‘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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A good Dutch friend of mine is a coin collector, he asked me to browse the markets in Lisbon.  I’m not really interested in coins, but this is worth a visit!

It seems that mostly men are interested in coin collection………and they are trading furiously! On the background you see covered market stalls: on the other days of the week the market Mercado da Ribeira, Lisbons biggest open food market , is selling everything: from inky octopus and fresh seafood to fabulous fruit, from real Portuguese products like ‘hot’ piri-piri to funeral flowers waiting for a dead body….

It’s really nice to walk around here, even if you are not looking for coins or old stamps. They sell more, like calendars, very old postcards and paper money. The 2nd floor of the market has also been converted into a touristy cultural center, selling locally produced items such as port, honey, and handicrafts.

Also at Lisbon’s famous flea market Feira da Ladra, you can find all kind of coins….

….and on every Sunday there’s a small flea market at  Praça do Comércio. This is João, don’t be afraid to negotiate the price!

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Market ‘A Feira da Ladra‘  (Lisbon’s famous flea market).

Alberto Gourgel and his old-fashioned suitcases decorated with original Portuguese magazines. This legendary market is held every Tuesday and Saturday from dawn to dusk.

Atelier Alberto Gourgel and Spanish photographer Lluís Salvadó Icart

On the other days of the week you can find Alberto and his beautiful creations in his atelier/shop quite near this market, opened in 2010: Rua Salvador 83

Feira da Ladra

Alberto: ”The last six years, I’m in to ‘vintage’, and I’m fascinated with the beautiful 20th Century Portuguese ‘vogue’ magazines. It’s not easy finding them, sometimes I’m lucky in a small museum or in very old bookshops”.

“The vernis is made by hand, an ancient procedure. It takes a lot of time because it’s very important to keep the original colors”. Besides Alberto decorates posters, walls, doors and room separators. Visit Alberto’s weblog

Flea market “Feira da Ladra“  (Campo de Santa Clara) is visited by lots of tourists from all over the world. The market in Alfama dates back around 800 years, though it may have been named ‘Feira da Ladra’ as late as the 17th century.

‘Biombo’ ( a room separator) created by Alberto Gourgel, prices from 75- 125 euro.

More information about the famous market Feira da Ladra on this website

Alberto’s work is also for sale in some antique shops in Lisbon and in loja (shop) ‘A Vida Portuguesa’. Owner is Catarina Portas. She has a passion for Portuguese identity, and everyday Catarina brings objects of the past back to life to inhabit modern-day homes.

‘A Vida Portuguesa’, Rua Anchieta 11, Chiado Lisbon

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Restaurant ‘O Panteao de Santa Clara’  near the legendary flea market

The beautiful building is a former palace. About 300 years ago a well-to-do and important Italian diplomat, marquis Polucci di Calboli, and his family lived here. The story tells about a conspiracy, the fact is that the family disappeared and a lot of beautiful art, collected for generations, was robbed.

It’s really fun enjoying a lunch on the terrace overlooking the hustle and bustle of the market (or maybe somtimes a quick nap….)

Restaurant owners Armando Pereira Antunes, his wife Maria Guilherina and the very friendly waiter Celso

From the restaurant you can see the dome of  The Pantheon

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If you are looking for buying ‘opportunities’, or things that fell of a lorry, make sure you go there early, cause like on all flea markets, the good stuff is sold first.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. It’s part of the game and if you don’t you’ll pay far too much. The market is held every Tuesday and Saturday, from dawn to dusk.

This nice Portuguese lady speaks French and English. Good stuff!

Alberto Gourgel (with white cap), designer.

Dogs in wintertime at market Feira da Ladra. Two bedroom authentic house for rent in Alfama, close to this market

In English: ’this one is Ronaldo’s and this one is Eusebio’s.

Maybe Portugal’s famous soccer star and sexy sportsman Cristiano Ronaldo has swapped his hotpants here for something more erotical than Armani’s underwear

March 2010. Michael Jackson’s bestselling album of all time, ‘Thriller’. Price 50 euro, but you can always try to negotiate.

The best way to enter Feira de Ladra is through the arch ‘Arco de São Vicente’ where tram 28 stops.

Feira da Ladra and the nearby National Pantheon in which important Portugese personalities are buried, like f.e. Amalia Rodrigues, the famous fado singer.

Cheap and good restaurant near the market

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Tram (‘elétrico 28′), Alfama. Starting point: square Praça Martim Moniz ,

It passes the Saint George’s (São Jorge) castle , one of the main historical touristic sites of Lisbon, the famous viewpoint (miradouro) Portas do Sol (Gates to the sun) and the legendary fleamarket ‘Feira da Ladra’  in Alfama, Graça, Mouraria, Bairro Alto, (Lisbon’s bohemien haunt of artists and writers, and posssibly one of the best spots in Europe for a night out).

Tram 28, Largo Portas do Sol, a famous viewpoint & tourist attraction

There are many expensive tours on double decker buses, but a ride with ‘elétrico’ tram 28 will also bring you to most attractions and actually get much closer to some of them….and much cheaper (around 2 euro)! Starting point: square Praça Martim Moniz , 5 minutes walk from my 3 bedroom apartment (short term rental) in Mouraria

Alfama. Tram 28 is increasingly as popular with pickpockets as it is with tourists.

More info about tram 28, stops and useful tips: Seeing Lisbon through tram 28

Video tram 28 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YiHO5jZYY4

Tram 28, Lisbon and Christmas, Praça da Figueira

Tram 28, near Lisbon’s legendary flea market ‘Feira da Ladra’

Besides: a free ride, tram 12 Mouraria

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This wonderful old house is availble for holiday rentals, more information

The owner is Portuguese. Pedro Silva also owns a famous bar in Bairro Alto,  named Capela. You can enquire about the price and availability: thelisbonconnection@gmail.com

The street

Close to the apartment: the legendary flea market “Feira da Ladra” where you find for sale antiques, books, music etc. (twice a week, Tuesday and Saturday).

Location

This small but very charming and cosy 300 years old house is situated in Alfama, near the Museum of Fado and Guitarras de Lisboa. A perfect place if you like to stay in the most popular neighbourhood of Lisbon! The house is located 8 km from Lisbon’s airport in a quiet area. Alfama is a narrowed maze of streets full of fado houses and restaurants, passing up the hill at São Jorge castle with its viewpoints over Lisbon downtown. Nicely renovated (3 floors, a maximum of 6 persons can share it). Nearby Sintra, Estoril, Cascais and beaches of Costa da Caparica, and beach 19.

Pedro Silva, the Portugese owner (see pictures), will personally hand you the keys when you arrive. Pedro owns one of the most popular bars in Bairro Alto, Capela, in Lisbons heart of funky bars and restaurants. If you are bringing your own car, this is one of the few areas of Lisbon with an easy parking space (€ 5 a day).

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