Cais do Sodré, Lissabon

Cais do Sodré

Cais do Sodré is an old neighborhood in a central riverside area of Lisbon, recently redeveloped with an avenue connecting to Terreiro do Paço. Situated facing the Tagus River, Cais do Sodré is one of the main transport links to Greater Lisbon, with a train station connecting to the Estoril and Cascais line, a riverside pier at Cais do Sodré with ferry connections to Almada at Cacilhas pier, an option for a quick trip to visit the Sanctuary of Christ the King in Almada and enjoy a panoramic view of Lisbon, ferry connections to Barreiro and Seixal; a metro station connecting to the entire city of Lisbon. Cais do Sodré is a 15-minute walk from Bairro Alto, and a 9-minute walk to Terreiro do Paço, strolling along Avenida Ribeira das Naus, a pedestrian zone along the river, highly sought after by tourists due to its terraces and tranquil atmosphere. Cais do Sodré is one of the city's most popular nightlife spots, especially due to Rua Cor-de-Rosa: officially named Rua Nova do Carvalho, redeveloped in 2013 with the aim of rehabilitating the restaurant and bar area of Cais do Sodré. Rua Cor-de-Rosa has restaurants with terraces, some of Lisbon's best-known and oldest bars and clubs, namely Tóquio, Liverpool, and Jamaica.

Cais do Sodré is administered by the Parish Council of Misericórdia.

Attractions to visit in Cais do Sodré (Top 10)

1. Mercado da Ribeira: This is one of Lisbon's historic markets, which has been remodeled to house a dining and bar area. It's a very pleasant space with dozens of restaurants ideal for enjoying quick chef-prepared meals at costs below €15. Mercado da Ribeira is a place for socializing, with wine and cocktail bars, pastry shops, and local products, featuring over forty restaurants and a traditional market selling fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables. Mercado da Ribeira was inaugurated in 1882 under the direction of Frederico Ressano Garcia, and a partnership was established with Time Out magazine in 2010. The market was reopened in 2014 as Time Out Market, organized on two floors. The ground floor features over forty restaurants and a central area where you can sit and enjoy Portuguese cuisine from various establishments, including “O Café de São Bento,” “A Croqueteria,” “O Santini,” “A Manteigaria Silva,” or “A Garrafeira Nacional.” Another section on the ground floor houses a traditional market selling vegetables, fruits, and fish. The first floor features a cultural space with an exhibition center and multimedia facilities.
2. Igreja de São Paulo: This church is dedicated to the Apostle Saint Paul and is located near Mercado da Ribeira. Igreja de São Paulo stands out due to the presence of two towers with clocks and bells, the medallion depicting "The Conversion of Saint Paul," and the stucco painting by João Grossi. Igreja de São Paulo was inaugurated in 1768 under the direction of Remígio Abreu.
3. Estação do Cais do Sodré: This is one of Lisbon's most important stations, with rail connections between Cascais and Lisbon, and other transport modes, including the metro, bus, boat, and tram. The station is located at Cais do Sodré, near Avenida 24 de Julho, Bairro Alto, and Praça do Comércio, being a place of constant movement of people and vehicles, with a privileged view over the Tagus River, and several dining and nightlife venues in the vicinity. The original wooden station was inaugurated in 1895 and was replaced by the current building, designed by architect Porfírio Pardal Monteiro in Art Deco style, inaugurated in 1928.
4. Jardim Dom Luís: This is a small, busy garden due to its proximity to Mercado da Ribeira and the Cais do Sodré train station. The garden, covering approximately 0.40 hectares, features as its main highlights the statue honoring the Marquis of Sá da Bandeira and a spot where you can enjoy the terrace of the red kiosk located in the center of Jardim Dom Luís, observe the Tagus River, and take children to play in the small playground. Here, you will also find access to the elevator of the underground parking lot of Mercado da Ribeira.
5. Chafariz da Praça de São Paulo: This is a 19th-century fountain located in Praça de São Paulo, in front of Igreja de São Paulo. It stands out for its imposing size, the presence of three round steps leading to four spouts, and the obelisk. It was inaugurated in 1849 with a design by Dom Miguel Ângelo Blasco.
6. Igreja do Corpo Santo: This is an 18th-century church located in Largo do Corpo Santo, near Cais do Sodré. Igreja do Corpo Santo was inaugurated in 1770 with the aim of being the religious temple for the Irish community in Lisbon. Points of interest include the Chapel of Senhor Jesus dos Aflitos with an image of Saint Philomena; images of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, São Martinho de Dume, and São Domingos de Gusmão; and the Statue of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
7. Restaurante Pap’Açorda: This is one of Lisbon's most renowned restaurants since its founding in 1981 in Bairro Alto by Fernando Fernandes and José Miranda. Restaurante Pap’Açorda was inaugurated during a period of change and openness in Lisbon society, particularly visible in Bairro Alto, where the bar Frágil also emerged, a "gay friendly" bar and nightclub, an icon of Lisbon's nightlife. The restaurant is currently located in Mercado da Ribeira, continuing to be a focal point for locals and tourists due to the excellence of its service and the quality of its cuisine, notably the Sopa de Peixe à Pap’Açorda, Bacalhau à Lagareiro, Arroz de Cabrito no Forno, or Mousse de Chocolate Pap’Açorda.
8. Quiosques da Praça de São Paulo: These are kiosks where you can drink juices, coffees, or alcoholic beverages and take a break. The kiosks in Praça de São Paulo were inaugurated in 2013 with the aim of transforming the square into a lively place full of people and recreating the 19th-century atmosphere that existed in Lisbon.
9. Monumento Reminiscência de Almada Negreiros: This monument was promoted by the Lisbon City Council, created by Catarina and Rita Almada Negreiros in dedication to the birth of Almada Negreiros (1893-1970). Monumento Reminiscência de Almada Negreiros is located in the pedestrian zone of Avenida Ribeira das Naus, which connects the Cais do Sodré train station to Praça do Comércio.
10. Estátua do Duque da Terceira: This is a monument dedicated to the 44th anniversary of the Duke of Terceira's victory in Lisbon during the Civil War of 1828-34. It was built by sculptors José Simões de Almeida and António Gaspar and inaugurated in 1877.

