Avenida Liberdade

If you have a few quid to spare and fancy a shopping spree, or simply like to windowshop, then make visiting Avenida da Liberdade top of your list. It is Lisbon’s flagship street and has restaurants, cafés, quiosques, and more designer shops then Mayfair!

What’s so special about Avenida da Liberdade? It is a classy boulevard stretching 1.5 km in central Lisbon. Here, you can check out the major couture labels flaunting their wares for you. The Rua is 90m long and runs up to Parque Eduardo VII from Rossio Square.

It was in the 18^th century when this beautiful  area was established for the wealthy aristocrats of the Portuguese royalty. This street will remind you of the Champs-Elysees as you will still get to see similar designer showrooms, open-air cafes, on mosaic pavements and everything else Paris has to offer! Did I miss out on the grand sculptures and fascinating fountains in strategic points along the Rua that add to the grandeur?

After you have blown a fortune in shops like Prada, Gucci or Armani, you can head towards the Parque Eduardo VII park located to the north. This park is a regular spot for joggers and walkers alike, and has greenhouses for selected plants throughout the year. It is close to the Marques de Pombal Station, located at the top of Avenida da Liberdade in the square. You will find some excellent places to eat behind the Avenida and the Hard Rock Cafe also makes an appearance nearer into town. 

I walk this route almost daily because it makes me feel very good about life. The view from the top of Parque Eduardo VII is in my daily routine and sets the premise for the day. From there, you can see all of Lisbon in its glory, the castle on your left in the distance glimmering like a jewel in the midday sun, the strip of greenery that is Avenida da Liberdade cuts through the buildings on each side and forms a path in town down to the bay in the distance. I walk from here down the Avenida stopping off at as many quiosques as possible for refreshments.

Other Places to Visit in Lisbon:

If you are wondering what further to do in Lisbon, here are a few other options besides visiting Avenida da Liberdade.

• Cristo Rei: Take a ferry and head towards Almada to get mesmerized by the magnificent statue of Christ, the King.
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument to Portuguese seafarers on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary.
• Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest in Europe and definitely worth a visit! 
• Castelo de S. Jorge is a favourite with the Lisbon Directory for it’s views and magnificent sense of history!