Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV)
Praça Dom Pedro IV, Baixa, Lisbon, Portugal, 1100-200
Named after the beautiful adjacent train station, Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV) has been the beating heart of Lisbon since the Middle Ages. The lively area is a popular meeting point for Lisboetas and visitors alike, and is packed with bars, restaurants, cafés, shops, and hotels. It’s also characterized by the wavy soapstone pattern of its black-and-white cobblestones and the Column of Pedro IV, known as Portugal’s Soldier King.
The Basics
Bustling Rossio Square(Praça de Dom Pedro IV) is characterized by the cobblestones’ wavy soapstone pattern and the Column of Pedro IV, known as Portugal’s Soldier King. Grab a seat on the terrace of the 200-year-old Café Nicola for stellar people-watching, or sit on the steps of the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II) for a great view of the plaza and its beautiful baroque fountains.
Many half- and full-day tours of Lisbon—offered in a number of languages including English, Spanish, Italian, and French—start in or pass through Rossio Square. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours stop here as well. Music lovers can visit Rossio Square as part of a private tour that includes a live fado performance and dinner show.
Things to Know Before You Go
Rossio Square(Praça de Dom Pedro IV) is a must for first-time visitors to Lisbon. It’s also a popular meeting point for groups and walking tours.
If you’re looking for a central Lisbon hotel, Rossio and the Baixa district feature a range of options for every type of traveler.
History comes alive in Rossio Square, with a number of museums, monuments, and churches nearby.
The square is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
Located in the middle of Lisbon, Rossio Square(Praça de Dom Pedro IV) is easily accessible by taxi, on foot, and via public transport. The aptly named metro station is Rossio Square, and several public buses (207, 732, 736, 746, and 783) service this popular area.
When to Get There
Rossio Square(Praça de Dom Pedro IV) is a central meeting point for many, and is always lively and busy. The shoulder months of April, May, September, and October are considered to be the best times to explore Lisbon, when temperatures are cooler and crowds are thinner than during peak season (June through August).
The History Behind Rossio
After the devastating earthquake of 1755, Rossio Square(Praça de Dom Pedro IV) became the unofficial city center of Lisbon. Once filled with packed hotels, tobacconists, and cafés that served as forums for cultural, philosophical, and political discussions, only a few cafés have remained and thrived. Today places such as Café Nicola serve as reminders of old Lisbon and continue to serve throngs of people each day.
Ways to explore
When you visit Rossio Square, grab a seat on the terrace of the 200-year-old Café Nicola for stellar people-watching, or sit on the steps of the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II) for a great view of the plaza and its beautiful baroque fountains. Many half- and full-day tours of Lisbon start in or pass through Rossio Square. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours stop here as well. Music lovers can visit Rossio Square as part of a private tour that includes a live fado performance and dinner show.
Accessibility
Wide, flat spaces make Rossio Square accessible, though crowds may make navigating more difficult.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Secure bag, as this bustling square is prone to pickpockets
What to wear
Many restaurants and cafés offer al fresco dining, so wear a jacket for when the sun sets, as Lisbon is prone to an Atlantic chill.
Not allowed
Unruly behavior
Amenities
ATMs, restaurants, souvenir stores, hotels, fast-food joints
Address
Rossio Square boasts a slice of prime real estate in the central Lisbon neighborhood of Baixa (Lower Town), so it’s within easy reach of top attractions such as the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) and the shopping street of Rua Augusta.
Driving
Take advantage of the central square’s myriad public transportation options and avoid navigating the busy roads surrounding the square in your own vehicle.
Public transportation
The aptly named metro station is Rossio Square, and several public buses (207, 732, 736, 746, and 783) service this popular area.
Best times to visit
Head to Rossio Square for dinner, as there’s a good variety of restaurants and bars with way more outdoor seating than in the higher neighborhoods.
Best days to visit
This lively nightlife hot spot comes into its own over the weekend, when tourists come here to let loose.
Best months to visit
The shoulder months of April, May, September, and October are considered to be the best times to explore Lisbon, when temperatures are cooler and crowds are thinner than during peak season (June through August).
Special events
Rossio Square is one of the epicenters for celebrations of the Santo Antonio festival, when street parties and parades celebrate one of Portugal’s patron saints.
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