A little about the history of Lapa / Estrela...

1 - A bit about the history of Bairro da Lapa / Estrela...

The origin of the Lapa neighborhood, located in the parish of Estrela, dates back to 1755, the year of the earthquake that devastated the city of Lisbon. Having withstood the disaster, it housed many of the surviving Lisbon residents who, considering it safe, fled to the area.

Lisbon's upper class also settled here, making it a growing area of the capital, where large palaces, mansions and manor houses made their presence felt. The Lapa neighborhood thus became a "simultaneously popular and aristocratic" district. 

Today, the parish of Estrela remains home to many of Lisbon's noble families and is considered one of the best residential areas in the city, generally sought after by the wealthier population. It includes "Bairro da Estrela", "Bairro da Lapa", "Santos-O-Velho", "Bairro da Madragoa" and "São Bento".

Here, life revolves around the Jardim da Estrela, a public garden located in front of the Basílica da Estrela, one of Lisbon's most important religious temples. 

1 - A bit about the history of Bairro da Lapa / Estrela...

The origin of the Lapa neighborhood, located in the parish of Estrela, dates back to 1755, the year of the earthquake that devastated the city of Lisbon. Having withstood the disaster, it housed many of the surviving Lisbon residents who, considering it safe, fled to the area.

Lisbon's upper class also settled here, making it a growing area of the capital, where large palaces, mansions and manor houses made their presence felt. The Lapa neighborhood thus became a "simultaneously popular and aristocratic" district. 

Today, the parish of Estrela remains home to many of Lisbon's noble families and is considered one of the best residential areas in the city, generally sought after by the wealthier population. It includes "Bairro da Estrela", "Bairro da Lapa", "Santos-O-Velho", "Bairro da Madragoa" and "São Bento".

Here, life revolves around the Jardim da Estrela, a public garden located in front of the Basílica da Estrela, one of Lisbon's most important religious temples. 

1 - A bit about the history of Bairro da Lapa / Estrela...

The origin of the Lapa neighborhood, located in the parish of Estrela, dates back to 1755, the year of the earthquake that devastated the city of Lisbon. Having withstood the disaster, it housed many of the surviving Lisbon residents who, considering it safe, fled to the area.

Lisbon's upper class also settled here, making it a growing area of the capital, where large palaces, mansions and manor houses made their presence felt. The Lapa neighborhood thus became a "simultaneously popular and aristocratic" district. 

Today, the parish of Estrela remains home to many of Lisbon's noble families and is considered one of the best residential areas in the city, generally sought after by the wealthier population. It includes "Bairro da Estrela", "Bairro da Lapa", "Santos-O-Velho", "Bairro da Madragoa" and "São Bento".

Here, life revolves around the Jardim da Estrela, a public garden located in front of the Basílica da Estrela, one of Lisbon's most important religious temples. 

1 - A bit about the history of Bairro da Lapa / Estrela...

The origin of the Lapa neighborhood, located in the parish of Estrela, dates back to 1755, the year of the earthquake that devastated the city of Lisbon. Having withstood the disaster, it housed many of the surviving Lisbon residents who, considering it safe, fled to the area.

Lisbon's upper class also settled here, making it a growing area of the capital, where large palaces, mansions and manor houses made their presence felt. The Lapa neighborhood thus became a "simultaneously popular and aristocratic" district. 

Today, the parish of Estrela remains home to many of Lisbon's noble families and is considered one of the best residential areas in the city, generally sought after by the wealthier population. It includes "Bairro da Estrela", "Bairro da Lapa", "Santos-O-Velho", "Bairro da Madragoa" and "São Bento".

Here, life revolves around the Jardim da Estrela, a public garden located in front of the Basílica da Estrela, one of Lisbon's most important religious temples. 

1 - A bit about the history of Bairro da Lapa / Estrela...

The origin of the Lapa neighborhood, located in the parish of Estrela, dates back to 1755, the year of the earthquake that devastated the city of Lisbon. Having withstood the disaster, it housed many of the surviving Lisbon residents who, considering it safe, fled to the area.

