Archive for the 'favorite places' Category

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 [...]

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 [...]

Breathtaking views old town Lisbon & 25 April Bridge: Tagus riverfront Restaurant ‘Ponto Final’ Cacilhas, great Portuguese food, easy to reach by ferry & winter season

Planning a short trip to Lisbon? Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Cacilhas, (Almada, part of Lisbon area), the south bank of the river Tagus (Tejo). Very easy to reach by ferry. The views on downtown Lisbon and the 25 April Bridge are amazing! Take the ferry from Lisbons’ Cais do Sodré (every 10 minutes) to Cacilhas at the other [...]

Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria’ Lisbon: delicious typical Portuguese food, old Moorisch neighborhood, Amália Rodrigues & fado history

A little bit hidden in the former Moorish quarter Mouraria, in a small street of one of Lisbon’s oldest districts, you’ll find Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria’, mainly visited by local Portuguese. Great typical Portuguese food and, also important, very nice people and a very informal atmosphere . One of my favorites! (Air-conditioned in summertime). Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria’, Rua João do Outeiro [...]

Square ‘Largo do Carmo’ Lisbon: great city views, Santa Justa lift, Portugal’s Eurovision Song Contest 1974 & the Carnation Revolution

Wonderful Largo do Carmo, located close to the heart of the legendary Bairro Alto district, in Chiado, is one of my favorite squares in Lisbon: the beautiful trees, the historical buildings, the atmosphere, the fascinating church ruins, the extraordinary Santa Justa elevator and the amazing city views! Largo do Carmo, March 2010 This picturesque square is a very popular tourist [...]

Estrela Garden Lisbon: unique, exotic & a perfect place for children

One of my favorites (of course the famous botanical garden Jardim Botanico  is also worth a visit!) is Jardim da Estrela (Estrela Garden), one of the biggest gardens in Lisbon with a pleasant café and a huge variety of unique trees and plants. It’s a great place to walk around and kids have fun here! It has [...]

Tourist attractions in Lisbon, dogs, poop bags, panoramic viewpoints, old town Alfama, beggars & Bo, Obama’s Portuguese Water Dog

There are lots of dogs in Lisbon, and a lot of them are quite happy…except the abandoned ones… they deserve a better life! You can help…read more  about ‘BIANCA’ , Association for the protection of homeless Portuguese cats and dogs. “” Passeio o seu cão de saquinho na mão!” ‘Take your dog for a walk with a [...]

Walking around: Bairro Alto, Alfama, Mouraria, Costa do Castelo in Lisbon’s historical center & hanging laundry

Typical Portuguese is the hanging laundry in the windows, drying in the wind. Besides: in the narrow labyrinth of cobbled alleys of Lisbon’s ancient center it’s very nice to walk around! Herewith a few ideas: Restaurant Solar do Duque. Calcada do Duque is a street made of hundreds of stairs to Bairro Alto, lined with lots of traditional Portuguese restaurants, [...]

‘O Terraço’: one of the coolest bars in Lisbon & amazing views

‘O Terraço’ is overlooking the river Tagus , 25 April bridge and the city. It’s a great place to sit and relax with sofas and armchairs, wonderful lounge-music, close to The Castle of St. Jorge. The most amazing view over Lisbon can be enjoyed from here! This cafe/bar is located on the terrace of the old Chão [...]

Lisbon’s Bica funicular: highly valued by tourists, Santo António partying & breathtaking Tagus river views

The famous Bica funicular opened on 28 June, 1892, the only stepped street funicular in the city. It climbs the Rua da Bica for 245 metres from the Rua S. Paulo, near Santos, to the Calhariz district.   Bica funicular & partytime in June Partying in the small street around the famous Bica funicular, near [...]