Baixa

Lisbon’s downtown, features grand squares, elegant streets, shops, and cafés, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake as a symbol of resilience and charm.

Baixa is Lisbon’s elegant downtown district, rebuilt in the 18th century after the devastating 1755 earthquake. Known as the “Pombaline Baixa,” it was designed with wide avenues, grand squares, and symmetrical grid-like streets that still define its character today. This is where you’ll find bustling Praça do Comércio opening to the riverfront, the lively Rossio Square, and elegant avenues like Rua Augusta lined with cafés, shops, and restaurants. Blending neoclassical architecture with lively city life, Baixa is both a commercial hub and a showcase of Lisbon’s resilience and charm. 

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Lisbon
Rossio Square
One of Lisbon's main squares since the Middle Ages, Rossio was destroyed and reconstructed after the great 1755 earthquake.
Santa Justa Lift
This urban elevator from 1902 connects the lower street of Baixa with Carmo Square.
Figueira Square
Placed in the re-urbanised area of Lisbon Baixa, Figueira Square is today one of the main hubs of the city's transport system.
Rua Augusta
Lisbon's main pedestrian street connects Praca Rossio with Praca do Commercio through the triumphal arch.
Baixa Pombalina
A particularly elegant district of Lisbon, the Lower Town was among the world's first earthquake-resistant constructions.
Rossio (praça dom Pedro IV)
Commence your tour at the Pedro IV Square in the city of Lisbon.

Related Tours

Lisbon for Foodies: Small Group Food Tour in Baixa and Mouraria

Portugal’s captivating coastal capital, Lisbon, boasts an incredibly rich food scene shaped by the myriad of cultures that have left their mark on the city. Our small-group food tour allows you to delve into the stories and flavours of Lisboa while exploring two of its most exciting neighbourhoods, Baixa and Mouraria, uncovering how the ever-evolving food scene incorporates centuries-old traditions alongside the innovative additions of the modern city.

On your small group food tour, you will:

  • Peel back the layers of Lisbon’s dynamic food scene with a local guide;
  • Explore majestic Baixa and multicultural Mouraria via their most exciting eats;
  • Taste truly authentic Lisbon staples like Bacalhau (codfish);
  • See some of Lisbon’s famous landmarks and hear how the city’s culinary culture has evolved across the centuries;
  • Visit a traditional tavern for some petiscos, Portugal’s answer to tapas;
  • Step inside a Fado house and learn all about this distinctly Portuguese style of music while you sample a delectable dish prepared by a local chef;
  • Try some international flavours that reflect the city’s mix of cultures;
  • Sip Portuguese beer, wine and bubbles;
  • Enjoy an iconic pastel de nata pastry for dessert.

Discover Lisbon through its flavours on this small group food tour that takes you deep into the heart of the city’s culinary and cultural traditions. Beginning in a historic square that is pivotal to Portuguese national identity, you’ll set off with a knowledgeable local guide to explore two of Lisbon’s most vibrant districts: elegant Baixa, with its grand 18th-century architecture, and lively Mouraria, a colourful neighbourhood where cultures mingle and street art tells stories of the city’s soul.

Along the way, you’ll stop at a carefully chosen selection of eateries, taverns, and hidden gems that most visitors never find. Tastings are generous and varied, ranging from timeless classics like bacalhau à brás, artisanal cheeses, and beloved petiscos (Portugal’s take on tapas), to juicy bifanas hot off the grill, and perhaps a refreshing octopus salad. Lisbon’s global connections also shine through in unexpected ways, with flavours from former colonies, such as a spiced Mozambican samosa, providing something new for your palate.

You’ll also sample a range of local beverages, from crisp Portuguese beers to carefully selected wines, each pairing perfectly with the dishes on your plate. Between bites, your guide will share stories of how Lisbon’s cuisine has evolved across centuries of trade, exploration, and cultural exchange, enriching your understanding of the city well beyond its food. To further capture the essence of Lisbon, you’ll have the chance to head inside one of the city’s Fado houses, to listen to this melancholic and deeply moving Portuguese style of music and enjoy something special from a local chef. Of course, no Lisbon foodie experience would be complete without the city’s most famous dessert, so your tour concludes on a sweet note with a pastel de nata, a legendary custard tart with an intriguing back story that is flaky, creamy, and best enjoyed warm.

 By the end of this half-day tour, whether you choose a morning or afternoon slot, you’ll not only have satisfied your appetite but also gained a deeper connection to Lisbon itself: its history, its people, and its remarkable cuisine.

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