Lisbon's upper class also settled here, making it a growing area of the capital, where large palaces, mansions and manor houses made their presence felt. The Lapa neighborhood thus became a "simultaneously popular and aristocratic" district. 

Today, the parish of Estrela remains home to many of Lisbon's noble families and is considered one of the best residential areas in the city, generally sought after by the wealthier population. It includes "Bairro da Estrela", "Bairro da Lapa", "Santos-O-Velho", "Bairro da Madragoa" and "São Bento".

Here, life revolves around the Jardim da Estrela, a public garden located in front of the Basílica da Estrela, one of Lisbon's most important religious temples. 

The parish is also home to the Assembly of the Republic and the Palace of S. Bento (official residence of the Prime Minister of Portugal), which means that the area is very safe.

a. Architecture in the Parish of Estrela

In the parish of Estrela, individual houses predominate. As you walk along its streets, you'll mainly find terraced houses, which are inviting for large families. The individual houses are alternated with picturesque groups of two or three-storey buildings, usually lined with tiles, which enrich the restful bourgeois district with color and liveliness.

2- The parish of Estrela in numbers

* (Population aged 65 or over / Population under 15) * 100

** Price Report December 2024 Idealist 

*** Price Report December 2024 Idealist

The parish is also home to the Assembly of the Republic and the Palace of S. Bento (official residence of the Prime Minister of Portugal), which means that the area is very safe.

a. Architecture in the Parish of Estrela

In the parish of Estrela, individual houses predominate. As you walk along its streets, you'll mainly find terraced houses, which are inviting for large families. The individual houses are alternated with picturesque groups of two or three-storey buildings, usually lined with tiles, which enrich the restful bourgeois district with color and liveliness.

2- The parish of Estrela in numbers

* (Population aged 65 or over / Population under 15) * 100

** Price Report August 2025 Idealista

*** Price Report August 2025 Idealista

The parish is also home to the Assembly of the Republic and the Palace of S. Bento (official residence of the Prime Minister of Portugal), which means that the area is very safe.

a. Architecture in the Parish of Estrela

In the parish of Estrela, individual houses predominate. As you walk along its streets, you'll mainly find terraced houses, which are inviting for large families. The individual houses are alternated with picturesque groups of two or three-storey buildings, usually lined with tiles, which enrich the restful bourgeois district with color and liveliness.

2- The parish of Estrela in numbers

* (Population aged 65 or over / Population under 15) * 100

** Price Report December 2024 Idealist 

*** Price Report December 2024 Idealist

The parish is also home to the Assembly of the Republic and the Palace of S. Bento (official residence of the Prime Minister of Portugal), which means that the area is very safe.

a. Architecture in the Parish of Estrela

In the parish of Estrela, individual houses predominate. As you walk along its streets, you'll mainly find terraced houses, which are inviting for large families. The individual houses are alternated with picturesque groups of two or three-storey buildings, usually lined with tiles, which enrich the restful bourgeois district with color and liveliness.

2- The parish of Estrela in numbers

* (Population aged 65 or over / Population under 15) * 100

** Price Report August 2025 Idealista

*** Price Report August 2025 Idealista

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Alfama thus began to lose its importance and, although it wasn't affected by the earthquake, it was left behind.
by the earthquake, it was left abandoned by the central government until the 20th century - being identified
being identified as a dangerous part of the city.

Despite its decadence in the 19th century Alfama saw the emergence of a musical style that is now considered to be an intangible UNESCO intangible heritage - Fado! Born in the streets, bars and prostitution centres of
Alfama, Fado began to be heard at court and gained another kind of prominence.

With the emergence of the fado singer Amália Rodrigues, fado became internationally recognised.
recognised internationally.

Today, Alfama is one of the best known and most visited neighbourhoods in the city. Here
you can feel the neighbourhood life, you can feel the fado, you can feel the essence of Lisbon!

Paragraph

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos © Wikimedia – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Ingo Mehling (Imagem Original)

In Campo de Ourique there is quantity and quality. As you walk around the neighborhood, you'll find all kinds of stores - cafés, pastry stores, restaurants, grocery stores and a variety of stores. It is also home to some of the best schools and colleges in the city, such as the "Liceu Pedro Nunes" and the "Salesianos de Lisboa".

