Rua Augusta

This grand 18th century boulevard running between the magnificent triumphal archway on Terreiro do Paço to Rossio was created as Lisbon’s main pedestrianised shopping street. The avenue is painstakingly paved in hand-laid black and white patterned calçada mosaic cobblestones and attracts numerous street vendors, flower stalls, chestnut sellers and street artists, making it one of the most colourful parts of the city. Close to Rua Augusta you’ll find plenty of shoe and jewellery shops on aptly named streets such as Rua da Sapateiro (Shoemaker Street), Rua da Prata (Silver Street) and Rua do Ouro (Gold Street).

The original style of post 1755 earthquake Pombaline architecture is very much intact here. The streets bisecting Rua Augusta are filled with interesting shops and open-air pastelarias, cafes and fish restaurants catering for tourists. Check out the fresh seafood (including bacalhau) at Concha d'Ouro at number 238 or try turning off Rua Augusta to Rua da Conceição and then to Largo da Madalena and visiting the Romanesque Sé cathedral and Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with its bougainvillaea gardens and stunning views.