Although I wouldn't characterize Lisbon as a symmetrical city due to its hilly terrain, the one truly symmetrical area in the city is this waterfront plaza, a model of balance between land and sea in its clean layout and openness to the Tagus River. It defined my first impression of Lisbon on my first visit, and enhanced my awareness of the city's rich maritime history on my most recent visit with Jamie W. Built after the 1755 earthquake destroyed the Royal Palace that stood on the grounds, this public square is anchored by the majestic Augusta Street Arch, the stone gateway through which people enter from downtown (Photo 2). In front at the center of the plaza is the equestrian statue of King José I (Photo 8). Surrounding us were bright yellow arcades framing three sides of the plaza in a U shape. The arcades were lit up in appropriately dramatic fashion at night. We eventually made our way to the waterfront where we looked back on the panoramic view of the square from the Cais das Colunas columns and marble steps (Photo 6). You can picture how visiting dignitaries must have arrived by boat and got their first impression of the city. If there's a single snapshot that defines Lisbon, it's this one. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ayZwwRJHQd read more

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This is a popular site in Lisbon. It's a big plaza with lots of little shops and restaurants nearby. Three sides of the square are surrounded with bright yellow walls/buildings, while the fourth side of the square is made up by the water! I think that's a cool feature! You enter it through a big, pretty stone arch, and in the very center of the plaza is a statue. When I went, I enjoyed hearing a man sing opera under the arch. It contributed to a nice atmosphere. It felt fitting. I came across this location more than once so it's relatively easy to get to depending on where you are/where you're going. I had sardines for the first time at a restaurant in the plaza, and I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant! They were so good!!! They had a nicer flavor than I expected- mild and salty with maybe a bit of sweetness too. Crispy thin texture on the outside, too. And much larger sized fish than I expected. I was lucky to be there during sardine season/festival, so I'm sure that helped. read more

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This square is full of life! Lots of people, photo displays depending on the holiday (we were there around Christmas so there was a giant tree and letters), and various cafes to sit outside, street performers and more. Around sunset you'll likely see a stream of people sitting by the river to watch the sky hue up and it's so beautiful. Great spot to wander and take a leisurely stroll. read more

A beautiful sight to see.. we were able to have lunch close by and really enjoyed the views. The weather was great. it was really nice to take everything in. read more

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We were fortunate enough to be staying at Convent Square and easily walked down the Rua Augusta enjoying the shops and sights all the way to this beautiful commercial main plaza along the river. This is like other main city center squares on the water - open, beautiful views, buildings and bustling. I loved it. We came here several times during our two days in Lisbon and it was always beautiful and fun. read more

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This is a wonderful and huge open space plaza that serves as the kick off/ending (depending on where you're coming from) from the Rua Augusta shopping district/street. For us it was where we began the day and took lots of great photos before walking past the impressive arches that went straight into the shopping street. The statues are huge and magnificent which make them wonderful backdrops for some of the best photos you'll take in Lisbon. And of course the proximity to the shopping district makes it a logical place to visit as you're touring the city. This was definitely by far one of my favorite places to visit in Lisbon that I came here twice during the trip. This place is also not far from other landmarks like the Time Out Market (a 10 min walk from here tops) and also is a busy taxi pickup/dropoff area in case you need a ride. read more

Praça do Comércio - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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Such an awe-inspiring square that screams Lisboa! Europa! Surrounded on 3 sides by beautiful buildings with a gigantic arch in the middle, it's overwhelming in size. And it looks out to the river. This was the site of the royal palace, before it was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. Well worth a visit. read more

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The public square faces the waterfront. From here you can also spot the 25 de Abril Bridge. We were here in November, and the tall Christmas tree was lit up for night. It was a nice spot to walk around. read more

Praça do Comércio - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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What a beautiful place. We took a long walk to this landmark and it was so lovely. You get a view of the sea and the weather was absolutely perfect. read more

