOTELS: Hotel do Chiado,
Bairro Alto Hotel,
As Janelas Verdes
Recommended RESTAURANTS:
Pap'Açorda,
Tavares Rico,
A Travessa,
Olivier
MAP of Bairro Alto & Chiado: Where to locate all of Bairro Alto and Chiado's sights
Bairro Alto + Chiado ACCOMMODATION
Hotels:
Hotel do Chiado, Bairro Alto Hotel,
Hotel
Borges
Hostels:
Lisbon
Poets,
Oasis Backpackers Mansion
Apartments:
Search for your Bairro Alto apartment or look for apartments in Chiado
Bairro Alto + Chiado ATTRACTIONS
Sao
Roque Church - Home of the world's most expensive chapel
Miradouro
de Sao Pedro de Alcantara - A garden with a panoramic view over the city.
Camoes
Square - A busy square and meeting place between Chiado and Bairro Alto.
Chiado
Museum - Museum of Portuguese contemporary art.
Sao
Carlos Theater - The city's La Scala-inspired opera house.
Carmo
Church - Romantic Gothic ruins evocative of the Great Earthquake.
Principe
Real - Charming leafy square.
Miradouro de Santa Catarina - A terrace and cafe with a view.
Botanical
Garden - An enchanting botanical garden.
Basilica da Estrela -
Pretty domed basilica.
Estrela
Gardens - Pleasant park with exotic plants.
Sao
Bento Palace - The country's Neoclassical parliament.
Marionette
Museum - Lovely collection of puppets from around the world.
Ancient
Art Museum - Fascinating Oriental and European art.
Lisbon DISTRICTS
Baixa -
Broad squares, 18th century architecture, patterned pavements, popular
cafes
Bairro
Alto & Chiado - Vibrant nightlife, picturesque streets, classic and
alternative culture, chic shopping, restaurants
Belem -
The Age of Discovery, grandiose monuments, museums
Alfama -
Medieval maze, spectacular views, an imposing castle, the sounds of Fado
Uptown -
Masterpieces and museum treasures, shopping malls
Parque
das Nações - The 21st century by the Tagus; futuristic architecture
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