Lisbon Forum: What is considered to be centre of Lisbon?

Historical center is mainly composed of Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama and Mouraria.

Ritz is a beautiful hotel but the area is not very lively specially during the night. It is a bit long to walk downtown.

Some luxury hotels nearer the center are Regency Chiado, Hotel do Bairro Alto or Avenida Palace

If I understand Katya's question correctly, I assumed that she was asking what is considered to be the central point of the city. For example, here in London the centre of London is deemed to be the equestrian statue of King Charles I just south of Trafalgar Square, the site of the original Charing Cross. Similarly in Oxford the centre of the city is typically given as Carfax Tower. Katya can probably confirm that the Iberian Gate and Chapel in Moscow holds similar status. I am assuming that Lisbon must have a similar central point. I am guessing that Rossio is considered pretty much central, but I would defer to anybody with superior knowledge.

The technical term is a geodetic datum. This article, http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datum, seems to suggest that the geodetic datum for Portugal is the Castelo de São Jorge.

Those hotels are not in the periphery as many would exaggeratedly think.

Lisbon is not only the ancient part of Alfama, Rossio, Baixa and Bairro Alto. It's larger - though not like Moscow or Greater London of course.

They're not in the central point considering the central point as Rossio Square, though Ritz is in the business part of Lisbon, close to a central metro station with 2 lines - Marquês de Pombal - and within walkable distance from Rossio across Avenida da Liberdade.

The most central part of Lisbon is Rossio indeed. But it's not the oldest (it's Alfama), nor it's the business part (that's to the north between Avenida da Liberdade and Campo Grande).

Lapa Palace if I am not wrong is in a posh district to the west called Lapa (means limpet), which is also quite old and hilly area that resembles Alfama. The difference is that it's an upmarket neighbouhood. You probably won't notice that. It simply became a fad once for some rich chaps to buy and renovate old houses there.

It's located more or less between Estrela, Alcântara and the parliament.

There's no metro to there, and driving in twisting narrow streets may not be the best. Tram 28 passes nearby as well as some other old tram lines.

I see that you're looking for upmarket hotels. Lapa is classy in an old district, while Ritz is a modern building in a not so old area. The choice is yours.

I thought the answer to the question was Avenida da Liberdade and Rossio but I am not totally clued up on Lisbon.

You'll be in the center of Lisbon if you are in all the area between Baixa (or Rossio) and Marquês do Pombal, Rato, Amoreiras or even up to Saldanha.

Ritz Four Seasons is within this area.

Center of Lisbon as I see it compared to London:

Touristic center of Lisbon: Chiado, Rossio and Bairro Alto (in London would be Picadilly and Leicester Square)

Marquês do Pombal and Parque Eduardo VII in London would be Hyde Park Corner, more or less, Rua Castilho and Braancamp would be Knightsbridge.

Lapa Palace would be Chelsea or Kings Road in London.

Enjoy your trip

I love to stay at the Britania Hotel off Ave da Liberdade. The only problem is that the restaurants around there are so touristy. Any recommendations for good restaurants where the locals like to eat? Ate at a fantastic little Moroccan restaurant in the Bairo Alto a while ago and can't remember the name and no idea if I would find it again. Any help there either?

There are at least two there: "Ali-Á-Papa" in Rua da Atalaia and "Flor da Laranja" in Rua da Rosa.

Thanks for that, think it was Flor da Laranja.