A Local’s Guide to Principe Real, Lisbon
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Views from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
Príncipe Real is one of Lisbon's most stylish neighborhoods. Marked by 19th-century grand houses, this is a relatively quiet residential area that contrasts with its livelier neighbor, Bairro Alto.
Príncipe Real is perfect if you're looking for a place to relax. The Jardim do Príncipe Real, in the heart of the neighborhood, is popular with locals who want to have a coffee with friends, read a book in the shade of a tree, or buy organic produce at the weekend market.
The neighborhood is also renowned for its design and antique stores, as well as its bars and restaurants, which are strongly connected to the LGBTQ+ community.
No wonder Time Out included Príncipe Real in its list of the "coolest neighborhoods in the world."
Getting to Príncipe Real is easy. You can walk from Bairro Alto in just a few minutes or take the metro to Rato station, which is just a short walk away. Several buses, including the 758 from Cais do Sodré, also serve the area.
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Table of contents
A brief history of the neighborhood
What to see and do
Where to stay
Restaurants to try
Tours of Lisbon with Ana Sofia
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Ana is a Lisbon native and she’s been running walking tours, food tours, and day trips to places like Sintra, Évora, and Óbidos for over a decade.
A fully licensed guide with years of university study under her belt, Ana has the knowledge to keep history buffs happy, but still always makes her tours light, entertaining, and fun.
A brief history of Principe Real
Príncipe Real — named after Pedro V, the Royal Prince (Príncipe Real) of Portugal — began to grow in the 19th century as a residential area for Lisbon's aristocracy. With its grand palaces and mansions, the neighborhood was for a long time considered one of the most luxurious areas in the city.
With the elite leaving in the 20th century, Príncipe Real began to attract a more diverse community. Artists, intellectuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community found their place here, creating an inclusive atmosphere for which the area is known for.
In the 2000s, some of Príncipe Real's old mansions were transformed into boutique hotels, luxury apartments, and unique commercial spaces.
This change attracted more visitors to the neighborhood and a new wave of residents, including young professionals, creatives, and expats.
What to see and do here
Praça da Alegria square in Principe Real
Stairs in the Lisbon Botanical Garden. Photo: Salix, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whenever we talk about the Príncipe Real, its garden immediately springs to mind. It's the center of everything in this neighborhood that lies next to Bairro Alto.
In Jardim do Príncipe Real, we meet a friend for coffee or read a book under the century-old cedar tree.
This is where the Mercado Biológico do Príncipe Real takes place every Saturday morning, a market where organic producers from all over the country come to sell their products.
It's also in this garden that you'll find the entrance to the Reservatório da Patriarcal, a reservoir built in 1856 to supply water to the population of Lisbon, now turned into a museum.
And while we're on the subject of museums, 200 meters away is the Museu Nacional de História Natural (National Museum of Natural History) and, just behind it, the Jardim Botânico de Lisboa (Lisbon Botanical Garden). The latter was created in the 19th century to teach and research botany, and today it’s an incredible natural setting where you can walk among more than a thousand species of plants and trees from all over the world.
Nearby is the Praca de Alegria, a pretty square with a nice lawn ringed by lovely colorful houses. It’s nothing extraordinary, but it’s a great place to sit and people watch while you sip a coffee.
And when you’ve had your fill of greenery, in the southern tip of the neighborhood is the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, which offers incredible views over the city.
Before you leave, make sure to visit the Embaixada, a one-of-a-kind shopping gallery housed in a historic palace. Here, you'll find Portuguese design and art stores offering a unique shopping experience.
Where to stay
Memmo Príncipe Real - Located near the neighborhood gardens, this five-star hotel offers modern rooms, an outdoor pool and a cocktail bar with panoramic city views ($450).
1869 Principe Real - This B&B stands out with its red tile facade. It offers nine rooms and suites, some of which feature private balconies ($300).
Independente Príncipe Real - Set in a 19th-century building, this stylish hostel offers a mix of dorms and suites. There are two restaurants on-site, including one on the rooftop overlooking the castle (private room $150).
The Vintage — Elegant and intimate rooms, with exquisite design, in this 5-star hotel that also offers a bistro and a rooftop overlooking the castle. (from $200)
Palácio Príncipe Real — This 19th-century building with a huge garden and swimming pool offers spacious, delicately decorated rooms and three signature suites. (from $595)
Casa Olivier — With rooms overlooking the Príncipe Real Garden, this charming guesthouse combines contemporary design with classic elements in a building dating from 1895. (from $90)
Príncipe Real Guest House — Simple, comfortable rooms with clean decor and wooden details for an unpretentious stay. (from $150)
Restaurants to try
Pica Pau — Sample Portuguese dishes inspired by old-style recipes, including codfish cakes, octopus and pica-pau (loin strips).
Faz Frio — It's first-come, first-served at this traditional restaurant featuring private booths.
Atalho Real — Burgers and steaks are the speciality of this restaurant inside the Embaixa palace.
Enoteca LX — A unique wine bar set inside the old vaults of Lisbon's aqueduct serving Portuguese wines and tapas inspired by Brazilian cuisine.
Âmago — There's only one table at this modern restaurant serving curated tasting menus.
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