Archive for the 'Culture' Category

Lisbon in June: street parties historical areas & June 12, Lisbon’s craziest night, Eve of Saint Anthony 2011 (Santo António), a mix of religion & sex

Lisbon in June: wine, sangria, beer, the smell of grilled sardines, mojitos, caipirinhas, fado, pimba music and lots of people eating, drinking and dancing in the streets of the historical areas. On the eve of Saint Anthony day (June 13), Lisbon turns into a huge open air party! June 12, historic area Mouraria Rua da Guia Lisbon: Eve [...]

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, [...]

Alfama historic Lisbon: Rua do Salvador, real Portuguese atmosphere near famous viewpoint Portas do Sol, tasca ‘Zip Zip’ & cool vintage store designer Alberto Gourgel

One of my favorite old streets in Lisbon is Rua do Salvador in Alfama, the most famous historic and oldest neighborhood of Lisbon. The area is easy to reach from the city center by the legendary old tram 28 Rua do Salvador/corner Rua de São Tomé, Alfama Lisbon Here you will find a real Portuguese atmosphere, quite close to [...]

Fado, knives & blood (Fado, Navalhas e Sangue), artist Carlos Fernandez, Santo Antonio festivities & Mouraria, Lisbons 900 years old historical area

Artist Carlos Fernandez was born and raised in Mouraria, a historic (old Moorish) down town area in Lisbon. Together with Alfama, the Mouraria area is a muddle of very narrow streets and small squares, which gives the visitor a glimpse of a forgotten age. Mouraria, Lisbon: nostalgic drawing by Carlos Fernandez Carlos Fernandez earns his [...]

ViniPortugal Lisbon & wine lovers: taste a selection of fine Portuguese wines for free at Sala Ogival Praça do Comerçio, one of Lisbon’s most majestic squares

Free wine tasting: a very pleasant and interesting way to start the night in Lisbon and to learn more about history and culture of Portuguese wines! Maria João Menezes – ViniPortugal Managing Director Lisbon ViniPortugal in Lisbon is located in the Ministry of Agriculture premises in Terreiro do Paço (Praça do Comerçio), one of the most majestic squares of Lisbon. [...]

Former Palace Santa Catarina Lisbon: history, art gallery, international ‘Pop Up’ festival & popular viewpoint Adamastor near the Tagus River

Right next to one of the most popular viewpoints (miradouros) on the river Tagus (Tejo) in Lisbon Adamastor,  you’ll find Palácio Verride, a former 18th- century Palace, better known as Palácio de Santa Catarina. ‘Pop Up’ 2010 Art Gallery Santa Catarina Palace: Artwork Tiago Chagas Nowadays the municipality of Lisbon is the owner of the former Palace, and excellent art [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Fado: ‘Vai Tu’ in Lisbon’s ‘most photographed funicular’ street near Bairro Alto & every Sunday traditional fado out of the tourist circle

Fado is Portugal’s most well known music. Traditionally, the fado houses in Portugal are popular and a meeting spot for families and friends. In general: stay away in Lisbon from practically all fado places in Bairro Alto. They are too touristy and the quality not always worth the high prices, a tourist trap! ‘Vai Tu’ is a local community group. [...]

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 [...]