Rossio, Lisbon

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon is one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, and also one of its most reasonably priced. In many ways, the public square at Rossio is the beating heart of this vibrant city.

If you find yourself in Lisbon with heavy bags, Bounce is here for you. By partnering with small businesses in cities throughout the world, Bounce ensures you always have a place to leave your belongings in safety.

About Rossio

Officially named King Pedro IV Square, this public space is better known to locals and visitors alike as Rossio. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, it’s one of the liveliest places in the city, and often hosts interesting events in Lisbon’s cultural and political life. In fact, the square has been an important part of Lisbon since the Middle Ages, and has seen bullfights, executions, and political revolts over the course of its long life. 

Rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake, the square was continually renovated through the centuries and became the home of some of Lisbon’s most important institutions. In the late nineteenth century, the Rossio Train Station was built, maintaining the importance of the square in the life of the city up to the present day.

Rossio has been the heart of the city for centuries. But most of its modern appeal is not focused on the past. It’s the place to see and be seen in Lisbon, and is the perfect location to enjoy a leisurely meal or drink while watching the world go by. In many ways, this grand square functions as Lisbon’s living room.

Things to do near Rossio

Rossio, thanks to its many restaurants and bars and its lively street life, is an attraction all by itself. But it also has the advantage of being very close to the best of what Lisbon has to offer. Plus, with excellent transit connections to the rest of the city, it’s easy to reach just about any part of Lisbon from this central square.

• Enjoy a drink or a meal among the terraces of Largo Duque Cadaval. This enclosed nook is home to grand old buildings and some great restaurants, and it comes alive at night. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Lisbon like the locals do.
• Indulge in some retail therapy at Armazens do Chiado. This city center shopping mall hosts dozens of stores including international brands. If you need to do some work on your vacation, it’s also known for having incredibly fast public Wi-Fi.
• Learn more about Lisbon’s street art scene at Workshop of Graffiti. This outdoor gallery hosts some of the best graffiti and street art the city has to offer, and it’s the perfect place to get usual photos to show the folks back home.
• Get a stunning view over the historic heart of the city at Arco da Rue Augusta. This impressive triumphal arch dates back to 1875 and has a viewing platform on top that’s the perfect place for photography.
• Learn more about the city’s history at the Lisbon Story Center. Less a museum and more of a history-themed attraction, the Story Center uses state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits to give an hour-long tour through the long history of the Portuguese capital.

Transit options near Rossio

• Aerobus 1 connects Lisbon airport with Rossio.
• Rossio Train Station serves the square with both commuter and intercity trains from other locations throughout Portugal.
• Rossio is served by the Blue Line of the Lisbon Metro.

Luggage storage near Rossio

As the beating heart of the city, as well as a link in Lisbon’s transit infrastructure, Rossio can be an extremely busy place. That’s part of its charm, as is the best place to enjoy the vibrant street life of the capital. But it’s not the ideal place to be carrying heavy bags.

Luckily, Bounce can help. By providing secure luggage storage at local businesses near the square, Bounce makes it easy to store your unneeded belongings while you explore. Drop off everything you don’t need and let yourself enjoy Lisbon to the fullest.

Activities and attractions near Rossio

• The Belem Tower is one of Lisbon’s most popular attractions, and an icon of the city. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the tower was intended to protect the city’s vital port. During the Age of Exploration, it became the place where Portuguese explorers set out to map the world. Now, it’s a great place to enjoy sea views while learning a little more about the history of the city and the seafaring nation it’s part of.
• Built in 1902 to connect different neighborhoods of the hilly city, the Santa Justa elevator is a can’t-miss experience in Lisbon. The only remaining vertical elevator in the city, this relic provides incredible views over Lisbon and has become one of the capital’s top tourist attractions. And as part of the city’s transit infrastructure, it’s free to ride if you have a Lisbon travel pass.
• The Castelo de San Jorge is another of the city’s most famous monuments. The hill it sits on was occupied all the way back in the first century BC, and the first foundations of the castle itself date back to the eighth century. Once the fortress of the Moorish rulers of Lisbon, it was captured by Christian forces in 1147. It has since served as a royal palace and a barracks, and is now a museum that tells the military history of the city in the place that helped to shape it.