Most of the structures in Chiado originally date from the 1700s, but were destroyed in a 1988 fire. Famous Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira rebuilt the neighborhood in the 1990s, leaving the city with a mix of new and restored buildings. Portuguese poets Fernando Pessoa and Eça de Queiróz frequented Chiado around the turn of the century, and penned a few of their famous works in cafés such as A Brasileira.
In addition to the old ruins of the Carmo Church and convent, now a popular museum, visitors relish Chiado’s cosmopolitan atmosphere with charming bookstores, the National Theatre, international stores, cozy cafés, and delicious eateries. Many private and group sightseeing tours of Lisbon visit Chiado. Explore on foot or via tuk-tuk, air-conditioned vehicle, or hop-on hop-off bus.