Lisbon Travel Forum

My wife and I are staying three nights in Lisbon and I plan to book an apartment in one of these historic areas. I'd like to experience Old World charms but not be kept up all night by the nightlife. I suppose it depends entirely on what street I am on but I'm a little worried about the late night cafes in Barrio Alto.

Are Alfama and Chiado quieter? Also, Frommers warns of muggers in Alfama and Barrio Alto. Is there any merit to this warning? I'm from a big city so I know how to be careful but still, I'd like to avoid any seedy areas.

The ideal situation for me is to find a quiet residential street full of old grannies and kids, close to small shops, bakeries and cafes. I'd also like to be close to the major sights. We are not big partiers but having a late night coffee and pastries in an outdoor cafe would be nice.

IMO you should book in Chiado. It's quieter than Bairro Alto and more residential that Alfama. It's very central, close to the metro and tram stations. Bairro Alto and its nightlife is very close too.
Regarding muggers, just use the normal precautions and you'll be OK. I've been several times to Lisbon and never felt it as a dangerous city.
Regards
gmg

I felt safe in Lisbon. However there seems to be a bit of a pickpocket problem. We saw it happening (little boy acompanied by an older brother or something)in the trolleys when they are very crowded. Nevertheless normal commonsense should prevent you from this.

I've been to Rome and Paris and experienced my share of pickpocket attempts. They haven't got me yet although they were very close in the Paris subway. Only my wife screaming and swinging her bag at the thief saved me and my wallet.

I am leaning towards Chiado. I like the description of the area.

Whichever of these three areas in Lisboa you'd end up staying in, you can be sure to enjoy yourself the romance and charms of old Lisbon. It all depends on which quiet street your hotel might be situated on, that it's not next or worst fronting a main vehicular street. And being right in the center of the old city, you can be sure that there is no shortage of the old neighborhood ambiance with the appropriate ingredients of families, old grannies, kids and small shops, etc. at your every turn. Noting these neighborhood categories you're hankering for, of the three neighborhoods I'd say that Bairro Alto has collectively the most to offer in terms of varied interests. The Alfama, tho older and more tranquil, has fewer selection of cafes and shopping and closes early. Chiado on the other hand, being right next to the Baixa, is at the center of good shopping, far more cafes and restaurants and therefore busier with decidedly more human traffic. However, if your apartment would be away from Rua Garrett and main Chiado district, then you'd be fine in terms of quiet. It's best to stay where you'll be among a constant crowd tho can be removed from it once in your apartment, when one of your chief concerns would be safety. But you shouldn't worry much about crime in Lisboa, other than incidental pickpockets, the city is fairly safe and very pleasant. The late night partying mostly in Chiado and Bairro Alto especially from Thursday night into Saturday, also poses no great threat and inconvenience. You'd even find this casual disturbances fitting to an overall holiday spirit. Enjoy fabulous Lisboa and happy trails.

Whichever of these three areas in Lisboa you'd end up staying in, you can be sure to enjoy yourself the romance and charms of old Lisbon. It all depends on which quiet street your hotel might be situated on, that it's not next or worst fronting a main vehicular street. And being right in the center of the old city, you can be sure that there is no shortage of the old neighborhood ambiance with the appropriate ingredients of families, old grannies, kids and small shops, etc. at your every turn. Noting these neighborhood categories you're hankering for, of the three neighborhoods I'd say that Bairro Alto has collectively the most to offer in terms of varied interests. The Alfama, tho older and more tranquil, has fewer selection of cafes and shopping and closes early. Chiado on the other hand, being right next to the Baixa, is at the center of good shopping, far more cafes and restaurants and therefore busier with decidedly more human traffic. However, if your apartment would be away from Rua Garrett and main Chiado district, then you'd be fine in terms of quiet. It's best to stay where you'll be among a constant crowd tho can be removed from it once in your apartment, when one of your chief concerns would be safety. But you shouldn't worry much about crime in Lisboa, other than incidental pickpockets, the city is fairly safe and very pleasant. The late night partying mostly in Chiado and Bairro Alto especially from Thursday night into Saturday, also poses no great threat and inconvenience. You'd even find this casual disturbances fitting to an overall holiday spirit. Enjoy fabulous Lisboa and happy trails.

The districts you have chosen are very nice. Bairro Alto is known for its night life, that means that, if you are looking for a quiet location avoid it. Chiado is, in my point of view, the best of the three choices, though it is very touristic. I would suggest that you book an apartment near Rossio, the real city centre of Lisbon, and full of nice cafés (Nicola, Suiça or Brasileira). There are some websites proposing very charming apartments in this area, and some of them are really quiet and well located. Santana is a very good alternative district, very central, close to the Rossio and a real old Lisbon area full of families living there for generations. Good trip to the magic city of Lisbon.