Neighbourhood
Alfama
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon's oldest quarter, a maze of lanes, tiled houses, washing lines and fado bars.
Square · Portugal · Lisbon
Praca do Comercio
A huge riverfront square framed by yellow arcades and a triumphal arch.
Free to enter about 30 min
For storytellers
Why Praca do Comercio matters
This is Lisbon's grand front door, a vast square open to the water on one side and framed by yellow arcaded buildings on the others. A triumphal arch leads to the pedestrian Rua Augusta. The square was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, and cafes under the arcades make good people-watching spots.
Talking points
- The square opens onto the Tagus.
- A triumphal arch leads into the Baixa.
- Rebuilt after the great earthquake.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
More in Lisbon
Tower · UNESCO
Belem Tower
Lisbon, Portugal
A 16th-century fortified tower on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Jeronimos Monastery
Lisbon, Portugal
A showpiece of Manueline architecture, with an ornate cloister, near Belem Tower.
Castle
Sao Jorge Castle
Lisbon, Portugal
A hilltop castle with ramparts, peacocks and some of Lisbon's best panoramic views.
Food and drink
Pasteis de Belem
Lisbon, Portugal
The famous bakery that has made custard tarts to a secret recipe for generations.
Museum
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Lisbon, Portugal
A serene museum of Egyptian, Islamic and European art in a garden setting.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.