‘Clara Clara’ kiosk cafe in the heart of fleamarket Feira da Ladra, Lisbon

This wonderful small and quiet garden is a nice place to sit down and relax after browsing the legendary flea market Feira da Ladra (a must see when you visit Lisbon) or after visiting the National Pantheon (on the background), in which important Portuguese personalities are buried, like for example Amalia Rodrigues, the famous fado singer.

Clara Clara terrace & view on the Tagus river, Lisbon

This garden was built in 1862. It provides a panoramic view of the Tagus River. Clara Clara Cafe presents complementary activities such as music or entertainment for kids – and also offers Wi-Fi. A little further down, there is a playground. 

Playground and game tables for children – kiosk cafe Clara Clara Lisbon

As for the menu, the cafe offers coffee, (bica), tea (chá) and Portuguese wines such as Vinho Verde (green wine), beer (imperial) and lemonade, fresh fruit shakes or a sandwich.

Clara Clara terrace in summertime

An inviting terrace in summertime: you can cool off under the trees of the garden. The kiosk cafe offers food and drinks – fresh seasonal products – with a careful selection of cheeses and wines, at tables under the trees in sumertime.

Clara Clara cafe in June, the kiosk is decorated with garlands (Feast Days of the Popular Saints)

This beautiful garden was named after Pedro Amaral Boto Machado, a Portuguese Republican politician and governor (from May 1913 till May 1915) of the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, discovered and claimed by Portugal in the 1470s. Independence was granted on July 1975.

Clara Clara Cafe is open daily from 10:00 AM to midnight. Easy to reach by old tram 28.

Clara Clara Cafe in wintertime (december)

In winter season the cafe offers heaters and blankets. Nothing better than a tea, hot chocolate or a Vinho Quente (hot red mulled wine) on a cold afternoon. The scones and hot croissants already have enough fans, as well as the chocolate muffins.

In Lisbon you can still find a lot of nostalgic Moorish kiosks cafes

The garden is surrounded by the flea market

Fleamarket Feira da Ladra, Lisbon (every Tuesday and Saturday from dusk till dawn)

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‘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 as the crown jewels of the Portuguese architecture in Belém.

Lisbon ’Hop on and hop off buses’: the yellow open-topped double decker tourist bus & the “River Tagus Tour’

Famous Praça da Figueira (Square of the Fig Tree) and the bronze equestrian statue representing King John (1357-1433). This lively square is nowadays an important traffic hub, with bus and metro stops, cafes and restaurants, very popular with tourists, like cafe restaurant Pastelaria Suíça, located at the nearby Rossio Square

The famous Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) near the river Tagus

This square is also the starting point for a ‘hop on hop off” historical ’Red tramcar tour (the ‘ 7 Colinas‘ hills) route . The ‘Carristur’ company has faithfully restored the interior of the trams dating from the thirthies and fourties, preserving their charm and original character. Ticket € 18, children (4-10) € 9, Lisboa card reduction € 13,50″.

ViniPortugal, free wine tasting & tourist information Sala Ogival, Lisbon, Praça do Comércio Commerce Square)

At the same square (Praça do Comércio) you can taste fine Portuguese wines for free: a very pleasant and interesting way to learn more about history and culture of Portuguese wines. More about ViniPortugal

Campo Pequeno, a monumental Moorish-style bullring, built in 1892

Bullfights, cinema, restaurants and shopping mall (seen from the yellow ‘hop on hop off’ tourist bus “River Tagus Tour’)

Park Eduardo VII  (the yellow tourist bus “River Tagus Tour’)

This beautiful park is not worth a visit for itself, but the view from here is wonderful! Fabulous blue sky and light, and the Tagus river in the background. Situated right in the middle of the city, close to Avenida da Liberdade, a lovely and luxury shopping ’avenue’, the Portuguese equivalent of the Champs Elysees in Paris. Brands like Luis Vuitton, Emporio Armani and Escada fashionable boutiques.

