The Lisbon Connection

On August 6, 711 Lisbon was taken by the Moors, 400 years later the city returned to Christian rule.  Nowadays the Moorish influence is still present, like the lovely designed kiosks, serving old-fashioned Portuguese refreshments and snacks. A few examples near beautiful viewpoints, favorite tourist attractions, some recommended restaurants and how to get there

Camões Square (Praça Luís de Camões), just behind Camões’ statue , close to the statue of Portugal’s famous writer and poet Pessoa (1888-1935),  still mobbed by many tourists nowadays and a good, cheap and traditional Portuguese restaurant ‘Casa da India’.

Park Principe Real

After shopping people like to take a break in this wonderful park with lots of exotic plants and trees, near Bairro Alto, posssibly one of the best (and gay) spots in Europe for a night out!  Nearby you’ll find the  Botanical garden , one of Europe’s finest.

Kiosk Rua Dom Pedro

Rua Dom Pedro V  is a wonderful avenue for shopping. There’s lots of boutiques, traditional antique shops and art galleries.

 Largo Trindade Coelho

Small kiosk near ‘Casa da Comida’ (’ the house of food’), a new cafetaria/ restaurant in the wonderful bamboo garden of Museum São Roque. This museum and church is home to Italian art from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Cais do Sodré

Cais do Sodré  is Lisbon’s major bus, metro, trainstation ( ‘Linha de Cascais’  name of the train line joining Lisbon to Cascais) and ferry terminal. A major bus station is sited outside the front of the Cais do Sodré station, with a Carris  small kiosk selling transport passes, tickets and guides.

On the background Restaurant Marisqueira ‘Guarda Rio’, overlooking the river Tagus, the marisqueira (seafood) is unfailingly fresh!

Viewpont Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. This wonderful belvedere will give you a unique insight into the city and magnificent views on the old Moorish castle Castelo de São Jorge.

Above Lisbon’s famous flea market Feira da Ladra .  The Moorish influence is still present in Alfama and in Mouraria, where the Moors kept on living in the city after the conquist and gathered in this area.

‘Adamastor’, a popular gathering place in Lisbon overlooking the Tagus river, which is officially called the Miradouro de Santa Catarina. From this vista point you have the most breathtaking views on the Tagus river, the 25th of April Bridge and the Cristo Rei monument.

Kiosk Rua de São Paulo, near Cais do Sodré  station and, on the other side of the road,  Mercado da Ribeira (famous market near the river, since 1882), topped with a Moorish-style dome.

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New! Searching for a cheap and cosy holiday villa, easy to reach by car from Lisbon? Near beautiful white and unspoilt Portugal beaches (Silver Coast),  Pilado  (170 km north) is an ideal location for families with children or for couples. The popular beach of São Pedro de Moel  is 14 km. If you want to see the true beauty of Portugal this is the place to be! 2-6 people, from € 350 a week. Availability calendar

Rua Gregorio da Silva, Pilado, Marinha Grande

170 km north from Lisbon  lies a sweet quite village named Pilado . Close to the vibrant city of Marinha Grande, famous for its glass manufacturing industry, situated on the outskirts of the biggest pine tree forest of Portugal (Pinhal do Rei), a top destination for a picnic with children.

This cosy rustic villa is nicely renovated and has 2 floors, a beautiful big garden with fruit trees, 2 fresh water wells and a garage for your car. Here you can celebrate your holidays on the veranda enjoying a BBQ.

The owner of the villa is the hospitable Orange da Silva. She also speaks French and Spanish. Orange is an excellent cook and she can prepare an authentic Portuguese dinner or lunch (if reserved beforehand).

Because the villa is situated at a remote part of the village it is quite necessary to have (or rent) a car. Small shops, a supermarket, a cafe and a typical cheap Portuguese restaurant are close by. 6 km from the impressive Atlantic coast and uncharted beaches.

