Rua Augusta

Rua Augusta is the easiest walk of a port day: flat, pedestrianised and on the direct route from the ship into central Lisbon. From the terminal, walk west along the river for about 14 minutes to Praça do Comércio, then go through the triumphal arch on the north side of the square, which opens straight onto the street. It runs north for about half a kilometre to Rossio. Treat it as a route rather than a destination. Walk up it, look along the cross streets such as Rua da Conceição and Rua de São Nicolau to see how regular the Pombaline grid is, and stop for coffee or lunch on a parallel street such as Rua dos Correeiros or Rua da Prata rather than at the tables in the middle of Rua Augusta. The shops on the street itself are mostly international chains and souvenir stores. The one paid stop is the top of the Arco da Rua Augusta: €5, daily 10:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30), free with the Lisboa Card. A lift takes you to the second floor, then 74 steps lead to the roof, with a 360° view of Praça do Comércio, the Baixa, the Sé, the castle and the river. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. A small exhibition in the Clock Room covers the history of the arch. The street is busiest from late morning to late afternoon, when tour groups overlap; early in the day you can see the architecture without the crowd. Pickpockets work the busy stretches, so keep phones and wallets zipped away, and walk past street sellers. From the northern end, Rossio and Praça da Figueira are a minute away. The Elevador de Santa Justa, a block west, is closed, so for Chiado walk uphill or take the metro to Baixa-Chiado.