The Lisbon Baixa District is the vibrant heart of Lisbon with its grand plazas, elegant architecture and historic charm. The iconic landmarks at the Lisbon Baixa District are not to be missed and are easily accessible from Lisbon Cruise Port, so in this guide, I’ll share with you the must-see attractions from Praça do Comércio and the Santa Justa Lift.
This is Part 2 of my Lisbon Cruise Port Series. Here are the other parts:
- Part 1: Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Historic Old Town & Iconic Trams, I cover the attractions close by Lisbon Cruise Port, from the Alfama District, to St George’s Castle and the iconic vintage tram #28.
- Part 3: Lisbon to Belém: DIY Guide to Belém Tower & Custard Tarts – this is a half-day or full-day DIY excursion guide for Belém
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Lisbon Cruise Port to Lisbon Baixa: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
Lisbon’s Baixa District has a totally different feel to Lisbon’s historic centre, the Alfama District. Whether you’re planning a long port day or looking for extra things to see & do in Lisbon, a DIY excursion to the Lisbon Baixa District is very straightforward 😎😎😎😎 and here’s why:
- Walkable Flat Ground: Lisbon’s Baixa district is built in a valley and re-built after the 1755 earthquake in a grid system. So you’ll be walking on flat ground that’s easy to navigate as the streets are in a perfect grid!
- Easily Accessible from Lisbon Cruise Port: Docked in Jardim do Tabaco Cruise Terminal? You can walk to Praça do Comércio, the grand entrance to the Lisbon Baixa District. Docked in Santa Apolonia Cruise Terminal? Then you’re a 10-minute metro ride away.
- Iconic Lift & Funiculars to Help with Hills: The famous Santa Justa Lift doesn’t just give you great views, it will help you easily get to the famous Carmo Convent without having to walk uphill! The Glória Funicular is an experience in itself but will get you to Upper Town easily, so no slugging up that hill!
Where is the Baixa District in Lisbon?
Lisbon Baixa is a central, flat valley area in Lisbon, nestled between two hills. To the east, it borders the historic Alfama district, which climbs steeply up the hillside towards the Castelo de São Jorge. (For more about Alfama, read Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Historic Old Town & Iconic Trams).
To the west, it’s bordered by the Bairro Alto district, a hilly neighbourhood known for its lively nightlife – I’ll share how to ride the famous Glória Funicular, so you can see the views without having to walk uphill! The southern edge of Baixa meets the Tagus River, opening onto the grand Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square).Its northern boundary extends towards the expansive Avenida da Liberdade and the Praça Marquês de Pombal – I’ll share how to visit Parque Eduardo VII below, where you’ll get an excellent view of Praça Marquês de Pombal.
Lisbon Cruise Port to Lisbon Baixa District: Getting your Bearings
Lisbon has multiple cruise ports! I cover where these cruise terminals are in the first part of my Lisbon cruise port guide – Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Historic Old Town & Iconic Trams. While you can just walk off the ship and enjoy the Alfama District (the historic centre of Lisbon) on foot, most of the attractions I’ll share below requires a quick hop on the metro, the tram or the funicular. So here’s my tips on how to get around Lisbon easily:
- Locate Closest Metro Station:
- Jardim do Tabaco: Closest metro station is Terreiro do Paço – it’s about a 15 minute walk
- Santa Apolonia Terminal: Closest metro station is Santa Apolonia – it’s about 5 minutes walk
- Buy 24h Metro + Carris Ticket:
- Purchase a 24h Metro + Carris ticket for €6.80 + €0.50 for the Navegante Occasional fare card to load the fare on. You can purchase one at the ticket machine at the metro station
- With the 24h ticket, you get unlimited rides on the metro, buses and trams including the Santa Justa lift and the Glória Funicular below. So you’ll not only save time from not having to buy individual tickets, you’ll save some money too!
Lisbon Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Tip – Disable Layers: I’ve structured the map in “layers” and you can check or uncheck the layers on the left hand corner. You can uncheck all layers besides this itinerary, called “Lisbon: Baixa & Rossio Districts” and you’ll only see the map markers for this itinerary.
Lisbon Baixa District: Top Things to See & Do
1. Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Square), is one of the most iconic and impressive squares in Lisbon. Before the devastating 1755 earthquake, this expansive square was the site of the Ribeira Palace, the royal residence for centuries.
After the earthquake, the Marquis of Pombal, the prime minister, oversaw the reconstruction of the city. Praça do Comércio was redesigned as a grand symbol of Lisbon’s rebirth and its new focus on trade and commerce. The square faces the Tagus River, and for centuries it served as the main entrance to Lisbon for those arriving by sea.
