Culture | The Lisbon Connection

July 26, 2015April 22, 2021

Restaurant ‘Casa de Pasto’ Lisbon: culinary traditions & Mick Jagger

Inspired by the late 19th-century traditional Lisbon eating houses favored by the bourgeoisie, restaurant Casa de Pasto serves very tasty Portuguese dishes. Worth a visit!

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon: wonderdul vintage decoration

Cool Cais do Sodré riverside area & a former brothel

Restaurant Casa do Pasto opened in December 2013 by the hand of chief Diogo Noronha, a.o. responsible for the very successful ‘Lx Factory’ (a former industrial area surrounded by restaurants, galleries, studios, an open air market on Sundays), and the unique nearby bar ‘Pensão Amor’, a former brothel.

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon & the very sympathic waiter

Beside this imposing space there are two more dining rooms: the first is small (but beautiful), with a long, narrow table, ideal for group dinners that do not exceed ten people. For a more romantic meal is advised the room with only two small tables where stands out an antique chaise longue and corner with images of saints.

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon, area Cais do Sodré: mouthwatering dishes!

Our lunch (almoçar): delicious tuna steak (atum) and vegetables (ca. 20 euro), home made chips, costeletas de borrego (lamb, ca. 15 euro, 2 glasses of wine, water and a dessert (sobremesa): a total of around 60 euro.

This restaurant goes back in time, but mixes modern cooking methods with Portugal’s culinary traditions.

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon: dessert ‘Wild Desire’ a combination of fruits with chocolate (facebook)

Casas de Pasto (litt. houses of pasture) & Portuguese history

Lisbon people (Lisboetas) once had the curious custom of going to stroll gardens to withdraw from the city in order to enjoy some pleasures of the countryside, usually on Sundays. They organized family picnics or simply had lunch in the old Casas de Pasto, so called because initially only giving fodder to the animals while the owners were negotiating at the fair. In many of them, still retain the rings that held the animals.

A ‘Casa de Pasto’, near Amadora, close to Lisbon, late 19th century/beginning 20th century. Picture: Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa

With the time the owners of the Casas do Pasto also began to feed the animal owners and so flourished a business that came to give rise to modern restaurants.

Source: Folclore Online de Portugal

Restaurant Casa de Pasto February ’15, Lisbon: Erika Reusens and Luc De Leersnyder

Bordalo Pinheiro: traditional Portuguese ceramic designs

One of the corner tables is next to the bookcase with traditional Portuguese Bordalo Pinheiro (1846–1905)ceramic designs, a very famous Portuguese artist known for his illustration, caricatures, sculpture, considered the first Portuguese comics creator. More….

Restaurant Casa de Pasto , Rua do São Paulo 20, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

Big plastic pig

Restaurant Casa de Pasto is located in a typical Portuguese 19th-century antique building, on the first floor. Very easy to find: look for the big plastic pig hanging on the wall

Location: Rua São Paulo 20, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon. Closing time: 02:00. Reservation advised. Average price: 20.00 euro. Phone: (+351) 963 739 979.

Hours: Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 15:00 and 20:00 to 23:00 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 24:00. Closed: Sunday. Facebook

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon & one of the funny bathrooms

May 2014, The Rolling Stones in Lisbon: Rock in Río YouTube, Mick Jagger dined at this fine restaurant. Mick Jagger & restaurant chef Diogo Noronha (facebook)

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May 13, 2015June 10, 2021

Remarkable Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon & resting place Portuguese celebrities

This remarkable ‘city of the deads’ is really an interesting place to visit. Famous Portuguese personalities are buried here, mainly actors, TV talk show hosts, singers, writers & painters

‘City of the deads’: cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon: a funerary chapel & 4 garbage bins……?? 😉

Famous fado artist Amália Rodrigues

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 minimum of four years before repatriation).

