Principe Real is a trendy and cosmopolitan neighborhood that offers a mix of upscale boutiques, stylish restaurants, and beautiful gardens. It’s a great option for those seeking a chic and sophisticated stay. Explore the Jardim do Principe Real, a serene garden with century-old trees, and discover boutique shops featuring local designers and artisans. The neighborhood’s elegant vibe and vibrant cultural scene make it a top choice for a refined Lisbon experience.
Principe Real District Tourist Guide
Príncipe Real is one of the most modern neighborhoods in Lisbon, situated atop a hill and enjoying a central location, just 8 km from the airport.
Príncipe Real is a charming neighborhood bordered by Bairro Alto at the top of the hill and Cais do Sodré and Baixa down the hill. Its central location and proximity to various attractions make it one of the most popular and lively neighborhoods in the city. Principe Real is renowned for its fashionable restaurants, grand mansions, antique shops, and stunning gardens.
Best Things to Do and See in Príncipe Real
Discover Lisbon's Botanical Paradise
The Lisbon Botanical Garden is a green oasis hidden by the surrounding streets, next to the National Museum of History and Science. It was established between 1858 and 1878 and houses approximately twenty thousand exotic plant species from around the globe, brought in by Portuguese explorers. This botanical garden is one of the most important in Europe, with approximately 2,500 species. Visitors can enjoy a moment of relaxation among palm trees, banana trees, and conifers in a panoramic spot.
Shop at Embaixada
The Embaixada is a luxurious shopping space housed in an 18th century Neo-Moorish building full of Art Nouveau details. Dedicated to preserving tradition, creativity and innovation in design and fashion, the Embaixada features more than a dozen stores exclusively dedicated to Portuguese designers. Additionally, the Embaixada hosts temporary art exhibitions in an exclusive space on the second floor. A visit to the Embaixada is an opportunity to appreciate the Moorish architecture of the complex, even for those who do not enjoy shopping.
Relax at Príncipe Real's Garden
The Príncipe Real Garden is a romantic haven in the heart of the neighborhood. It is distinguished by its iconic giant cedar tree that provides shade for the tired explorers and the elderly residents. In addition to the charm of the outdoor café and kiosks serving refreshing drinks, the place comes alive on Saturdays with the local organic market. Surrounded by elegant buildings and a memorial to the victims of homophobia, the garden is the center of life in Príncipe Real, with a picturesque setting, a children’s playground, and regular events such as antique and craft fairs.
Uncover the Treasures of Chinese Pavilion
The Chinese Pavilion is not only an iconic bar. It’s also a museum of sorts. Featuring some 4,000 pieces from the 18th to 20th centuries that fill the walls of five rooms, the bar is like a museum. The collection includes miniature airplanes, teapots, figurines, maps, flags and toy soldiers, carefully assembled by founder Luís Pinto Coelho. Open since 1986, the Chinese Pavilion offers a unique experience with a lively atmosphere, multilingual conversations and jazz and soul music, making it a charming place to enjoy handcrafted cocktails or port wine while playing pool or chatting.
Delve into Science and Nature
The National Museum of Science and Natural History offers exhibitions on science, zoology, anthropology, mineralogy, and paleontology. The museum is known for its collection of well-preserved animals, with a special focus on dinosaurs. In addition to exhibitions, the museum hosts debates, conferences, training courses, and events to promote scientific, cultural, and artistic dissemination. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Lose Yourself in Lost In's Beauty
Enjoy a stunning view while savoring a coffee or cocktail at Lost In. This hidden oasis of color, located in Príncipe Real, is one of the most incredible places in the area. Customers can enjoy a spectacular view along with a meal, snack, coffee, or drink. The environment is decorated with vibrant textiles in a variety of colors, paintings, and scented with incense, inspired by Indian culture. Lost In is one of the best bars in the neighborhood and boasts one of the best terrace views in the city.
Eat like royalty in Principe Real
Príncipe Real is a lively neighborhood with some of the best restaurants in town. The neighborhood offers a diverse range of gastronomic experiences, from Oriental to Italian to Peruvian cuisine. Atalho Real is known for its meat, while Cevicheria serves traditional Peruvian ceviche. El Clandestino is a fusion of Mexican and Peruvian cuisine, and Zero Zero is a pizzeria that stands out for its lighter dough made with the poolish technique. Every meal in Príncipe Real is a unique culinary celebration that you won’t want to miss!
Where to Stay in Príncipe Real
We have curated a diverse range of accommodation options that cater to every budget and preference, from charming hotels to cozy apartments and enchanting guest houses. Our selection process involved considering the location of the accommodations, reliable reviews from our partner Booking.com, and the opinions of the members of our Facebook group, Lisbon Travel, which has 40 thousand enthusiastic members. These options have been selected carefully to make sure that your stay in Lisbon is truly memorable.
Recomended Hotels:
Recomended Apartments:
Recomended Guest Houses:
Transportation in Príncipe Real
Getting around Príncipe Real is easy. You can walk from Chiado or Bairro Alto, take tram 24 from Praça Luís de Camões, or opt for bus 758 from Cais do Sodré, just in front of the train station. Another option is to use the Elevador da Glória, which goes up the hill from Praça dos Restauradores in the city center to the edge of Bairro Alto, just a few steps from Príncipe Real. Walking down the hill, you can easily reach Baixa and Cais do Sodré. These are two of the city’s most important transport hubs, offering access to the metro, trams, trains, buses, and ferries. It offers access to the metro, streetcars, trains, buses, and ferries, making it easy to explore the city from this central and busy point.
The map below shows the main stations in Príncipe Real in red and the smaller stations in blue, making navigation easier.
If you need more information on how to get around the city, check out our Transportation section.
Best Tours in Príncipe Real
We have selected a diverse range of tour options to suit all budgets and preferences. Our selection was based on the reliable reviews of our partner GetYourGuide and the opinions of the members of our Facebook group, Lisbon Travel, with 40,000 passionate members. These options have been carefully selected to ensure that your stay in Lisbon is truly memorable.
SUPPORT US, IT'S FREE!
If you have managed to read this far, you must probably enjoyed it! 😊
To help fund our efforts to provide you with valuable and useful content, we use affiliate links from leading travel companies such as Skyscanner, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Viator and others.
By booking through our affiliate links and tools, you not only get access to great deals, recommended by local experts, but you also support our work at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for choosing to support us!