The square is a U-shaped design, enclosed on three sides by elegant buildings characterised by their yellow facades, symmetrical design and arcaded walkways. At the centre, leading to the Baixa District, is the Rua Augusta Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta) and leads to the Rua Augusta pedestrian street in the Baixa District. The Baixa District was rebuilt with a grid system after the 1755 earthquake.
From Praça do Comércio, there’s also great panoramic views of the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge.
- How to Get Here:
- From Jardim do Tabaco Quay at Lisbon Cruise Port: It’s a 15-minute walk along Av. Infante Dom Henrique
- From Santa Apolonia Terminal at Lisbon Cruise Port: It’s a 20-minute walk along Av. Infante Dom Henrique. If you prefer not to walk, you can walk a few minutes to Santa Apolonia metro station (opposite the cruise terminal) and catch one stop to Terreiro do Paço. Tickets are €1.80 per ride and you can pay by contactless card by tapping your card, phone or smartwatch at the gates.
2. Lisbon Story Centre
On the east side of Praça do Comércio is the Lisbon Story Centre, an interactive museum that chronicles Lisbon’s history from its mythical origins to its present day vibrancy. The museum covers all the major events that shaped Lisbon, from the Moorish occupation (from 714 until 1147, when King Afonso Henriques led the Christian Reconquista in the Siege of Lisbon), to the Age of Discoveries when Portuguese explorers set sail to explore the world and “discovered” the Madeira Islands, the Azores, the Cape of Good Hope and Brazil.
- Opening Hours: Daily from 10am to 7pm – last entry at 6pm
- Tickets: €7.50 adults, €5.50 seniors 65+ & students, €3.50 for kids aged 6-15.
3. Money Museum (Banco de Portugal)
Just after walking through the Rua Augusta Arch, you’ll see the Bank of Portugal building on your left. The Money Museum (Museu do Dinheiro) is located in the former Church of São Julião, a beautiful 18th century Baroque building. As the name suggests, the museum explores the history and role of money in society. If you’ve got an half hour to spare, then it’s a very fun experience to walk around.
Not only will you see the usual stuff, like old coins and notes, you’ll have the chance to touch and lift a real 12.6 kg gold bar inside a former gold vault. There’s also an interactive experience allowing you to “mint” your own coin and “issue” a banknote with your face on it!
There’s also an open section of the King Dinis’ Wall. It’s a surviving section of the 14th century wall built by King Dinis to protect the city from maritime attacks and was unearthed in 2012 during construction work in the Baixa district.
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Open 10am to 6pm Wednesday to Sunday. The Museum is free to enter.
4. Rua Augusta
Rua Augusta is a pedestrianised shopping street in the heart of Lisbon’s Baixa District. If you’d like to do some souvenir shopping, then Rua Augusta is lined with boutiques from international brands to traditional Portuguese crafts and souvenirs. There’s also numerous cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating. You’ll also typically see street performers, musicians and artists, too.
Rua Augusta is part of the “Pombaline” Baixa, the area rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. This part of Lisbon is easy to navigate as it’s in a perfect grid. You can either walk on Rua Augusta itself or one of the streets parallel to it. (But only Rua Augusta is pedestrian only.)
5. Santa Justa Lift
The Santa Justa Lift, also known as the Carmo Lift (Elevador do Carmo) is an open-air elevator, connecting the lower streets of the Baixa district to the higher Largo do Carmo in the Chiado district.
Built in 1902 by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, it was initially steam-powered and later converted to electricity. The lift is housed in an intricately-designed iron tower, built in the Neo-Gothic style. It stands 45m (~150 feet) tall and features decorative arches, filigree patterns and ornate details.
The top of the lift offers a panoramic view of the Baixa district, the Castelo de São Jorge, the Tagus River, and the ruins of the Carmo Convent (see below).
- Entrance: The entrance to the Santa Justa Lift is on Rue de Santa Justa itself – see it marked on my Lisbon Cruise Port map above 🗺️📍👆
- Tickets: A return ride is €6 but it is included in the 24-hour Carris / Metro ticket (see above). So get a 24h pass if you’d like to ride in the Santa Justa lift – it will save time and pay for itself!
6. Carmo Convent
The Carmo Convent, also known as the Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Convento da Ordem do Carmo), was founded in 1389 by Nuno Álvares Pereira, a revered Portuguese military hero. The Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 caused extensive damage to the convent, with its roof collapsing and destroying much of the structure.
The convent was never fully rebuilt and its skeletal remains are on display today. The roofless nave of the Church and the Gothic arches stand exposed against the sky. A beautiful Manueline-style (Portuguese late Gothic) window, added in the 16th century, can still be seen on the south facade.
The Carmo Convent houses the Archaeological Museum (Museu Arqueológico do Carmo), with a diverse collection from prehistoric tools to medieval tombstones.
