Downtown Lisbon - the Baixa Quarter - IgoUgo Lisbon Journal

Downtown Lisbon - the Baixa Quarter

Overview

Pedestrianised streets Photo - Lisbon, Portugal

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Traditions seem to be carefully protected in the center of Lisbon. Because of this, the city has succeeded in retaining last century's charm in the downtown area. Streets and plazas seem adapted to a slower time than the present.Baixa, or downtown Lisbon, is the heart of the city. It is the main shopping and banking district that stretches from the riverfront to the Avenida da Liberdade, with streets named according to the shopkeepers and craftsmen who traded in the area.It was completely rebuilt after the Great Earthquake of 1755 with streets flanked by uniform, neoclassical buildings. This was Europe's first great example of neoclassical design and urban planning, and one of the fine...Read More

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Hotel Avenida Palace

Hotel

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This is considered to be one of the central city’s grand hotels and parts of it certainly are. The entrance lobby is spectacular and the salon and bar are particularly nice. There are lots of chandeliers, elegant curtains, and eye catching floral displays throughout. The Avenida Palace Hotel lies in the heart of Lisbon's business and cultural zone. S. Jorge Castle, Avenida da Liberdade and Marques de Pombal are some of the area attractions surrounding the hotel. The hotel is 20 minutes from the Lisbon Airport and close to the main transport systems, such as Rossio train station and the Subway with a direct link to the Estoril and Cascais trains. It has the best location in town. We walked ever...Read More

This is considered to be one of the central city’s grand hotels and parts of it certainly are. The entrance lobby is spectacular and the salon and bar are particularly nice. There are lots of chandeliers, elegant curtains, and eye catching floral displays throughout.

The Avenida Palace Hotel lies in the heart of Lisbon's business and cultural zone. S. Jorge Castle, Avenida da Liberdade and Marques de Pombal are some of the area attractions surrounding the hotel. The hotel is 20 minutes from the Lisbon Airport and close to the main transport systems, such as Rossio train station and the Subway with a direct link to the Estoril and Cascais trains. It has the best location in town. We walked everywhere.

The hotel has 82 guestrooms that are elegantly furnished and decorated in classic style and well appointed with modern amenities. The one we had was smaller than many modern hotels and the bed pillows were rather small and thin but it was adequate for our short stay. The bathroom was very cheerful and had good lighting. A very nice touch was the availability of piped music controlled by using a dial on the wall.

Most of the accommodation units overlook the Historic Centre, the S. Jorge Castle hillside, Sta. Ana hillside and Marques de Pombal Roundabout. Our room had a great view and surprisingly there was little traffic noise.

Guests can dine at the onsite restaurant, which we were told serves authentic regional and international cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere. We didn’t do this but we did chill out with a drink at the lovely hotel bar. We enjoyed a great breakfast with a wonderful view. The breakfast items are displayed in circular formation making everything easy to find. There was something for everyone (including champagne, should you desire) scrambled eggs, bacon, cold cuts, cheeses, cereals, bagels, crepes, juices, milk, coffee, tea, etc.

We found the staff somewhat patchy in attitude and service. Some were very helpful while a few adopted a ‘holier than thou’ attitude when asked for something a little out of the ordinary. This was a disappointment and contrasted with other good hotels which we had stayed in recently.

We enjoyed our stay here and the location is fabulous. We would return but hope that there has been some staff service training before we do. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 3, 2007

Hotel Avenida Palace
Rua 1 de Dezembro 123
Lisbon, Portugal
+351 (21) 3218100

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Various Restaurants in Baixa

Restaurant

Typical restuarant food Photo - Lisbon, Portugal

Quote:

Baixa is not considered to be as good a restaurant area as Bairro Alto but I found we ate here most of the time because it was convenient to many of the sightseeing attractions. There are a couple of ‘restaurant’ streets such as Rua das Portas de Santo Antao were you will find a wide selection of options. We found a little restaurant in a side alley that we really loved (see below) but generally we found these place a bit touristy and aggressive in their approach to customers. It was here that I found out that if you eat inside the restaurant you'll pay one price for the meal and if you eat outside it'll be a different (higher) price.If you don't speak Portuguese, make sure you've got your phr...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 3, 2007

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Rossio Square-Pedro IV Square

Attraction | "Monuments and Squares"

Quote:

