Think Baixa, think grand architecture, monumental squares and a busy commercial hub. Descending from nearby Chiado via the Elevador de Santa Justa, Baixa unfolds in a rectilinear street grid down towards the riverfront, a rarely relenting energy coursing through its veins. Rua Augusta, one of Baixa’s main attractions, is to Lisbon what Covent Garden is to London, its mosaic-ed pedestrianised walkways alive with outdoor cafes, tiled Art Deco shop-fronts, flower shops, terraced restaurants and the occasional street artist and peddler. Streets once named after the goods they sold are now home to trendy stores and boutique shops, while new arrivals to the area, such as FashionWeek and StartUp Lisboa, promise to drive its cultural importance in the city. Baixa’s central location and excellent transport links makes it is one of the best connected neighbourhoods in the city.

The experts say

A short stroll from Chiado, prices in Baixa have risen fast in recent years, driven by its lower entry point – prices starts at 5,000 EUR per square metre for luxury new builds - and the fact it still offers quick access to all that makes Chiado so attractive. While predominantly a commercial, rather than residential area, it’s a strong market for short-term rental investments and is in the process of applying for Unesco world heritage status, which would help to drive its value even further.

The property market in Baixa

Following the biggest earthquake to ever hit Europe, Baixa was the continent's first example of neoclassical urban planning, with a pioneering anti-earthquake system and sewage network. Today, the vast majority of buildings are home to banks and offices, and more recently reborn as a commercial and tourist area.

Three insiders tips for Baixa

GET - Rua das Portas de Santo Antão is a lively pedestrian-only street known for its seafood restaurants.
DO - drinking a small glass of Ginja, a local cherry liquor, from the Ginjinha bar
SEE - the best attraction of the Baixa district is the wonderful view from the top of the Arco da Rua Augusta.

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