Lisbon's Ribeira das Naus Transforms into a Pedestrian Paradise Every Sunday!

Ribeira das Naus Goes Pedestrian Every Sunday

After a successful trial during the European Car-Free Day and subsequent Sundays, Lisbon's Ribeira das Naus will officially be closed to cars every Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM, turning it into a pedestrian and cycling zone until the end of the year. This initiative aims to create a leisure space for locals and visitors, allowing them to walk and cycle along the river without the noise and pollution of motor vehicles.

Ribeira das Naus on a car-free Sunday (photo LPP)

The initiative began on September 22 during the European Mobility Week, surprising the public by closing the road to motor traffic, allowing for a much-needed space for walking, running, and cycling—a practice that hasn't been possible for about five years.

The silence and breeze of the river on a car-free Ribeira das Naus (photo LPP)

Following this, the city council has committed to closing Ribeira das Naus every Sunday, reserving this stretch between Largo Corpo Santo and Rua dos Arameiros for outdoor activities and contemplation of the Tagus River.

The concept of transforming Ribeira das Naus into a people-friendly space is not new. In 2018, the initiative A Rua É Sua, created by Fernando Medina (PS), also closed the avenue to cars on Sundays and holidays throughout August, which was extended in the following months. However, the pandemic interrupted this continuity. The original idea of a car-free Ribeira das Naus on weekends dates back to 2014, during António Costa's (PS) presidency, aiming to create a space for families to enjoy on Saturdays and Sundays.