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

City of the deads: cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ ? (Cemitério dos Prazeres)

After the city of Lisbon was hit by an outbreak of cholera in 1833, causing thousands of deaths, it was urgent to create a large cemetery for both rich and poorer victims. It has the weird name of Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’, called after the nearby neighborhood (Prazeres) with the same name. Many of its tombs are big mausoleums, some with the size of small chapels.

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 2 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon & one of the 70 ‘streets’

Tranquility & landing/take-off zone of Lisbon’s airport

Once you enter the cemetery the sound of the city fades and the tranquility overwhelms you. Beautiful trees, a strange atmosphere and joyful singing of birds. You imagine yourself walking in a previous century, only disturbed by plane noise, rather loud, every 10 minutes. The cemetery is located close to the landing/take-off zone of Lisbon’s airport.

As far as I know nobody at this cemetery seems to complain 😉 🙂

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 3 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

Most of the Prazeres mausoleums belong to rich, old or ‘important’ families, like f.i. the Palmela family. Many of the mausoleums are richly elaborated, have fine sculptures and decorations. There are also statues of the deceased. It’s like a ‘city in a city’ for the dead, with well-defined lanes (70! ) and funerary chapels that were built to look like little houses.

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 4 Lisbon river view

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

The unusual about a lot of these graves is that they have little “front doors” with glass windows through which you can see the caskets and remnants of the dead and their visitors. Most of the trees are a species cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), much used in Portuguese cemeteries.

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 5 Lisbon river Tejo views

The cemetery also provides great views over the Alcântara valley, the river Tagus and the 25 April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril).

Until 1985, the great Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa was burried here. Thereafter his mortal remains were transferred to the cloisters of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 7 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

An example of a ‘front door’ with glass windows through which you can see the caskets.

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 8 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

TRAM 28 – last stop

The cemetery, one of the largest of the Portuguese capital, can be reached by taking Electrico 28, which is a traditional and charming Lisbon tram, to its last stop in Prazeres. Open every day of the week from 09:00 – 17:00 (May – September 09:00 – 18:00). Largo dos Prazeres, Praça São João Bosco

More about cemeteries in Portugal

Cemiterio Prazeres entrance

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon : entrance

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April 3, 2015August 10, 2020

Lisbon wine tasting & tours: ‘Venha Vinho’ & Francisco Afonso, ‘the wine dreamer’

Wine lovers! If you are visiting Lisbon: the Portuguese wines are delicious and besides they are affordable. We enjoyed an evening of wine tasting in the shop of Francisco, ‘wine dreamer’,(as he describes himself) 😉

Lisbon wine shop Venha Vinho (‘litt. come wine’) & owner Francisco Franco Afonso

Free wine tasting evenings & shop ‘Venha Vinho’ in Bairro Alto Lisbon

The idea: all participants buy a bottle of wine. In the tasting room of the small but cozy wine shop the selection of wines are shared and tasted, while Francisco shares his passion for wine. We learned about Portugal’s different wine regions, styles, characteristics & much more…….

February 2015: tasting room of Francisco’s wine shop Venha Vinho in Bairro Alto, Lisbon: wine lovers Ans & Loek from Holland, family Deauville from Australia & Miguel (Portuguese).

Informal atmosphere

Most participants (a mix of people visiting Lisbon and a few ‘Lisboetas’/ inhabitants) did not know eachother but the atmosphere soon became informal; after some sips of wine we began to loosen up 😉

Wine tasting evening in Francisco’s wine shop in Lisbon & my choice: Monte Velho

Monte Velho (‘old hill’) wines : affordable priced in Lisbon

“Monte Velho wines are faithful to the spirit and tradition of Portugal’s warm, sunny Alentejo region: food-friendly and vibrant, with rich aromas and a smooth palate” Very well written! Price in Lisbon € 4- 7. Also recommended:

Terras do Pó (litt. land of dust, Setúbal Peninsula, close to Lisbon) and Periquita (litt. a female parakeet) 🙂

