Audio GuideRossio Train Station

Right in the bustling centre of Lisbon stands Rossio Railway Station, a gateway that has brought people and their stories together for well over one hundred and thirty years. First opened at the end of the nineteenth century, Rossio quickly became the city’s main railway terminal—welcoming the grand international Sud Expresso and sending travellers off to Sintra and beyond.

stella daviti

As you approach, the station catches the eye with its impressive façade: two sweeping horseshoe arches, ornate stone carvings, and delicate, lace-like railings above. Its neo-Manueline design evokes the spirit of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, blending with the exuberant creativity of the Romantic period. Pause for a moment to take in the elaborate arches, the gracefully curved stone windows, and the striking red-framed doors beneath the prominent old clock. The façade’s sculpted busts and medallions pay tribute to key figures in the history of Portuguese railways, while the statue of King Sebastião—lost for many years—now stands as a careful replica.

Patricio Moschcovich

Inside, sunlight streams through the soaring iron and glass canopy over the platforms, illuminating polished stone set in distinctive black-and-white patterns. Perched high above street level, the platforms are reached by grand stairways, escalators and lifts—a rare feat of engineering for Portugal at that time. Buses, the blue Metro line at Restauradores, and Lisbon’s famous funiculars all converge here, giving the station the feeling of a beating city heart.

Much of Rossio’s story flows beneath the ground: trains approach along a double-track tunnel from Campolide, a remarkable construction nearly three kilometres in length—extraordinary for its era. Over the decades, the station has witnessed strikes, royal visits, and dramatic moments—such as the assassination of Sidónio Pais, Portugal’s president, in nineteen eighteen, within its very walls.

In the nineteen fifties, the lines were electrified, marking an end to steam and the dawn of the modern era. Then, in the nineteen nineties, the original shopping arcade made way for a direct Metro link, helping to transform Lisbon into the more connected, dynamic city we know today.

Rossio’s legacy shines through its vivid blue-and-white azulejo tile panels, depicting Lisbon’s landmarks, legendary figures, and scenes of daily Portuguese life. These elegant platforms have seen everyday comings and goings, late-night departures, and events that have shaped the nation’s history. Today, Rossio Station remains the gateway to enchanting trips to Sintra and vibrant adventures in Lisbon itself. Visit for the striking architecture and rich history—stay to enjoy the lively spirit that makes Rossio the city’s living emblem.