Lisbon Neighbourhoods

It’s a delight to meander through some of Lisbon’s city-centric, moody and haunting neighbourhoods that bestow raw encounter with the urban settlement’s culture and lifestyle. Tucked between two hills, Baixa is the heart of old Lisbon, completely rebuilt after the destructive earthquake in grid pattern with straight-lined avenues cutting across majestic squares. Lined with 18th century buildings, Rua Augusta is the domain’s signature pathway, crammed with locals and visitors devoted to fashion hunting, boutique shopping and fine dining. Bohemian Bairro Alto is where the intellectuals gather to share their creative ideas over a glass of port while waterfront Belem draws attention of those keen on Portugal’s Age of Discovery. However, nothing matches the appeal of wandering through the maze of old distinctive streets of hilly Alfama quarter once marked by the footsteps of the Romans, Moors and Crusaders. The tapestry of tiled fronted houses, flower loaded windows, washing hanging from the balconies , old men sitting outside dilapidated shops, women gossiping at street corners and children running behind a passing tram draws the image of another world confined inside a time machine.