Other Attractions to Explore in Cais do Sodré

• Relógio do Cais do Sodré: This is the first public clock in Portugal since its inauguration in 1914. It was placed at Cais do Sodré to assist in the organization of ship arrivals and departures at the Port of Lisbon.
• Casa dos Bordados da Madeira: This is a commercial establishment selling traditional embroidery from the island of Madeira, Azores embroidery, authentic regional costumes, and regional ceramics, inaugurated in 1965.

Main Streets and Squares of Cais de Sodré

• Avenida 24 de Julho: This is one of the main avenues in Lisbon's riverside area, a major coastal artery known for its office buildings and nightlife. Avenida 24 de Julho connects Avenida da Índia to Avenida Ribeira das Naus, with constant and intense traffic of people, vehicles, Lisbon trams (Bondes), and buses from dawn till dusk. The avenue features wide roads, tram tracks, cycle lanes where you can run and cycle safely, and numerous establishments and tourist attractions, including the EDP - Energias de Portugal building, Jardim Dom Luís, Mercado da Ribeira, Cais do Sodré train station, and nightlife clubs. The avenue is named Avenida 24 de Julho in honor of the battle that took place on July 24, 1833, in this very location.
• Avenida Ribeira das Naus: This is a coastal avenue with gardens, terraces, an artificial riverside beach, and a very wide promenade dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, protected from the road by safety bollards. Avenida Ribeira das Naus is a privileged spot to enjoy the Tagus River breeze, to observe the beauty of the river and the light of the Lisbon sky reflecting on the Tagus waters, serving as a unique relaxation space in the city. Avenida Ribeira das Naus includes some attractions, namely handcrafted sculptures displayed near the steps by the river, mobile bars selling Portuguese wine, ginjinha, cocktails, or hot dogs, gardens located between the Tagus River and the pink building of the Portuguese Navy, and terraces where you can watch the sunset. Ribeira das Naus was the departure point for ships during the reign of King Manuel I in the 16th century and was redeveloped with a project by João Nunes and João Gomes da Silva in 2015.
• Praça Duque da Terceira: This is one of Lisbon's main road junctions, allowing access to Bairro Alto and Chiado via Rua do Alecrim, to Cais do Sodré train station, Avenida 24 de Julho, and Rua Nova do Carvalho. Praça Duque da Terceira is part of a roundabout built to facilitate traffic in this area of the city and is named after the presence of the Estátua do Duque da Terceira.
• Largo do Corpo Santo: This is a road junction and pedestrian area connecting Rua do Arsenal to Avenida da Ribeira das Naus, featuring several attractions, including the Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel and Igreja de Corpo Santo.
• Cervejaria Portugália
• Clube Naval de Lisboa
• Ibo Marisqueira
• Harlem Restaurant Bar
• Loja das Conservas
• MusicBox
• Pensão Amor
• Praça Duque da Terceira
• Praça Dom Luís
• Sal Concept Store

Educational Institutions

• Escola Profissional de Imagem
• ISCAD: Instituto Superior de Ciências da Administração
• Lusa Language School - Lisbon Portuguese School

Tourist Accommodations

• Hall Chiado: not a hotel
• LX Boutique Hotel: The Lisbon Experience
• 262 Boutique Hotel
• Sunset Destination Hostel

Transport and Access

• Aerobus do Cais do Sodré is a transfer service that transports passengers from Lisbon Airport to the city center with stops at major hotels. It is a personalized transport service, composed of dedicated staff, with free Wi-Fi and USB chargers. The Aerobus service operates daily between 7:30 AM and 11:00 PM at the following locations:
  • Cais do Sodré Train Station
  • Cais do Sodré Metro Station
  • Cais do Sodré Ferry Terminal

Location of the Misericórdia Parish (Cais do Sodré) on the Lisbon Map