Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto
4.5
About
Home to art galleries and a historic monastery (Convento do Carmo), Bairro Alto is one of the busiest districts of Lisbon after dark. Locals and travelers pack its narrow streets to hang out outside the area’s countless bars. Try ginjinha, a local liqueur, as you listen to live fado music. During the day, you can stroll through the neighborhood's narrow streets and check out the quaint boutiques and cafes. To get to Bairro Alto, take the eye-catching Glória Funicular at Liberdade Avenue. It’ll drop you off at the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, where you'll get commanding views of the city. – Tripadvisor
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The area
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto, Bica & Cais do Sodré
Enjoy a cocktail, discover a jazz club, hit the dance floor or simply grab a beer and catch up with your friends in the street: Bairro Alto, Bica and Cais do Sodré are the core of it all. Amazing rooftops, restaurants, cafes, bars, art galleries, museums and theaters abound. Start off by admiring the river from the Santa Catarina belvedere, have a cocktail at PARK's rooftop bar, try a typical Portuguese steak, or the fresh grilled fish, at Príncipe do Calhariz, and later explore the dozens of streets full of bars and clubs! Whether you're visiting for a day or a whole week, make sure you visit Bairro Alto and its surroundings.
How to get there
- Restauradores • 7 min walk
- Rossio • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,908 within 3 miles
Attractions
843 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- HappyVacation016Burlington, Canada75 contributionsVery busy commercial areaOur hotel was in this area. Very busy. Lots of stores and squares that have subway access. The train station is close by. Also due to the wide avenue, there are demonstrations in this area as well. We witnessed a huge teachers strike.Visited February 2023Written March 26, 2023
- MerrowmumGuildford, United Kingdom1,284 contributionsJust wander around!This is a great neighbourhood to wander about to get a feel for atmosphere in Lisbon! We were so impressed by the beautiful architecture of many of the buildings, often covered in the gorgeous local tiles. It’s also a good place to find somewhere to eat/drink or to take photos of historic trams as the no24 runs this way and isn’t as busy as the other lines.Visited March 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 29, 2023
- Janet WSolihull, United Kingdom109 contributionsFantastic stayWhat an amazing hotel!! The rooms are spacious and stylish, breakfast on the roof terrace was lovely, staff were attentive and sitting there early evening with a restorative drink or two was the perfect way to finish a days sight seeing. Lovely staff, lovely hotelVisited April 2023Written May 11, 2023
- jellico1024Orlando, Florida80 contributionsFun and scenic spotTook the tram for 3,80 Euros (roundtrip). The driver made change for those without correct change. There were great views for photos and a nice fountain. The streets were quiet on a Monday morning but everything was open. Came across some great antique stores. A very fun way to spend a morning. Take the tram. Seriously, the hills are brutal.Visited May 2023Written May 31, 2023
- Michael K995 contributionsGreat neighborhood with lots of things to seeThis place is hilly with many things to see, such as Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Igreja de Sao Roque, the viewdeck at the top of Elevador de Santa Justa, etc. The best way is to take one of two funiculars to the top and walk downhill. One is Ascensor da Gloria near the Restauradores metro station. The other is Elevador da Bica near Rua Sao Paulo.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 19, 2023
- BradJillHong Kong, China159,772 contributionsCharming area of LisbonBairro Alto is a lovely area of Lisbon up on a hillside to the west of Baixa and Avenida. It is charmingly connected to the downtown area by winding streets and quint elavadors and includes several really nice miradouros with sweeping panaromic viewpoints of eastern parts of Lisbon and the Tangus River to the south. There are interesting neighbourhoods like Chiado that are situated at Bairro Alto, loads of small neighbourhood restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Small squares also dot the area with fountains, monuments and kiosks and trees providing shade for those who want to enjoy a rest while spending time in the area. There are nice sightseeing opportunities in the area as well including the impressive Sao Roque church and monastery as well as the ruins of Carmo Church where you also find an interesting archeological museum as well. It is a charming area of the city, worth spending time while visiting the city. We visited on several days at various points of our trip to Lisbon and will gladly do so again the next time around.Visited April 2023Written July 3, 2023
- rayraysworldWarwick, United Kingdom1,990 contributionsyeah....it's goodthe area is worth checking out. you will see it anyway of you have an itinerary of things to do. i don't understand many of the photos on here. i thought this was for reviewing the district, not lots of self indulgent people putting pics of themselves on. those pics could be anywhere but whatever.... nice streets some of which are hard work. churches, statues, restaurants, trams, go see it.Visited August 2023Written August 10, 2023
- BartonbearsCoffs Harbour, Australia1,941 contributionsFabulous place to wander aimlessly.This is a fascinating part of Lisbon with its narrow streets, wonderful old buildings, street cafes, and wall art. It's fun just to wander as the mood takes you. We went early and found that many little shops etc didn't open until later in the day. All good fun.Visited June 2023Traveled with friendsWritten August 19, 2023
- antonio blvs5 contributionsgood place to get losta good place to wander, walking around. a loot of pubs, bars and minimarkets. people are friendly and thats a feeling of security, although some streets are empty and silent. be prepared to valleys and uphillsVisited August 2023Traveled soloWritten August 25, 2023
- Lori L11 contributionsGreat area to soak up the culture!This historical area is a great place to stay in. Around every corner you will find cool shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and buskers. Lots of up and down streets so bring your walking shoes!Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 16, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
13,028 reviews
Excellent
6,896
Very good
4,844
Average
989
Poor
189
Terrible
111
DeniseReaves
Durham, NC270 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Most of Lisbon is just a big city covered in graffiti but not this neighborhood. Wandering through the alley ways will take you back in time. This is also where you want to listen to Fado music. There are plenty of restaurants to have a delicious meal while listening to beautiful, heart wrenching Fado music. Some restaurants you will need reservations mostly the inexpensive ones but we were able to wander right in....
