Before showing you all the things you can do in Baixa Chiado without feeling you’re a tourist, let me tell you what Lisbon’s downtown is all about.
This is the area of Lisbon that best represents resilience, reinvention, and rebirth. It’s also been the stage for events of revolution and change.
The earthquake of 1755 destroyed the whole downtown. The tsunami that followed washed away whatever was left. All buildings burned down to ashes in a devastating sequence of related events.
In 1908, Portugal’s king was murdered at Terreiro do Paço (also known as Praça do Comércio), and a republic was established two years later.
In 1974, military troops and civilians gathered at Largo do Carmo swinging red carnations and celebrating the coup that led to the dictatorial regime’s fall that lasted for 48 years.
A fire partially destroyed Chiado in 1988 that spread too quickly before the firefighters could reach it in time. What you see now is the result of over 20 years of careful planning and reconstruction by a team of professionals led by renowned Portuguese architect Siza Vieira.
Cultural tourists have many layers to discover here, way beyond travelers’ crowds in the summer and the annoying Lisbon tourist traps.
It will probably be crowded with tourists from June to September. It will probably be loaded with locals on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays (even in the Winters — all it takes is a bit of sunshine).
It will be overpriced. It will test your patience most of the time. But, the good news is, you can live and see past all this and still enjoy Baixa Chiado.
Highly informative post! I adore your pictures. They are really excellent. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing these tips about Lisbon and these beautiful pictures!
Thank you Janeen for dropping by! Hope to see you in Lisbon soon 🙂