Ribeira Palace

Palace Former Lisbon royal palace adjacent to the Tagus River

The former riverside royal palace site on Lisbon’s riverfront, destroyed in the 1755 earthquake; today visitors arrive at the adjacent Praça do Comércio to see the riverfront open square.

Ribeira Palace (Paço da Ribeira) was the principal royal palace in Lisbon, Portugal, located on the Tagus riverfront; it was largely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and subsequent fire.

The palace served as the royal residence and administrative centre for centuries until the catastrophic 1755 earthquake demolished much of central Lisbon, after which the city was extensively rebuilt under the Marquis of Pombal. The palace was not restored; instead planners created the formal riverside square that stands today.

The former palace site fronts the Tagus river in downtown Lisbon’s Baixa district, adjacent to the main commercial streets and transport links of the capital.

1755 earthquake: The original royal palace was largely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and subsequent fire; the riverside square and surrounding Pombaline downtown were rebuilt on the site.

What to See #

Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço): The riverside plaza that replaced the palace after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and today forms the Praça do Comércio, a principal public square on the Tagus waterfront.

How to Get to Ribeira Palace #

The Ribeira Palace area is adjacent to Praça do Comércio on the Lisbon riverfront. It is reachable by Rossio or Terreiro do Paço metro stations (Linha Azul/Blue Line) and by tram routes that run through the Baixa district; it is central and walkable from other downtown sites.

Tips for Visiting Ribeira Palace #

Combine a visit with the riverside walks along the Tagus to see how the palace fits into Lisbon's waterfront history.
Check with Lisbon tourism offices for guided tours inside the Ribeira Palace site if available - many interior spaces were repurposed or rebuilt over time.
Pay attention to the nearby Praça do Comércio to understand the palace's role in the city's commercial life.