Lisbon is a city of squares and monuments. Many of them were created after the 18th century disastrous earthquake that destroyed much of the city. When the city rebuilt, the downtown area was planned around several important squares. The Lisbon of a century ago can still be seen in the vicinity of these squares and they are still focal points for many activities. This is particularly the case with Rossio Square.Like many of Lisbon's squares, Rossio has an official and an unofficial name. Its official name, Praça de Dom Pedro IV, commemorates Portugal's first liberal king; however, the square is usually simply referred to as Rossio, the Portuguese name for any large square. This says a great de...Read More

Lisbon is a city of squares and monuments. Many of them were created after the 18th century disastrous earthquake that destroyed much of the city. When the city rebuilt, the downtown area was planned around several important squares. The Lisbon of a century ago can still be seen in the vicinity of these squares and they are still focal points for many activities. This is particularly the case with Rossio Square.

Like many of Lisbon's squares, Rossio has an official and an unofficial name. Its official name, Praça de Dom Pedro IV, commemorates Portugal's first liberal king; however, the square is usually simply referred to as Rossio, the Portuguese name for any large square. This says a great deal about the character and importance of Rossio for the Portuguese capital.

Today Rossio is not only a meeting place for both citizens and tourists but also the workplace of countless newspaper vendors, shoeshine boys, street traders, and lottery ticket sellers. Many buses stop in the square, the main taxi rank is located here, as is a Metro station and a railroad station serving many suburbs. It is the most congested area for traffic in the city center. Amid all this pandemonium Rossio's cafes are popular for sitting and watching the world go by. At lunchtime and after work many local workers from the Baixa come here.

Rossio’s architectural design originates from plans drawn up by the Hungarian Carlos Mardel. The Classical Teatro Nacional Donna Maria II stands on the northern side. Three of the Baixa's eight straight streets join the square on the opposite side; the entrance to the Rua dos Sapateiros is spanned by the decorative Arco do Bandeiro.

In the mid 19th C. the whole inner area of Rossio Square was cobbled with a lovely wave like mosaic pattern; today only a small, central part of this remains. There are two impressive fountains and in the middle of the square there's a statue of Dom Pedro IV. At its foot there are four female figures representing Justice, Wisdom, Strength, and Moderation, qualities attributed to Dom Pedro himself.

Another square not to be missed is The Praça dos Restauradores (Restorer's Square). Easily recognisable because of its Obelisk and the sculpture that commemorates the 1640 restoration of Portugal's Independence from Spain, this square has much to see, but the best is the architecture that can be seen in the surrounding buildings, like Palácio Foz, Orion Eden Hotel, the small bandstand, Avenida Palace Hotel, and many others.

Finally, don’t miss the bronze equestrian statue representing King John 1 (1357-1433), by sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, in Praca da Figueira. The monument also carries medallions with the effigies of Nuno Alvares Pereira and Joao das Regras, two key characters in the 1385 Revolution. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 3, 2007

Rossio Square-Pedro IV Square
Pombaline Downtown
Lisbon, Portugal

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Funicular Railways

Attraction | "Elevators and Funiculars"

Quote:

Lisbon has three working street funiculars and one street elevator which allow its citizens and visitors to move to and from its hilly districts more easily. All are operated by Carris, the Lisbon city transport undertaking and all are tourist attractions.The Santa Justa Elevator opened in 1902 and rises vertically some 45 metres from the Rua de Santa Justa in the Baixa area to the Chiado district. The structure was designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, from Oporto. The structure houses two staffed lifts which normally allow direct access to the Carmo square and its monastery ruins, which are now an archaeological museum.The lift was originally powered by a steam engine mounted at its ...Read More

Lisbon has three working street funiculars and one street elevator which allow its citizens and visitors to move to and from its hilly districts more easily. All are operated by Carris, the Lisbon city transport undertaking and all are tourist attractions.

The Santa Justa Elevator opened in 1902 and rises vertically some 45 metres from the Rua de Santa Justa in the Baixa area to the Chiado district. The structure was designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, from Oporto. The structure houses two staffed lifts which normally allow direct access to the Carmo square and its monastery ruins, which are now an archaeological museum.