The beach of São Pedro de Moel  is one of the most popular holiday resorts in the region, 14 km from the house. This is a sheltered beach in a natural bay. Fishing, surfing, beach volleyball, tennis, jogging and bicycle riding and walking are all popular activities here. A long stretch of sandy, less busy beaches line the coast from Marinha Grande  (tourist website) up to Figueira da Foz.

Facilities:

First floor (200 m2): 2 bedrooms, bathroom with tub, kitchen with big cosy living room, veranda in both sides.

Basement: living space (150m2), garage for 2 cars. Kitchen with living room and fireplace, bedroom, closet, toilet with shower, 1000m2 of garden with fruit trees and a big barbecue, 2-water well’s. Free use of wireless internet (no laptop available), laundry machine, sheets and towels. Central heating.

The beautiful beach of São Pedro de Moel, november 2009

Prices:

Week € 350 with 2 persons,  3 persons € 400, 4 persons € 450, 5 persons € 550, 6 persons € 600. Available from 3 nights , € 70 per night (2 persons, 10 euro extra pp pn), excl. € 40 cleaning.

Arrival time: from 15:00. Departure: 11:00. Discount: 10% off between the 8th and 14th day. Reservation with contract and cancellation conditions. Inclusive: gas, water and electricity.

For more information or a reservation mail to Julie Kruijs or call to 0031 653941845. Skype: juliekr1956

Payment procedure: 20 % by reservation to guarantee your booking and to block the dates off for you in the calendar. You are required to do the second payment (80%) at least 2 weeks before your arrival.

Places of interest: Nazaré, 30 km.  Fatima 40 km. Coimbra ca. 90 km. Porto 188 km.

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Niew: fijne villa voor een fijne prijs! Vanaf  € 350 per week (met 2 personen), tot 6 personen te huur. Vanuit Lissabon is het stadje Pilado (170 km noordelijk) nabij Marinha Grande gemakkelijk te bereiken per auto.  Dicht bij de  imponerende westkust en onbedorven stranden. Het populaire strand van São Pedro de Moel  is 14 km.  Beschikbaarheids kalender

Rua Gregorio da Silva , Pilado (dorp), grenzend aan de stad Marinha Grande, bekend van de sierglas industrie, en de uitlopers van het grootste pijnbomen bos van Portugal (Pinhal do Rei), ideaal voor een picnic met de kinderen of te fietsen. 

De villa is geheel gemoderniseerd en heeft 2 verdiepingen, een garage, een heerlijke grote tuin met fruitbomen, twee waterputten en een BBQ.

Eigenares is de gastvrije Orange da Silva. Zij spreekt ook Frans, Spaans en een beetje Engels. Orange kan eventueel een echte Portugese maaltijd voor u bereiden en bij aankomst staat een heerlijk flesje wijn in de koelkast.

Omdat de villa wat afgelegen ligt is met een (huur) auto reizen wel noodzakelijk. In de buurt is een supermarkt,  kleine winkeltjes, een buurtcafé en een goedkoop, typisch Portugees restaurantje.

Het strand van São Pedro de Moel  is een van de populairste stranden in de regio.

Indeling:

Begane grond (200 m2): 2 slaapkamers, badkamer met ligbad en toilet, grote woonkeuken en veranda’s.

Basement (150 m2) : woonkamer, garage voor 2 auto’s, keuken met woongedeelte en open haard, slaapkamer, grote kledingkast, douche met toilet.  Tuin (1000 m2) met fruitbomen, een grote BBQ en twee waterputten, een kippenhok (iedere dag verse eitjes). Gebruik van wasmachine, beddengoed en handdoeken (geen strandlakens) is bij de prijs inbegrepen. Centrale verwarming voor de koelere winteravonden.

Een heerlijke lunch aan het strand van São Pedro de Moel, november 2009

Prijzen:

Week € 350 met 2 personen,  3 pers. € 400, 4 pers. € 450, 5 pers. € 500, 6 pers. € 600.  Te huur vanaf 3 nachten, € 70 per nacht (bij 2 personen, meerdere pers. € 10 pp extra). Excl. € 40 schoonmaak.

