10 of the Best Neighborhoods in Lisbon and How To Visit

Despite its hilly terrain, Lisbon’s small size makes it easily walkable—and when you get tired, you can always hop on the famous 28 Tram and head up toward Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon. A colorful maze of alleys and side streets, you never know what you’ll find around each corner, from an ancient cathedral or an impressive tiled facade, to a stunning view of the Tagus River.

Alfama is also the best neighborhood in Lisbon to take in a Fado performance, as this is where the famous Portuguese music originated.

Did you know? Traditional Fado is sung by a woman and accompanied by a classical guitar.

Lively Chiado is known for its theaters, museums, and shops, making it a must for culture fans. Bookworms in particular won’t want to miss the statue of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa—you can stop by on a literary walking tour, and then sip an espresso at A Brasileira, a café that Pessoa used to frequent. Nearby, the Livraria Bertrand is the oldest operating bookstore in the world, so pop in for a souvenir or two as well.

Chiado is also home to some of Lisbon's best museums, including The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Carmo Convent, Carmo Archeological Museum, Museu de Sao Roque, and Museu do Chiado. Pick up a Lisbon museum pass for hassle-free access.

Related: Must-See Museums in Lisbon

Home to both of Lisbon’s UNESCO Heritage Sites, the Belém Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery, this district is packed with history. It’s also the birthplace of pastéis de nata, a traditional Portuguese egg custard tart created by Catholic monks, which you can sample on most any Lisbon food tour.

After indulging in a pasteis (or three), visit the Museu Coleção Berardo to admire masterpieces by the likes of Pollock, Picasso, Mondrian, and Dalí. And Lisbon’s botanical garden, Jardim Botânico Tropical, is a lovely oasis located right in between the monastery and Belém Palace where you can immerse yourself in Portuguese greenery and flowers.

Popular Bairro Alto is known as Lisbon’s party district, but it has plenty to offer during the day, too. It’s an excellent place to take in street art or go on a culinary tour. However, when the sun sets, head to the grocery store-turned-bar Pavilhão Chinê for a good time—it feels like a mix between an antique shop and drinking hole. Bairro Alto’s rooftop bars are another must, where you can settle in with a cocktail and soak up panoramic views of the city.

To experience Lisbon like a local, head to Graça. As prices rise in Lisbon’s more popular and central neighborhoods, the younger population has flocked to Graça, bringing along new street art, restaurants, and shops that seem to pop up daily. And because Graça is the highest point in Lisbon, it's home to the Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte—arguably the best outdoor viewpoint in the city. You can see everything from Castelo de Sao Jorge to Bairro Alto to central Lisbon.

Technically a street, not a neighborhood, Avenida de Liberdade is the place to shop in Lisbon. If you’re looking to bring home some high-end souvenirs from Lisbon, you'll find shops such as Cartier, Burberry, Furla, Van Cleef & Arpels, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton on this thoroughfare inspired by chic Parisian boulevards.

However, if you want to purchase something uniquely Portuguese, be sure to check out local brands from shops including Loja das Meias or jewelry from designer Carolina Curado. Alternatively, blend fine dining and high fashion at JNcQUOI, which is home to a gourmet restaurant and a fashion clinic full of carefully curated luxury brands.

Although the Portuguese capital is chock-full of history, you can still get a feel for modern-day trends in this east Lisbon district. The vast majority of the architecture in Parque das Nações was constructed just 25 years ago for Expo 98, the World Fair that took place during the summer of 1998. The theme was “The Oceans: A Heritage for the Future,” meaning the east end of the city’s waterfront was completely rebuilt. Here, make sure to visit the Lisbon Oceanarium, which is considered one of the best aquariums in the world.

Although Lisbon as a whole is known for being LGBTQ+-friendly, Príncipe Real is home to the city’s best gay bars, such as Shelter Bar, Finalmente Club, and Bar TR3S Lisboa. Other highlights include colorful 19th-century mansions and the shops and galleries of up-and-coming Portuguese fashion designers and artists. Don’t miss Embaixada, either, a concept store housed inside one of Lisbon’s oldest palaces where you’ll find items from Portugal’s best designers.

While you'd never know it today, much of the Baixa neighborhood was leveled by an earthquake in 1755. When the area was rebuilt, it was planned in a grid design that exists today, with wide pedestrian streets and monumental squares such as the Commerce Square.

Beyond the buzzing center of Baixa, history buffs can head to the Santa Justa Lift, a 147-foot (45-meter) elevator that was built to connect the lower Baixa neighborhood with the higher Barrio Alto neighborhood. Tucked just behind the elevator are the ruins of the Convento do Carmo, remnants of the destruction of the earthquake.

While you'd never know it today, much of the Baixa neighborhood was leveled by an earthquake in 1755. When the area was rebuilt, it was planned in a grid design that exists today, with wide pedestrian streets and monumental squares such as the Commerce Square.

Beyond the buzzing center of Baixa, history buffs can head to the Santa Justa Lift, a 147-foot (45-meter) elevator that was built to connect the lower Baixa neighborhood with the higher Barrio Alto neighborhood. Tucked just behind the elevator are the ruins of the Convento do Carmo, remnants of the destruction of the earthquake.

Castelo de São Jorge towers above the neighborhood of Mouraria, or the "Moorish quarter." This is known as Lisbon’s most multicultural neighborhood, where narrow streets lead you to quaint cafés and restaurants with only a half-dozen tables. Street art pops up around every corner, bringing a visible vibrancy to the cobbled streets. But Mouraria is maybe most famous as the birthplace of Portuguese fado music, which is so important that it’s earned UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. And the fado scene is still thriving: You can still find performers entertaining diners in restaurants here throughout the week.