Arroios, Lisbon guide

Looking for a fresh patch of grass to picnic on? Arroios has you covered. It’s home to two great parks on opposite sides of the neighbourhood. Breezy, leafy Campo dos Mártires da Pátria is named for a martyred general and his compatriots. And straddling Alto do Pina, Dom Afonso Henriques Alameda runs east to west and features an enormous fountain.

With its long-standing traditions and new immigrant populations, Arroios has become something of a cultural melting pot. To experience a neighbourhood adapting beautifully to change, check out spaces like Damas, a bar that hosts events and DJ sets. Or stop by Zona Franca dos Anjos, a cultural association that promotes local art, food and music.

Wandering the streets of Arroios, you can’t miss the multistorey buildings in pastel hues with ornate balconies. This is Lisbon’s famed Pombaline architecture, named for Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the first Marquis of Pombal. The style debuted in the 18th century after the 1755 earthquake. Pombaline is now an iconic Lisbon look.

Load the family into a ‘tuk-tuk’ (a motorised rickshaw) and discover the city. Drivers are eager to show you their favourite spots in Arroios. Be sure to finish up at Parque Infantil do Campo dos Mártires da Pátria to see chickens and ducks. And don’t miss the fountain light show that happens just after sunset at Fonte Luminosa in Dom Afonso Henriques Alameda.

You won’t find too many museums in Arroios, but this diverse neighbourhood has plenty of culture to explore. Be prepared to spend some time at Bombarda Gardens, featuring an exciting combination of bars, outdoor venue spaces and a hidden pine forest. And history buffs should plan on a visit to the oldest library in Lisbon, the Neoclassical Biblioteca de São Lázaro.

For one of the best restaurants in Arroios, look no further than Cervejaria Ramiro. A cross between a beer hall and a sit-down restaurant, the place is famous for its high-quality seafood, including prawns, crab and lobster. You’ll also find great Korean barbecue and Japanese curry joints scattered across the neighbourhood.

You’ll find plenty of fantastic bookshops here. English-language readers should stop by Bookshop Bivar to snag a used copy of their next holiday read. XYZ Books is a sleek appointment-only shop focused on art and design, and kids can wile away an afternoon at It’s a Book. Livraria Tigre de Papel stocks unusual titles and frequently hosts author readings.

To see Arroios at its most unrestrained, come to one of the all-gender burlesque shows at the relaxed Vlada Lounge. Or check out the art exhibitions and regular dance parties at Casa Independente, home to one of the best balconies in Lisbon. And if you’re looking for a more relaxed night out, there’s no shortage of rooftop lounges and dimly lit cocktail bars.

Though the big cultural festivals in Lisbon happen mostly outside Arroios, the district government office puts on events focused on community and green living. The autumn Festa da Mobilidade de Arroios celebrates bike transit in the city. And the Mercado de Culturas has a robust calendar of workshops and performances by artists.