In Focus: Lisbon’s trendiest neighbourhood, Príncipe Real

The Savills Blog

In Focus: Lisbon’s trendiest neighbourhood, Príncipe Real

Welcome to Príncipe Real, Lisbon's most dynamic and exciting neighbourhood, where the trendiest retail and leisure brands are fiercely competing for space.

A hotspot for upscale shopping, the district has attracted over 60 new brands in the last five years alone.

The neighbourhood is nestled between the city’s bustling business district, the cultural hub of Chiado, and the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade. Príncipe Real, meaning ‘royal prince,’ blends historical charm with modern flair. Landmarks like the Patriarchal Reservoir, now part of the Water Museum, and the iconic cedar tree in Praça do Príncipe Real, stand as testaments to its rich heritage.

Young cosmopolitans from all over the globe flock to the neighbourhood. Savills research points to a record number of mortgages for international buyers in Lisbon, which have risen from 8% of total loans granted in 2021 to 13.5% in 2023. Despite this, Lisbon remains, comparatively, more affordable than other cities tracked in the Savills World Cities Prime Residential Index.

Adapting to its diverse and growing demographic, Príncipe Real thrives on innovation. Palácio Ribeiro da Cunha was restored by property developer Eastbanc in 2014. Today, the Moorish-inspired palace has been carefully repurposed into a contemporary shopping gallery. Here, you'll find a gin bar, boutique shops offering Portuguese leather goods and fashion, art-adorned stairwells, a vintage elevator, and a garden restaurant nestled where stables once stood.

Eastbanc has been an integral part in the restoration and urban regeneration of this trendy neighbourhood, breathing life into residential, retail and office buildings. The developer is currently focusing its efforts into Anjos Urban Palace – a prominent and unique 19th century building situated at Rua da Escola Politécnica 20-22, in the heart of Príncipe Real. This transformation has reimagined the palace as a multifunctional space, with four luxurious and wide office floors, two exclusive stores, and a delightful restaurant with a charming terrace overlooking the Botanical Garden.

Notable new retailers include international names like American Vintage, Shon Mott, and Barbour, with the area's emphasis on unparalleled retail experiences driving brands from across the globe, and extending to its flourishing food scene. Local restaurant hotspots like Tapisco and A Cevicheria contribute to the unforgettable atmosphere, as diners spill out onto the streets of the city at night.

Príncipe Real’s reputation as one of Lisbon's most fashionable districts, filled with boutique shops and cultural spots, makes it attractive to a broad range of retailers, from eco-friendly brands to designer labels. This focus on diverse retail and culinary offerings, coupled with its blend of historical grandeur and contemporary allure, firmly establishes Príncipe Real as a premier destination for memorable shopping and urban living in Lisbon.

 

Further information

Contact José Galvão

Portugal: Retail

 

Recommended articles