On the background: the famous April 25 Brigde (Ponte 25 de Abril), connecting the Lisbon city (the yellow tourist bus “River Tagus Tour’)

Lisbon old town and April 25 Bridge, view from the Cristo Rei Statue

How to get there? A wonderful idea for a trip to the other side of the river is to take a cheap ferry to Cacilhas, (very good and cheap restaurants!) and a 20 minutes walk along the river to reach the elevator of the famous Cristo Rei statue. Amazing views on downtown Lisbon!

Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)

Although most have already been said about this momument (and Belém): this place is definitely a must see! You can go up to the top of the monument (by elevator) where you enjoy wonderful views around, like the mouth of the Tagus river, the April 25 Bridge, the Jerónimos Monastery, as well as the famous Tower Torre de Belem. a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Lisbon’s most photographed landmarks. All the sights are near each other (more information GoLisbon).

Pasteis de Belém (Lisbon’s famous custard tarts, always warm and delicious!)

No trip to Lisbon can be called a success without visiting Belém, where Portugal’s Age of Discovery began, and without enjoying a few of Lisbon’s most celebrated custard tarts in the nearby famous Pasteis de Belém, Antiga Confeitaria, Rua de Belém 84-92.

An adventurous idea for a trip to explore Lisbon is to rent a two seater GoCar.

As part of the GPS Tours Network, several exciting tours in Lisbon are available: the Baixa, for Belém (like we did), the Castelo São Jorge (Castle of Saint George), or to the Expo (Park of the Nations). More information and rental rates: website GoCar Tours

Starting point ‘hop on hop off’ city cruise bus at Praça da Figueira

Or join the yellow bus at Praça do Comércio . Official Lisbon yellow tour buses, operated by Carris (Lisbon’s bus public company). Duration tour 1,2 hours.

Departures hop on buses: every 30 minutes to join the River Tagus Tour or Olisipo Tour : you can visit the most important museums, have fun at Parque das Nações, the leisure area of Lisbon, especially for children, or visit the ZOO.

Largo do Carmo (via Santa Justa Lift), entrance to the famous Archeological Museum

Your ‘hop on hop off’ ticket is also valid on trams, the famous Santa Justa Lift to reach the wonderful Largo do Carmo,  my favorite square in Lisbon), funiculars and public buses during 24h. Adult € 15, children (4-10) € 7,50. Lisboa Card € 11.

Parque das Nações. (Park of the Nations). Yellow ‘hop on hop off’ city  tour bus Olisipo Tour). Picture: Christel Leenen

Cablecars at Expo 98, looking towards the Vasco da Gama Bridge over the River Tagus

Cais de Sodré, train to Cascais (and to Belém)

A cheaper way from the city center to g0 to Belém is by getting tram 15 (from Praça da Figueira (watch out for pickpockets!) and from Praça do Comércio ), or by train from Cais de Sodré on the Cascais Line; get out at Belém station. All the trains pass through Belém, but not all of them stop there.

Good & cheap trip idea: the legendary old and funny tram 28, a ‘must do’ tourist attraction

If you wanna get a good impression of the historical city of Lisbon, a very good and cheap idea is taking this typical little trolley, ‘elétrico 28′. This legendary tram 28 is a tourist attraction in itself. It goes all around town. Of course you can hop on and hop off.

Tram 28 in Alfama, one of the oldest areas in Lisbon.  Nearby Lisbon’s legendary flea market ‘Feira da Ladra’

These small yellow trams are extremely old and funny, they go up and down through the narrow streets of Lisbon. The electric tram No. 28 departs from Martim Moniz Square in Lisbon’s historical heart (5 minutes walk from my authentic 3- bedroom apartment in Mouraria

Lisbon, tourist attraction Portas do Sol , a famous river Tagus viewpoint (miradouro)

Old tram 28 stops in the most picturesque sights of Lisbon, like this famous river and old town viewpoint. Nearby a lovely lounge terrace, restaurant, trendy and stylish bar, (weekend DJ’)s Portas do Sol

Lisbon and the Castle of Saint George

..…….and this old tram 28 also stops close to the entrance of the wonderful Castle of Saint George , for the most breathtaking views on the river Tagus and Lisbon! More……

Lunch idea: trendy hotspot  in the legendary Bairro Alto area ‘FlowerPower’ , café/restaurant .