Campo de Ourique is very well located, in the center of the triangle formed by Amoreiras, Estrela and Prazeres. Just an 11-minute walk from Amoreiras Shopping Center and a 15-minute walk from Jardim da Estrela.

The famous streetcar 28, which runs through Lisbon's historic neighborhoods, has its last stop here, next to the Prazeres Cemetery. 

Several streetcars and buses pass through the streets of Campo de Ourique throughout the day. In three years' time, the neighborhood will also have a metro station.
 

3- Why choose to live in the parish of Estrela?

In a mostly busy city, in the parish of Estrela you'll find calm neighborhoods with quiet, tree-lined streets complemented by green spaces and gardens that give you an incomparable quality of life.

Here you'll find all kinds of commerce: cafés, restaurants, stores and local supermarkets. It is also home to some of the best schools in the city, such as the "Jardim Escola João de Deus" and the "Assistência Infantil da Freguesia Santa Isabel".

In terms of public transport, it is very well equipped, with several buses and streetcars running through its streets throughout the day. In two years' time, it will also have a metro station.

Its traditional neighborhoods are located on one of the capital's seven hills, giving them breathtaking views over Lisbon and the Tagus.

3- Why choose to live in the parish of Estrela?

In a mostly busy city, in the parish of Estrela you'll find calm neighborhoods with quiet, tree-lined streets complemented by green spaces and gardens that give you an incomparable quality of life.

Here you'll find all kinds of commerce: cafés, restaurants, stores and local supermarkets. It is also home to some of the best schools in the city, such as the "Jardim Escola João de Deus" and the "Assistência Infantil da Freguesia Santa Isabel".

In terms of public transport, it is very well equipped, with several buses and streetcars running through its streets throughout the day. In two years' time, it will also have a metro station.

Its traditional neighborhoods are located on one of the capital's seven hills, giving them breathtaking views over Lisbon and the Tagus.

@soniabonet

@rubenmneves

What to see and do in Estrela?

Jardim da Estrela is open to the public every day from 7am to midnight. As one of the largest green spaces in the capital, you´ll find a wide variety of trees and flowers here. You can picnic, walk and enjoy a drink on the terrace of the "Bananacafé" while feeding the ducks and carp in the lake.

Jardim da Estrela is open to the public every day from 7am to midnight. As one of the largest green spaces in the capital, you'll find a wide variety of trees and flowers here. You can picnic, walk and enjoy a drink on the terrace of the "Bananacafé" while feeding the ducks and carp in the lake.

©Câmara Municipal de Lisboa - Jardim da Parada

©visitlisboa

Tapada das Necessidades is one of Lisbon's oldest green spaces. Here you'll find lakes, exotic vegetation, a waterfall, a decoy and several statues - the most iconic being that of Virtudes and the bust of King João V. Next to the Garden is the Palácio das Necessidades, a former palace and convent and the current headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 08h00 - 20h00
Weekends: 10h00 - 19h00

Tapada das Necessidades is one of Lisbon's oldest green spaces. Here you'll find lakes, exotic vegetation, a waterfall, a decoy and several statues - the most iconic being that of Virtudes and the bust of King João V. Next to the Garden is the Palácio das Necessidades, a former palace and convent and the current headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 08h00 - 20h00
Weekends: 10h00 - 19h00

Tapada das Necessidades is one of Lisbon's oldest green spaces. Here you'll find lakes, exotic vegetation, a waterfall, a decoy and several statues - the most iconic being that of Virtudes and the bust of King João V. Next to the Garden is the Palácio das Necessidades, a former palace and convent and the current headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 08h00 - 20h00
Weekends: 10h00 - 19h00

@visitlisboa

©capilopes

Considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Europe, the Basílica da Estrela is one of the most important monuments of the 18th century and a must-see in Lisbon. The Basilica has two bell towers worthy of admiration and a zimborium that allows you to enjoy a breathtaking view over Lisbon. Inside, you can also visit a 500-piece crib made of cork and terracotta.
Ticket price for the Terrace: 4€ 