Bos bij de villa

Gratis gebruik van internet (eigen laptop meenemen). Aankomst tijd in principe vanaf 15:00. Vertrek: 11:00. Reservering: 20 % aanbetaling d.m.v. huurcontract incl. coulante annuleringsvoorwaarden. Gas en electriciteit zijn inclusief, babybed gratis beschikbaar.

Voor meer informatie of een reservering mail Julie Kruijs of bel 0031 653941845. Skype: juliekr1956.

Interessante plaatsen : Nazaré, 30 km, Fatima 40 km. Coimbra 90 km.  Porto ligt 188 km noordelijk.

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Away from the crowds, on the south bank of the river Tagus (Sul do Tejo), there’s the beach of Alcochete, located near the small city of Montijo . From Lisbon you can take a bus across the Vasco da Gama Bridge directly to Alcochete centre at Oriente station  (431, the most frequent), or 432 and 437.

But it’s really worth taking a ferry at Cais do Sodré  to Montijo, walk around in this picturesque village, have lunch and take a bus to the centre of Alchochete and walk to the beach called Samouco (ca. 15 min.)

Beautiful views: Lisbon city and the 25 April Bridge. 

The ferry trip to Montijo takes about 20 minutes and give you a chance to enjoy the river and the views of Lisbon and the surrounding areas. Return ticket: euro 5.60.

Montijo, Praça da República

You’re away from the crowds…and it is really a pleasure walking around here.

Montijo , a lazy afternoon, September 2009, Rua Guerra Junqueiro. Not one tourist in sight! Coffee (bica) euro 0,60.

Alcochete , Samouco beach

From Montijo, take a bus to Alcochete centre and walk 15 minutes to Samouco beach  (YouTube).  You can enjoy watching pink flamingos or egrets (white heron) near the Reserva Natural of the Tagus river, which is famous for the birds.

Of course in July and August there are more tourists. On the background: Lisbon and the ‘twin towers’, Parque das Nações.  Alcochete, like Sintra, has in the past been a popular haunt for royalty, coming here to relax and holiday. The town’s foundation dates back to the 7th century, after the Moors conquered Lisbon. Its name derives from the Arabic word for kiln, as there have been many found in the area. Bullfighting also has a history here, and bulls are still let loose in the streets during the Barrete Verde and Salinas Feasts (the second weekend of August).

Fitness exercises at the beach…. ! On de background: Vasco da Gama Bridge

Near the beach there’s a small cafe. Very nice people!  Typical Portuguese snacks and drinks: coffee (bica) 0,60, glass of beer 0,60, Portwine 1 euro. Glass of whiskey 2 euro.

By car it’s ca. 30 minutes from Lisbon to Alcochete beach. The wonderful Vasco da Gama Bridge connects Alcochete and Montijo with Lisbon.

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Close to Lisbon there are a lot of beautiful beaches, well known for their calm waters and fine sand. Beach São Pedro do Estoril is about 20 km from Lisbon, easy to reach by ‘Linha de Cascais’  (name of the train line joining Lisbon to Cascais) from Cais do Sodré , Lisbon’s major bus, metro,  ferry and trainstation.  

 November 11, 2009, what a wonderful sunny day! Lunch in restaurant ‘Peixenalinha‘,  Bafureira beach, Av. Marginal.

In summertime São Pedro do Estoril beach is very crowded and this region is also a popular surf spot .

On the background: Cascais, one of the favourite tourist destinations in Portugal.

Our choice: 2 Couvert Bafureira (bread, butter, olives and paté) € 4.00; Risotto al Funghi (mushrooms)  € 15.50; Taglioninni Nero Gambas (shrimps) € 14.00; small bottle of wine (Vinho da Casa) € 7.50.