Healthy eating amid the hustle and bustle of Lisbon’s bohemien haunt of artists and writers ‘Flowerpower’, close to the most photographed street in Lisbon and Bica funicular (from 1892)

Nearby Bairro Alto: trendy cafe/restaurant (also open for lunch) Noobai, amazing river Tagus views!

Certainly one of the favorite places of many Lisbon locals and visitors of the city. Relaxed ambience and very nice people!

‘Adamastor’ near the river Tagus

Nearby ‘Adamastor’ is a popular viewpoint (miradouro) and gathering place in Lisbon.

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 (quiosque) Camões Square (Praça Luís de Camões)

The Moorish influence in Lisbon is still present, like the lovely designed old kiosks serving old-fashioned Portuguese refreshments and snacks. More about kiosks near beautiful viewpoints, favorite tourist attractions, some recommended restaurants and how to get there.

Bar Pavilhão Chines, bizarre and ‘one of a kind’

Going out & nightlife in Lisbon: 1900s ‘one of a kind’ bar Pavilhão Chines close to the legendary Bairro Alto area. One of the most interesting bars I’ve ever seen and a good start to Lisbon’s nightlife.

The legendary Bairro Alto area in Lisbon

‘A Capela’ is one of the most popular bars in Lisbon’s heart of funky bars and restaurants.

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It’s a great place to walk around and kids have fun here! It has small lakes, a library kiosk and a beautiful bandstand. In summer months, you may occasionally find musicians giving live concerts inside the park.

Enjoy great moments of nature in the center of a big city…

An oasis of peace and tranquility…..

Wonderful exotic trees

This magnificent garden (founded in 1852) is a must-see in Lisbon. These pictures were taken at the end of November. In summertime flowers are beautifully scattered throughout the entire garden.

The garden has everything that children seek: a well-equipped children’s playground.

Jardim da Estrela, Praça da Estrela, open daily from 07:00 – 24:00. Free entrance. Metro: Rato. Tram: 25 and 28

Dogs have fun here. There are lots of dogs in Lisbon, and most of them are quite happy..

Opposite the park: Basilica da Estrela  church , one of the most brilliant constructions of late Baroque, with already neoclassical elements

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Rua Gregorio da Silva, Pilado, Marinha Grande

170 km north from Lisbon lies a sweet quite village namedPilado . 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.  There’s a table, comfortable chairs and 2 relax chairs.

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 unspoild 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 (a children’s play pool, 1 m deep, 4 by 5 m2. 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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Vakantie villa Pilado, Rua Gregorio da Silva , Pilado (dorp)

Het dorp Pilado grenst 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 om te fietsen.

Vakantie villa in Pilado, tuin van 1000 m2

De villa is geheel gemoderniseerd en heeft 2 verdiepingen, een garage, een heerlijke grote tuin  (1000 m2) met fruitbomen, een kippenhok, twee waterputten, een kinderzwembad en een BBQ. Grote tafel met eetstoelen en 2 relax tuinstoelen.

Eigenares van de vakantie villa in Pilado is de gastvrije Orange da Silva.

Orange da Silva 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.

Vakantie villa Pilado, nabij Marinha Grande: woonkeuken

Omdat de villa wat afgelegenligt 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 (ca. 14 km vanaf de villa).

Indeling:

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

Vakantie villa Pilado: slaapkamer

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, (kinderzwembad 4 bij 5 meter, een meter diep) en 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, in november, wel met jassen aan….

