Baixa is Lisbon's elegant downtown district, rebuilt after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake with grand…read moreplazas, wide pedestrian streets, and a grid layout. Baixa blends history, architecture, and everyday Lisbon life, making the area an excellent starting point for exploring the city. It's Lisbon's most walkable area and a hub for shopping, cafés, and iconic landmarks. Top highlights include: -Praça do Comércio: riverside public square framed by yellow arcades -Rua Augusta: lively main street filled with shops and street performers -Arco da Rua Augusta: Climb to the top for panoramic views over the Tagus River! -Elevador de Santa Justa: neo-Gothic iron elevator connecting Baixa to Chiado district (currently closed) -Rossio Square: historic gathering place with wave-patterned pavement and a lively atmosphere -Rua da Prata & Rua do Ouro: classic Baixa streets, showcasing the district's symmetrical, post-earthquake design

We booked to stay at a hotel nearby, and when I saw the words Parque das Nações, I presumed, not…read moreincorrectly, that it means national park. So I was looking for a big swath of greenery and dense wood... and found none. After my Yelp check in, I learned that this used to be an expo location that has been converted to an urban open space for people to chill. It's a nice spot actually, you can walk along the river and enjoy some nice views, although my husband's plan of a daily morning run never materialized, as all the walking in Lisbon took a toll on the legs. Nonetheless, the view is beautiful, and the sculptures along the walk are intriguing. There are plenty of restaurants, as well as some structures that look like concert halls, and at one end there is the shopping center.

Lisboa is known for its old-world charm that is apparent all throughout the city yet this area is…read morenew to the northeastern part of the city and while it's not a green park, it's also not to be skipped. Overlooking the water, it's an open area surrounded by flag staffs and concrete pavers leading to the bay. It's right next to the Vasco Gama Center which has a lot of foot traffic resembling a metropolitan skyscraper-filed zone with plenty of city appeal. If you're looking to hug a tree, you should look elsewhere. If you're into open areas where people can gather and stroll around, this might be your spot. My feet were on fire from climbing all those hills up and down all day so I was actually thrilled to see flat terrain for once...and so were my feet. There's nice sculptures and fresh breeze to soak in while overlooking the boasting new metropolis in Lisboa.

Although I wouldn't characterize Lisbon as a symmetrical city due to its hilly terrain, the one…read moretruly symmetrical area in the city is this waterfront plaza, a model of balance between land and sea in its clean layout and openness to the Tagus River. It defined my first impression of Lisbon on my first visit, and enhanced my awareness of the city's rich maritime history on my most recent visit with Jamie W. Built after the 1755 earthquake destroyed the Royal Palace that stood on the grounds, this public square is anchored by the majestic Augusta Street Arch, the stone gateway through which people enter from downtown (Photo 2). In front at the center of the plaza is the equestrian statue of King José I (Photo 8). Surrounding us were bright yellow arcades framing three sides of the plaza in a U shape. The arcades were lit up in appropriately dramatic fashion at night. We eventually made our way to the waterfront where we looked back on the panoramic view of the square from the Cais das Colunas columns and marble steps (Photo 6). You can picture how visiting dignitaries must have arrived by boat and got their first impression of the city. If there's a single snapshot that defines Lisbon, it's this one. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ayZwwRJHQd

This is a popular site in Lisbon. It's a big plaza with lots of little shops and restaurants…read morenearby. Three sides of the square are surrounded with bright yellow walls/buildings, while the fourth side of the square is made up by the water! I think that's a cool feature! You enter it through a big, pretty stone arch, and in the very center of the plaza is a statue. When I went, I enjoyed hearing a man sing opera under the arch. It contributed to a nice atmosphere. It felt fitting. I came across this location more than once so it's relatively easy to get to depending on where you are/where you're going. I had sardines for the first time at a restaurant in the plaza, and I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant! They were so good!!! They had a nicer flavor than I expected- mild and salty with maybe a bit of sweetness too. Crispy thin texture on the outside, too. And much larger sized fish than I expected. I was lucky to be there during sardine season/festival, so I'm sure that helped.

Incredibly beautiful views from this look-out. Benches, a small cafe, and a guitarist lightly…read morestrumming some Portuguese tunes. A wonderful afternoon.

A panoramic view of the city…read more A different musician plays during the daytime. It seems well organized: at 11:30, another one comes to replace, with his own guitar and emplifer. Some plays bussa nova, some plays folk songs. I come here every morning in Lisbon to watch the sunrise while sipping my tea. This small spot is right in front of my hotel. In the afternoon and during sunset, the city below is painted with different scenes that enchant me all day long. To the left, there's a cafe, and on the right, there's a view of Tagus River. Unfortunately, the small garden below is locked this time.

Great place to take a stroll while visiting Lisbon. After having breakfast nearby, we walked along…read morethe Praca Do Comercio and came across the Tagus River. It is a cool spot to just take in the views, catch a glimpse of a man at the river's edge building awesome rock formations and we even stayed a good few hours because of great weather, street vendors, and a very talented street musician who kept everyone entertained. It's also very close to the Time Out Market which should be on every food lover's itinerary. Take a load off your feet and kick it for awhile, you'll be glad you did! ALOHA!!! Shaka Meter: \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ 5

Our daily stroll along the river…read more Lisbon has a wondeful location at the Rio Tajo. A stroll along this river was our daily routine when we visited Lisbon. It never got boring enjoying the lovely views, checking out the small food and drink stalls. Sit somewhere and just watch the world go by. There are also several restaurants on the way and some market stalls. It's a nice stroll. You can start at the Praca Do Comercio and walk all the way until you get to the "Cais do Sodre" Metro and Train Station. And just across the street is the Time Out Market. Won't take long and is very rewarding.

