Baixa Chiado | The Lisbon Connection

December 1, 2014June 10, 2021

Dogs in Lisbon, help homeless dogs & BIANCA Association Sesimbra

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.

Poster near Miradouro da Graca Lisbon

“” Passeio o seu cão de saquinho na mão!” ‘Take your dog for a walk with a poop bag in your hand!”

I saw this funny poster near one of my favorite places in Lisbon, Miradouro da Graça, a splendid viewpoint offering a panoramic view over Lisbon.

Dogs in wintertime at flea market Feira da Ladra home made dog dresses

Home made coats… Feira da Ladra,

Lisbons’ legendary flea market in wintertime (about 18 degrees C…..)

Little dog church Rossio

This one has very sad eyes….

Near the church in Rosssio, close to Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independece) and the famous small ‘A Ginjinha’ cafe.

Rua da Costa do Castelo

Rua da Costa do Castelo,

Walking up to the old castelo São Jorge (Castle of Saint George), located on the highest of the seven hills of the historic center of Lisbon.

doggy in the window Alfama

Alfama, at lunch time (almoço).

Alfama: famous historic old neighborhood in Lisbon.

I manage to get lost every time I walk there…! It’s a labyrinth of lanes (becos) paved with pebbles, tiny alleys, steps, arches, courtyards and small squares. Houses, shouldering each other, with tiles (azulejos) and wrought iron balconies with lazy cats, birds in cages and sometimes a sleeping dog…. 🙂

Cafe Noo bai Santa Catarina Lisbon

Cafe Noobai near the river Tagus

The entrance of Cafe Noobai is located on Miradoura de Santa Catarina, also known as Adamastor. This bar and restaurant is certainly worth a visit because of the wonderful view over the Tejo river side.

Lisbon beggars using dogs Baixa

🙁 Beggar with his small dog in Lisbon city center 🙁

Beggars & dogs

In Lisbon there are many beggars on the streets. Sadly enough some of them use animals, many tourists give money to this boy. The dog doesn’t look very happy on the street in the heat of the summer……you’ll find him ‘working’ in the city center Baixa.

Dogs in Lisbon Praca Dom Pedro IV Chistmas time

Praça Dom Pedro IV at Christmas time 2009

Portugeuse waterdog Bo Obama

Portuguese Water Dog (picture: Chicago Tribune)

Obama’s daughter Malia walks the First Family’s new puppy, Bo, on the grounds of the White House.

So far, I never saw a Portuguese ‘Water Dog’ in Lisbon…… But maybe Obama bought him because these very smart dogs were often taken with sailors during the overseas Portuguese discoveries ? 😉

You can help Portuguese homeless dogs and cats…read more about ‘BIANCA’ , Association

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December 23, 2008December 22, 2017

Traditional Christmas window dressing in Lisbon & a pierced Santa Claus

Already in October Lisbon is busy decorating the streets and the trees with lots of Christmas lights. The windows of the shops are dressed up with Christmas decorations, and some are quite remarkable! Portuguese creativity in Lisbon’s commercial heart 🙂

Lisbon Christmas window dressing Largo do Chiado

Christmas window dressing at Largo do Chiado

Elegant shopping district, close to luxury hotel Bairro Alto and Lisbon’s famous nightlife: possibly one of the best spots in Europe for a night out!

Lisbon window dressing Christmas time Rua da Prata

Traditional Christmas window dressing Rua da Prata

Lisbon remarkable Christmas window dressing penis piercings Santa Claus

In the same street, Rua da Prata 88, a pierced Santa Claus

TRIPARTE TATTOO – Body Piercing – Tattoo shop Rua da Prata, 88-90 Baixa, Lisboa

Christmas shopping Lisbon window Hermes

Hermés in December, they love ‘animal window dressing’, Largo do Chiado 9, Lisbon

Lisbon Christmas window dressing Biaxa

Baixa area
Lisbon remarkable Christmas window dressing stars wearing glasses

Rua do Carmo (2010)

Did you ever see stars in the sky wearing glasses ? This street is close to the famous tourist attraction ‘Santa Justa elevator’ (Elevador de Santa Justa) and my favorite square in Lisbon : Praça do Carmo

Lisbon remarkable window dressing Christams reindeer recommend sexual desire product

Rua da Madalena, a reindeer in the window is placed in front of a poster ‘ how to increase your sexual desire’ : ‘Libidosil‘ (2010)

..more about this remarkable street….

Remarkable window dressing Lisbon Alfama butcher shop

Alfama, Rua dos Remedios, talho (butcher) do Chafariz

Even de butchers decorate their shops for Christmas… 😉

Remarkable window dressing Lisbon hearing aid

…Hearing Aid shop & new batteries (pilhas 5 euro)

Christmas time in Lisbon tram decorations

Besides: Jingle bells! Even trams (Eletrico Natal) are decorated with lights and steered by Santa Claus himself!

Christmas time in Lisbon Tram and Santa Claus conductur

‘Boas Festas e Feliz Natal’ (Merry Christmas and happy New Year!), Praça da Figueira, more about this area……..

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July 20, 2008March 15, 2011

Tourist centers Lisbon, the Lisboa Card, Gay & Lesbian Guide

“Ask me” centers in Lisbon can help you and are happy to dispense advice, maps and brochures. Their staff is multilingual.

Lisbon Welcome Center Rua Augusta tourist information

‘Ask me’ kiosk in Rua Augusta, near Praça do Comércio.

