Bairro Alto (in English, the upper district) is one of the historic districts of Lisbon. Five centuries old, it dominates one of the seven hills of Lisbon. Built following an orthogonal plan, it is composed mainly of beautiful traditional houses of the 18th and 19th centuries with facades in tiles. The newcomer will get lost for his pleasure.
From the 70s-80s, it becomes one of the emblematic neighborhoods of the Lisbon night. Very quiet during the day, it comes alive at night with many restaurants and bars. Lisboners and tourists like to meet and chat over a drink in a good-natured atmosphere.
What to do in Bairro Alto?
- Getting lost in the day in its small and nice streets
- Having a drink at night with friends
- Dining in one of its many restaurants
- Admiring the magnificent view of Miradouro São Pedro de Alcantara
- Visiting the discreet Covento São Pedro de Alcantara
- Enjoying the sunset from the Park Terrace
- Experimenting with Gloria or Bica elevators
- Relaxing in the sun in front of the Pharmacy Museum
- Visiting the São Roque church and its museum
- Having lunch at Noobai with view on the Tagus
Where to stay in Bairro Alto?
Staying in Bairro Alto is ideal, because it is very central. During the day, you are close to the main attractions of the city. In the evening, you can easily find a good restaurant and go for a nightcap. The night being festive, it will be necessary to privilege a housing in the top of Bairro Alto, calmer.
Appartements:
Where to have a drink in Bairro Alto?
For those who like to drink on the street:
Unlike northern Europe, Lisboners goes out for a drink very late. The Bairro Alto´s neighborhood begins to really come alive from midnight. Most people only go to bars to buy their drinks and settle in the streets da Atalaia or da Barocca to drink and chat with friends until 3 am, closing hours of bars. Smoking in bars is not forbidden, thus it is nice for non-smokers to drink outside.
For the roof-top lovers:
- Park: Climbing the tagged stairs of the parking of the Calçada do Combro, we really wonder if we did well to enter, but the end of the climb is rewarded by the discovery of a nice terrace bar with view on the Tagus. It is recommended to come and enjoy the sunset and come back after dinner to let off steam on the dance floor.
- Zé dos bois: In this gallery which regularly hosts concerts, there are two bars, including a very pleasant terrace.
- The roof top of the hotel The Lumiares: Nice place for a sunny drink with a beautiful view on São Jorge´s Castle and Tagus river.
- The roof top of the restaurant and bar The Insólito: The terrace faces the miradouro São Pedro de Alcantara. The view is so beautiful, but beware in winter or on windy days, the semi-transparent plastic sheeting can prevent you from enjoying the view.
For the European students:
- Erasmus corner: On travessa da Cara, it is the rendezvous of all the European students of Lisbon.
For the Fado lovers:
- A tasca do Chico: Small bar retaurant where you can feel the emotion of Fado music.
For lovers of surprising decoration:
- Pavilhão chinês :Museum-like bar with a menu containing a multitude of cocktails.
For the LGBT community:
- Bar 40e1: Near the travessa da Espera, at 41 de la rua da Barocca, a very small bar with a great team of waiters.
- Purex: Good atmosphere with a small dance floor in the background.
- Friends in Bairro: Small bar with great atmosphere and bartenders very nice to dance on the latest hits in fashion in Portugal, young public.
Where to eat in Bairro Alto ( or nearby)?
- The Decadente: Relaxing atmosphere with a nice decor. Good food at an affordable price. Address: 81 rua Sâo Pedro de Alcantara, Lisbon. Price: €€-€€€. Website
- The Insólito: The arrival is done via an unexpected small elevator. Elegant decoration. Higher price than the nearby Decadent. Nice view in terrace on the São Jorge’s castle. Adress: 83 rua São Pedro de Alcantara, Lisbon. Price: €€€. Website
- Lost-in: Relaxing place for a drink during the day or lunch overlooking the north of Lisbon. Address: 56D rua Dom Pedro V, Lisbon. Price: €€-€€€. Website
- Sem maneiras: Gourmet restaurant of the chef
Ljubomir Stanisic. Address: 35 rua do Teixeira, Lisbon. Price:€€€€€. Website - Bistro sem maneiras: The bistro version of the chef Ljubomir Stanisic’s restaurant. Address: 9 Largo da Trindade, Lisbon. Price: €€€€. Website
- Noobaï: Ideal place for a sunny lunch on the terrace or to have a drink during the day with a magnificent view on the Tagus River. Address: Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Adamastor), Lisbon. Price: €€. Website
- O Asiático: Dishes inspired by Asian cuisine with many ceviches specialties of Chef Kiko. Address: 317 rua da Rosa, Lisbon. Price: €€€€. Website
- A Cevicheria: Under the huge octopus, food lovers will feast on Chef Kiko’s ceviches. Address: 129 rua Dom Pedro V, Lisbon. Price:€€€. Website
- The Farmacy: Restaurant of the Pharmacy Museum with a surprise menu to discover. Decoration on the theme of the museum. Nice terrace for a drink during the day. Address: 1 rua Marechal Saldanha, Lisbon. Price: €€-€€€
- Lumi rooftop restaurant: At the top of the hotel The Lumiares, a good restaurant with a beautiful terrace overlooking the Bairro Alto. Address; 142 rua do Diário da Noticias, Lisbon. Price: €€€. Website
- Café Príncipe Real Restaurante: Restaurant of the 5-star hotel Memmo Principe Real. Very good and beautiful atmosphere. Ideal to celebrate your birthday. Price: €€€€ Address: 56J rua Dom Pedro V, Lisbon. Website
Tips for those who want to stay in Bairro Alto:
Where to shop in Bairro Alto?
For shopping, the resident of Bairro Alto has many small grocery stores, mainly rua da Rosa. A small supermarket is located at the bottom of rua da Rosa. On Saturday morning, there is an organic vegetable market near the Principe Real garden. If you need to buy more things, there is the Pingo Doce in Rato or the Jumbo in the Amoreiras shopping center. Portugal’s largest shopping mall, Colombo Center, is also accessible via the metro in 20 minutes.
Where to park Bairro Alto?
Most of the streets of Bairro Alto being accessible only to the resident, it is better to privilege the public car parks which will charge you between 11 and 13 € the day. The possible car parks are:
- Car park Largo do Rato: 217 Rua da Escola Politécnica, Lisbon. Website
- Car park Luis de Camões: Praça Luís de Camões, Lisbon. Website
- Car park Calçado do Combro: Calçada do Combro 56, Lisbon. Website
- Car park Praça do Carmo: 5 rua Alm. Pessanha, Lisbon.
Where to wash clothes in the Bairro Alto?
Several laundries in the neighborhood:
Voilà Lisboa! 