Overview

Baixa (Downtown) is Lisbon's beating heart - a grid of elegant 18th-century streets rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. This Pombaline architecture masterpiece connects the waterfront Praça do Comércio to the bustling Rossio Square, creating perfect walkable shopping streets lined with international brands and traditional shops.

Key Squares

Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square)

Lisbon's grandest square opening to the Tagus River
Yellow palatial buildings forming perfect symmetry
Triumphal arch with panoramic views (€3)
Sunset spot with waterfront cafés
Historical site where Portuguese kings arrived by boat

Rossio (Praça Dom Pedro IV)

Social heart of Lisbon since medieval times
Wave-patterned cobblestones
National Theatre and historic cafés
Meeting point for locals
Train station to Sintra

Praça da Figueira

Market square with King João I statue
Traditional shops and pastry cafés
Tram and bus connections
Saturday antique market

Shopping Streets

Rua Augusta

Main pedestrian thoroughfare
Street performers and outdoor cafés
International brands and souvenir shops
Triumphal Arch at southern end

Rua do Ouro & Rua da Prata

Parallel shopping streets
Mix of traditional and modern shops
Historic storefronts
Local businesses

Hidden Treasures

Elevador de Santa Justa: Neo-Gothic iron elevator (€5.30)
MUDE Design Museum: Portuguese design history
Núcleo Arqueológico: Roman ruins beneath bank
Ginjinha bars: Traditional cherry liqueur shops

Where to Eat

Traditional

Café Nicola: Historic café since 1779
Confeitaria Nacional: Pastries since 1829
Solar dos Presuntos: Traditional Portuguese

Quick Bites

Time Out Market: 5-minute walk
Mercado da Figueira: Food court
Casa do Alentejo: Hidden palace restaurant

Shopping Highlights

El Corte Inglés: Department store
Armazéns do Chiado: Shopping center
Traditional shops: Hats, gloves, tiles, cork products
Conserveira de Lisboa: Tinned fish boutique

Practical Tips

Completely flat and walkable
Free WiFi in main squares
Tourist information at Praça do Comércio
Public toilets in metro stations
Beware of drug dealers offering "hashish"
Best explored on foot

Getting There

Metro: Baixa-Chiado (Blue/Green), Rossio (Green), Terreiro do Paço (Blue)
Tram: 15E, 25E, 28E
From Airport: Metro Blue line direct
Walking: Central to all neighborhoods