Bairro Alto

Barrio Alto, literally Upper District, is in both senses central to the city of Lisbon. It is a loose association of neighbourhoods found outside the former walls of the historical city. During the 15th and 16th centuries wealth was flooding into Lisbon from its trade and colonies in Latin America, India and Africa and, as a result, Lisbon expanded rapidly, spilling over its former boundaries and giving rise to what is now one of Lisbon’s trendier districts.

Traditionally, the picturesque Barrio Alto has been a Bohemian quarter, home to the city’s artists and writers. Quiet during the day, it comes to life at night, with Fado houses, bars and restaurants around every corner.

For One’s Sins

Try Alface Hall for some informal jazz in a shabby chic setting that is popular with locals and tourists alike. Or for something a little more sophisticated, the BA Wine Bar do Bairro Alto has hundreds of types of wine from all corners of Portugal. Complement them with some petiscos — lovely, tapas-style bites which captures something of traditional Portuguese gastronomy.

Atonement

Nestled among the bars of Bairro Alto are several beautiful churches, including the Igreja de São Roque. On the face of it, the Igreja de São Roque is not all that interesting, with its simple, white façade. However, inside it all gold, marble and precious stones, exemplified by the decadence of the Capela de São João Baptista — a wonder of amethyst, lapis lazuli and Carrara marble.