Opening hours
From 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Europe, the Basílica da Estrela is one of the most important monuments of the 18th century and a must-see in Lisbon. The Basilica has two bell towers worthy of admiration and a zimborium that allows you to enjoy a breathtaking view over Lisbon. Inside, you can also visit a 500-piece crib made of cork and terracotta.
Ticket price for the Terrace: 4€ 

Opening hours
From 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

@casafernandopessoa

Amália Rodrigues Garden © Dominique Cappronnier

©Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com

©️ Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com

©Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com

Housed in the former Alvor-Pombal Palace, the Museum of Ancient Art is the most important museum of 12th to 19th century art in Portugal. Here you'll find works of sculpture, painting and auriphic art of European, Oriental and African origin. The palace also has a garden with a restaurant and a unique view over the Tagus.
Normal ticket price: 6€
Free entry on Sundays and public holidays until 2pm for all citizens residing in Portugal
Opening hours
10h00 to 18h00 (Closed on Mondays)

Housed in the former Alvor-Pombal Palace, the Museum of Ancient Art is the most important museum of 12th to 19th century art in Portugal. Here you'll find works of sculpture, painting and auriphic art of European, Oriental and African origin. The palace also has a garden with a restaurant and a unique view over the Tagus.
Normal ticket price: 6€
Free entry on Sundays and public holidays until 2pm for all citizens residing in Portugal
Opening hours
10h00 to 18h00 (Closed on Mondays)

Housed in the former Alvor-Pombal Palace, the Museum of Ancient Art is the most important museum of 12th to 19th century art in Portugal. Here you'll find works of sculpture, painting and auriphic art of European, Oriental and African origin. The palace also has a garden with a restaurant and a unique view over the Tagus.
Normal ticket price: 6€
Free entry on Sundays and public holidays until 2pm for all citizens residing in Portugal
Opening hours
10h00 to 18h00 (Closed on Mondays)

@casafernandopessoa

Amália Rodrigues Garden © Dominique Cappronnier

©visitlisboa

Located in the Convento das Bernadas, the Puppet Museum presents a collection of puppets, masks and other props typical of this field of art. As well as a permanent exhibition, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops and various shows. Ideal for the whole family!
Normal ticket price: 5€
Free entry on Sundays and public holidays until 2pm for Lisbon residents

Opening hours
10h00 to 18h00 (Closed on Mondays)

@casafernandopessoa

Amália Rodrigues Garden © Dominique Cappronnier

©visitlisboa

Where to eat and drink:

Located in a former 18th century family mansion, Clube dos Jornalistas is a restaurant where the marks of time do not go unnoticed. Have lunch on the patio surrounded by centuries-old trees or dine in the main room, where the palace's kitchen was originally located.
Average price 35 €
Opening hours
12h30 - 14h30 / 19h00 - 23h30 (Closed on Wednesdays)

Located in a former 18th century family mansion, Clube dos Jornalistas is a restaurant where the marks of time do not go unnoticed. Have lunch on the patio surrounded by centuries-old trees or dine in the main room, where the palace's kitchen was originally located.
Average price 35 €
Opening hours
12h30 - 14h30 / 19h00 - 23h30 (Closed on Wednesdays)

©Clube dos Jornalistas

"A Travessa" is located in the former Convento das Bernardas and is one of Lisbon's best known and most praised restaurants. Here you will find a harmonious fusion of international cuisine and traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Average price 30 € - 50 €
Opening Hours
19h30 - 23h30 (Closed on Sundays)

©A Travessa

Founded in 1975, Sr. Vinho is one of Lisbon's most traditional Fado houses. Here you can enjoy the most typical Portuguese cuisine to the sound of a cast of Fado greats. A true Portuguese house!
Average price 60€
Opening Hours
20h00 - 2h00 (Closed on Sundays)

Founded in 1975, Sr. Vinho is one of Lisbon's most traditional Fado houses. Here you can enjoy the most typical Portuguese cuisine to the sound of a cast of Fado greats. A true Portuguese house!
Average price 60€
Opening Hours
20h00 - 2h00 (Closed on Sundays)

©Sr. Vinho

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