The Príncipe Real neighborhood is a trendy and charming district located in the heart of Lisbon. It is known for its unique blend of historical architecture, cultural attractions, and a vibrant atmosphere. Here are some key features and attractions of the Príncipe Real neighborhood:
Príncipe Real Garden (Jardim do Príncipe Real): The neighborhood’s namesake, this park is a central gathering place featuring exotic trees, beautiful plants, and a large lake. It’s a great spot to relax, have a picnic, or enjoy some outdoor leisure.
Embaixada: A remarkable shopping gallery housed in a 19th-century palace, Embaixada features a collection of boutique shops, fashion stores, and artisanal crafts. It’s a unique place to explore and shop for high-quality Portuguese products.
Antique and Flea Markets: Príncipe Real hosts various flea markets and antique fairs where you can find vintage items, art, and collectibles. These markets are great for treasure hunters and collectors.
Every Saturday is also possible to find an organic products market, with different types of products, from bread, vegetables, fruit, jams, etc.
The Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (National Museum of Natural History and Science) in Lisbon. It encompasses various sections, including geology, paleontology, botany, zoology, and anthropology. The beautiful buiding has a lovely garden.
The Botanical Garden of Príncipe Real, also known as Jardim Botânico do Príncipe Real. It is a charming and peaceful garden known for its diverse collection of plants, including various exotic and native species. This garden is a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a tranquil environment to enjoy nature and escape from the bustling city.
Cultural Events: Príncipe Real often hosts cultural events, including art exhibitions, music festivals, and other entertainment. Keep an eye on local event listings to see what’s happening during your visit.
Shopping and Dining: The neighborhood is known for its boutique shops, trendy restaurants, and stylish bars. It’s a great place to indulge in shopping, dining, and nightlife.
LGBTQ+ Friendly: Príncipe Real is also considered one of Lisbon’s LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods, with several gay-friendly bars and clubs, contributing to its diverse and welcoming atmosphere.
Historical Architecture: The neighborhood is characterized by its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, with colorful facades and intricate wrought-iron balconies. Strolling through its streets can be a visual delight.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara: This viewpoint offers panoramic views of Lisbon and is a great place to take photos and enjoy the city’s landscape.
Príncipe Real is a charming neighborhood in Lisbon with a mix of historical and contemporary elements, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. It’s a great place to explore, shop, dine, and soak in the unique ambiance of Lisbon.
Príncipe Real is like the older, sophisticated sister to the more famous, boho-chic Bairro Alto, filled with trendy restaurants, grand mansions, tiny antique shops, Moorish kiosks, and miniature gardens. This neighborhood is located between one of the best viewing platforms in the city, the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara, and the charming neighborhood of São Bento, and it is known for its vibrant LGBT scene, sophisticated shopping areas and vintage art galleries where you can inhale the artistic spirit of Lisbon.
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Visit the historical Pavilhão Chines for a cocktail in a unique setting
At first glance, you may feel like you’ve walked into a museum after entering the Pavilhão Chinês, but this is actually one of the more unique bars in the city. All around the walls are shelves and cabinets filled with souvenirs and knick-knacks spanning three centuries worth of history, from figurines and dolls to airplanes and art pieces and plenty in between. It’s certainly a hodgepodge of mementos and memories on display around tables, armchairs, and billiards tables, a setting that has been described as confusing and delightful to visitors all at the same time, and the drinks make a positive impression as well.
Watch the sunset from the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara
View of Lisbon, Portugal | Photo by André Lergier on Unsplash
Technically located just south of Príncipe Real, the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara should be at the top of your must-see list since it offers plenty of stunning views, especially at sunset. From here you will be able to see the Castle of São Jorge, Sé Catedral, and the Tagus river, as well as all the ancient 18th century buildings of Avenida da Liberdade. The Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara is a picture-perfect viewing platform, which can be enjoyed directly after riding the Gloria tram up a narrow and cobbled side street.
Chill in the shade of Jardim Do Príncipe Real
The Jardim do Príncipe Real is a little romantic square and garden tucked away in the neighborhood’s main street. The principal attraction of this garden is its gigantic cedar tree, which offers a lovely shade for tired explorers and elderly locals who enjoy spending lots of time outside and observing passersby. There is a small café with outdoor seating, and two kiosks serving refreshments, one of which is an old restored pink Lisbon kiosk from the early 18th century, where Lisbon’s classic refreshments—such as horchata with almonds, mazagran made from coffee, spleenwort, and Port wine—are being served. The Jardim do Príncipe Real also becomes a popular spot on Saturdays when the local organic farmer’s market takes place.