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Beautiful majestic plaza/square where people can gather for celebrations or events. The sightlines are unmatched and the architecture is wonderfully European. In February, the temperature is about 16-18C so you could come here wesring short sleeves or light jacket is sufficient. There are trams crossing the square and alternative transportation like Bolt, Uber, and Tuk Tuk scooters. Beware of pickpockets and drug dealers trying to sell you weed, hash, coke, mushrooms. Just ignore these people. Overall great experience coming here and reminds me of the squares in Venice. read more

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It's Hip to Be Square (Huey Lewis and The News) Praça do Comércio square is always cool, even when it's 90 degrees! A popular venue for markets, shopping, cultural festivals, and concerts, this location is the place to see and be seen, whether you're hip...or a square. Check out one of the restaurants in the yellow-painted buildings lining the plaza, because it's important to get three square meals a days. Praça do Comércio is also the best place to get your bearings with Google Maps once you venture out in Lisbon, starting with a visit to the Lisboa Welcome Center. Ask about the Lisboa Card to see if it is worth the cost, depending on what sites you intend to visit. Flanked by Rua Augusta Arch at the northern end, and Cais das Colunas pier at the southern side, Praça do Comércio is Western Europe's largest royal square, and the site where Portugal's most important palace once stood until its destruction in the 1755 earthquake. This is also where anarchists assassinated Dom Carlos 1 and his son Luis Filipe in 1908, for you fans of fallen monarchies. Lastly, don't forget to take a selfie with the bronze equestrian statue of King José I that majestically reigns over the square. Get the right angle and you'll have a fantastic Medusa snake hairdo. Overall, Praça do Comércio is equal sides the best spot to kick off your visit to Lisbon and an all-around real block party. Be there or be square!! read more

Great area to sightsee shops, ride the trolleys around the city. During the day the heat can be overwhelming, i would recommend walking around this area in the late afternoon-early evening when temperatures are cooler. We happen to come by late before 11pm, we got to experience desserts, walk and there are a lot of sidewalk shows. Be careful of scam artists loking to pick pocket you, as a New Yorker, i can see it a mile away so i am always vigilant specially when the wife and daughter are doing their sightseeing pictures . read more

Praça do Comércio - Entering the placa de comercio - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Public square on the waterfront of Lisbon, Portugal, it serves as a nice landmark guide, especially for visitors. There is a large, bronze statue in the center, showing King Jose of Portugal on his horse, crushing snakes in his path. With the open space comes a lot of people milling, taking pictures and engaged. My wife and I stopped and did some people watching before heading back to our ship. read more

Praça do Comércio is one of my favourite places in Lisbon, it is a large, open square, perhaps the largest of its kind in the city. The location is central to pretty much everything in Lisbon, it's right by the Tagus River, and on a sunny day, you can get the fresh air from the stunning blue sea, which also welcomes cruises. If using the Lisbon Metro, you should look for the Terreiro do Paço Station which is on the blue line. It can get very busy at certain times, without much notice or warning, I ended up trying to pass through the Square one evening, and it was rammed with locals and tourists alike, with no information about any event online, but during the day, it isn't too bad... although I did visit during Winter and can see it being busier during the summer peak. I enjoyed just walking around and relaxing in the square, there are some within the square, but it would have been nice to have more seating areas nearby just to relax and take everything in, without having to go inside a restaurant. The coloured buildings with the yellow and the white are also aesthetically pleasing an remind me of the old Lisbon trams, Tram Route 28 also serves stops a short walk away, although you shouldn't expect to board here due to how busy it gets throughout the ride. 4* read more

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This is a lovely very large plaza overlooking the Tagus river crowned by a beautiful arch and centre place is the statue of king José I. Surrounding the plaza are lovely restaurants and is a transport hub! Great photo ops too! read more

