Lapa is one of Lisbon’s most prestigious neighborhoods, offering impressive views and a true sense of community life, with calm, tree-lined streets nestled between Jardim da Estrela and Santos. Living or strolling through Lapa also means being surrounded by Lisbon’s historic high society, with several embassies and palaces.
As you might imagine, there are many reasons to visit Lapa, and one of them is its landmark – the Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel – a 19th-century palace overlooking the Tagus River, set within a magnificent centuries-old subtropical garden. This hotel is one of Lisbon’s most romantic, with richly decorated interiors, excellent service, and an incredible outdoor pool.
The hotel also houses the Lapa Restaurant, where guests can enjoy delicious Mediterranean dishes in an elegant setting, and the Rio Tejo Bar, perfect for a business meeting or a casual drink, featuring a terrace with views of the Tagus River.
Another unmissable spot is the majestic Palácio de São Bento, a 16th-century monastery transformed into an imposing neoclassical palace in 1834, which today houses the Portuguese Parliament. In the adjacent building is the official residence of Portugal’s Prime Minister.
A little further uphill, you can relax in the shade or rest on the lawns of the romantic Jardim da Estrela, inaugurated in 1852, which today includes a playground, lakes, a bandstand, a café, and a kiosk. Right in front of one of its entrances stands the impressive Basílica da Estrela, also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, one of the city’s most iconic churches – and a must-see.
End your day with an unforgettable fado performance at Sr. Vinho, a traditional restaurant that is one of Lisbon’s most famous fado houses.