Written January 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlobetrotterJ16
Seoul, South Korea2,030 contributions
Oct 2019
A beautiful neighborhood in Lisbon, feels like a time warp to a certain degree, small streets and alleys, very cozy and picturesque. lots of up and downs in terms of hills but absolutely worth it. Also great views of the city.
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Naila
Baku, Azerbaijan844 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
Lisbon or Lisboa how it is called by locals, is very authentic place. Its unique atmosphere is very different from the rest of the european cities. One of the ways to admire this uniqueness is to have a slowly stroll around city streets. Bairro Alto is one of such districts near Praca da Commerce.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jandlUk
Chesterfield, UK1,416 contributions
Mar 2020
Atmospheric old part of the City reached by a number of funicular carriages or a very steep walk! Great views from overlooks. Lots of small cafes, bars & restaurants. This place comes alive with visitors every evening. We found a live Fado performance to pass a pleasant hour.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,113 contributions
Jul 2020
Bairro Alto is located right next to Chiado, Principe Real, Estrela and Cais do Sodre. It is an interesting point on the map of visiting the center of Lisbon. The origins of Bairro Alto date back to the 15th century, when it was a district of sailors and merchants, people who wanted to get rich on the geographical discoveries of Portugal. Over time, the district became a place where Lisbon's wealthy citizens and aristocracy would settle. In the 20th century Bairro started to decline, and the 1980s marked the beginning of the era of nightlife in this part of the city, which continues to this day. You can traverse the steep cobbled streets of the artistic Bairro Alto to take a ride on the da Bica funicular, visit the magnificent Church of St. Rocha and enjoy the views from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara garden. Bairro Alto surprises with its atmosphere, calmness, colors and people. Both fans of atmospheric streets as well as good cocktails and colorful drinks will find something for themselves here. Many historic tenement houses are decorated with colorful murals. After dark, however, this district completely changes its face, becoming the center of nightlife in Lisbon. We can find here various types of bars, cafes, pubs, clubs, fado houses, restaurants, snack bars, bars with rock, latino and electro music, places for dancing and quietly enjoying a delicious drink. Original and traditional place, for fans of old and new Lisbon. For fans of tradition and modernity.
Written February 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anik L
Montreal, Canada654 contributions
Jun 2019
A good place to visit if you want some night life. In fact, we could say that Bairro Alto is the epicenter of the nightlife in Lisbon. If you're looking for a quiet stay, do not get a flat in the area. It can be quite noisy. But that makes a wonderful atmosphere for nightlife lovers. You can find around loads of nice restaurants, cafés and many attractions (Ruins of Convento do Carmo, Elevador da Bica, São Roque church and museum…).
Highly recommended and not to be missed in Lisbon.
Highly recommended and not to be missed in Lisbon.
Written May 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali_Royal_2015
906 contributions
Aug 2020
Alto is a vibrant maze of narrow roads weaving up and down the hills of the Barrio. In the evening it comes alive with street bars and restaurants, wander around and stop off when you see a place you like. Also a lot of street art to enjoy if you take your time and keep your eyes up and wide open! Be prepared to walk up and down steep hills, those with mobility issues may struggle.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mary s
12 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This popular neigbourhood has a lot of small houses and streets. Some restaurants have Fado music but the one we went to (tasca do chico) was not so good. The food, basically tapas of a doubtfull quality, wasn't great, the personnell not friendly and they also accepted people just for drinks. Meaning that they had to stand up and took all our sight so that we couldn't see the performers. We preferred the flamenco in Spain.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dpendgracs
Manitoba, Canada202 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We really loved exploring Lisbon’s Old Town. The architecture and public art forms (old and new) are striking and make you feel like you’re walking through an outdoor art gallery. Public transport is abundant and cabs are reasonably priced, so no excuse in not getting out there to enjoy as much of it as you have time for.
