Avenida da Liberdade Lisbon

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon's version of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris or Regent's Street in London.

An elegant boulevard it runs north-south from Praça do Marquês de Pombal (Marquis of Pombal Square) to Restauradores and Rossio.

The avenue is lined with banks, company headquarters, embassies, luxury stores, public buildings and several grand hotels.

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon. — Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Architecture & History

The boulevard has its antecedents in the Passeio Público, a park built for the exclusive use of the Portuguese aristocracy after the 1755 earthquake and part of the redesign of the capital by Marquis of Pombal.

In 1821 the park was opened to all classes of Portuguese society by order of João VI.

In 1886 the park was demolished to make way for the new Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty).

Vestiges of the park can still be seen in the central walkway between the two streets that make up the boulevard. This are lined with tall trees and have benches to relax.

The pavements are decorated with impressive calçada and the central area has several statues of important figures from Portuguese history which line both sides of the street. These include the writers Almeida Garrett, António Feliciano de Castilho (1800-1875) and Alexandre Herculano (1810-1877) as well as a monument to those who fell in World War I (Monumento aos Heróis da Grande Guerra).

The Cinema São Jorge, Lisbon. — Cinema São Jorge, Lisbon

Shopping

Brands and global businesses with a presence on Avenida de Liberdade include Armani, Boss, Bulgari, Burberry, Cartier, Google Portugal, Gucci, Hackett, Lacoste, Prada, David Rosas & Patek Philippe, Timberland and Louis Vuitton.

Public Buildings

Public buildings on the street include the Canadian Embassy, the head office of the Diario de Noticias media group, the headquarters of Instituto Camões, the Portuguese version of the British Council and Alliance Française, the Cinema São Jorge and the Teatro Tivoli, a grand edifice built in the 1920's.

Parque Eduardo VII looking down to Praça do Pombal, Lisbon. — Parque Eduardo VII looking down to Praça do Pombal and Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Monument to Alexandre Herculano, Lisbon. — Statue of Alexandre Herculano, Lisbon

Nearby Attractions

North of Pombal is the large green area of Parque Eduardo VII (Eduardo VII Park) which contains the Estufa Fria and the refurbished Carlos Lopes Pavilion (Pavilhão Carlos Lopes).

There are great views of the city here looking down along the Avenida da Liberdade as far as Praça do Comércio, the Arco da Rua Augusta and the River Tagus.

Also nearby is Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida on Rua Rosa Araújo, just west of the boulevard.

Eat & Drink

Some recommended places to eat and drink in the area are Cervejaria Ribadouro, Cantinho de São José and Marisqueira Santa Marta. Cervejaria Ribadouro at Av. da Liberdade 155 has excellent beer and seafood. Cantinho de São José is a good value tasca while Marisqueira Santa Marta also offers high-quality seafood.

Galeto and Pastelaria Versailles are two well-established and attractive cafes on the street. Pastelaria Versailles opened in 1922 and has an impressive Art Nouveau interior full of mirrors, chandeliers and wood paneling. The cafe serves excellent pastel de nata and other delicious Portuguese pastries. Galeto is more American diner in style with 1960s decor. It opens late into the night.

Avenida metro station, Lisbon. — Avenida metro station, Lisbon

Access

The nearest Lisbon metro station to Avenida da Liberdade is Avenida on the Linha Azul (Blue Line).

Several Lisbon buses ply up and down this busy street including the 711 bus running between Terreiro do Paço and Alto Damaia, and the 736 bus between Odivelas and Cais do Sodre Station via Senhor Roubado, Lumiar, Entrecampos, Picoas Station, Restauradores and Rossio metro stations. The AeroBus#1 to Lisbon Airport also stops here.