Lisbon Old Town Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Carmo Convent showing 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 neighborhood 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 theaters.

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 neighborhood, 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. Organize tours through your hotel or tourist information centers within the Old Town.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Lisbon Old Town Hotel Deals

Hotel Mundial

Hotel Mundial

4 out of 5
Praça Martim Moniz, 2, Lisbon
The price is NZ$367 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$367
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an attached winery. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,064 reviews)
"Best location"

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

Hotel Mundial
Rossio Plaza Hotel

Rossio Plaza Hotel

3 out of 5
Rua do Ouro, 266, Lisbon
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,296 reviews)
"The hotel was in a perfect location. The staff was wonderful. They allowed us to check in early -shortly after our cruise ship docked. They handled the transportation from the ship to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport. I have only 2 complaints. The beds were not comfortable- two very small ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

Rossio Plaza Hotel
Pensão Londres

Pensão Londres

Rua Dom Pedro V 53, Lisbon
The price is NZ$131 per night from 23 July to 24 July
NZ$131
23 July - 24 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Avenida da Liberdade and Rossio Square are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (52 reviews)
"Older property but very clean. Considering the location. I can't believe how quiet it was at night. Walking distance to just about everything and a quaint park right across the street to sit at in the evening and look across the city and see the castle lit up. Would absolutely stay there again."

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Pensão Londres
The Editory Riverside Hotel, an Historic Hotel

The Editory Riverside Hotel, an Historic Hotel

5 out of 5
Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, 1, Lisbon
The price is NZ$279 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$279
30 July - 31 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (605 reviews)
"At the edge of Alfama, so not central to old Lisbon, but right above the train and metro stations, so a quick 3-stop metro to the start of the ave de Liberdade. We took the train in from Porto the day before our flight out of Lisbon, was a perfect call in that scenario as we stepped off the train ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

The Editory Riverside Hotel, an Historic Hotel
Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection by IHG

Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection by IHG

4 out of 5
Rua Dom Antaoo de Almada, 4, Lisbon, Lisbon District
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$384 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
NZ$384
31 July - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (263 reviews)
"Amazing property!"

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection by IHG
Lisboa Carmo Hotel

Lisboa Carmo Hotel

4 out of 5
Rua Oliveira ao Carmo 1-3, Largo do Camo, Lisbon
The price is NZ$347 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$347
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (989 reviews)
"This hotel is in an excellent location. It is walking distance to all the places you want to see. The metro and train stations are all within 10 minutes walk. The breakfast was a perfect variety of items."

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Lisboa Carmo Hotel
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(22 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 featuring a park

Príncipe Real

4/5(5 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 Santa Catarina Viewpoint.

Bica
Chiado showing views and a sunset as well as a couple

Chiado

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 which includes landscape views and a city

Baixa

4.5/5(90 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 featuring food

Cais do Sodré

If you're spending time in Cais do Sodré, check out sights like Mercado da Ribeira or Pink Street 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

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