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One of the largest open squares in Lisbon, Praça do Comércio is located right on the banks of the Tagus River. As it was between my hotel and the closest metro station, I transited this plaza a few times. Quite wide and open, the centerpiece is the Statue of King José I. Most of the population here is tourists and of course, people looking to take money from tourists. If someone asks you if you want to buy hash, ignore them. It's not real. The trams and buses pass through here. There is also a ferry terminal to cross the river. It was formerly called the Terreiro do Paço ("palace yard") and the metro station nearby still has that name. Interesting historical tidbit. It was here on February 1 1908 where Carlos I, the King of Portugal was assassinated. [Review 16575 overall - 93 in Portugal - 85 of 2022.] read more

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Can't beat the sweeping views of the Tagus River, the gorgeous (and huge) Arco da Rua Augusta that seems like the gateway to Lisbon, and the enormous King José statue in the center of this spacious plaza. Note that there is construction going on behind the arch, and people like to lounge on the statue steps, so if you are an IG photo op person, you may not find your "perfect" shot without some Photoshop touchups. We had this plaza on our list of Maybe's and would recommend switching to your must list since you can spend as much or as little time as you wish and it is free! This is easy to get to with public transit and is worth at least a brief stop to take in the views, history, architecture, and the fresh air with room to spread out from the swarms of tourists. read more

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This is the optimal place to snap a picture that captures Lisbon! The notable arch named Arco da Rua Augusta faces the Tagus River as trams drift along the cobblestone streets. The massive open space draws people from all around and walking along the river or out on the pier is quite lovely. This embodies the spirit of Lisbon in one single location. In an interesting piece of history, if you stand somewhere around the GPS coordinates 38.7077859, -9.1361880, this is where Portugal's King Carlos I (44) and his heir-apparent Luis Filipe (20) were assassinated in the square in the year 1908 while riding westbound in a carriage. Carlos was first Portuguese king to meet a violent end since 1578. These precise GPS coordinates are not available online, so enjoy this secret tip! read more

Praça do Comércio - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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My wife and I were here, having finished a Gate1 tour the previous day, so wandering around on our own. There were plenty of shops at the Praça do Comércio, and we stopped at a few just to browse the merchandise, and mentally compare prices, which seemed about normal, or very slightly higher. There was also a tower, the Santa Justa Lift, from which you could see the entire city, but the wait time - standing up and slowly moving - was over an hour. Apparently, only 6 people can get into that 'elevator room' at a time, so we skipped it. Walking down there were a lot of monuments; unfortunately, most of them did not have any descriptions of what they were, so ... we basically just enjoyed looking at them and taking photos. After this, we continued walking down to the Riverfront, which was also very enjoyable, seeing sand sculptures, etc. read more

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The square has many to offer. This square has many restaurant. Plan you trip to have a meal there is rewarding. The square is huge. There are more than 15 restaurants in the square. The Arch to Rua of Augusta connect the square to its famous shopping street. At the center of the square has a statue of King José I. This statue is build in 17th century in compare the entire square was rebuilt at early 19th century. The square can congregate a lot of people. It connect to Tagus River. I think the square is great place for celebration such as festival carnival or new year p read more

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Very well decorated for Xmas! A pretty big plaza and surrounded by some nice buildings and you even get to see the cable cars pass by! read more

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Praca do Comercio is in the middle of Lisbon. Very touristy area full with hotels, restaurants, and different kinds of shops. The area is always full of people and it's nice to visit in the morning and night. read more

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I went twice to this spectacular place because I wanted to enjoy it during the night and experienced it also during the day. When you come, you should do the same. At night you will appreciate the lights on the arch and the buildings here. At day time, you will appreciate the beautiful view of the water, people from all over the word walking, vendors, and much more. There are plenty of restaurants here for you to enjoy a meal too! read more

