Neighborhoods of Lisbon

Juntas de Freguesias

Main Neighborhoods of Lisbon

From the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods, especially in the City Center and surroundings, to the most recent and modern neighborhoods, in Lisbon the various neighborhoods, according to parishes, they offer convenience, security and a network of public services that may vary enough from one place to another. Check out the details below.





See also: Lisbon's Best Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods and Parishes

A freguesia is an administrative division of a municipality (or county). In this way, a neighborhood, is a locality of one (or more than one) parish, which is the most used reference in Portugal.

Since 2012 (Law 56/2012 of November 8), Lisbon has been divided into 24 Parish Councils (before, there were 53). O The central nucleus of the city is formed by the parishes of Santa Maria Maior, Misericórdia, Santo Antônio, Arroios, Penha de França and São Vicente.


Map of Parishes

Looking at the map of the parishes of the City of Lisbon, the four cardinal points correspond to the following parishes:

• far north: Parish of Santa Clara

• far east (Oriental Lisbon): Marvila and Parque das Nações

• extreme south: Parishes of Misericórdia and Santa Maria Maior: the Historic Center

• extreme west (Occidental Lisbon): Santa Maria de Belém

Old and traditional neighborhoods

The oldest and most traditional neighborhoods are located in the central area, where the old burgos, inside the walls that protected them. These burgos and future cities as is generally the case with all major European cities they were protected by walls and gates.
In Lisbon, protection was ensured by the Fernandine Wall (King D. Fernando I), of the end of the fourteenth century.

Main old and traditional neighborhoods

Neighborhoods formed around the Historical Center of Lisbon.
Learn more: Old and traditional neighborhoods of Lisbon.


• Alfama: is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, one of the most typical and popular, often visited by tourists, with taverns, small restaurants and fado at night. More: Alfama...


• Ajuda: neighborhood and parish (Parish of Ajuda ) located west of the center of Lisbon. Neighborhood and parish with a lot of tranquility, various services and a good network of transport.


• Amoreiras: well-known upper-middle-class residential neighborhood in Lisbon. It was in the neighborhood das Amoreiras that the first Shopping Center in Lisbon was built. Even today, Complexo das Amoreiras, or Torres das Amoreiras, as it is also known, is an office and housing complex that characterizes the neighborhood with a touch of modernity in this traditional neighborhood. Relatively expensive neighborhood. It's part of Campo de Ourique Parish.


• Areeiro: quiet residential neighborhood, famous for its houses marked by the Art Déco style, and which is part of the Lisbon Center area. A Parish of Areeiro It is well served by transport (Roma-Areeiro metro station) and other services. tree-lined streets, with squares, inhabited by families and students.


• Baixa Pombalina: Bairro do Historic Center of Lisbon. Convenience, services and abundant transport make this neighborhood very sought after and one of the most expensive in the Portuguese capital. It is part of Parish of Santa Maria Maior.


• Bairro Alto: one of the neighborhoods most popular and lively in Lisbon, located in Freguesia da Misericórdia, one of the most expensive square meters in the Portuguese capital.


• Bica: another of Lisbon's most traditional neighborhoods, in Freguesia da Misericórdia, the Bica neighborhood emerged at the end of the 16th century. Bica is located between the Bairro Alto (to the north) and Cais do Sodré (to the south). This picturesque and popular neighborhood it houses the famous Elevador da Bica, which connects the neighborhood to Bairro Alto. The Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo, hence the name of the place, is one of the most famous in the neighborhood.


• Carmo: neighborhood in the Historic Center of Lisbon, marked by Rua do Carmo, which connects the Rossio to Chiado. Very commercial and busy neighborhood. Belongs to Misericórdia Parish.


• Castelo: old and historic neighborhood, formed in the vicinity of Castelo de São Jorge. Historical and touristic place, linked to the founding of the city.


• Chiado: also located in Misericórdia Parish, Chiado is one of the neighborhoods with the most expensive subway in Lisbon. Central neighborhood with many amenities.


• Graça: another neighborhood with its own life, famous for the Miradouro da Graça and Feira da Ladra flea market, fair of used or antique objects. It is part of Parish of São Vicente.


• Madragoa: another popular neighborhood in Lisbon, located on the north bank of the Tagus River, in the Parish of Estrela.


• Mouraria: currently one of the most typical neighborhoods in the Portuguese capital, along with Alfama and the Castle. It is situated between the Martim Moniz Square stretching up to the hillside from the São Jorge Castle.


• Rato: old neighborhood (17th century), formed around Largo do Rato square, former Brazil Square. The name Rato comes from the nickname given to Luís Gomes de Sá e Menezes.

Find out more: Largo do Rato

• Santa Catarina: Lisbon's old quarter, from the end of the 16th century. Currently, with great population concentration, is part of the Misericórdia Parish. Historic Center of the city of Lisbon.


• São Vicente: an old neighborhood full of charm, with small streets, this popular neighborhood has characteristics and is located in the central area of Lisbon, Parish of São Vicente.


Learn more: Old and traditional neighborhoods of Lisbon

Lisbon's most modern neighborhoods

Check below the most modern neighborhoods in the city of Lisbon. Learn more: Modern neighborhoods in Lisbon




• Alvalade: pleasant residential neighborhood, not far from the city center, well served in terms of services, with a subway station. Relatively expensive.


• Arroios: pleasant, lively and quiet residential neighborhood, close to the city center, well served by services and transport (subway station). Relatively expensive.


• Avenidas Novas: another pleasant and quiet residential neighborhood, close to the city center, well served in services and transport. Considered one of the best places to live in Lisbon. Expensive neighborhood.


• Benfica: residential neighborhood in the north zone, about 12 km from the centre, with one of the largest areas of green spaces in Lisbon, pleasant, with services and transport.


• Belém: residential neighborhood with many green spaces and important monuments (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Cultural Center), well served by transport. Expensive neighborhood.


• Parque das Nações: or Nações, the pleasant and most modern neighborhood of Lisbon. Quite expensive to live. Located about 10 km from the city center.


• Príncipe Real: pleasant residential neighborhood with some mansions dating back to the 19th century


• Restelo: quiet and pleasant residential neighborhood, next to Belém


• Santo Antônio: pleasant residential neighborhood, quiet, close to the city center, very well served in services and transport. Considered one of the best places to live in Lisbon. expensive neighborhood (second most expensive square meter in Lisbon; the first is in Misericórdia).


Learn more: Modern neighborhoods in Lisbon

Parishes of Lisbon

See also the Parishes of the City of Lisbon