Lisbon Architecture

Álvaro Siza Vieira is perhaps Portugal’s best-known contemporary architect, and was responsible for minimalist landmark creations such as the Portugal Expo 98 Pavilion and the massive restoration project in the Chiado shopping district that followed a devastating fire in 1988. Lisbon’s hippest boutique hotel Bairro Alto Hotel has also set an architectural milestone for sheer gutsy innovation thanks to top design duo Diogo Rosa Lã and José Pedro Vieira. Another unusual modern edifice is the goldfish bowl restaurant Eleven, located above the Edward VII park, with its minimalist steel frame fronted by huge floor-to-ceiling windows. The building was designed by three up-and-coming local architects: João Correia, Cristina Santos e Silva and Ana Menezes Cardoso.

But almost every neighbourhood of Lisbon has its architectural delights. From the river up to Restauradores, Baixa is a tribute to grand 18th century urban planning and architecture. Solid, majestic Pombaline buildings, built to withstand earthquakes, their facades softened by intricate ironwork balconies, are laid out in neat patterns, and large open spaces at either side help to allow Lisbon’s fabled light to be even more emphatic.

A century later the neighbourhood to the north of Baixa along Avenida da Liberdade was built. On this grand avenue and the neighbouring streets you’ll find some spectacular and exuberant examples of late 19th and early 20th century styles. This neighbourhood was soon followed with the extension of the city to the west of Avenida da Liberdade and Parque Eduardo VII to Amoreiras (and its much maligned 1985 postmodern Tower) and to the east to form the Avenidas Novas (New Avenues) neighbourhood. Not only the individual buildings but also their collective impact and coherence in their respective neighbourhoods are guaranteed to please any lover of architecture.