Francisco Franco Afonso & one of his favorite wines

One of Francisco’s favorite wines: Dona Paterna Alvarinho 2013 (Vinho Verde, famous green wine). Francisco: ” Portugal is a haven for unique authentic wines from more than 250 indigenous grape varieties. Portugal wineries, estates and domains (‘Quintas’ and ‘herdades’) are beautiful and hospitable”

Popular Hen & Stag Party’s

“We also host Wine & Port Tours , Hen party’s, ‘Food and Wine Walking Tours’ including a walk to the nearby legendary Lisbon market Mercado da Ribeira ”

Francisco’s wine shop Venha Vinho in Bairro Alto, Lisbon. Wine tasting evening & real corks

Save a tree – buy wine with natural cork

Buying wine with real corks helps preserve the cork forests of Portugal and the wider western Mediterranean which are, it turns out, ecological marvels.

Vimeo movie about the amazing cork oaks & and why to avoid synthetic corks

Unique cork oaks in Portugal: fortunately they are protected

What’s unique about cork is that the thick bark can be harvested from the trees without cutting them down. A skilled crew hacks the bark off with axes. If done right, it grows back. Amazing! Read more….

Francesco’s wine shop Venha Vinho in Lisbon & wine lover lady Dorville from Australia

BOOKINGS Francisco +351 912 152 086. WebsiteVenhaVinho
email: ffa@VenhaVinho.com. Facebook

Map of Portuguese wine history & regions . Already in 1758, one of the first wine-producing region of the world, the Região Demarcada do Douro was created.

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January 27, 2015August 9, 2021

Amateur Fado Lisbon: cafe/bar ‘Tasca do Jaime’ & Dutch (!) Fado singer Henriquinha

Fado is a part of the culture in Portugal and many Portuguese have the idea they can sing just as wonderful as Carlos do Carmo or like the legendary Amália Rodrigues, Queen of fado, Lady of Lisbon..

Café/bar ‘Tasca do Jaime’ Lisbon & very talented Dutch Fado singer Henriquinha; Guitarra Portuguesa: Custódio Magalhaes; Viola do Fado: Duarte Nunes

Fadista (fado singer) Henriquinha Maria (Hendriktje Ruiter, born and professionally trained in Holland) is a very talented singer living in Lisbon. She really loves it to sing the fado; now she’s becoming famous in Portugal due to a Fado song contest on Portuguese TV.

YouTube Hendriktje ‘Amor de mel, amor de fel’

Dutch singer Henriquinha Maria & host Herman José on Portuguese TV, ‘Grande Premio do Fado’

Dutch singer Hendriktje Ruiter participated in a Fado talent show on Portuguese TV. After two rounds she won enough points to perform in the semi-final of this song contest in May 2015.

Interested to know where this Dutch fadista will sing in Lisbon? Mail to: hendriktje@gmail.com ; more pictures: facebook ; phone: 00351 917 035 578

Lisbon, cafe/bar ‘Tasca do Jaime’ December 2014 & Fado Vadio (amateur fado)

Amateur setting of Portuguese Fado is called FADO VADIO

In the old neighborhoods of Lisbon there are local bars or tascas where everybody can sing fado (max. 2 songs). Even you, if you might like it! 😉 …. In this setting only the guitarists are paid to accompany the singers.

Café/bar ‘Tasca do Jaime’ Lisbon December 2014

Silêncio que se vai cantar o fado (Silence)

In case you don’t understand the Portuguese language: when the light is dimmed, it means that ‘silence is asked because fado is going to be singed” …

Tasca do Jaime Graca area Lisbon, FADO VADIO December 2014: fadista Fernanda Proença. (YouTube). This lady has a wonderful voice! 🙂

Fado Vadio: ‘Dying cats or divine song’

The Portuguese have a lot of respect for the performers who like to express their emotions. You can enjoy a fado singer who sings so beautiful it will give you goosebumps, followed by someone who think he or she is a really good singer…..

