Apr 10, 2025

Rua Nova do Carvalho Lisbon

The "pink street"

""Rua Nova do Carvalho" used to be one of the fishiest parts of Lisbon. Now things have changed - it's crowded even on weekdays! Don't miss its buzz."

Cais do Sodré, located near the old port along the riverside in downtown Lisbon, was once considered Lisbon's Red Light District: Sailors, thieves, drifters, guys looking for problems, and of course... prostitutes. Definitely a place you really wouldn't want to go to at night. Sailors docking in Lisbon for a short leave were invited to bars and discos named after famous ports like "Amsterdam". Cais do Sodré was once the next amusement park for adults: There were fistfights, cheap booze, night girls, drugs, and violence for all kinds of tastes in some of the decrepit, dark, dirty and narrow streets of Cais do Sodré.

For decades it remained so. Old school discos like Tokyo, Rotterdam and bars like Copenhagen or Viking were open until morning. Slowly, things started to change. Tokyo and Jamaica became trendy and Pensão Amor was considered the "Next big thing!". Like a freight train, Cais do Sodré was renewed: small cosy places like Sol e Pesca or Pensão Amor were getting lots of good buzz.

And now? Well... Night girls are still there, sometimes drunks, sailors, and of course... the same drunken sailors. The area is crowded with people leaving Bairro Alto as bars close earlier there while here some of them are open until morning! It's crowded even on weekdays. Everything has changed for the good. On top of that, Rua Nova do Carvalho was painted pink, so you can't miss it! That's the revenge of the ugly duckling.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Rua Nova do Carvalho

no-price

Find your way with 206 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Lisbon guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Lisbon

Royal Café

Healthy lunch & brunch

"Royal Café" is a nice, almost hidden place to have breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack in Lisbon. Their main specialties are natural, organic products.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Erik

Lassche

Apr 24, 2025

Village Underground

Alternative Lisbon

"Village Underground" Lisbon is a creative incubator space, a co-working community & an events destination. I just love the progressive vibe of the place.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 24, 2025

RD's Restaurante

Nepalese food

"RD's Restaurante" is THE Nepalese restaurant in the city. I love their momos in every version. Very tasty and great if you're on a budget!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ana Carolina

Boldrini

Apr 23, 2025

MAAT

The most catchy museum

MAAT, a stunning modern building in Lisbon, offers a permanent exhibition on electricity and rotating art shows. Enjoy the river views and café afterward!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Alzbeta

Repakova

Apr 22, 2025

Picoas Street Art

Art attack!

Lisbon was sleeping while some of the new urban artists and graffiti artists were painting and drawing over vacant buildings in town...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

Conserveira de Lisboa

Est. 1930

"Conserveira de Lisboa" Lisbon is a traditional grocery shop located in the city centre offering an excellent selection of local products and fresh stock.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

Mercado de Alvalade Norte

Fresh and delicious

"Mercado de Alvalade Norte" Lisbon is a local market offering a selection of fresh live stock and delicious bites, featuring anything from fish to fruits!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

Barbearia Campos

Est. 1886

"Barbearia Campos" in Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest barber shops. Come here, get freshened up like the famous and start feeling the pulse of the city!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

Caza das Vellas Loreto

Lisbon's oldest candleshop

"Caza das Vellas Loreto" Lisbon was founded on the same day of the French Revolution. They light their candles for all sorts of events and is beautiful...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

The Amoreiras Wall

Art Attack II!

"The Amoreiras Wall" is a huge mural, perhaps the biggest graffiti wall in the Iberian Peninsula, and most definitely in Lisbon, an open-air museum!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

Pastelaria Mexicana

Portuguese fine pastry

"Pastelaria Mexicana" Lisbon is a Portugese family run fine pastry shop near Londes square. I'd suggest going for cake with a cup of cold milk- heavenly!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 18, 2025

Tapada das Necessidades

A hidden eden

"Tapada das Necessidades" is one of Lisbon's parks that are hidden in plain sight. It's a great place for a walk or picnic with great views over the city.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Cláudio

Carneiro

Apr 18, 2025

Heading to Lisbon?

206 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

206 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves Lisbon

Get to know our other Spotters from Lisbon

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
22
Filters