By car this beach is about twenty minutes to thirty minutes away from the center of Lisbon. You go along the “Marginal” (the name of the road), in direction to “Cascais” . About half way across the “marginal” you get signs of  “S. Pedro do Estoril’. Free parking for approximately 200 cars.

Restaurant Peixenalinha, Praia da Bafureira,  São Pedro do Estoril. Email: peixenalinha@gmail.com. Tel. (00351) 214685389. Highly recommended!

Outside or inside dining, Open: every day from 12:30 – 15:30/19:30 – 00:30; there’s also a dining area open to smokers and a Sushi restaurant. 

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Sandra Guerreiro was born in Lisbon, where she still lives. Graduated in Fashion Design, she soon started to do what she really loves, reusing materials to other purposes, instead of designing clothes…

Starting with recycled paper, cardboard and other materials, ended up reusing plastic bags to create new bags, wallets, lamps, laptop cases and much more… Sandra’s Myspace

Plastic bags were chosen just because they ‘’grow up’’ like mushrooms in our kitchens… everybody knows, and Sandra really had the feeling to do something with that !! Such a waste of material… But it wasn’t easy: the very first experience didn’t go very well…

Sandra took one month to grab it again and finally she created something attractive, useful and satisfactory: a small purse. The feedback was fantastic!She just had to think about how to improve a few things.

I bought this beautiful wallet (13 euro). You can also find Sandra’s work at ‘Ladra Alternativa’  (Alternative Fair), where very creative Portuguese designers show their work like jewellery, arts and fashion accessories.

Atelier Sandra Guerreiro: Rua Augusta, Lisbon. Mail Sandra. Phone (00351) 962344385.

You can see all models and sizes in Sandra’s album ‘’WORK’’ at Facebook… 

Sandra’s website  (not ready yet) 

SHOPS: LISBON Embaixada Lomográfica – Rua da Atalaia, 31 (Bairro Alto), Fabrica Features Lisboa – Megastore United Colors of Benetton, Rua Garrett, 83

More shops in Portugal: PORTO: ‘Muuda’ – Rua do Rosário, 294 ‘Corações Habitados’ – Rua Nova da Algândega, 65. SINTRA: ‘Maria Saudade’ – Rua da Ferraria, 15. COIMBRA: ‘Mau Feitio’ – Rua do Quebra-Costas, 42/44. TOMAR: ‘Uff Portugal’ – Rua Serpa Pinto, 139. BRAGA: ‘Conceito X’ – Rua Nova de Sta. Cruz, 30 – loja 5. FARO: ‘Líbido’ – Rua Concelheiro Bivar, 81/83. LAGOS: ‘Portugal the Best Of’ – Rua Cândido dos Reis, 47. MADRID: Reina Sofia Museum. NEW YORK: MoMA (soon).

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In December, thousands of colourful lights decorate Lisbon. Portuguese people love ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, celebrating Christmas with a lot of X-mas kitsch. Everywhere you look you see blinking neon lights, Christmas markets and decorated shops. If you are a Christmas hater, maybe it’s a better idea to visit this fascinating city some other time

Rua da Prata, December 2009

National Theatre Teatro Nacional Doña Maria II. Christmas time in Lisbon is similar to everywhere else in the world, except that the decorations has a higher kitsch factor.

Rua da Palma, lingerie shop close to one of my favorite restaurants RAMIRO

Hermes, Largo do Chiado 9. They really love  Christmas window dressing with animals! (Christmas  2008)

Watch-guard shop near Rossio, Praça da Figueira

Further, there’s a giant 44m Christmas tree, set up on the highest point of Eduardo VII  park, with 1.625.000 (!) mini lights, lighting up the tree’s decorations from 17:30 pm – 1am. Of course, children love it!

