Bairro Alto

 Bairro Alto is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon. It's the place to see and be seen in Lisbon, and also the most common spot for Lisbon's outdoor street parties.

In fact, you can shape Bairro Alto into whatever you want it to be. It can be a fantastic place for a lively night out, with a great atmosphere, or it can be a quiet spot to have dinner and stroll through its shops and viewpoints.

©ah_fotobox – stock.adobe.com

Is Bairro Alto a nightlife hotspot?

It is mainly a residential neighborhood, so during the day it is quite quiet. But at night it is very different from other neighborhoods such as even the neighboring Chiado, because young people and adults fill the streets hopping from bar to bar or chatting everywhere, creating a kind of open-air social drinking scene. There are also many restaurants ranging from traditional tascas to more sophisticated spots with elaborate cuisine.

Bairro Alto has a rich history, dead-end streets, and hidden corners — so much so that locals get confused and don't know where everything is, especially after visiting several bars in the neighborhood.

You might think it's not a good place to sleep in Lisbon, but despite having its busier streets, there are hotels in the area where you can sleep peacefully. In this part of Lisbon you will also find many short-term rental apartments.

There are places you cannot miss in the area: the Praça Luís de Camões and the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara, which also features a viewpoint with one of the most stunning views of Lisbon.

Out until the early hours

To the south of Bairro Alto, heading down toward the river, is Cais do Sodré the place where the night continues after a few drinks and tapas in Bairro Alto. Centuries ago, the activity of the port spread through Cais do Sodré when Dom Manuel I moved his residence from below the castle to the banks of the river, around the year 1500. This caused the area to expand and, after many transformations, it is today a place where nightclubs and late-night dining are the norm.

Nightlife in Bairro Alto © offfstock – stock.adobe.com

How to get to Bairro Alto

You can walk from Baixa, or take the Lisbon Metro (blue line) to Baixa-Chiado station, exiting toward Largo de Camões. Or you can get there by taking  Tram 28.