Bairro Alto Area

Lisbon is known for its seven hills. The Bairro Alto (Upper District) area is just west of the Baixa (downtown), and, like the Alfama neighborhood, is a made of narrow streets and lanes. It’s also a vibrant center of nightlife. Best to run this area early to avoid the crowds and cars.

It is difficult to proscribe a specific route here, as it would involve many twists and turns. Rather, our recommendation is to start somewhere central, such as Rossio Square. Take Rua do Carmo and Rua Garrett into the Chiaro neighborhood. Run to the Praça Luís de Camões (square), and turn right onto Rua Norte, which gets you to Rua do Diário de Notícias, which provides one of the best ‘straight shot’ streets in the area, leading to the Palácio Ludovice and the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (viewpoint). Rua Dom Pedro V leads to the Principe Real neighborhood and the botanical gardens. The area around Tv. do Sequeiro is a hilly treat.

For the return, you can take Av. Liberdade, or make your way down through the neighborhood streets. We also recommend some of streets just south of Calçada do Combro, such as Travessa do Sequeiro, and run alongside the Bica Funicilar (tram). In this neighborhood, there are several stair paths, leading to viewpoints such as the Miradouro de Santa Catarina.