Chiado to Príncipe Real at sunset: a walk in Lisbon

From the earthquake ruins of Carmo through Bairro Alto's churches to the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint and the cocktail bars of Príncipe Real.

Best time: Late afternoon into evening

The route, stop by stop

1
Bertrand Chiado
World's oldest bookshop; 15 min.
Recognised by Guinness as the world's oldest operating bookshop (since 1732), with a café serving Portuguese wine.
2
Carmo Convent and Archaeological Museum
Roofless Gothic nave; 30 min.
The roofless Gothic church left as a ruin after the 1755 earthquake; the open-sky nave and small archaeology museum are Lisbon's most direct reminder of the disaster.
3
Carmo Rooftop
Terraces at lift-walkway level; 20 min.
Terraces behind the Carmo convent at the level of the Santa Justa Lift walkway, with castle views and an open-air cinema in summer.
4
Church and Museum of São Roque
The gilded chapels; 20 min.
A plain Jesuit façade hides one of Lisbon's richest interiors, including the Chapel of St John the Baptist, built in Rome from marble, lapis lazuli and mosaic and shipped here in…
5
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Sunset over the castle; 20 min.
A two-level garden viewpoint at the top of the Glória funicular, facing the castle across the valley; kiosk drinks and occasional weekend markets.
6
National Museum of Natural History and Science
Or its botanical garden if still open; optional.
University museum in the old Polytechnic school, with a restored 19th-century chemistry lab and access to the Lisbon Botanical Garden.
7
Cinco Lounge
A cocktail to end; 60 min.
Called one of Lisbon's most important cocktail bars, running for about 20 years with house-canned drinks like Finders Keepers.