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Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco)

Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco), Lisbon: Address, Phone Number, Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco) Reviews: 4.5/5

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Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco)

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Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco)
4.5
16,759
#4 of 736 things to do in Lisbon
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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About
One of the biggest squares in Europe, this stylish area in downtown Lisbon often displays beautiful works of art and sculpture, and is a great place for a leisurely stroll.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
A pending candidate to become a World Heritage Site, Lisbon's downtown (the "Baixa Pombalina", or simply "Baixa") is a perfect example of anti-earthquake construction, having been rebuilt following the 1755 earthquake by the famous Marquês de Pombal (hence its name). Its offer is vast: restaurants and cafes in Rossio and Restauradores, outlets and shops in the Áurea, Augusta, Prata and other famous streets, the imponent Praça do Comércio and its Arch, the luxury shops along the Avenida da Liberdade, this is the beating heart of the city center. The Baixa also grants easy access to trains leading to Sintra, the trams that go around the Castle hill, old neighborhoods or even take you to Belém, and Lisbon's traditional restaurants and cafes. Considering a visit to the Fashion and Design Museum (free entrance) and don't forget to try the famous liquor, "ginjinha"!
How to get there
  • Terreiro do Paço • 2 min walk
  • Baixa/Chiado • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,549 within 3 miles
STŌ Mercearia
117
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Contemporary • Portuguese
Lisboa Tu & Eu 2
988
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Portuguese • Vegetarian Friendly
Sala
171
0.2 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy
Restaurante Solar dos Bicos
991
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European
DaPrata52
2,667
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Contemporary
Antiga Wine Bar
112
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Pub • Fusion • Wine Bar
Maria Catita
2,899
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Healthy
Gelato Therapy
349
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert
Hamburgueria Gourmet - Cafe do Rio
1,936
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • International • European • Healthy
Velha Gaiteira
526
0.2 mi$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
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Attractions
745 within 6 miles
Arco do Triunfo
5,829
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Monument to King José I
323
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Museu da Cerveja
179
435 ftSpeciality Museums
Mirante Belvedere, do Arco da Rua Augusta
191
0.1 miLookouts
Rua Augusta
2,541
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Centro Interpretativo da História do Bacalhau
6
461 ftSpeciality Museums
Cais das Colunas
75
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Velha
66
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals
Fundação José Saramago
309
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Homenagem a Jose Saramago
1
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
16,761 reviews
Excellent
9,123
Very good
6,151
Average
1,279
Poor
134
Terrible
74
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,194 contributions
Largest Square in Lisbon
Sep 2021
This is a lovely water-front square, the largest in Lisbon and one of the largest in Europe. Led by the Marquis of Pombal, the area was completely redesigned after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake that destroyed much of Lisbon. A triumphal arch, the Arco da Rua Augusta, is flanked on both sides by a symmetrical design of yellow-hued buildings. The centerpiece of the square is an equestrian statue of King José I inaugurated in 1775. A monument honoring the Marquis of Pombal, who really deserves the credit for this beautiful space, is located further north on the Ave da Liberdade. Praca do Comercio is conveniently located near Belem, making it the perfect ending to your sightseeing. The Time Out Market is nearby, as well as numerous restaurants/cafes on R. Augusta.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom6,324 contributions
Excellent Starting Point for Exploring Lisbon
Mar 2020
We loved Lisbon and we had 5 days here but even if you only have a day in Lisbon, then this is a beautiful, open waterfront square that you don't want to miss. It is an excellent place to start exploring Lisbon because the Tourist Information centre is here and trams run past here constantly.
You enter via a gleaming white triumphal arch. The old royal palace and arcaded walkway wraps around three sides of the plaza. The fourth side opens up to the harbour, where we sat to watch the sun set across the water.
Taking centre stage is the 14 m tall statue of King José I (1750 – 1777). He sits upright, on his horse and is wearing the emperor's mantle although most of my attention was taken with his rather spectacular feathered hat. I was also intrigued that he appears to be riding over a nest of vipers with snakes are writhing around the horse’s legs. Are they symbolic enemies? Around the base, there’s more mayhem. Limestone angels cavort with a baby elephant, a man is being trampled by an elephant and another is about to be come to serious harm underneath a rearing horse.
Historically, this where the royal palace stood for over two centuries until the devastating 1755 Earthquake and tsunami which completely destroyed the palace and along with it, much of Lisbon. Jose I was already king then and the royal family quickly packed their bags and ran to Belem for safety.
There is a lot to do and see here:
∗ Rua Augusta Arch and the viewing platform at the top
∗ Watch the sunset over the harbour – just beautiful
∗ Wines of Portugal Tasting Centre – see separate review
∗ Tourist Information Centre
∗ The trams run alongside the square so it’s a good, central jump on/off point
∗ Café Martinho da Arcada, which has been here serving poets novelists since 1782
∗ Lisboa Story Centre museum
Written January 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
debdoodleNewYork
Staten Island, NY248 contributions
great place to visit
Feb 2022
Loved this area! We were there during a football game between the Netherlands and Portugal so the "entertainment" was quite interesting of people watching. Area is great to take photos. It is truly a beautiful area.

