Lisbon Old Town Travel Guide

Lisbon District

Carmo Convent featuring heritage architecture
Lisbon Old Town
Lisbon Old Town
Lisbon Old Town
Lisbon Old Town

Discover views over the old town from hilltop Graça, Moorish history in Alfama, bustling downtown Baixa, bohemian Chiado and nightlife in Bairro Alto. 

The historic heart of Lisbon is the Old Town. The area is made up of a series of districts that each have their own unique atmosphere and attractions. Tram 28 runs through the Old Town and stops frequently. Get off and explore the area on foot or station-hop from site to site.

Start in the Graça district of the Old Town to get your bearings. This hilltop neighbourhood has stunning views from outdoor cafés. 

Discover the Moorish history of the city at Castle de São Jorge, which dominates the hillside overlooking Alfama. Moorish rulers built the castle in the 6th century. Enjoy a multimedia show about Lisbon’s turbulent history in a restored room of the palace.

Move on to discover downtown Baixa with its large squares full of neoclassical buildings and cafés. This district was rebuilt after the Lisbon earthquake and was one of Europe’s first instances of urban planning, with pedestrian avenues, decorative arches and theatres. 

Catch the tram to Chiado, a district full of 16th-century buildings. Browse designer boutiques and old bookstores. Sit in cafés where the artists and literary personalities of Lisbon once met and worked. 

Explore the streets of Barrio Alto, with its mix of 16th and 19th-century homes. This district was once a working class neighbourhood, but is now home to some of the most popular bars in the city.

In the evenings, catch some authentic Portuguese music in Alfama’s Fado bars, enjoy tapas and wine in Barrio Alto or sip cocktails on rooftops with views in Chiado. Tram 28 runs from early in the morning until late in the evening. Purchase a 24-hour ticket for unlimited rides for a day. 

You can also discover the Old Town by joining a walking tour for a fee. Knowledgeable guides will give you insight into the Old Town’s mix of Roman and Moorish cultural influences, the history of Jewish persecution and the effect of the 1755 earthquake on the city. Organise tours through your hotel or tourist information centers within the Old Town.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Lisbon Old Town

Rossio Plaza Hotel
Rossio Plaza Hotel
3 out of 5
Rua do Ouro, 266, Lisbon
The price is ฿6,689 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿6,689
฿7,389 total
1 Jul - 2 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,308 reviews)
"We loved this hotel and the staff! They were very helpful with all of our needs. The only complaint is that the coffee and beverages in our room were not restocked daily. Our last morning there we had no more coffee and had no time to get it elsewhere prior to our departure to the airport. Everything ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jun 2025

Rossio Plaza Hotel
Hotel Mundial
Hotel Mundial
4 out of 5
Praça Martim Moniz, 2, Lisbon
The price is ฿6,265 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
฿6,265
฿6,940 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an on-site winery. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,019 reviews)
"Will return for sure."

Reviewed on 2 Jun 2025

Hotel Mundial
Jam Hotel Lisbon
Jam Hotel Lisbon
3 out of 5
80 Avenida 24 de Julho, Lisbon
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,131 per night from 15 Jun to 16 Jun
฿6,131
฿6,798 total
15 Jun - 16 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (572 reviews)
"v"

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

Jam Hotel Lisbon
Hotel Borges Chiado
Hotel Borges Chiado
3 out of 5
Rua Garrett, 108-110, Lisbon
The price is ฿3,994 per night from 8 Jun to 9 Jun
฿3,994
฿4,533 total
8 Jun - 9 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Perfect location for walking around Lisbon. 20 euro airport car service arranged by front desk."

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2025

Hotel Borges Chiado
Esqina Urban Lodge
Esqina Urban Lodge
4 out of 5
Rua dos Sapateiros 92, Lisbon
The price is ฿6,023 per night from 25 Jun to 26 Jun
฿6,023
฿6,683 total
25 Jun - 26 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star guesthouse in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"We had a great stay at Esquina. Not total experience/amenities of a full hotel, but just enough. Great location to walk to must see spots and public transportation. Despite it being a busy area, it was very quiet and comfortable. Very clean, and service provided things when we needed them. Private ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jun 2025

Esqina Urban Lodge
The Emerald House Lisbon, Curio Collection By Hilton
The Emerald House Lisbon, Curio Collection By Hilton
4 out of 5
Rua das Janelas Verdes, 130, Lisbon
The price is ฿7,185 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
฿7,185
฿7,915 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (311 reviews)
"Voted best shower of the 3 week trip!"

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2025

The Emerald House Lisbon, Curio Collection By Hilton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Lisbon Old Town

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Bairro Alto

4.5/5(153 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the lively bars in Bairro Alto. Spend some time visiting top spots like Fado in Chiado, and catch the metro at Elevador da Glória Stop or São Pedro de Alcântara Stop to see more of the area.

Bairro Alto
Botanical Garden which includes a garden

Príncipe Real

4.5/5(77 area reviews)

Noted for its gardens and cafes, there's plenty to explore in Príncipe Real. Top attractions like Avenida da Liberdade and National Museum of Natural History are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Príncipe Real Stop or Rato Station to see more of the city.

Príncipe Real
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Bica

Bica is a destination travellers like for its cafes, and you might hop aboard the metro at Cç. Combro Stop or Sta. Catarina Stop to explore sights like Pharmacy Museum.

Bica
Chiado which includes views and a sunset as well as a couple

Chiado

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Bertrand while getting to know Chiado, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Chiado Stop or Lg. Academia Nacional Belas AR Stop to see more of the area.

Chiado
Santa Justa Elevator showing landscape views and a city

Baixa

4.5/5(604 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Rossio Square to Rua Augusta – discover Baixa, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Baixa
Lisbon District showing food

Cais do Sodré

If you're spending time in Cais do Sodré, check out sights like Pink Street or Mercado da Ribeira and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Rua de São Paulo Stop or R. Vitor Cordon Stop.

Cais do Sodré

Lisbon Old Town Travel Guide