Cais do Sodré: busier at night than during the day?

updated on March 23, 2023 at 11:00 am

Very quiet during the day, the district starts to wake up in the afternoon when the bars and restaurants open and get ready for the lively nightlife that awaits them. This long-disadvantaged district has undergone urban renewal, which has given it a new lease of life. However, this port area has not always been peaceful; it was even the centre of the city's maritime trade. Sailors and their boats flocked here, and some of the bars still bear the names of foreign cities or countries. Cais do Sodré remains one of the main routes for arriving or leaving the city by train or boat, and has become an unmissable district to visit, with its gastronomic covered market and Pink Street, which is quite surprising in the evening. Find out why this district deserves special attention, day and night!

La célèbre rue piétonne rose de rua nova do Carvalho, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, Portugal.

Summary

The Lisbon crossroads and the surrounding area
Time Out Market: the temple of indulgence
Where to sleep?

The Lisbon crossroads and the surrounding area

The district is the departure and arrival point for many Lisboners every day. It is the hub of a large and varied transport network: boats, metro, train station. It is also very popular with tourists wishing to reach the coast by train or ferry, and it is via the platform of the Cais do Sodré station that you will pass if you wish to go to the beach near Cascais. In the past, this was one of the city's main seaports, where ships and their crews docked. It was a trading hub and the centre of commerce.

Cais do Sodré train station in front of the April 25th bridge and the statue of Christ the King on the hill, Lisbon, Portugal.

On the banks of the river is the Duke of Terceira Square, just a 10-minute walk from the Place du Commerce; take a stroll along the Tagus to reach it. In the centre, a statue has been erected in tribute to the Duke of Terceira, a military nobleman.

The statue of the Duc de Terceira, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, Portugal.

Board a ferry for a short cruise that will take you across to Cacilhas, a town opposite Lisbon where the statue of Christ the King is located. Enjoy the view of Lisbon and the 25 April Bridge.

⏰ Duration: 15 minutes

👛 Price: from €1.20

Bateau faisant la traversée de Cais do sodré, Lisbonne, Portugal.

Time Out Market: the temple of indulgence

Welcome to the temple of gastronomy. The famous Mercado da Ribeira, a covered market run by Time Out Lisboa magazine. The concept is unique: it's a huge hall with around thirty small stalls spread over the four sides of the market. You choose what you like and find a seat at one of the many tables in the centre.

What makes this place unique and very convivial, especially when you're in a group, is that everyone can choose what they want to eat or drink, and everyone meets around the tables. There's something for everyone: burgers, regional specialities, homemade ice creams, local wines and coffees. It's a great way to have a good time and meet new people along the way.

Inside the Time Out Market, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, Portugal.

You can also take cookery classes at the Time Out Academy. Whether you're an amateur or an experienced cook, or you just don't know how to cook pasta, there's something for everyone. The workshops are suitable for all levels, and the schedule ranges from breakfast to dinner, with a course for children too. An excellent gift to give to loved ones during a stay in the capital.