4 Best Sights in Chiado and Bairro Alto, Lisbon

Arguably Lisbon’s most romantic miradouro, this landscaped promenade is split into two levels, each offering a wonderful view across the city center to the castle on its hill on the other side. It’s a popular spot at night, as the moon shines over the city. On the upper level, a large kiosk surrounded by tables and lounge chairs serves refreshments and light meals to those who decide to stay and enjoy the views a little longer. Down the steps is another, more secluded kiosk with a smaller range of offerings.

This convent from 1670 was never open to the public until 2014, after the last nuns moved out. Although it stands across from one of the city’s most famous viewpoints, it remains an under-the-radar stop. The church and chapel are free to visit any day, while the rest of the building can be seen on guided tours (in Portuguese), which usually take place on the second Sunday of the month. The baroque church stands between two wings of the convent; most of its interior dates from 1758, after the devastating 1755 earthquake left it slightly damaged. The older paintings were originally in the colossal convent and palace of Mafra, while the tile panels were added in the late 1700s and illustrate scenes from the life of St. Peter of Alcántara. Another highlight is a cardinal’s funerary chapel, covered in inlaid marble.

This is one of Lisbon’s richest and most beautiful churches but one of the least visited, despite its central location on the edge of Bairro Alto. The baroque and rococo interior is a monumental mix of gilded wood carvings and stucco decoration, added in 1727 to a building that dates from 1647. The organ is considered a masterpiece of gilded woodwork, while the altar is a highlight of the art commissioned during the wealthy reign of King João V, with sculptures brought from Flanders. Two of Portugal’s most prominent 18th-century artists (Vieira Lusitano and André Gonçalves) are responsible for the large paintings in golden frames on the side walls. There are more treasures in the attached museum (open from 9-1).

Also known as Miradouro do Adamastor due to a rock on the site with a sculpted image of the mythical giant from the seas in national poet Luís de Camões's epic The Lusiads, this hilltop spot boasts fine river views. Here bohemian young locals get together at sunset, drinking and smoking to the sounds of street musicians. It’s a place for chilling out, and if you want to enjoy a drink or a meal, there are several surrounding spots with outdoor seating.