Audio GuideRossio Train Station

Right in the lively heart of Lisbon stands Rossio Railway Station, a gateway that has connected people and stories for over one hundred thirty years. Opened at the end of the nineteenth century, Rossio quickly became Lisbon’s main train terminal—welcoming the grand international Sud Expresso and carrying travelers to Sintra and beyond.

stella daviti

Approaching Rossio, you see its striking façade: two grand horseshoe arches, intricate stonework, and delicate lace-like railings above. Its neo-Manueline style blends nostalgia from Portugal’s Age of Discovery with the playful boldness of the Romantic era—look for detailed arches, curving stone windows, and red-trimmed doors beneath a prominent old clock. The façade’s sculpted busts and medallions honor key figures in Portuguese railway history, while a replica of the lost statue of King Sebastião now stands protected.

Patricio Moschcovich

Stepping inside, sunlight pours through the airy iron-and-glass canopy over the platforms, stretching far above polished black-and-white patterned stone. The platforms themselves sit high above the bustling street, accessible by grand stairs, escalators, and elevators—rare engineering for Portugal at the time. Buses, the blue line metro at Restauradores, and funiculars all connect here, so the station feels like the city’s beating heart.

Much of Rossio’s story unfolds underground: trains arrive by double-track tunnel from Campolide, a remarkable project when built, almost three kilometers long. Over decades, Rossio saw strikes, royal arrivals, and even dramatic episodes like the nineteen eighteen assassination of Sidónio Pais—a president of Portugal—right in its halls.

In the nineteen fifties, the lines were electrified, switching from steam to a modern era. Later, in the nineteen nineties, the original commercial arcade gave way to a direct metro connection, helping shape twenty-first-century Lisbon as a more connected, mobile city.

Rossio’s heritage echoes through its rich azulejo tile panels, brilliant blue and white, showing Lisbon’s landmarks, heroes, and the everyday life of Portugal. The elegant platforms have witnessed daily routines, late-night journeys, and moments that changed a nation. Today, Rossio Station is still the jumping-off point for dreamy trips to Sintra and lively adventures across Lisbon. Come for the architecture and history—stay for the vibrant atmosphere that makes Rossio a living symbol of the city.