Lisbon Praca do Comercio

The beautiful Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) is located near the Tagus River and still commonly known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Square), because it was the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace (Paços da Ribeira). After the great 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, the square was completely remodelled.

Lisbon touristical information center ‘Ask Me’ Praca do Comercio

This new (2008) Lisboa ‘Ask Me’ Center (Praça do Comércio, phone 00351 21 0312815), is open from 09:00 – 20:00 daily. The Lisbon Gay & Lesbian Guide is available as well. Smaller ‘Ask Me’ kiosks are dotted about the Rossio district, the Portela airport of Lisbon and at Santa Apolonia train station.

Lisbon Praca do Comercio 2007

Praça do Comércio, April 2007. The statue is King José I, who oversaw the rebuilding of Lisbon, after the great 1755 Lisbon Earthquake.

Lisboa Card

The Lisboa Card offers free use of all public transport in the city and free or reduced price tickets to many museums, galleries and tourist attractions. They can be purchased in 24 hour (adult / child: €14.85 / €7.50), 48 hour (€25.50 / €12.75) and 72 hour (€31.00 / €15.50) denominations. They are not very good value unless you plan to visit a lot of museums. Especially so if you are a holder of a student identification card (international or national) since the student discounts to these attractions are often the same as for the Lisboa Card.

http://www.askmelisboa.com/en

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July 18, 2008April 24, 2018

Famous Cafe ‘A Brasileira’: wonderful Art Deco style & poet Pessoa’s table

Elegant shopping street Rua Garrett, lIsbon, that leads from the Baixa to Chiado, is named after the author and poet Joao Almeida Garrett (1799-1854). The area is also an important cultural area, with several museums and theatres.

winkelen Rua Garrett2
Rua Garett, June 2008.

On the background cafe ‘A Brasileira’ s terrace. You will see young locals here just socialising or window shopping.

Lisbon shopping Rua Garrett building

Rua Garrett, Lisbon

The most famous street of Lisbon, that mixes traditional chic and modern commercial shops, is also beloved by tourists.

Pessoa statue Cafe A Brasileira tourists

Cafe ‘A Brasileira’ (Rua Garrett 120) is famous for having had the enigmatic poet Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935) among his customers.

Pessoa still has his table in bronze on the terrace (the work of sculptor Lagoa Henriques).

Portugal’s famous writer has no idea he’s mobbed by lots of tourists, all day long!

The downstairs seating area is a favourite with locals for a set lunch of traditional Portuguese specialties. The cafe once was the setting for tertulías literárias (lively discussion groups) in which debate would often culminate in chair throwing, cup smashing and brawls.

Lisbon shopping: Rua Garett cafe a Brasileira outside

‘A Brasileira’ (‘The Brazilian woman’), opened in 1905 as a shop selling genuine Brazilian coffee.

It was the first shop to sell the ‘bica’, a small cup of strong coffee, similar to espresso.

Lisbon shopping Rua Garrett cafe A Brasileira inside

The interior of ‘A Brasileira’ is grandiose: decorated in Art Deco style, with a green-and-gold entrance, mirrored walls, brass fittings, and a long oak bar.

However: bad service and inattentive staff for tourists. It’s a very popular tourist destination, and prices are high.

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July 2, 2008May 10, 2018

Charming Rua do Carmo & famous tiny glove store ‘Luvaria Ulisses’

The easiest way to get to Rua do Carmo is from the central square Rossio

Lisbon shopping Rua do Carmo

From Rossio you walk up to Rua do Carmo.

There are trendy shops of international brands and some other traditional and very old ones.

Lisbon shopping Rua do Carmo police

Rua do Carmo. Lisbon

Lisbon Shopping Rua do Carmo Gloves Shop

Famous little glove store ‘Luvaria Ulisses’, Rua do Carmo nr 87 A

This very small shop has his own production of tailor made gloves from any design. A real tourist attraction.

shopping Lisbon Rua do Carmo Ana Salazar2

The small gloves shop is near Ana Salazar’s Boutique, one of Portugal’s top designers.

Ana Salazar was born and lives in Lisbon. During the 70’s, she started to work on the Fashion scene, developing a new concept of clothing in Portugal, changing completely the way of presenting fashion shows in Portugal, creating the first Fashion Events, exhibits and expositions.

Lidbon Shopping Rua do Carmo shop Carina

The beautiful decorated shop ‘Au Bonheur des Dames‘,

Once a perfume shop, is nowadays a woman’s boutique with a cool selection of funky and trendy clothes. Most shops open between 9 and 10 A.M. They close for lunch between 1 and 3 P.M. and close at 7 P.M.

Lisbon Shopping Rua do Carmo Jewelry

(Joalharia) Jewelry do Carmo, Rua do Carmo 87B, is one of the best shops in the city. All the silver pieces are handmade, it’s really worth a visit.

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April 30, 2008January 3, 2018

‘A Outre Face da Lua’ Lisbon: popular Vintage Shop & delicious sandwiches

Opened in October 2005, the ‘A Outra Face da Lua’ (‘the other side of the moon’) shop has an exclusive selection of vintage clothing and accessories, recycled clothing by Carla Belchior, wallpaper, tin toys, Melissa shoes and traditional Portuguese products like Clarim soap and Bordalo Pinheiro products. You can find true bargains, unique and original items, especially in the sales season.

Outra face de lua 1