Portugal’s lucrative investment prospects and lush cultural heritage make Lisbon one of the most favored cities to live in. This is why many investors and prospective residents ask the following questions: What are the best neighborhoods in Lisbon? Here is a Lisbon best neighborhoods guide to help you out with that.
Lisbon Best Neighborhoods
There are many neighborhood options to explore in Lisbon, whether you wish to live close to the major attractions or enjoy some peace in the city’s surrounding suburbs. There’s something for everyone, from bustling commercial areas and vibrant nightlife hubs to gorgeous coastal towns.
This Lisbon neighborhood guide has included the list of best neighborhoods to invest in Lisbon.
This article includes information on the following neighborhoods:
- 骋谤补莽补
- Chiado
- Avenidas Novas
- Alcantara
- Baixa
- Bairro Alto
- Alfama
- Principe Real
- Santos
- Parque das Na莽玫es
1. 骋谤补莽补
If you are looking for the best areas to live in Lisbon, 骋谤补莽补 can be a good consideration. The working-class neighborhoods of 骋谤补莽补 are a hundred-year-old monument of the area鈥檚 past. 骋谤补莽补 was once a quiet quartier of the working class, but now its beautiful restaurants, belvederes, and gazebos attract people. Vila Berta and Estrela d鈥橭uro from 1908 and Vila Souza from 1890 are still living embodiments of that era.
Moreover, 骋谤补莽补 is also among the safest neighborhoods in Lisbon because of its excellent administration and strict rules and regulations. At the beginning of the 1900s, train transportation became more popular, and people from the rural side of Portugal came to bigger cities like Porto and Lisbon to find jobs and survive. However, the place to live for them was an issue. So, the authorities came up with a solution and provided them with these villages. These 鈥淰ilas Oper谩rias鈥� are now one of the main attractions of 骋谤补莽补.
Pros
- Spectacular views
- Old-town charm
Cons
- Lack of green space
- Parking can be an issue
2. Chiado
Rua do Ouro and Rua Augusta are parallel to each other, and halfway down them, there is the Santa Justa Elevator. This elevator brings its travelers to Largo do Carmo, where Portugal鈥檚 Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974. A convent is roofless and is appropriately a sky observatory. Finally, the neighborhood of Chiado presents itself and drops it among the best places to live in Lisbon or around Lisbon.
Famous for its many cafes, probably the most popular attraction of Chiado is the bronze statue of Fernando Pessoa sitting at a table next to an empty seat. Tourists often take photographs with the famous literary figure Fernando Pessoa sitting next to his embodiment. However, with its impressive gastronomic diversity, Chiado is more than just a tourist destination; it is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Lisbon.
Pros
- Very central
- Lots of activities
Cons
- Touristy
3. Avenidas Novas
Avenidas Novas constitutes one of the largest residential zones in Lisbon. A good network of public services and public transportation spread throughout the area. Also, the site bifurcates into several districts with their features because of its size. One of the districts inside the Avenidas Novas is Bairro Azul.
Bairro Azul is relatively small but offers many services and amenities. It is near the El Corte Ingles store. Other districts that comprise Avenidas Novas are Saldanha/Avenida da Rep煤blica residential zone and Alvalade/Avenida de Roma which flashes its traditional and dynamic lifestyle. With its vast area and award-winning villas, Avenidas Novas is a good neighborhood involving a variety of attractions making it one of the best areas to live in Lisbon.
Pros
- Parks
- Local life
Cons
- Lack of active social life
4. Alcantara
Alcantara is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Lisbon. It鈥檚 the place where the famous Tagus River flows, and the 25 de Abril Bridge stands over it. Alcantara Docks and especially Doca de Santo Amaro which draws the weekend and evening crowds to its restaurants and bars decorated in old warehouses, constitute a big part of the attractions of Alcantara. Split by train tracks, Alcantara has another side with residential buildings.
LX Factory, an industrial site before, now hosts many artists鈥� studios and shops, restaurants, and performance spaces. On top resides the Monsanto Forest Park, which protects the city from air pollution and always welcomes fellow trekkers.
Pros
- Local life
- Good restaurants
Cons
- Far from the center
5. Baixa
After its decimation in one of the most historical earthquakes in the 18th century, Baixa was rebuilt to suit the European city planning trend. With what remained and built after, the city鈥檚 architecture wafts off a certain neoclassical ambiance. Its unique, checkered, yet exciting culture and heritage make it one of the best neighborhoods in Lisbon to live in.
What makes the city ideal for investing in property is its strategic placement. The city is within walking distance of one of the most significant sightseeing locations such as Castelo, Bairro Alto, and Alfama.聽
If you are in Baixa, you can find many fun activities to participate in, like ginjinha bars. The ginjinha bars are a must-try-out for their sour-cherry liquor. You can find yourself indulged in the Lisbon Story Center. It鈥檚 an interactive museum where you can read and research Lisbon鈥檚 intriguing history. There are some beautiful architectures that one must not miss out on – Rua Augusta Arch and Pra莽a do Com茅rcio. These qualities make Baixa one of the best places to live in Lisbon.
