As I mentioned in a previous post, Lisbon is a mix of multiple neighbourhoods that each harbour their own characteristics. They’re kind of like miniature cities in themselves, boasting a selection of great things to do, places to eat, and quirky atmospheres. Stepping from one to another is akin to being transported to another world entirely, opening up new experiences and opportunities.

Getting to grips with the neighbourhoods in Lisbon can be difficult for a first-time visitor, so here I’m going to try and lay out the best qualities of each in basic terms. This isn’t a conclusive guide by any stretch of the imagination, and I’ll draw from my own experiences to add a bit of colour, but I hope it provides a useful overview if you’re planning on visiting Lisbon any time soon.

I’d love to hear from you – what’s your favourite neighbourhood in Lisbon?

Neighbourhoods and Districts of Lisbon

Belem – the cultural quarter

Belem is the cultural quarter of Lisbon, hiding away on the outskirts of the city centre. It’s a popular place for a day trip from the city and is easily reachable by tram and bus. Here, visitors can explore an array of museums and galleries, as well as the impressive Jeronimos Monastery that is the main feature of the neighbourhood.

Belem is a sprawling area, making the most of the available space outside of the city centre, and there is a selection of small parks and even a botanical garden bursting with exotic flowers and unusual plants. There are lots of things to do in Belem, from checking out the contemporary art at the Berardo Museum, to watching a show at the Planetarium, to enjoying a delicious Pasteis de Belem (a mouth-watering custard tart).

Alfama – the winding old hilltop

The oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon is my absolute favourite. It’s characterised by steep, winding streets and backed by the sound of chugging old trams. Peeling houses crowd the narrow roads, and tiny squares open out unevenly at the end of twisting passages.

For me, the main draw of Alfama was its selection of rustic restaurants that are tucked away down the narrow alleyways, as well as the collection of small art galleries and souvenir shops that feature the work of local artists and handcrafted trinkets. The atmosphere in the antique area is old-fashioned and laidback, with busking bands dotting the streets and colourful azulejos decorating shops, houses, and eateries.

I visited Lisbon just before the Feast of St. Anthony, a festival that boasts a heavy schedule of wine-drinking and sardine-eating. The stalls were being set up at the edge of the laneways, and bright bunting hung from balconies – a great, jovial mood!

Baixa Chiado – the downtown district

The Baixa and Chiado neighbourhood, or the downtown area, is probably the most popular place with tourists as it houses a number of top-notch hotels and is slap-bang in the middle of all the action. It is made up of wide boulevards lined with over-priced restaurants that lead down to the banks of the Tagus River. It’s a pretty area, with mosaicked tiles decorating the floors and a selection of grand statues dominating huge plazas, but it’s certainly not for the budget traveller.

There are numerous coffee shops and restaurants spanning this district, many of which have mediocre menus contrasted with high prices. However, if you love to shop, then it’s perfect for you – there is a vast range of boutique stores and high-end shops lining the streets.

Bairro Alto – the bustling bar scene

The bustling bar neighbourhood of Lisbon is perhaps the most famous of them all. Sitting high on a hill above the downtown area, it is a maze of underground bars, quirky restaurants, and lively clubs. Here, the streets are decorated with large artworks and the throbbing sounds of Fado music and modern beats emerge from each secret doorway.

I found a few great eateries and bars in this area and it’s the best place to head to after dark when the atmosphere is really electric. There are also great views over the rest of the city and a number of imaginative hotels popular with the younger, hipper crowd.

Cascais – the beachside retreat

Set about 30 minutes by train from the city centre, Cascais is Lisbon’s beach resort. It’s hugely popular with locals throughout the summer months who flock there to bask on the sandy beaches and soak up the sun away from the crowds of the central districts.

Just inland from the beach there is a quirky little old town that’s full of winding, mosaicked streets. Around every twist and turn there’s a cute little fresh fish restaurant, or a souvenir shop bursting with bags and colourful tiles. There’s a couple of museums, but apart from the beach, shops, and restaurants, there’s little to do so a day trip to the neighbourhood is more than enough time to explore. It’s well worth the (hot and sweaty) train ride though!

Sintra – the countryside with castles

Forested hills topped with fairytale castles characterise this rural district of Lisbon. Again, you’ll have to hop on a train for about 30 minutes to reach the greenery of Sintra, but it’s a pilgrimage that many tourists make.

Aside from the numerous castles and the walking routes to reach them, there are a selection of al fresco restaurants, and a series of local art galleries hidden away down the steep, winding roads. The central part of the neighbourhood (the area by the train station) can get pretty busy in peak season, but there’s so much space to spread out into and plenty of peaceful spots to reflect in.

What’s your favourite neighbourhood in Lisbon?

I love that there are so many different districts in Lisbon – you can pretty much carve out a different narrative every day depending on the area that you explore. I particularly enjoyed Alfama and Bairro Alto, as I’m a huge fan of narrow streets and old-fashioned décor. The great thing about Lisbon is that there’s a little something for everyone – whether you’re after great food, great art, or great beaches.

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