Of all the neighborhoods in Lisbon, it is difficult to think of one more varied than Bairro Alto. Literally translated as “upper town,” the historic uphill area of the Baixa business district changes dramatically when the sun goes down.
Much of the party zone of the Portuguese capital is a great place to visit, but choose another place to stay unless you are very sleepy or plan to join the revelers until the wee hours of the morning. However, regardless of your interests, there is a lot to see and do for such a compact area.
Whether you’re there in broad daylight or after sunset, here are the top eight things to do in Bairro Alto.
01
of 08
Enjoy the sunset in Miradouro de Santa Catarina
Right at the base of the Bairro Alto is Miradouro de Santa Catarina, one of Lisbon’s many spectacular viewpoints. Facing the Tagus River, it is a particularly good place to do like a local and enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine.
Get there early to secure a table outside of the little cafe, but if you’re too busy just buy your drinks to go and sit anywhere you can find a spot. Bands and street performers often perform in the late afternoon and evening, and whenever the sun rises, there is a fun and friendly atmosphere.
The vantage point is easy to find – just look at the statue of Adamastor, a mythical sea creature looking out into the water.
02
of 08
Check out Old’s pharmacies
Just behind the Miradouro de Santa Catarina is the Museu da Farmacia (Pharmacy Museum), and on sunny days you are likely to see people on the grassy terrace enjoying food and drinks from the attached restaurant.
Once you enter, you will be able to see the practice of medicine through the ages. Former apothecaries, traditional Macau Chinese pharmacies and other historical examples have been faithfully recreated, and items on display range from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Mir space station medical kits.
Adult tickets cost € 5 and expect to spend 1-2 hours inside.
03
of 08
Have a drink on the roof in the park
There’s no shortage of bars with great views for a drink in Lisbon, but one of the best is on the roof of a seven-level parking lot in the heart of Bairro Alto.
The appropriate Park Bar transformed an ugly roof into a garden oasis overlooking the river, the 25 de Abril suspension bridge and the steeples of the Santa Catarina church next door.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy a fancy cocktail or two, and it hosts events from open-air movie screenings to DJ performances. The park doesn’t close until 2 a.m., with food (mostly burgers) available in the afternoon and from 8 to 11 p.m. Expect it to be busy on warm nights.
04
of 08
Take a free walking tour of Lisbon
Walking tours are a great way to see many cities, and as long as you don’t mind a few hills, Lisbon is no exception. Tours of the city center are conducted by various companies, often starting from the great Rossio Square.
One of the best options is the Chiado and Bairro Alto tour, conducted by Discover Lisbon, although there are many others. Starting mid-afternoon, it covers many of the sites in both neighborhoods over its 2.5-hour duration, and like the free walking tours around the world, you pay what it was worth to you in the end.
Continue to 5 of 8 below.
05
of 08
Jump on a funicular
Stay in Lisbon for a long time and you will notice two things: it is a very beautiful city and the downtown area is very steep. You can take anything from bus to metro, tram to tuk-tuk to avoid the hills, but the most interesting option is the funicular.
Lisbon’s funiculars have been running their short but very steep routes since 1884, avoiding exhaustion for locals and visitors alike. The most popular with tourists is the Elevador da Gloria, where carriages covered in street art run from near the Restauradores metro station to the viewpoint of Sao Pedro de Alcántara.
A single ticket costs € 3.70, an expensive fare for the three-minute trip. However, it is included in the 24-hour Lisbon transit passes, so be sure to take advantage if you are buying one anyway.
06
of 08
Visit the church and museum of São Roque
The São Roque Church, in Trinidade Coelho Square, looks impressive enough from the outside, but it’s the inside that really shines. Literally, in this case, the 16th century Jesuit church is littered with gold leaf and gleaming marble columns.
The baroque decor doesn’t end there either: lavish paintings adorn the floor and ceiling, while ornamental chandeliers fall from the ceiling.
If you can’t get enough splendor, be sure to visit the museum next door. Tickets for adults cost € 2.50 and give access to a wide and well explained variety of religious ornaments and artifacts.
07
of 08
Explore the ruins of Convento do Carmo
The Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dates back to the late 14th century, and the Catholic convent was one of the most important pieces of Gothic architecture in the city.
Severely damaged in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake that destroyed large swaths of the city, the convent was never completely rebuilt, and the ruins now stand wide open to the sky alongside a small square.
Today, the former alter houses a small archaeological museum, and the site often hosts classical music concerts in summer. The entrance to the museum costs € 4.
08
of 08
Enjoy the gardens and views of Sao Pedro de Alcántara
Sao Pedro de Alcántara, one of the most extensive viewpoints in Lisbon, stretches over two levels, with small, well-kept gardens and unrivaled views of the city and the castle. It is spectacular at any time of the day, but it becomes apparent at dusk, when the castle is illuminated by floodlights and forms the perfect backdrop.
Two cafes offer food and drinks, and there is often a tourist-focused street market in the late afternoon and evening. You can also do what the locals do, find a table, open a bottle of wine and some snacks, and enjoy the warm Lisbon night.
