The Baixa Travel Guide

Baixa is Lisbon’s downtown, a showcase of broad boulevards, sweeping squares, and elegant 18th-century façades. This is the part of the city that rose from the rubble of the 1755 earthquake, rebuilt under the vision of the Marquês de Pombal with a strict grid plan that still shapes the streets today. At its core are three grand squares: the riverfront Praça do Comércio, Rossio with its patterned stone pavement, and Praça da Figueira. Between them, the streets were once home to Lisbon’s trades, silversmiths on Rua da Prata, cobblers on Rua dos Sapateiros, though most workshops have since given way to shops, cafés, hotels, and banks. Baixa is less intimate than Alfama or Bairro Alto, but its scale and symmetry make it the city’s true stage.

How to get to Baixa

Baixa sits right in the middle of Lisbon, so chances are you’ll pass through it even if you don’t plan to. The neighborhood is flat and walkable, which makes it one of the easiest parts of the city to explore.

The simplest way in is on foot. From Chiado, just head downhill along Rua do Carmo or Rua Garrett. From Alfama, follow the tram tracks west past the cathedral. Either way, you’ll end up in the heart of Baixa without needing transport.

If you’re coming by metro, Baixa-Chiado, Rossio, and Terreiro do Paço stations all drop you directly into the grid. Trains and buses converge here too, making it one of Lisbon’s busiest hubs.

The historic Elevador de Santa Justa also connects Chiado to Baixa. It’s mostly a tourist ride now, but still a fun way to descend into the district.

You can use your Viva Viagem public transport card on metro, buses, trams, and trains throughout Lisbon.

What to do in the Baixa

If you are building a Portugal itinerary or searching for the top things to do in Lisbon, Baixa is impossible to skip. This downtown district is where Lisbon shows off its grandeur with sweeping squares, wide boulevards, and monumental façades rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. From people-watching in Rossio to climbing the Arco da Rua Augusta for river views, Baixa is full of classic Lisbon moments.

#1 Rossio

Praça Dom Pedro IV, better known as Rossio, has been Lisbon’s main square since medieval times. Today, its wave-pattern cobblestones and Baroque fountains make it a lively meeting point. Cafés spill onto the pavements, while the grand Teatro Nacional de Dona Maria II dominates the north end. On the west side, the ornate entrance to Rossio Station is one of the city’s most photographed façades.

#2 Rua das Portas de Santo Antão

Running north from the theatre, this pedestrian street is lined with seafood restaurants, cafés, and small theatres. It is one of Lisbon’s liveliest streets, busy from morning until late, and a great spot for outdoor dining or people-watching. The name recalls the old town gates that once stood here, long since vanished but still part of the story.

#3 Casa do Alentejo

Step off the street into another world. Casa do Alentejo is a Moorish-style palace filled with tiled walls, chandeliers, and faded grandeur. It houses a restaurant, café-bar, and cultural center dedicated to the Alentejo region. You can wander inside just to admire the décor, or stay for a meal in the atmospheric dining hall.

#4 Elevador de Santa Justa

Built in 1902 by Raul Mésnier, a student of Eiffel, the Elevador de Santa Justa is both transport and landmark. The wrought-iron lift rises 32 meters from Baixa to Chiado, with a viewing platform at the top offering some of the best panoramas in the city. The ride itself is short but iconic.

#5 Núcleo Arqueológico

Hidden under a bank, this small archaeological museum showcases the layers of Lisbon’s past. Excavations revealed Roman fish-preserving tanks, Moorish ceramics, and even early Christian burials. Ask about the limited annual tours of Lisbon’s Roman tunnels, normally closed but briefly opened each summer.

#6 Museu Design Moda

Inside a former bank, the Design and Fashion Museum displays highlights from the 1930s to today. Expect furniture by Charles and Ray Eames, designs by Philippe Starck, and haute couture pieces by Alexander McQueen, Paco Rabanne, and Pierre Cardin. It is a niche museum, but a stylish one.

#7 Arco da Rua Augusta

At the southern end of Rua Augusta, this monumental arch celebrates Lisbon’s reconstruction after the earthquake. Statues of Vasco da Gama and the Marquês de Pombal crown the façade. You can take a lift partway up, then climb a spiral staircase to the rooftop for sweeping views across the Baixa grid and Praça do Comércio below.

#8 Praça do Comércio

Lisbon’s most iconic square, Praça do Comércio, opens directly onto the Tagus. Once the site of the royal palace, it is framed by yellow arcades and dominated by a statue of King Dom José I. Today, the square hosts events, cafés, and festivals, but the best moment is late afternoon, when the light turns golden and ferries cross the river in front of you. From here, a riverside walk west to Cais do Sodré is one of Lisbon’s most scenic strolls.

#9 Lisbon Story Centre

Tucked into the east arcade of Praça do Comércio, the Lisbon Story Centre is a small interactive museum that traces the city’s history from its origins to the present day. It is touristy and not essential, but a good fallback if the weather turns.

Where to eat in Baixa

If you’re planning where to eat in Lisbon, Baixa can be tricky. This is downtown, which means plenty of tourist traps with inflated prices and forgettable menus. But look past the waiters waving laminated menus and you’ll find historic cafés, traditional tascas, and a few modern spots worth your time. Lunch here is easy if you know where to go, and it’s also a good base for coffee breaks and late dinners after sightseeing.

• Restaurante Gambrinus: Just off Praça do Rossio, this old-school Lisbon restaurant is all wood paneling, white tablecloths, and suited waiters. The menu leans toward seafood: lobster rice, sole meunière, and oysters at the counter. Prices are steep, but the experience is classic Lisbon dining.
• Solar dos Presuntos: A short walk north of Baixa, this bustling seafood institution is popular with locals and visiting celebrities alike. Known for its giant platters of shellfish and arroz de marisco, it’s lively, noisy, and unapologetically old-school. Book ahead if you can.
• Zé dos Cornos: Hidden in the backstreets near Martim Moniz, this tiny tasca is the opposite of Baixa’s tourist traps. Plastic chairs, loud locals, and smoky grills set the scene. Go for grilled pork ribs or sardines, add a jug of house wine, and enjoy the chaos.
• JNcQUOI Avenida (Baixa edge): If you want something chic, head to JNcQUOI Avenida, just at the edge of Baixa toward Avenida da Liberdade. It’s stylish and pricey, with a menu that jumps from Portuguese classics to international favorites. Expect polished service, good wines, and a well-heeled crowd.
• Confeitaria Nacional: For a sweet stop, Confeitaria Nacional is Lisbon’s oldest pastry shop, dating back to 1829. Famous for its bolo rei (king cake) at Christmas, it’s also a great place for coffee and pastries year-round.