Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Lisbon's lively pedestrian street
- Mosaic pavements and outdoor cafés
Time required: 60 minutes
Public transport:
- Metro Line Blue: Baixa-Chiado station
Address: Rua Augusta, 1100 Lisbon
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: yaili
Things you need to know:
- Baixa is a neoclassical neighborhood in Lisbon with grid-like streets. It was developed after the 1755 eathquake devastated the area
- Before 1755 opulent palaces stood here. Now simple and uniform buildings, built for tradesmen and merchants, occupy the area
- The neighborhood starts at Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square). The square was once the city's trade center with finance ministries and port authorities
- The Baixa's streets retain their original names. The names match the trades of the people that once worked here: ouro (gold), prata (silver), sapateiros (cobblers)
- The area's main street is called Rua Augusta that connects Praça do Comércio and Praça de Pedro IV (a.k.a. Rossio)
- This is a buzzing pedestrian street with street sellers, artists, restaurants, outdoor cafés and shops
What to do there:
- Explore the streets from Commerce Sqaure to Rossio Square and watch life go by
- Follow Rua Augusta all the way to Praça de Pedro V (Rossio), or zigzag through the side streets
- Do some shopping
Tips & Insights:
- You will find great restaurants all along the street
