Archive for the 'Breathtaking views' Category

Kiosk cafe ‘Clara Clara’ Lisbon, terrace near fleamarket Feira da Ladra, WiFi hotspot & panoramic Tagus river views

The ‘Clara Clara’ Cafe in Alfama Lisbon is a kiosk in the garden-terrace of Boto Machado (or Santa Clara), overlooking the Tagus (Tejo) River and the National Pantheon (Church of Santa Engracia), in the heart of Lisbon’s legendary flea market, Feira da Ladra, litt. thieves market. ‘Clara Clara’ kiosk cafe in the heart of fleamarket Feira da Ladra, [...]

Portas do Sol Alfama Lisbon: lovely lounge terrace, cool and stylish cocktail bar & Santa Luzia, famous Tagus river viewpoints (miradouros)

Terrace ‘Portas do Sol’ (Gates to the Sun) has opened his doors in October 2009, in Lisbon’s historical center, close to the famous viewpoint (miradouro) with the same name, at Largo das Portas do Sol.  A new terrace coffee , cocktail bar and restaurant, designed in a way to make full use of its exceptional location. The lounge [...]

Lisbon inside city tips: hop on hop off bus, Red Tram historical tour, Santa Justa Lift, Cristo Rei statue, old tram 28, St George Castle, Portas do Sol, Belém Tower, hotspots, breathtaking views & nightlife

Planning a short trip to Lisbon? My inside (cheap) tips and trip ideas! ‘Hop on and hop off’ open-topped double decker bus tours are a popular way for tourists to view Lisbon city. The “River Tagus tour” offer you the the opportunity to view the areas in which most of its monuments may be found, such [...]

Remarkable Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ (Cemitério dos Prazeres) Lisbon & Amália Rodrigues

This remarkable cemetery is really an interesting place to visit. Famous Portuguese personalities are buried here, mainly actors, singers, writers, painters and television presenters. The mortal remains of  Amália Rodrigues, the famous fado artist,  were transferred to the National Pantheon  in Lisbon (under enormous pressure from her admirers and a change in the law requiring a [...]

Luxury Hotel Bairro Alto’s roof terrace, light snacks & lovely views over Lisbon

Even if you don’t stay in Lisbon’s boutique hotel Bairro Alto , you can take the tiny golden lift up to the sixth-floor roof terrace and enjoy amazing views by having a light lunch, or just an afternoon tea or a cup of coffee.   March 2010, a cloudy day.. The roof terrace, giving long views [...]

Lisbon’s famous funiculars: Bica, Gloria, Lavra, spectacular viewpoints & ‘Art in movement’

The funiculars Bica, Gloria and Lavra in Lisbon taking you up to spectacular viewpoints (miradouros). The (normally yellow) and famous tourist attraction funicular in Bica. Artist Alexandre Farto  covered the outside of the funicular with mirror-acrylic, called it ’Espectro’  (Spectre) and pays tribute to the neighbourhood that is reflected in the lift during the journey, as if it were a film…. (From [...]

Nostalgic Moorish kiosks in Lisbon near favorite tourist attractions, great viewpoints & recommended restaurants

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 old kiosks (quiosque), serving old-fashioned Portuguese refreshments and snacks. A few examples near beautiful viewpoints, favorite tourist attractions, some recommended restaurants and how to get there. Kiosk Camões [...]

Breathtaking views: cheap day trip by ferry from Lisbon to Montijo, Alcochete beach & pink flamingos

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 [...]

Boat trip: discover the contours of old and modern Lisbon seen from the Tagus River

When you visit Lisbon for only a few days , I’d suggest to take a boat trip on the Tagus River to discover the contours of the old and the modern part of the Portuguese capital. This short cruise (from April 1st - October 31) departs every day at 15:00 from Terreiro do Paço, just near Praça do Comércio [...]

Restaurant Marisqueira ‘Guarda Rio’ Cais do Sodré Lisbon: fresh seafood, beautiful river views & smugglers

Restaurant Marisqueira ‘Guarda Rio’, (Antigo Pavilhão da Guarda Fiscal, a former observation point overlooking the river Tagus) is located just near Cais do Sodré, Lisbon’s major bus, metro, train station and ferry terminal. The marisqueira (seafood in Portuguese) is unfailingly fresh, the waiters are very friendly. The location, right next to the river Tagus, is [...]