Quite close to the historic Alfama neighborhood, a very nice street to walk around at Lisbon’ city center is Rua dos Bacalhoeiros (street of the cod fish sellers). The buildings that face the Tejo River look lovely, but if you take a closer look, they mostly are in a worse condition. Walking from Praça do Comércio in the direction to Alfama, you will get to [...]
The city of Lisbon has always suffered from the lack of drinking water. King João V (John V) decided to build an aqueduct in 1731 (Aqueduto das Águas Livres, ‘free waters’). The magnificent construction caused constant misunderstandings between the royal power, engineers, architects and municipal institutions; abusive clerical interference found its way into the fray. [...]
In this wonderful former Palace in Lisbon (Museu-Escola de Artes Decorativas), Museum and school, it’s forbidden to make pictures. After taking a few ones a guard warned me. Suddenly, walking from room to room, 4 guards kept an eye on me. Portugal’s most important furniture collection can be viewed here: valuable wooden Portuguese, French and English furniture dating from the 15th to [...]
There are not many real Wine Bars in Lisbon and this is a special one! In ‘the Goliards’ cellar you will find a selection of wines that were discovered directly on the production site, after a lot of frantic visits to different regions in Portugal, France, Spain and Italy. They are unique wines, a lot of [...]
In the 19th century, Baixa was Lisbon’s commercial heart, with streets named according to their trades. Rua dos Sapateiros means ‘the shoemakers’ street. The entrance to the Rua dos Sapateiros is spanned by the decorative arch Arco do Bandeiro. This bears the name of the wealthy sponsor Pires Bandeiro who commissioned it at the end [...]
Right on the leftside of the Rossio Station, close to the Restauradores square, you find Largo Duque de Cadaval. It is a bit hidden behind the recently-renovated Rossio train station, and full of sunny open-air cafes. This place is a good idea for a break or a romantic moment, a chat with some friends or [...]
If you look for a nice and quiet café apart from all the noise and traffic after walking around in the Rossio area in Lisbon, this 100 years old cafe is really worth it to sit down and admire the place while enjoying your drink. Leitaria ‘A Camponeza’ is located at Rua dos Sapateiros, 155/157, [...]
Dr. José Tomás de Sousa Martins (1843-1897) was a doctor and pharmacist renowned for his work amongst the poor in Lisbon. After his death, a secular cult has arisen around him in which he is thanked for ‘miraculous’ cures. Born in Alhandra he moved to Lisbon in his youth, and qualified in pharmacy (1864) and [...]
A ‘must-see’ when you visit Lisbon! Once an old grocery store, this 1900s style bar, 10 minutes walk from Bairro Alto ‘s nightlife is really unique! This is one of the most interesting and unusual decorated bars I’ve ever seen! A good start to Lisbon’s nightlife. You have to ring the doorbell, like in many [...]
A few minutes walk from Rossio Square, a little bit hidden behind a small door in a popular tourist street in Lisbon Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, there’s Casa do Alentejo: suddenly you step in an amazing Moorish palace, with an impressive courtyard! Casa do Alentejo was created 85 years ago, as a purpose to be [...]
