Praça da Figueira Square
Central Lisbon square historically hosting markets and gatherings
Central Lisbon square east of Rossio with cafés, transport links and a history as a market site; used as a starting point for walks through Baixa and Alfama.
Praça da Figueira at a Glance#
Address: Praça da Figueira, 1100-241 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: https://www.lisbon.pt
Hours: Public square accessible 24 hours
Admission: Free (public square)
About Praça da Figueira#
Praça da Figueira is a public square in central Lisbon, in the Baixa district, and forms part of the city’s compact historic centre rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. It is one of the larger open plazas in downtown Lisbon.
The square is an open, paved space surrounded by retail buildings and cafes; it is commonly used as a transport and meeting point and is within easy walking distance of other central landmarks such as Rossio and Rua Augusta. Its scale and location make it a practical staging point for exploring Lisbon’s historic centre.
The area of the square was laid out during the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake as part of the Pombaline Baixa, and it has long served commercial and civic functions. Over time the space has alternated between market use and a more formal urban plaza as the city evolved.
The square sits in central Lisbon’s Baixa neighbourhood, a short walk from the Rossio railway and metro area and connected by pedestrian streets to the Tagus riverfront and Praça do Comércio.
- Central location: Sits in the Baixa/Chiado central district, a short walk from Rossio and the Rua Augusta pedestrian street; convenient for connecting to other central Lisbon sights.
- What to expect: The square is an open, paved plaza framed by shops and cafes and functions as a local transport and meeting hub throughout the day.
How to Get to Praça da Figueira#
Praça da Figueira is in central Lisbon’s Baixa district. It is a short walk from Rossio square and is served by Rossio (train) and several tram lines (e.g., Tram 28 nearby). Metro Baixa-Chiado (Blue/Green lines) is a 5-10 minute walk.
Tips for Visiting Praça da Figueira#
- Visit in the late afternoon for the best light on the statue of King John VI and to see locals gather at nearby cafés.
- Combine the square visit with a walk to Rossio and Praça do Comércio to cover Lisbon's main civic axis.
- Look down for the black-and-white calçada (pavement) patterns that are distinctively Portuguese.
Best Time to Visit Praça da Figueira#
Spring through early autumn gives the most pleasant conditions for outdoor wandering and café terraces.
Weather & Climate near Praça da Figueira#
Praça da Figueira's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (704 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 12° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| February | Very Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.6h |
| March | Very Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.1h |
| May | Very Good | 14° - 21° | 18° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 14.1h |
| June | Ideal | 16° - 25° | 20° | 19 mm | some cloud | 80% | 4.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.6h |
| July | Ideal | 18° - 27° | 23° | 6 mm | some cloud | 81% | 4.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.4h |
| August | Ideal | 18° - 27° | 23° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 81% | 4.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.5h |
| September | Ideal | 17° - 26° | 21° | 27 mm | some cloud | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 15° - 22° | 18° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 104 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
| December | Good | 10° - 15° | 12° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.4h |
