You can mix with creative locals at the bustling fair Ladra Alternativa, a treasure trove of original articles of jewellery, arts, crafts and fashion accessories, clothing, bags and much more, under the theme of recycling.

Rosa Lourenço shows one of her original handmade bags…..”All created with love!” . You can buy or just admire unique pieces here, the atmosphere is very relaxed.

..or maybe you prefer this one? (120 euro).Visit Rosa’s website for more creations (todayifeel) or send her an email for more information and prices rosalouren@gmail.com

Where to buy in Lisbon? OMLET exclusive artists productions,  in the center of Lisbon, Rua Garrett 19 and gift and souvenir shop AMATUDO, Rua da Madalena, nº76-78.

More about this fair on this blog & Christmas decoration made from used Nespresso caps

Check the website when the next fair will be held at the Dr Magalhães Lima Cultural Centre, Rua do Salvador, 2A, Lisbon

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Camões Square (Praça Luís de Camões), just behind Camões’ statue , close to the statue of Portugal’s famous writer and poet Pessoa (1888-1935),  still mobbed by many tourists nowadays and a good, cheap and traditional Portuguese restaurant ‘Casa da India’.

Park Principe Real

After shopping people like to take a break in this wonderful park with lots of exotic plants and trees, near Bairro Alto, posssibly one of the best (and gay) spots in Europe for a night out! Les Mauvais Garçons , popular and ”très-chic” cafe/restaurant.  

Nearby you’ll find the  Botanical garden , one of Europe’s finest.

Kiosk Rua Dom Pedro

Rua Dom Pedro V  is a wonderful avenue for shopping. There’s lots of boutiques, traditional antique shops and art galleries.

 Largo Trindade Coelho

Small kiosk near ‘Casa da Comida’ (’ the house of food’), a new cafetaria/ restaurant in the wonderful bamboo garden of Museum São Roque. This museum and church is home to Italian art from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Cais do Sodré

Cais do Sodré  is Lisbon’s major bus, metro, trainstation ( ‘Linha de Cascais’  name of the train line joining Lisbon to Cascais) and ferry terminal. A major bus station is sited outside the front of the Cais do Sodré station, with a Carris  small kiosk selling transport passes, tickets and guides.

On the background Restaurant Marisqueira ‘Guarda Rio’, overlooking the river Tagus, the marisqueira (seafood) is unfailingly fresh!

Viewpont Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. This wonderful belvedere will give you a unique insight into the city and magnificent views on the old Moorish castle Castelo de São Jorge.

Above Lisbon’s famous flea market Feira da Ladra .  The Moorish influence is still present in Alfama and in Mouraria, where the Moors kept on living in the city after the conquist and gathered in this area. Authentic 3-bedroom apartment with patio for rent in this old Moorish quarter

After browsing the market it’s a good idea to have lunch in Restaurant ‘O Panteao de Santa Clara’  just above the market, serving real Portugese food for a good price.

‘Adamastor’, a popular gathering place in Lisbon overlooking the Tagus river, which is officially called the Miradouro de Santa Catarina. From this vista point you have the most breathtaking views on the Tagus river, the 25th of April Bridge and the Cristo Rei monument, nearby my favorite cafe/bar Noobai 

Kiosk Rua de São Paulo, near Cais do Sodré  station and, on the other side of the road,  Mercado da Ribeira (famous market near the river, since 1882), topped with a Moorish-style dome.

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March 2009

This outdoor market is held every Sunday from 9am to 3pm (summer hours are 8am to 2pm) at Lisbon’s most famous square, near the Tagus river, with imposing arcades, close to the majestic Triumphal Arch (Arco do Triunfo), the gateway onto the interior of ‘downtown’ Lisbon.

June 2009 Carlos Lages - erotic fantasy art ‘Father of the Humanity’ , 8 euro

Manuela Nunes creates hand made jewellery (website Bijutaria Artesanal) and very beautiful recycled shopping bags (10 euro)

Fernando del Pretti - video on his blog with a wonderful vintage magnetic collection (from 2 euro) and 20th Century Portuguese magazines. Mail: ffcc15@hotmail.com

You can also see Fernando del Pretti’s work on Saturdays at the legendary flea market ‘Feira da Ladra’

June 2009

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All creations have in mind the reutilization and recycling of materials. At this Fair in Alfama, the Ladra Alternativa, you’ll find very creative Portuguese designers showing their work like jewellery, arts, crafts and fashion accessories.

You might have been visited Lisbon’s legendary ‘Feira da Ladra” flea market. Although this flea market has slightly the same name, “alternativa” (alternative) points to a different way of approaching this kind of market.

A few years ago (2006) a group of young creators came together to present their work. The market started out as an experiment, but it has really become a great success.

This alternative flea market introduces local Portuguese creators in jewellery, painting, fashion, photography and others. It’s an informal interpretation of art and you will be impressed with the very creative designs!

I bought Christmas decoration made from used Nespresso caps, price: 3 euro.

Alexis’ website , mail: alexis7218@gmail.com

You’ll have the chance to talk to the person who created what you’re buying, change ideas, thoughts and experiences.

The initiators of this Fair are Antonio Azevedo (l), and Patricia Brizido,

Ladra Alternativa, email ladralternativa@gmail.com

(See website).Opening hours: Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 10am-7pm. Price: free, there’s no ATM machine, so bring cash.

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Market ‘A Feira da Ladra‘ (Lisbon’s flea market). Alberto Gourgel and his old-fashioned suitcases decorated with original Portuguese magazines. This famous market is held every Tuesday and Saturday from dawn to dusk.

”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”.

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

Flea market “Feira da Ladra” 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.

September 2009. ‘Biombo’ (room separator), prices from 75- 125 euro. More information about this famous market 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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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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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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