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi7h-qLRflc

Lisbon’s unique & original Ladra Alternativa (Alternative Flea Market ). Christmas decoration made from Nespresso caps (3 euro)

A creative idea to make some money at Christmas time……

Benetton shop,  Rua Garrett 

The clothing market shrinked this year because of the crisis, as well as the sweaters of  Benetton

And Maria & Jesus? You can make a reservation in their restaurant in Mouraria, “Tentações (Temptations) de Goa”

NEW YEAR: on the night of December 31, Lisbon is one big street party! Live music and a fantastic fireworks display (Parque das Nações  , EXPO 98). According to the Portuguese tradition, twelve wishes are made to the sound of the twelve bell tolls, toasting with champaign to the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! FELIZ ANO NOVO!

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Cervejaria ‘Ramiro‘ is not just a restaurant in Lisbon. If you look for superb fresh seafood at a really good price, this “Cervejaria” (litt. beerhouse) is the place to be! It’s always crowded and rather noisy, with tables full of locals, all having a great time. The atmosphere is loud and exciting. But if you don’t like seafood, here you can enjoy a real good steak . The waiters are very friendly and promptly, you can see they enjoy their job and your beer never runs dry! You’ll never have to wait longer than 5-10 minutes for a table, even if you made no reservation.

A Friday afternoon, around 16:00. Ramiro is open from 12:00 till midnight, so if you like to come in at 17:00 you’re welcome!

Portuguese love there seafood with beer (or with ice cold vinho verde , young wine). You can order big shrimps (gambas or camarão tigre), scampi (lagostim) and crab (sapateira). Cooked fresh seafood tastes fantastic with mayonaise, grilled seafood goes very well with ‘molho de limão’. This is a sauce of butter, lemon and a bit of piri-piri.

Pedro Miguel P. Gonçalves, manager restaurant ‘Ramiro’ : “You may start by tasting the delicious dark smoked ham “Pata Negra 5, J Sanchez Romero Carvajal”.

Gamba Cozido (€10.83),  Pao Manteiga (hot buttered bread €2.55), agua (S. Pellegrino (€1.50), Carne Lombo (steak sandwich € 3,60), small bottle of white wine (Plenalto €5.50), coffee (€0.90).

My favorite dish: Camarão à Guilho (garlic shrimp). If you’re only in the mood for a snack, try a ‘prego’ , a steak sandwich. The steak is grilled on the plate. The Portuguese eat the prego’s (literally: nails, referring to the full stomach after eating one) with mustard or piri-piri.

History : The Ramiro Beer house was founded on the 7th of April of 1956, by the hand of Ramiro’s father, being a small “pasture house”. With the passing of the years Mr. Ramiro, having a main role within the business, slowly introduced seafood. This concept aroused a great interest creating a beer house (Cervejaria). Joined by his wife they amplified and improved the space focusing uniquely on the concept of seafood house: the selling of seafood, ham and “steak sandwich” . Today it is known nationally and abroad for its excellent quality of raw-materials, for its level of service and for the price-quality relationship. More….website restaurant Ramiro

I can sincerely recommend this place! If you are more in the mood for a restaurant with red candles and soft music, you might be disappointed, but upstairs you can make a reservation for a romantic ‘table for 2′.

‘RAMIRO‘, Avenida Almirante Reis 1 G-H, Intendente, Lisbon. OPEN on Sundays!

TAKE AWAY. Call at +351218851024 and order a seafood meal. Order before (24 Hours). The restaurant is closed at Mondays.

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There are lots of dogs in Lisbon, and most of them are quite happy…

“” Passeio o seu cão de saquinho na mão!” ‘Take your dog for a walk with a poop bag in your hand!”

I saw this funny poster near one of my favorite places in Lisbon,  Miradouro da Graça. a splendid viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the castle and central Lisbon. The open-air cafe and its relaxing atmosphere is a favorite with young locals, especially in late afternoon. During the summer it remains open well into the night.

Home made coats… Feira da Ladra, Lisbons’ legendary flea market in wintertime (about 18 degrees C…..)

This one has very sad eyes….near the church in Rosssio, close to Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independece) and the famous small  ‘A Ginjinha’ cafe.