The lift was originally powered by a steam engine mounted at its summit. For the past 100 years, however, it has been electrically powered. On exiting the lift at the top, the area, below, to the left of the walkway was largely destroyed by a major fire in 1988 but has now been rebuilt. There is a viewing area which looks over Rossio to the north east and the Baixa district to the south. To the east are fine views across to the Castle. There is a café at the summit. The walkway runs alongside the ruins of the Carmo monastery which has been left unrepaired since the catastrophic earthquake of 1755.

The Glória funicular opened in 1885, on the west side of the Avenida da Liberdade, connecting Restauradores with the Bairro Alto. Excellent views of the city and castle are to be had from the gardens which lie immediately to the right at the top of the route.

The Glória is the busiest funicular in Lisbon and also the most accessible for tourists as it lies next door to the main tourist information office in the Palácio Foz. It is 265 metres long and has an average gradient of 18%. Operating hours are 7am-12:55am every day. Sadly, the cars are now badly defaced by graffiti. Unfortunately when we visited (April 2007) it was out of action whilst remedial works take place on the Rossio railway tunnel which runs beneath the funicular track.

The Bica funicular opened in 1892 and is the only stepped street funicular in the city. It climbs the Rua da Bica for 245 metres from the Rua S. Paulo, near Santos, to the Calhariz district. Its average gradient is 20% but is much steeper at the lower end. From the street, the funicular is concealed by a building but this is clearly lettered 'Ascensor da Bica'. Originally water-powered, steam-power was introduced in 1896, followed by electricity from 1914. Tram #28 runs past the top end and tram #25 passes the bottom end.

The Lavra funicular was the first street funicular in the world. It opened in 1884 and carried 3,000 people, free of charge, on that day alone. Originally water-powered, it was converted to electricity in 1915. It runs from the eastern side of the Avenida da Liberdade at a 25% gradient for 180 metres to the Torel district. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 3, 2007

Funicular Railways
Throughout City
Lisbon, Portugal

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Praca do Comercio

Attraction

Quote:

This is one of the most majestic squares of Lisbon and was once the main maritime entrance to the city. You can still see the old marble steps leading up to Commerce Square from the River Tagus. The name Palace Square is clearly a reference to the Palace that was located here for 400 years, until the 1755 earthquake that almost completely destroyed it.On the north side, an impressive 19th-century triumphal arch that leads to Rua Augusta centres the square. The arch is decorated with statues of historical personalities, like Vasco da Gama and Marquês do Pombal. Government administrative offices and some restaurants now occupy the spacious arcaded buildings that extend around three sides of the ...Read More

This is one of the most majestic squares of Lisbon and was once the main maritime entrance to the city. You can still see the old marble steps leading up to Commerce Square from the River Tagus. The name Palace Square is clearly a reference to the Palace that was located here for 400 years, until the 1755 earthquake that almost completely destroyed it.

On the north side, an impressive 19th-century triumphal arch that leads to Rua Augusta centres the square. The arch is decorated with statues of historical personalities, like Vasco da Gama and Marquês do Pombal. Government administrative offices and some restaurants now occupy the spacious arcaded buildings that extend around three sides of the square. At the centre of the square, stands the equestrian statue of King José I, King of Portugal during the earthquake in 1755.

As most visitors originally arrived by boat, the Praça do Comercio was considered the entry gate into the city of Lisbon. It was therefore important that it be grandiose, and that is exactly the word that comes to mind when you see it for the first time.

The royal palace Paço da Ribeira, into which Manuel I moved in the 16th century, stood on this site on the river bank until 1755. The Terreiro do Paço was consequently used as a place to receive kings and guests, who arrived by ship - although it was also used as a setting for burning heretics and for bullfights.

After the Terreiro do Praça was completely destroyed by the earthquake and had been flooded, the present Praça do Comércio was built. Uniform arcaded facades line three sides of the square. It enjoys an unrestricted view of the Tagus and has been called "Lisbon's reception room.

On the north side is one of the city's legendary cafes, Café Martinho da Arcada. It dates from 1782 and was a favorite of poets Fernando Pessoa and Almeida Garrett and of novelist Eca de Queiroz.

The Lisbon Welcome Centre is located in one of the classical building on the west side of the square. Here visitors can request information about the city, buy a tourist card that provides discounts on several attractions, use the Internet service, or shop at a store offering traditional Portuguese products. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 3, 2007

Praca do Comercio

Lisbon, Portugal

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Downtown Lisbon - the Baixa Quarter