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). De tweede week 10 % korting. Kinderkorting in gezamenlijk overleg. 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.Coimbra90 km.  Porto ligt 188 km noordelijk. Portugal accomodaties startpagina

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Who’s watching who? Picture: Abilio Leitao

The famous Oceanarium (Oceanário) in Lisbon is the largest aquarium in Europe, with over one million visitors per year. The main tank contains approximately 5000 litres of water! A remarkable but hidden world with creatures weird and wonderful. The guided tours are a powerful educational tool that covers a broad range of scientific knowledge and stimulates learning about the oceans.

Picture: Carla Robalo Martins. Himantura uarnak (Honeycomb stingray)

The Lisbon Oceanarium website (also in English) includes all the info you need about opening hours, exhibiotions, prices and how to get there. Located in Parque das Nações (Park of the Nations), at the south end of Doca dos Olivais, a wonderful area for children! The Oceanarium Center also promotes a range of sporting activities, like canoing, windsurfing and sailing for children and adults.

There’s lots of possibilities to bike, roller skate, skate or walk by the river, and there are many green spaces for playing ball.  More information and highlights

Pavilion of Knowledge. Picture Fernanda Sampaio

Also located in this Park is The Pavilion of Knowledge (Pavilhão do Conhecimento), an interactive science and technology museum that aims to make science accessible to all, stimulating experimentation and exploration of the physical world. There are interactive blocks as well as recreation and formative areas reserved for children. See, do and learn!

Located in the city center, the Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoológico) has one of the best zoological collections in the world: more than 2.000 animals and 350 different species approximately, lodged in areas increasingly similar to their natural habitats. Many of them come from former Portuguese colonies like Brasil and Africa. You can watch the dolphin’s bay show or feeding time for the sea lions, and ride a cable car.

Picture: Joaquim Alves Gaspar. Two Pot-bellied pigs (Sus domesticus) resting at the Lisbon Zoo

A complementary area located at the entrance of the Zoo, the “Animax’ fair, is free of charge and has a variety of rides including the carousel, the seagulls, the crazy helicopter, as well as restaurants, shops and resting areas. Website with opening times and entry costs

Parque dos Índios (Indians Park) , located in Benfica

One of the best parks for children in Lisbon with scenic views and two different areas: for younger children, aged up to 5, and for those aged 6 to 12. This is a park with a pretty landscape, offering a good place for adults to rest at the outdoor cafe. The space is wide, allowing you to watch the kids having fun. More pictures….

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The price for eacht ticket is € 20 for adults and € 10 for children.

These Tagus river boat trips are onboard of a renovated, traditional ‘Cacilheiro‘, the boats that, in former times, ferried the local population across the river. This type of ferry is called “cacilheiro” because it connects Lisbon to Cacilhas (Almada) on the south side of the river.

Praça do Comércio, June 2009

The trips are organised by Transtejo, starting at Praça do Comércio ferry terminal, at the foot of the hill dominated by the Castle of São Jorge (Castle of Saint George) and the historical neighborhood Alfama.

Alfama and The National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) in which important Portuguese personalities are buried, like Amalia Rodrigues, the very famous fado singer.

São Rafael ‘twin towers’

Parque das Nações (Park of the Nations) is a modern, commercial and residential area. The Vasco da Gama is a multi-story shopping centre, around 200 stores selling a full range of products. Many attractions built for the Expo ’98 remained and keep drawing visitors, such as the Oceanarium, one of the world’s biggest aquariums.

Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge) and Christo Rei (Christ the King) Statue

The enormous Christo Rei monument is built in 1959 in thanks to God for having spared Portugal during World War II, inspired by the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro. ‘God opens his arms to the city’. How to get there

Chef máquinista (engineer) João Celestina Silva and Antonio Duarte (captain)

The boats have a capacity of 279 people. Two of the four saloons are open air and all have a bar (one free drink) and tourist information available in various languages, provided by the stewards on board.