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik S
Stockholm, Sweden925 contributions
Apr 2022
This part of the town is really a hot spot with lots of inviting cafés, bars and restaurants. Some of them maybe a bit touristy but still nice. I would say that if you like to feel the sense and atmosphere of a city and its´mix of people this is the place.
Written May 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigator04689173484
Venice, Italy
Hey there, does anyone know where can I buy some ecstasy / molly ?
Hi all,
Is there a period during a year when bairro alto is less animated?
Looking to organize a group visit and want to avoid to come when everything is closed
XavRiv33
Paris, France155 contributions
Hi
with the current COVID measures it will no tbe much animated
To really enjoy terraces and walking around the area, spring and autumn are the best are not too crowded (like in spring) and with very pleasant temperatures
Enjoy Lisboa !
Brgds
Xavier
Anixza P
Puerto Rico673 contributions
Dónde hospedarme?
Oscar Desanzo
31 contributions
alquile x airbnb. muy buena experiencia.
Location appartement
ROU_gerardoc
Montevideo, Uruguay23 contributions
Nos alojamos en Oriente DNA Studios, cuya ubicación y precios está en Google maps. Buena experiencia, y acceso a estación de oriente con metro y buses a todo Lisboa.
ChristophulusPeterus
Stuttgart, Germany
Ich wollte wissen ob mir jemand eventuell sagen könnten ob man hier was zum Rauchen Bekommt (Ganja).Danke!
Hey I wanted to know if i can get something to smoke in The Bairo alto (Ganja).Thanks
ola queria saber se algem sabe onde eu poso encontrar alguma coisa para fumar(Ganja).Obrigado
HenryGTe
Koblenz, Germany786 contributions
Der Besitz zum privatem Verbrauch ist legal. Angebote gibt es deshalb überall. Vorsicht ist angebracht gegenüber den Verkäufern. Viel angebotene Ware ist mit schmackhaften Beigaben wie Schuhcreme gestreckt. Am besten Mitglied in einem entsprechenden Club werden.
ChristophulusPeterus
Stuttgart, Germany
Ich wollte wissen ob mir jemand eventuell sagen könnten ob man hier was zum Rauchen Bekommt (Ganja).Danke!
Hey I wanted to know if i can get something to smoke in The Bairo alto (Ganja).Thanks
ola queria saber se algem sabe onde eu poso encontrar alguma coisa para fumar(Ganja).Obrigado
Stéphanie V
Gex, France67 contributions
I don't know sorry
senzacozza
napule135 contributions
Un buon locale in zona dove cenare a ascoltare il fado?
francesco paolo B
112 contributions
ciao ,non ti so segnalare con precisione ma ti consiglio di andare al bairro alto in taxi, (che a lisboa sono economicissimi ) scendere ed esplorare a piedi ci sono decine di locali e potrai scegliere sul posto.buona cena!
Diego C
10 contributions
Bom dia, minha mãe vai a Lisboa no próximo mês, quero que ela compre um acessório para minha cafeteria aqui no Brasil. Trata-se de um coador de café AltoAir, também conhecido mundialmente como Bairro Alto. Poderia me indicar aonde consigo encontrar esse produto? Desde já, muito obrigado por sua atenção. Saudações, Diego.
Pedro T
26 contributions
Em Lisboa tem o Mercado São Jorge, creio que algum logista la saiba te informar, além de ser um lugar muito bacana de ir.
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Claim your listingBairro Alto - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Bairro Alto
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Bairro Alto:
- Highlights & Hidden Gems of Lisbon PRIVATE Tour | Drink Included (From $83.32)
- Lisbon Revelation Tour (From $27.77)
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl (From $22.22)
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner (From $28.49)
- True 4Hour/Half Day Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon - Local Overview (From $144.41)
- Hotels near Bairro Alto:
- (0.02 mi) ShortStayFlat Prime Location - Bairro Alto
- (0.03 mi) Hotel Anjo Azul
- (0.06 mi) Casa das Janelas com Vista
- (0.11 mi) The Late Birds Lisbon - Gay Urban Resort
- (0.09 mi) Lisbon Colours
- Restaurants near Bairro Alto:
- (0.01 mi) Turma Academica
- (0.06 mi) Jam Club
- (0.10 mi) Consensual
- (0.10 mi) A Nossa Casa
- (0.10 mi) A Cultura do Hambúrguer
- Attractions near Bairro Alto:
- (0.01 mi) Fado in Inglesinhos
- (0.03 mi) Oficina Marques
- (0.04 mi) Lisbon City Guru
- (0.10 mi) Game Over Escape Rooms LISBOA
- (0.13 mi) Scooteria