Praça do Comércio - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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What a vast, glorious and colorful public square this is, located right on the river! The design is in the shape of a "U", with the opening towards the Tagus River. This was the last stop of our Sandeman's free walking tour of Lisbon, and our guide explained that back in the 1700s, the kings palace was located here, but it was destroyed by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated this area back in 1755. When the square was rebuilt it was named Praça do Comércio, aka the Square of Commerce, to indicate it would house government buildings dealing with economic (customs and port) activities. There is a statue of a Portuguese King (can't remember name) on a horse with tons of animals, in the centre of the square. However I really liked the Arch that opens up towards Augusta street, and links up to the next square. Our tour guide told us the three statues of the women on top represent Glory, Ingenuity and Valor. It was lovely checking out this square and definitely recommend coming and seeing the Arch! Yelp 187/ 2019 read more

Praça do Comércio - Famous Portugal king - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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One of my favorite spots in Lisbon. You can find this lovely square by making your way down Rua Augusta until you hit some beautiful architecture. Once you pass through, you'll find a large, central square with a bunch of restaurants and shops surrounding it on the sides. There's a statue in the square and as you reach the end of it, the Tagus river. It's a great spot to hang out and relax for a bit. Don't miss it! read more

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Beautiful place. You've got to go here. It's probably hard to avoid ending up here at some point. The museum of beer is on this square and there are restaurants. A ginginha place and a wine tasting place. You'll enjoy it. read more

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We had our rental apartement just 3-4mins away from the Praca do Comercio. It was always a nice sight, be it in the morning or at dusk. It is a huge space, surrounded by some cafés, restaurants and museums. There is not much on the plaza itself, except a statue of José I. But nonetheless is is a pretty sight and not as busy as you might imagine (it was October, still sunny and warm). The Rio Tajo is right here too, with some nice walks along it and lovely views. It's also where the Arco da Rua Augusta is located, the entrance to the Baixa Pombalina (lovely walking and shopping street). The Restaurants here all have nice outside seating, but I wouldn't eat here. Prices and menus cater clearly to tourists. Ok for a drink though and watch the world go by. Even though it's "just" a plaza, it has lots of charm and we came here daily. Views and atmosphere just made us come back. Recommended! read more

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Praça do Comercio is in the Baixa neighborhood, closer to the Alfama neighborhood side. It is aka Terreiro do Paço (or "Palace Yard") because it was the site of the Royal Ribeira Palace, before its destruction in the big earthquake (1755). This square is on the Tagus river, historically the ceremonial entrance to Lisbon and Portugal, with the Cais das Colunas (two stone pillars in the water by the shore) acting as the official physical markers of this entry. There is a lot of public transportation hubbing around this square. From many angles it's hard to get a photo without cable lines in it. There are cafes around the perimeter, but not as many as one would think. The square is busy, but there aren't many places to sit, particularly for the number of people constantly milling around the place. The architecture is beautiful, and near sunset, the light is very pretty, especially with the water nearby. We visited during Carnival, and it was very surprising to us that no live entertainment was happening in Praça do Comercio (because it was in many other squares in the city). No street performers, no neighborhood parades, nothing, just loads of people walking around. One of the oldest cafes in the city (est. 1782) is just off of this square, Martinho da Arcada. Its history reminds me of the George & Vulture in London (Castle Court), where Dickens used to eat. When visiting the square, it is worth a stop at Martinho da Arcada for one of their very Portuguese natas (egg tarts), or pasteis de bacalhau (cod pastries). The touristy beer museum is in one corner, with cafe seating out front. These are the more well-known spots directly on the square. In the square's center is a sculpture by Machado de Castro, of King José I, and horse, Gentil (a Lusitano). One of the most emblematic features of this square is the Arco da Rua Augusta, a large arch in the center, giving access to the city beyond. For a small fee (or free if you get the Lisboa card), you can climb the arch and look out from the top. There is a lot of unique shopping, and nice restaurants off of the square. The Mude fashion museum and Cathedral de Lisboa are not far either, both worth visiting (the cathedral is free). Praça do Comércio is one of the largest squares in Europe, and a definite must-see on any trip to Lisbon, but as mentioned, there is not much done to accommodate public seating, nor a whole lot to do on the square, so unless you go sit on the wall by the water, IMO, it's more of a quick look-see stop. read more

