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My Escapes Portugal Another Lovely Trip to Portugal! Lisbon Dipping Into Lisbon Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto, Lisbon's Historic Hilly District

September 11, 2014
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Literally, "Bairro Alto" means "Upper District" and, it's one of Lisbon's most scenic areas, found on the western hills of the city.

Restaurant in Bairro Alto

Restaurant in Bairro Alto

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Bairro Alto was formed as Lisbon extended to the western hills in the 16th century, which was then outside the protecting walls of the original city.

This is a scenic part of beautiful Lisbon, worth spending time and walking around.

You can get lost wandering on the streets of this historic neighbourhood, but I also recommend visiting the Miraduro São Pedro de Alcântara for admiring breathtaking views of Lisbon.

The more "romantic way" to get up there is to simply walk. But another way would be by taking the Elevador da Glória, which is one of Lisbon's old funiculars.

There are vast residential areas composed of mainly old buildings with Pombaline facades - typical to Portuguese architecture.

The buildings are most often 3-4 storey residential dwellings - like house blocks. The most beautiful ones are along the main roads.

I went on a complex walking exploration from the Baixa district, through Chiado.

It's a wonderful area of old Lisbon with vast networks of narrow streets, where I got lost a bit while photo hunting.

Zoomed in...

Zoomed in on the decorations

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At around the 1500's, Lisbon's population grew at a staggering rate, as a result of commercial development.

The city started extending outside its walls already in the second half of the 15th century.

Bairro Alto had already appeared on the hills in the 16th century.

During this period, the Portuguese Empire was a global power - actually the first one.

No wonder the capital was thriving as a result of importing and exporting goods, therefore more people moved to Lisbon, thus the population has soared. More space was required.

Bairro Alto's establishment occurred in the same period.

Of course, throughout the centuries, the district has undergone slight modifications, but I admired the fact that there were very few modern buildings.

And even less from the second half of the 20th century...

If you take walks behind the main roads, then you'll come across some residential buildings that are more worn-down. But the area looks very good and it's safe too, don't expect slums.

Alley

A quiet alley

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Bairro Alto is considered the district of the working class.

Today, it has a vibrant night life and boasts with a plethora of graffiti-covered walls and even entire houses covered in art.

Azulejo-covered building walls are also found in abundance.

All sorts of thematic bars, restaurants and fado bars too, are plentyful. So, if you want to have a great time in Lisbon with a group of friends, consider Bairro Alto.

It's sometimes difficult to say where Bairro also starts and ends.
Because, part of the Chiado neighbourhood is also found on the same hills.

Just that the latter is more of a luxurious nest with lots of fine shops and restaurants.

Anyway... In Bairro Alto I also came across beautiful street art creations.

Some of the ones I captured in Bairro Alto can be seen here.

It's needless to verbalize too much. Bairro Alto is a place more about sights than facts and information, so I am leaving you with a bunch of photos down below...


Out of Chiado

Getting out of Chiado, Bairro Alto starts here somewhere

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Beautiful restaurant

Restaurant in a stylish old building (see the first two photos of it, at the top of the page)

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Residential area in Bairro Alto

Residential area - quiet and colourfully decorated

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Azulejos

Azulejos!

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Worn-down old building in Bairro Alto

Wornd-down, but still beautiful

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Walls with patina

Beautiful old patina

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Deeper in Bairro Alto

These were found a bit higher in Bairro Alto

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Bairro Alto buildings

The lucky have balconies

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Blue building

Blue buildings at an intersection deep in Bairro Alto

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Weird terrace

It's a weird terrace. Thin and I bet it must feel rather dark inside.

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Wicked roofs

Wicked roofs

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Flowers

Flower explosion!

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Flowers on wall fence

Flowers flooding outwards

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Escape Hunter

About the Author:

Escape Hunter, the young solo traveler in his early 30's explores the World driven by curiosity, thirst for adventure, deep passion for beauty, love for freedom and diversity.
With a nuanced, even humorous approach to travel, an obsession for art and design, Escape Hunter prefers to travel slowly, in order to learn and "soak up" the local atmosphere...



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