Principe Real: Lisbon's Most Elegant Neighbourhood

Príncipe Real is Lisbon’s most elegant neighbourhood: a leafy hilltop of 19th-century mansions, a garden with a giant cedar, concept stores, antique shops and some of the city’s best restaurants. It’s just above Bairro Alto, but feels a world away. Here’s what to do there.

Quick answer: sit under the giant cedar in the Jardim do Príncipe Real, shop at Embaixada (a concept store in a Moorish-style palace), browse design and vintage shops, have a drink at the garden kiosk, see the Lisbon Botanical Garden nearby, and watch the sunset from São Pedro de Alcântara. On Saturdays there’s an organic market in the garden.

Things to do

• Jardim do Príncipe Real: a lovely square garden with a huge cedar whose branches spread like an umbrella, a kiosk café and locals playing cards.
• Embaixada: a 19th-century neo-Moorish palace turned concept store, with Portuguese designers and a courtyard café.
• Shopping: design shops, antiques, Portuguese brands and vintage along Rua da Escola Politécnica and Rua Dom Pedro V.
• Restaurants and bars: some of Lisbon’s trendiest. Book ahead at weekends.
• The reservoir (Reservatório da Patriarcal): an underground water reservoir beneath the garden, part of the Water Museum, open on some days.
• Lisbon Botanical Garden: a tropical garden down the hill, part of the National Museum of Natural History.
• Viewpoint: São Pedro de Alcântara, a few minutes’ walk away. See the best viewpoints.

Getting there

Walk up from Bairro Alto or Avenida da Liberdade, or take bus 758 or the metro to Rato and walk. The Glória funicular, which used to bring you nearby, is closed. See Lisbon public transport.

Staying in Príncipe Real

A quieter, stylish base close to the nightlife of Bairro Alto. Try Memmo Príncipe Real, with its pool and city views, or browse Príncipe Real stays. See where to stay in Lisbon.

More: Chiado and Bairro Alto and things to do in Lisbon.

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