Rua da Costa do Castelo, walking up to the old castelo São Jorge (Castle of Saint George), located on the highest of the seven hills of the historic center of the city.

Alfama, at lunch time (almoço). The most famous historic and oldest neighborhood in Lisbon.  I manage to get lost every time I walk there…! It’s still like a kasbah, this labyrinth of lanes (becos) paved with pebbles, tiny alleys, steps, arches, courtyards and small squares. Houses, shouldering each other, with tiles (azulejos) and wrought iron balconies with lazy cats, birds in cages and sometimes a sleeping dog….

One of my favourite places and of many Lisbon locals and visitors of the city. The entrance of Cafe Noobai is located on Miradoura de Santa Catarina, also known as Adamastor. This bar and restaurant is certainly worth a visit because of the wonderful view over the Tejo river side, the relaxed ambience and the nice people.

Picture: haiamisa

In Lisbon there are many beggars on the streets. Sadly enough some of them use animals and many tourists give money to this boy. The dog doesn’t look very happy on the street in the heat of the summer……you’ll find him ‘working’ in the city center Baixa.

Portuguese Water Dog (picture: Chicago Tribune)

Obama’s daughter Malia walks the First Family’s new puppy, Bo, on the grounds of the White House.

So far, I never saw a Portuguese ‘Water Dog’ in Lisbon…… But maybe Obama bought him because these very smart dogs were often taken with sailors during  the overseas Portuguese discoveries ? 

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MUDE Museum is really worth a visit! Opened in May 2009 in Baixa, it has already received more than 75,000 visitors. The fashion collection contains work by famous designers like Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain and Paco Rabanne. The Collection results of the Francisco Capelo’s work and dedication, started in the 1990s, with more than 1,200 design and 1,500 fashion pieces most of it haute couture. The collection portrays the history of design and fashion from the 1930s to the present, being an exceptional collection to Portugal and to the international scene.

Sofa Joe – Jonathan de Pas, Italy (1932-1991)

This hugely important group of works, due to the creators represented and the quality and significance of the objects brought together, has a particular coherence and intrinsic unity stemming from the direct and complementary relation between the two areas (design and fashion).

Designers of this beautiful dress: the Portuguese duo Storytailors.

MUDE is a space for all 20th and 21st century design forms, from graphic to urban, taking in fashion and equipment; from mass production to the creation of the artist. A space to considering design, researching into its holdings, developing an editorial policy, a temporary programme and educational activity that provides different spaces for the sharing of ideas. It must also, however, be a space for experimentation and creation, showing the proposals of new creators, encouraging new research and creating dialogues with the visual arts and architecture, the cinema and dance, music, science.

The unique building has a long history. Local architects Joana Vilhena and Ricardo Carvalho have left the interior in the rough state they found it, with walls, columns, and ceilings stripped of finishes. More……. A wonderful idea! It’s located in the middle of Lisbon’s historic Pombaline center. Eight floors occupy in total a floor area of appr. 14.000 m2. The renovation is still in progress.

Aristocratic elegance: Christobal Balenciaga (Spain 1895-1972)

Pierre Poulin’s (France, 1927) long sofa Amphys which can be arranged in different positions

Paco Rabanne (Spain, 1934). Calf length boots, metallised leather (1965)

Also, there’s a lot of design showpieces, wonderful movie clips and music

Design and fashion were assembled in a complementary manner, with each piece chosen through a concept-based museum dialogue, and not according to personal tastes. Comprised of furniture and small everyday objects, both unique and mass-produced, the collection reflects 20th century’s major design trends and movements.

MUDE (MUseum and DEsign) which means ‘change’ in Portuguese), Rua Augusta 24 Lisbon. Opening hours: from Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday: 10:00 am-20:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am-22:00 pm. Closed on Monday. You can visit the museum for free.

Thanks to Graça Rodrigues, Head of Communication & Press

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