Pros
- Very central
- Bustling life
Cons
- Crowded
6. Bairro Alto
Besides a myriad of architectures, exciting cultures, and a varied variety of savory food, Bairro Alto has a lot to offer. Nightlife in this neighborhood is splendid. For the same reason, the city houses some of the best restaurants in the city. Cais do Sodr茅 is one of the most lively places in the city. This bar street brims with people during weekends and never loses its spirit on any other day. Bairro Alto scores the top among the best neighborhoods in Lisbon which provides an amazing living experience.
Bairro Alto鈥檚 topography is a little inconvenient as it comprises hills. So if you are looking to explore this landscape, you might want to invest in a car.
Another reason for counting Bairro Alto among the best areas in Lisbon is that the Parque das Na莽玫es鈥檚 pesky shops keep shopping enthusiasts in spirit year-round.
Pros
- A lot of attractions
Cons
- Noisy
7. Alfama
Drenched in a dusky sunlight, glimmering terraces, and terracotta rooftops, you鈥檒l find Alfama to be the best viewpoint in Lisbon. The most attractive feature of this neighborhood is its historical value. Its romantic landscape is sought out by tourists, business people, and digital nomads worldwide, making it one of the best neighborhoods Lisbon offers.
It is also popular for its labyrinthine cobblestone streets that can keep one wandering and entertain for a long time. Almost every frame of the place your eye can catch is picturesque.
All architecture, old and new, is in line with the neighborhood鈥檚 aesthetic culture. It鈥檚 also one of the safest neighborhoods in Lisbon.
If you are keen on learning and understanding Portuguese culture and heritage, visit Museu do Fado and the Museu do Aljube Resist锚ncia e Liberdade. The neighborhood is teeming with traditional tascas where you can dine out and enjoy performances by fado singers. To get a good city view, consider visiting Santa Luzia, Castelo de S茫o Jorge and Portas do Sol.
Pros
- Historic landmarks
Cons
- Public transportation
8. Principe Real
Just a short walk from Bairro Alto, Principe Real is one of Lisbon’s best neighborhoods. This neighborhood provides relief from the tourist crowd and is a pantheon for ambient restaurants, trendy coffee shops, and satiating shopping complexes. In addition, the beautiful Avenida da Liberdade connects this neighborhood to Lisbon’s all significant locations. That鈥檚 why it’s often the name people take while referring to the right investing areas of Lisbon.
If you are in Principe Real, you must visit the Portuguese designer boutiques in Embaixada Mall. You can also see the viewpoint of S茫o Pedro de Alc芒ntara for a pristine Lisbon view. For coffee aficionados, Pra莽a das Flores in Principe Real has some of the best coffee houses with exotic flavors. The neighborhood has one of Lisbon’s most stunning botanical gardens, pitch-perfect for nature lovers. The culmination of the above points makes Principe Real one of the best neighborhoods in Lisbon to live in.
Pros
- Very central
Cons
- Expensive properties
9. Santos
Santos is one of Lisbon’s oldest and most expensive districts and is situated on the lower slopes of the hill, which is topped by the Estrela neighborhood. In the 18th century, it was home to upper-class homes, but today it is largely known for pubs and clubs that cater to college students and teenagers, as well as home d茅cor shops and design and architectural schools.
If you decide to make an investment in Santos, one of the main attractions you can visit is the Ancient Art Museum. This museum serves as the country’s “national gallery,” housing artifacts from the 12th to the 19th centuries from Portugal and other European countries.
Pros
- Local life
Cons
- Expensive properties
10. Parque das Na莽玫es
Parque das Na莽玫es, is the perfect choice for families. You can find the neighborhood connected to all the significant locations in Lisbon. Most of those locations are accessible through a train ride. Urban Park makes the place a niche location for children. However, the most influencing factors are Pavilh茫o do Conhecimento, an immersive museum of science for kids and grownups, and the Ocean谩rio, one of the largest aquariums in Europe.
The neighborhood鈥檚 spectacular collection of various restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping malls makes it for families to plan their days easily. Nearby grocery and food shops also contribute to a wholesome family atmosphere, bringing the place among the right investing areas of Lisbon.
Pros
- Parks
Cons
- Lack of community vibe
Best Neighborhoods Lisbon: The Bottom Line
Portugal鈥檚 steady and healthy economy lures financial interest worldwide, and the country reaps its benefits. Portugal Golden Visa program gets more popular and international investors show more interest in the Lisbon real estate market. As a result, properties for sale in the best areas in Lisbon continue to increase their market value.
We hope that our guide on the best neighborhoods to invest in Lisbon has helped you to have a better understanding of the city鈥檚 best locations. Good luck with your search.