Torre de Belém

The Belém Tower was built in the early sixteenth century in the Portuguese late-Gothic style, the Manueline. This defensive, yet elegant construction has become one of the symbols of the city, a memorial to Portuguese power as it was during the Age of Discovery. In 1983, it was classified, together with the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Belém, Monument to the Discoveries

Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the famous monument that celebrates the Portuguese who took part in the Age of Discovery of the 15th and 16th centuries, located on the estuary of the Tagus river where ships departed to their often unknown destinations.

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The University of Lisbon Botanical Garden was designed as a scientific garden, planting began in 1873 through the initiative of two professors, the Earl of Ficalho and Andrade Corvo.

Entrance with beautiful palms: Rua Politécnica 58, Principe Real

Ticket office in the garden. Adults: € 1,50 , seniors over 65: € 0,75, children op to 6 years: free

Ficus macrophylla (moreton bay fig)

The great diversity of plants gathered from every corner of the world under Portuguese rule by its earliest gardeners – the German, E. Goeze, and the Frenchman, J. Daveau – illustrated Portugal’s colonial power at the time, though in Europe it was seen as a small and rather peripheral nation.

It’s really wonderful to walk around and sit down for a while in this haven of tranquility and serenity. The park offers the ideal place to explore the vastness and beauty of nature. Wander along mosaic paths under tall palms, take in the scents of the herb garden and visit the colourful butterfly house.

Dracaena Draco (dragon tree)

The systematic collections serve various fields of botanical research, demonstrating to the public and visiting schools the great diversity of plant forms and various ecological processes. They also represent an important and effective way of conserving plants whose survival is threatened.

Some collections deserve a special mention. The outstanding diversity of palms, brought from all continents, confers an unexpectedly tropical atmosphere to several locations in the garden. Cycads, real living fossils representing ancient and mostly extinct floras, are one of the garden’s hallmarks. Nowadays they are extremely rare and certain species are preserved only in botanical gardens.

Pomegranade, native to semitropical Asia.

The garden is particularly rich in tropical species from New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South America, illustrating the mild climate and the special microclimates produced in the garden.

Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa
Rua Escola Politécnica 58
+351-213 921 800
Website: http://www.jb.ul.pt/

Open: summer (1 April to 31 October): everyday from 09:00 to 20:00. Weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 20:00. Winter: everyday from 09:00 to 18:00. Weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on Christmas and New Years day.

How to get there: underground Rato station, yellow line

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The Lisbon Zoo main entrance is located at the Praça Marechal Humberto Delgado, Sete-Rios, Benfica, open every day from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m (from March – September) and from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (October – March).

Picture: Nuno Barreto

Lisbon Zoo youtube movie (dolphins show)

Most popular atractions: dolphins Bay, started in 1995, now one of the biggest attractions of the Zoo, and the cable car: in 2-persons cabins visitors can enjoy a 20 minutes ride over the Zoo. 

Picture: Paulo Ricardo

Great apes temple, rainbow park, reptile house, children’s farm, sea-lions and pelicans feeding, ‘enchanted forest’: free flying birds presentation.

Picture: Pedro Morais

The Lisbon Zoo is not only a traditional zoological space, it is an important and attractive park where education and amusement are encouraged. The park offers a whole set of attractions where visitors can have a lot of funny and relaxing moments, but, above all, visitors leave with the sense of a day well spent!

Picture: Helder Dias

Entry cost (valid until the 31th of December of 2008): children (under 3 years old) free; children (from 3 to 11 years old) € 11,50 ; adult (from 12 to 64 years old: € 15,00; senior (+ then 65 years old € 12,50; groups from € 13,50

Lisbon Zoo is open every day, website with Attractions and schedules

The Lisbon Zoo, located in the centre of the city, is a place of very easy access, with an excellent railway (Linhas de Sintra, Azambuja e Fertagus), underground railway and buses network.

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