Jardim do Torel has three entrances, all of which are easy to pass right by. It's locked at night,…read moreexcept when they have special events there on summer weekends. The view is nice, although not as clear as at some other miradouros. It's also not as crowded. There are shady spots up top, as well as lots of space for sunbathing on the large lower (middle?) level patio. Unfortunately, the quiosque at Torel, which is tucked out of the way in the middle level, has been closed for quite some time now. Last summer they set up a food truck on weekends, but usually you need to bring your own food and drinks. The lack of a quiosque also means there is no bathroom. While I've seen plenty of people go in the bushes, I prefer the Goethe Institute bathrooms (which also has a garden with a cafe). It would be nice if the freguesia opened the public bathrooms in the park attached to their building. There was some viral post claiming that the lower fountain, which is pretty big, is a swimming pool. It is not a swimming pool. It's a fountain. It's like two feet deep. No one is going to stop you from going in either fountain, and I've seen plenty of kids playing in both, but neither is large enough to swim in. Nor is there any sort of filtration system like a public pool would have. And, quite often, one or both fountains has no water at all. While they don't have swimming pool, beer, or toilets, Torel has a nice view, lots of benches, and ping pong.

Atop one of the smaller hills of Lisbon, this garden has a great view of the city. At sunset, it…read morefaces almost entirely to the west. Is it the best view? Not quite. But is it pretty darned awesome? Yes. Take the Elevador do Lavra https://www.yelp.com/biz/elevado-do-lavra-lisboa?hrid=olfsX3u9AAq6V4iNiiW-Sw (free if you have a daily Viagem card) to the peak or climb the short hill. At the top, there is a small park that has benches, a small playground and shade. There is a pretty fountain, too. If you only have time for one hilltop sunset, go to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte https://www.yelp.com/biz/miradouro-da-senhora-do-monte-lisboa. But if you have more time, this one is worth it. [Review 19018 overall - 214 in Portugal - 2542 of 2022.]

"What do tigers dream of when they take their little tiger snooze? Do they dream of mauling zebras,…read moreor Halle Berry in her Catwoman suit? (Stu, "The Hangover") On the southern side of Praça do Comércio square sits the picturesque Cais das Colunas pier, a popular gathering spot in Lisbon and gateway to the city from the Tagus River. Historically this area served as a welcome point for royalty and other dignitaries arriving by boat. Queen Elizabeth II herself graced Lisbon with her presence in 1957, entering the city through the pier's two iconic columns. God save the queen! Cais das Calunas is now popular for people watching, lounging by the river, and enjoying street entertainment in the square. If you need a rest from Lisbon's crazy hills and steps, there are seats built into the walls of the promenade, and a small sandy beach area where wild (sand sculpture) animals hang out. One might even find Tyson's missing tiger there...along with elefantes, crocodilos, and hipopótamos! "Don't you worry your pretty striped head, we're gonna get you back to Tyson and your cozy tiger bed." Rawr!

Located immediately on the shore of the Tagus River and next to the Praça do Comércio, this was the…read moreperfect spot for my first sunset in Lisbon. I feel bad that I didn't plan ahead and bring a bottle of wine because that would have been perfect. My review is for the historical landmark. The restaurant with the same name is 600 meters north on Rua da Vitória. Be sure you're reviewing the right spot. Cais das Colunas ("the column pier") was the original noble entrance to the city. On these marble steps, heads of state would disembark from their ships to enter Portugal. Picture Isabel II after sailing from England to visit their Portuguese allies. The area was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and then removed in 1997 due to expansion of the nearby metro, then replaced in 2008. From here, expect to see locals and tourists and street artists hanging out in the late afternoon and evening. The view of the harbor, the Christ statue in Almada and even the 25 de Abril Bridge make for an impressive view. There is some seating along the wall. [Review 16577 overall - 95 in Portugal - 87 of 2022.]

Stayed here for a week while in Lisbon. Pros:…read more- Great location, close to most popular attractions, walked to most places - Clean - Breakfast was tasty Cons: - Unfriendly staff. I would walk in each day and be met mostly with blank stares-- no smile, no hello. Uncomfortable vibe. - Dark room. The room was weirdly dark, the main source of light being the window or lights directly above the bed - No peep hole or door latch Overall had a pretty good stay but don't know if I would choose this hotel again.

This is one of the best hotels that I have ever stayed at. It says that the hotel is on the very…read moreexpensive side, and I would have to disagree. For two rooms, four people, and 4 nights, we got rooms for a total of $1700 after the currency change (breakfast included). I mean if you break that down that's $425 per person for the entire time that we were there. The hotel is beautiful, it faces the square, and had a beautiful patio that overlooks the square as well. The hotel rooms themselves are absolutely gorgeous. This is unlike any other room that I have stayed in Europe, it truly takes the culture from around Portugal and applies it. The hotel itself is very centrally located, but also incredibly safe. If you are in the area, make sure you at least pop in for a drink, the bar is fantastic. Check it out.