Marquis of Pombal Square (Praca do Marques de Pombal)

The Basics

The center of Marquis of Pombal Square is marked with a bronze statue of the aristocrat for whom it was named, a figure who holds a special place in the history of Lisbon. After a devastating earthquake and tsunami destroyed much of the downtown Baixa district, it was the marquis, then Secretary of State for Internal Affairs, who organized its reconstruction. The style of buildings created in the rebuild is known as pombaline, after the marquis.

Several avenues lead off from the square, the most famous of which is Avenida Liberdade, Lisbon’s Champs-Elysées and home to stylish designer boutiques. On the north side of the square is Eduardo VII Park, the starting point for hop-on-hop-off bus tours of the city. The square and park are popular stops on other sightseeing tours of the city as well.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Marquis de Pombal Square is especially interesting to first-time visitors to Lisbon.

• Walk to the top of Eduardo VII Park for panoramic views over the city.

• Music concerts and other special events are often held in Eduardo VII Park.

• The square is wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Marquis of Pombal Square is easily accessible on foot and on public transport from places in downtown Lisbon. The closest metro station is Marquês de Pombal, on the Blue and Yellow lines. A variety of public buses also stop around the square.

When to Get There

The square is a public space, open 24 hours a day. The metro and buses are busiest during rush hour, so plan your visit outside of these times to avoid the crowds.

Visit the Museum of Ancient Art

With more than 40,000 priceless items in its collection, the National Museum of Ancient Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga) is a rich source of inspiration for visitors to Lisbon. With paintings by Dürer and Piero della Francesca as well as sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and religious artifacts, the impressive collection is truly a feast for the eyes.