Meet your friends, bring the family or simply bask in the busy sunlit atmosphere of Commerce Square. Known locally as the Praça do Comércio, this riverfront plaza was used historically as a meeting place for royals, although this stopped after the Great Earthquake of 1755.
This past is represented by an elaborate stone monument in the square’s centre, which marks the entry point of the city and also the former location of the city palace. Find a quiet spot here to sit and catch your breath in between seeing the city sights.
The square itself holds a number of fascinating landmarks. Pay a tribute to the triumphal arch on the square’s north side, or admire the majestic statue of King José on horseback in the plaza centre. The figure of King José wears the emperor’s mantle and stands at an imposing 14 metres (46 feet) in height.The arch can be seen from the nearby Café Martinho da Arcada, which was frequented in the 1700s by the best of Lisbon’s literati. Savour a coffee while you people-watch from its historic tables.
Book a comprehensive tour of the city in the Lisbon Tourism Office, found in a historic building on the square’s west side. Here, get information about Lisbon’s best restaurants, most popular bars and the dates of the city’s upcoming entertainment events. Visit the gift shop and buy traditional Portuguese arts and crafts to send back home.
Many of Lisbon’s government offices around the square were converted into cafés with outdoor tables, allowing visitors to dine with views of grand façades. For an engaging historic experience, browse the interactive exhibits of the Lisbon Story Centre. Here the city’s past is told through audio guides and dramatic re-enactments.
Find Commerce Square in the central Baixa district, next to the River Tagus. Get there using public transportation, or walk there from nearby attractions. The square is open 24 hours.
