Estrela, Campo de Ourique, and Lapa

There are relatively few tourists in this part of town, but those who do step off the tram and choose to wander around the neighborhoods of Estrela, Campo de Ourique, and Lapa will discover a side of Lisbon often only experienced by locals. The affluent district of Lapa was laid out shortly after the Great Earthquake of 1755, on what were then considered the outskirts of the city. It was where the wealthier classes built their mansions, most of which have since been turned into embassies or hotels (the most notable examples are down Rua do Sacramento à Lapa). Other buildings follow a neoclassical style, with many featuring beautiful decorative tiles on their facades. In fact, this was where the Portuguese tradition of covering buildings with tiles was born. Today, Lapa remains a peaceful residential neighborhood that eventually leads to Estrela, where you'll find one of the prettiest parks in the city and a basilica whose large dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.