Visit the 19th century Patriarchal Reservoir
One of Príncipe Real’s hidden landmarks is the underground, mid-19th century Patriarchal Reservoir, now part of the Water Museum system, located below the Jardim do Príncipe Real. It was the second water tank to be built in the city, after the Mãe d’Agua reservoir, and was once powered by the historical Águas Livres Aqueduct. These days it opens on Saturdays, with the exception of holidays, so visitors can see this hidden treasure, and entrance only costs €2.
Shop at Embaixada Mall
Embaixada is a luxurious shopping gallery housed in an 18th century neo-Moorish building revived with extensive Art Nouveau details. There are over a dozen shops with different themes and purposes but with one thing in common: they serve as ambassadors of preservation of tradition, creativity, and innovation in terms of design and fashion. The shops are dedicated mostly to Portuguese designers, and Embaixada also hosts unique temporary art exhibitions in a specifically dedicated space on the first floor. It won the prestigious Time Out ‘Idea of the Year Award’ in 2013 for its innovative retail concept. Even if you are not particularly keen on shopping, pay a visit to Embaixada to marvel at its Moorish architectural complex.
Or, visit the smaller, antique stores
Instead of visiting the shopping center, walk down the street and poke your head into the many antique shops lining the way. This may be an ideal time to buy keepsakes, souvenirs, or gifts for family and friends. From ceramics dishes to tiles, traditional textiles, and artwork, Príncipe Real is a neighborhood with a lot to offer shoppers.
Order a gin-based cocktail from Gin Lovers
If you do decide on spending the day shopping at the Embaixada center, press pause long enough to enjoy a drink at the Gin Lovers bar. Connected to a Michelin-starred restaurant called Less, gin is clearly the main focus, and the menu offers pages filled with different mixtures to please most palates, also offering a nice selection of wine and beer. Sit in the indoor courtyard and enjoy the breathtaking décor and furnishings inside the Ribeiro da Cunha Palace while sipping on a cool cocktail.
Visit the Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens
The Natural History Museum hosts exhibits on the history of chemistry and mathematics and presents collections of dinosaur fossils and geological excavations, including rocks and minerals from various sites across the world. The museum has some interesting interactive displays, such as the solar system room with scientific displays of Pangea, cells, and history of the Earth. The surrounding Botanical Garden is the oldest garden in Portugal, with an eerie but exciting atmosphere. It is a good place for botany lovers, and all those who look for a calm and chilled space in the sweltering summer heat. The garden never gets too crowded, and you can enjoy walking the paths and looking at the enormous variety of trees and plants.
Enjoy a great view while sipping a coffee or cocktail at Lost In
Finally, one of the coolest spots in Príncipe Real is the Lost In restaurant and bar, a hidden oasis of colors where guests can enjoy a spectacular view alongside a meal, snack, a coffee, or a drink. Inspired by Indian culture, the décor includes vibrant textiles in a rainbow of hues, paintings, and scented by incense. Not only is Lost In among the top bars in Príncipe Real, but it offers one of the best terrace views in the city.
The Príncipe Real Park, also known as Jardim do Príncipe Real in Portuguese, is a beautiful public park located in the heart of Lisbon. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to relax, have a picnic, and enjoy nature within the city. The park is situated in the heart of Príncipe Real neighborhood, which is known for its charming streets, historical architecture, and trendy shops and restaurants.
Key features of the Príncipe Real Park include:
Giant Cedar Tree: The park is known for its impressive giant cedar tree, which is over 100 years old and provides ample shade on sunny days.
Landscaped Gardens: The park features well-maintained gardens with a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers, creating a tranquil and picturesque atmosphere.
Pond: There is a small pond in the park, surrounded by benches and greenery, providing a peaceful place to sit and relax.
Statues and Art: The park also has some sculptures and art installations, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
Viewpoints: From some points within the park, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the river, making it a great place for photography.
Weekend Market: On weekends, a local market, known as the Príncipe Real Market, takes place in the park. It features stalls selling a variety of products, including crafts, antiques, and organic food.
The Príncipe Real Park is a lovely place to unwind, escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy the natural beauty of Lisbon. It’s also conveniently located near many other attractions, shops, and restaurants, making it a great starting point for exploring this vibrant city.
