Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida, as Lisboetas usually call it, was laid out in 1879 as an elegant Parisian-style boulevard modeled on the Champs-Élysées. Although many of the late-19th-century mansions and Art Deco buildings that once graced it have been demolished, it remains a high-end part of town, with some notable survivors now housing luxury hotels and international fashion outlets. It’s worth a leisurely stroll up the 1½-km (1-mile) length of the avenue, past ponds, fountains, and statues, from Praça dos Restauradores to Parque Eduardo VII, at least once, if only to cool off with a drink in one of the quiosques (refreshment kiosks) beneath the trees and to admire the iconic cobblestone pavement.