You can get tuk tuks (for touring there). right on water so you can see the boats and ride a ferry if you wish. Near metro.

Lots of nice restaurants. We ate at Squisto which was wonderful. Pizza and wine while people watching
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cami S
22 contributions
An awesome but approachable European city center
Mar 2022
City centers in European capitals can be a little overwhelming because of traffic and throngs of tourists. This one is more approachable, with most traffic being cut off. Beautiful architecture and a very cool city center with the river banks right there. Sorry, but even the most beautiful cities in Europe can't match that combination.
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anik L
Montreal, Canada654 contributions
Incredibly huge!
Jun 2019
The royal palace was located here once before the big earthquake of 1755. This magnificent square, is considered one of the largest "plazas" of Europe. The Arch is beautiful. So is the bronze equestrian statue of King Dom Jose I (the king that rebuilt the square after the earthquake). You will have many excellent photos opportunity here (the square, the arch, the statue and the Tagus river). There are several cafés and restaurants in the square but in this area they are pricey. There is nothing really to do here except for wandering and taking photos. No one seems to come here except tourists and drug dealers! We were approached at least 3 times in 20 minutes asking us if we wanted to buy drugs, so be warned of that.
Still, Praca do Comercio is superb and well worth a look.
Written April 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chase V
Oklahoma City, OK563 contributions
Magical large square.
Mar 2022 • Couples
Maybe because it was St Patrick’s day, and wasn’t crowded at night, that we had no issues? People said street vendors or other sketchy activities were here, I disagree. It’s great to see the Tagus this square is iconic for Lisbon and the arch and middle statue are gorgeous and create a great atmosphere. Don’t avoid, just be vigilant as in all of Europe, never got approached here walking around at night or day.
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA12,740 contributions
Center of Baixa Chiado
Apr 2022
This huge square used to be surrounded by the King's palace. Now the surroundings are matching harmonious buildings with arcades below where you find eating places, etc. It's a grand space and the center of the waterfront area in Baixa Chiado.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark Lum
Edinburgh, UK8 contributions
A centre point for visiting Lisbon
Feb 2020
This is a beautiful square facing the sea. Most important it is the centre of transportation in Lisbon. You can go everywhere in Lisbon from here. I mean bus, coach, tram, Airport bus and even ferry. Four Euro to Airport. One day ticket (6.4 Euro for exactly 24 hours) everywhere in Lisbon by bus, tram, ferry etc.)
The only problem is the long queue. If you are clever, you can walk one stop infront ( Depands on which direction). I can assure you it is not far away and you can get a seat then.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Annie P
Hollywood, FL360 contributions
Pretty promenade
Mar 2020 • Couples
Even on a cloudy day, the beauty of this venue shone through..... I will return for a longer walk when the weather is more favorable. One can picture hundreds of years of visitors, emigres and workers disembarking here.... How lovely a welcome to the fair city of Lisbon!
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Belfasttravelguy
Belfast, UK1,627 contributions
Nice big square
Feb 2022 • Friends
I always like walking down to this square which is very spacious and has some bars around the sides. There are also a number of market type stalls in the inside parts with the arches. There are often some street entertainers too. Just keep an eye out as you are likely to get approached by people selling drugs or fake sunglasses. They won’t hassle you and tend to move on quickly but they do tend to appear from nowhere, particularly when you’re trying to take a photo.
Written February 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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