- How To Get There: Ride the Santa Justa Lift to the top. The Carmo Convent is less than 2 minutes walk away.
- Opening Hours: Closed Sundays. Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm (May to October) and 10am to 6pm (November to April)
- Tickets: €7 adults, €5 seniors 65+ & students, free to kids under 14
After the Carmo Convent, you can either ride the Santa Justa Lift down and continue heading north to the Rossio District, where there’s equally a long list of things to see and do. The alternative is to walk west towards Praça Luís de Camões, where both vintage tram routes #28 & #12 start from. The trams will take you back to Alfama. Get off at the Lisbon Cathedral for a short walk back to Lisbon Cruise Port. For all the details about these vintage tram routes, read Part 1 of my Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Historic Old Town & Iconic Trams.
Lisbon Rossio District: Top Things to See & Do
The Rossio District centres around the Praça Dom Pedro IV. When compared to Praça do Comércio, it may not look as grand and majestic. But it is surrounded by elegant buildings, with the centrepiece being a towering column topped with a statue of King Pedro IV. He is best remembered for declaring Brazil’s independence from Portugal in 1822 and abdicating as Emperor Pedro I of Brazil. He then led Liberal forces in the Portuguese Civil War (1828-1834) and restored his daughter Maria II to the Portuguese throne.
1. Praça dos Restauradores
Just a few minutes walk from Rossio metro station and Praça Dom Pedro IV is the Praça dos Restauradores, or the “Restorers” Square. The “restorers” refer to those who fought for Portugal’s independence from Spain in 1640 and you’ll see the “Monumento aos Restauradores,” an obelisk erected in 1886. This square is a useful landmark for a few nearby attractions in the Rossio District.
2. Baixa Market
Baixa Market (Mercado da Baixa), has become rather touristy in recent years. So expect a market with lots of ready to eat foods, with some souvenir stalls, rather than where locals do their fresh produce shop. There’s tiny wooden huts selling cheese, sandwiches and cured meats, alongside with pastries. You can definitely pick something up here for lunch or snack!
- How to Get There: At Praça da Figueira, outside Rossio metro station entrance/exit
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am till late.
3. Rua das Portas de Santo Antão
A few minutes walk north away is Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, a pedestrian only street known for its seafood restaurants and alfresco dining. So if you’re looking for something more substantial for lunch, this street is great to walk through.
If you have sufficient time to head further up north, then take the metro ride to Parque Eduardo VII. Otherwise, skip it and head towards the Glória Funicular (Elevador da Glória) – one of Lisbon’s oldest funicular.
4. Parque Eduardo VII
Parque Eduardo VII is named after King Edwards VII of the United Kingdom, who visited Portugal in 1903 to strength ties with Portugal. The park’s elevated position means that you can get panoramic views of Lisbon’s cityscape, all the way to the Tagus River.
The park’s main feature is a wide central promenade lined with geometrically shaped hedges and flower beds, leading up to the Marques de Pombal Square. There’s also the Estufa Fria (Cold Greenhouse) with lots of exotic plants from around the world. This is a good place to take a break after lunch!
- How To Get There: From Restauradores metro station, take the metro north and get off at either Parque metro station (3 stops) or Marquês de Pombal metro station (2 stops) and you’ll see the park as soon as you exit the metro station. Parque metro station is easier, as you can enjoy half the park by walking downhill.
5. Glória Funicular
The Glória Funicular (Ascensor da Glória), is one of Lisbon’s iconic funiculars. It was initially powered by a water counterweight system when it opened in 1885 but it was electrified in 1915. The Glória Funicular connects Restauradores Square with the higher Bairro Alto district, near the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
The journey itself only takes about 3 minutes but the track is steep, with an incline of about 17.7%. It’s a fun experience and saves you the very steep uphill walk to get to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Once you get off at the top funicular station, turn right and you’ll see some steps towards the terrace that is Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
- Tickets: Included if you’ve purchased a 24h Cassis/Metro ticket as above.
After taking in the views, the quickest way to return to Lisbon Cruise Port is to ride the funicular back down to Restauradores metro station and then take the metro back to Terreiro do Paço metro station.
Note: The oldest funicular in Lisbon is the Elevador do Lavra, which opened in 1884. It starts within walking distance of Restauradores Square too, but the ride is quite short. So IHMO, the Glória Funicular is a more fun ride!
Featured Photo by Matej Simko
There is so much to see in Lisbon that it’s hard to put it all into a 1-day itinerary, so I hope that this blog post has given you some ideas on what to do in the walkable Baixa District and attractions further up north as well. Please drop me a line if you have any questions!
Thank u for all the useful info
You’re most welcomed Maha! Hope you’ll have a wonderful time in Lisbon!