Sodré is the name of a 15th-century family with businesses in this neighborhood which has always been linked to the maritime trade. Over time, the entire area from the waterfront to the two blocks north of it became known as "Cais do Sodré." The "Wharf of Sodré" is a terminal of the ferries that link Lisbon to Cacilhas and Almada across the river, and is also a train and subway station as well as a major bus stop. Across the station is Praça Duque da Terceira, a square named after the Duke of Terceira whose bronze statue stands at the center. To the west of the square is a huge dome under which stands the city's main food market, Mercado da Ribeira, and next to it is another square, Praça Dom Luis. It's filled with palms and other trees, and is overlooked by a 19th-century statue of the Marquis of Sá da Bandeira. Rua Nova do Carvalho behind the market was known for decades as the city's "red light district," with bars named after northern European capitals to attract their sailors who stepped off the boats nearby. It's now a seedy-chic street lined with hip bars and clubs, quite popular at night.
Top Neighborhood Attractions
1 | RIBEIRA DAS NAUS »
Between Comércio Square and Cais do Sodré Station, is this “urban beach” for sunbathing in the company of a book or of that special someone.
2 | MERCADO DA RIBEIRA »
The market which also brings together several local chefs and restaurants in one single food court.
3 | PENSÃO AMOR »
A former brothel has kept an intimate and seductive ambiance (as well as a room with a stripper pole), but is now a bar with an attractive decor, for drinks in the afternoon or at night.
4 | SOL E PESCA »
A former shop of fishing equipment is now a bar serving “petiscos” (tapas) of Portugal’s traditional canned fish, but has kept the fishing rods and hooks in the decor.
GETTING THERE : Metro: Cais do Sodré Eléctrico (tram) 25 MAIN STREETS : Rua Nova do Carvalho PARKING : Praça Dom Luís I Praça do Município