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At this in point my travels, I've seen many of Europe's great and famous plazas. Its a large and lovely historical open space, just like any other. But what makes Praça do Comércio truly extraordinary is the fact that its still real and not commercialized. No evil Starbucks. No McDonalds. No gawd awful Hard Rock Cafe. Sure you still have tourists, but not nearly as many as the mobs that overrun Rome and Paris. There's a couple museums built in, as well as some cafes, but no chain restaurants. Love it! Side Note: I did get solicited by two different gentlemen, about 5 minutes apart, to buy some local marijuana. It was really good stuff they told me. I politely declined. Plus drugs are bad for you. And I wasn't sure if they were undercover policemen. j read more

This plaza is just by the central square that has tons of restaurants and various shops. When you first approach it, you'll see a big arch. In the middle of the plaza, there is a statue and as you keep walking, you'll reach the Tagus river. Occasionally, there may be performers but there are also other restaurants and even a beer museum surrounding the plaza! There's also a cute shop selling ginjinha, which is a cherry liquor famous in Portugal. It was one of the better ones that I've tried. The plaza is a great open space to walk around and perfect for both day and night. During the night, you can see the lights around the arch and during the day, you get to see the bustling streets with people exploring the area as well as a great view of the river. read more

Beautiful place to sit and people watch, or wander down to the edge of the water and be entertained by various street performers. Most of the surrounding restaurants and cafes are expensive and touristy, though. read more

My favourite plaza in Lisbon. Very spacious and open square by the Tagus river. There are even steps that go down into the river. This is like the entrance into Lisbon from the sea. A single statue of King Jose in the middle. Opens to Augusta street through a triumphal arch. Expensive restaurants along the square. Needs more public restrooms. read more

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A beautiful public square near the beach in Lisbon. The place was rocking since the World Cup is going on, and fans could watch games on a big screen the city set up. read more

Pretty impressive square when you come here but there aren't very many benches or places to sit. You have to go to a cafe or a restaurant to be able to see the view. Plus, this main road gets really busy and it impedes your way from getting to the beach. It kind of ruins the view. There are a bunch of people who sit on this monument but it is pretty crowded and hard to find a place to sit. Be careful of pick pocketers. Someone tried to pick my husband's pockets in this area. Of all the beautiful places where you can get a spectacular view in Lisbon, this location was just okay. I'd recommend that you stop by once though. read more

Radiant and majestic, "Praca do Comercio" of Lisbon, Portugal is like the "Piazza San Marco" square of Venice, Italy. You can easily stretch out the entire day just eating, shopping and picture-taking by the sea -- right here. #likereally read more

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Concrete. Cobblestones. Tourists. Water. Hot. Bleak. Not a place I ever need to visit again. read more

This is a beautiful plaza to visit. In fact, I believe it is one of the better great people plazas of Europe. I love the street tile patterns, but warning, exercise caution during rainfall, because they are very slippery when wet. While there I witness more than one person fall while walking on wet tiles. Most looked embarrassed as they rose back onto their feet. Also, I love the entrance way to the shopping district. Beautiful Portuguese architecture and many nice store owners that are multilingual and willing to assist travelers along the path. Lots of very good restaurants with great food that offer outdoor seating, including a brewery. If you get a chance, go just prior to sunset, do like many of the locals, and watch the sun go down across the street over the water. There are plenty of places to sit, and a few places to grab a drink and relax.Also, if you take a close look at the bridge across the Tagus river you will notice a bridge that looks a lot like the Golden Gate bridge in the city of San Francisco. Well, it looks similar because it was the same designer. This is one of the longest bridges in Europe. As a matter of fact, it held this title for many years. What also stands out across the water is the Cristo Rei statue which looks like the one overlooking Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Anyhow, everything in this area is pedestrian friendly, therefore, wear comfortable non slip shoes and enjoy exploring! read more

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