Praça Luís de Camões — Attraction in Lisbon

Praça Luís de Camões

Lisbon has countless quaint nooks and crannies to explore, and sometimes it’s difficult to know which ones you’ll like best. Naturally, a visit to the city isn’t complete without walking around the iconic Praça do Comércio or the Praça de D. Pedro IV (more commonly known as the Rossio – pronounced: roo-see-oo). But there’s another little square that combines convenience of location with photo-worthy sights: the Praça Luís de Camões.

The Praça Luís de Camões – often referred to as Largo do Camões – is named after Portugal’s most famous poet. This guy is so revered in Portugal (and also by world-class literary critics) that he not only has numerous streets across the country named after him, but the day of his death became our national day (his birthday is unknown). Due to its central location, and close access to a metro station, the square is often used as a meeting point for Lisbonites who are meeting downtown.

But apart from being a convenient location to meet, the square is a great opportunity for tourists to get a glimpse into Portuguese life. Firstly, it features two beautiful patterns of Portuguese pavement (calçada portuguesa): one throughout the majority of the square; the other one surrounding the statue in the middle. The 19th century bronze statue was sculpted by Victor Bastos and sits on a beautiful pedestal that features other historical and cultural figures. Unsurprisingly, it was built ahead of the 300-year-anniversary of Camões’ death (because anything Camões is worth celebrating).

In the square, you’ll find a typical Portuguese quiosque, where you can enjoy a refreshment and snack, and take in the sights (when in Lisbon, do as the Lisbonites do). As you admire your surroundings, you’ll be sure to see plenty of those gorgeous yellow trams – and almost certainly some red and green ones too.

The Praça Luís de Camões is in an ideal location for shopping, wining & dining, and sight-seeing. Without having to go far, you will find two huge churches facing each other on one end of the square. One of my favorite belvederes, the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, is just a 5-minute walk (uphill) from here. Also uphill from the square is the famous Bairro Alto, which is packed with small bars, restaurants, and unique little shops. This neighborhood has one of the best nightlife scenes in town! If you head in the direction of the metro station, you’ll find yourself in a popular shopping street. Insider tip: go off that main street into a side street and find the delightful A Vida Portuguesa shop for gorgeous souvenirs. Finally, if you head downhill, you’ll end up at Cais do Sodré, a key train station that will take you to Cascais and Estoril.

So next time you’re in Lisbon and you find yourself in the Largo do Camões, soak it all in, and know that whichever directly you choose to go from there, you’ll almost certainly stumble upon...

Praça Luís de Camões, interchangeably referred to as Largo do Camoes, the both words translated as "square", the location may not strike you by its sheer scale, for it lacks the grandeur and historical significance of both Rossio and Praça do Comércio, but its more intimate and, shall we say cozy, design is more conducive to a leisurely and more relaxed hanging-out, that being the reason the square is always bustling with life, comingling of residents and visitors alike, and a place of eternal rendez-vous for all ages. By now, you will probably know that the square is named after one of the most important founders of Portuguese poetic and literary language, Luís de Camões (1524-1580), usually referred to as "Portuguese Shakespeare". Architecturally, the square is surrounded by fine "Pombaline" (the style that domineered post-1775 earthquake Lisbon urban reconstruction) buildings and impressive mosaic pavement, the famous "Calçada Portuguesa", however, honestly, both the houses and the pavement are omnipresent almost anywhere in Chiado and Baixa central districts of Lisbon. The location is right in the middle of Chiado district with Rua do Alecrim leading down south to the TimeOut Market, and the "Pink Street", with Rua da Misericórdia leading up north towards Largo Trindade Coelho (with its Church and Museum de São Roque) and Calçada do Duque, with Bairro Alto "party-non-stop" neighborhood to the west and Largo do Chiado (Cafe A Brasileira with the statue of Fernando Pessoa) and Rua Garrett, with the area's both of Lisbon only 2 Michelin stars restaurants, to the east. Certainly there are tons of places to eat and drink, with two best Pasteis de Nata (freshly baked custard pies) joints in town, Manteigaria and a small Pastelaria Batalha, across the square of each other. Quiosque Lisboa, a round-shaped kiosk, located on the square itself offers hot beverages, wine, snacks and light meals, with sitting-down area complete with chairs, tables, and umbrellas against...

Praça Luís de Camões is a charming square in the heart of Lisbon, dedicated to the great poet of the Portuguese language. It is a lively spot where locals and tourists mingle, enjoy the sun, and admire the statue of Camões surrounded by other literary figures. The square is also a gateway to the historic neighborhoods of Chiado and Bairro Alto, where you can find many shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions.

Some of the places worth visiting near Praça Luís de Camões are the São Carlos National Theater, the oldest theater in Lisbon; the Carmo Convent and Museum, a Gothic ruin with a fascinating collection of artifacts; the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation, a Baroque masterpiece; and the Brasileira Cafe, a legendary meeting point for artists and intellectuals. The square is also close to several transport options, such as the metro, the tram, and the funicular.

Praça Luís de Camões is a perfect place to start or end your exploration of Lisbon. It is a tribute to the Portuguese culture and identity, and a reflection of the city’s vibrant and...