Or, as Tasca do Jaime’s neighbors Mike and Alice described on their blog: ‘ It’s a very authentic little cafe bar in our neighborhood. The fado heard there can sound like dying cats or divine song..’ 😉

MUDE museum in Lisbon: an ode to art, design & fashion, full of extraordinary pieces

MUDE Museum in Lisbon is really worth a visit! The fashion collection contains work by famous designers like Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain and Paco Rabanne.

Mude design Museum3

Sofa Joe – Jonathan de Pas, Italy (1932-1991)

The Collection results of the Francisco Capelo’s work and dedication, started in the 1990s, with more than 1,200 design and 1,500 fashion pieces most of it haute couture. The collection portrays the history of design and fashion from the 1930s to the present, being an exceptional collection to Portugal and to the international scene.

Mude Mode and design Museum Lisbon 14

Designers of this beautiful dress: the Portuguese duo Storytailors.

MUDE is a space for all 20th and 21st century design forms, from graphic to urban, taking in fashion and equipment; from mass production to the creation of the artist. A space to considering design, researching into its holdings, developing an editorial policy, a temporary programme and educational activity that provides different spaces for the sharing of ideas. It must also, however, be a space for experimentation and creation, showing the proposals of new creators, encouraging new research and creating dialogues with the visual arts and architecture, the cinema and dance, music, science.

Mude design and fashion Museum 4

The unique building has a long history. Local architects Joana Vilhena and Ricardo Carvalho have left the interior in the rough state they found it, with walls, columns, and ceilings stripped of finishes. More……. A wonderful idea! It’s located in the middle of Lisbon’s historic Pombaline center. Eight floors occupy in total a floor area of appr. 14.000 m2. The renovation is still in progress.

Mude Mode and design museum Lisbon 5

Aristocratic elegance: Christobal Balenciaga (Spain 1895-1972)

Mude Mode and design museum 6

Pierre Poulin‘s (France, 1927) long sofa Amphys which can be arranged in different positions

Mude Mode and design museum Lisbon

Paco Rabanne (Spain, 1934). Calf length boots, metallised leather (1965)

Mude Mode and design museum 10

Also, there’s a lot of design showpieces, wonderful movie clips and music

Design and fashion were assembled in a complementary manner, with each piece chosen through a concept-based museum dialogue, and not according to personal tastes. Comprised of furniture and small everyday objects, both unique and mass-produced, the collection reflects 20th century’s major design trends and movements.

Mude Mode and design museum Lisbon Beatles

MUDE (MUseum and DEsign) which means ‘change’ in Portuguese), Rua Augusta 24 Lisbon.

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday: 10:00 am-20:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am-22:00 pm. Closed on Monday. You can visit the museum for free.

Mude Mode and design Museum Lisbon 13

Thanks to Graça Rodrigues, Head of Communication & Press

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April 18, 2014August 10, 2020

Museum of Decorative Arts Fress Lisbon: Portuguese 17th-18th C. nobility collection & arts and crafts ateliers

Would you like to see how the Portuguese nobility lived in their luxury palaces during the 17th and 18th Century? If you are planning to visit Lisbon take the opportunity to visit the Museum of Decorative Arts, the former city palace.

Museum of Decorative Arts Fress Lisbon (Museu Artes Decorativas Fress) 2014: visitors from Holland Ans de Graaf and Loek Polack & tour guide Margarida Serra

The Portuguese nobility, during the 17th and 18th Century among the world’s wealthiest, embraced the sumptuous style of ‘Versailles’ and acquired lavishly decorated items throughout the continent. “While everyone else in Europe was leveraged in that period, the Portuguese were fully financed.” More….

But there’s much more to see in this Museum, like the beautiful Portuguese tiles (azulejos). And a visit to the ateliers next to the museum is a wonderful experience!

Museum of Decorative Arts Lisbon: King Jose room (1714 – 1777): exuberantly carved furnishings in ‘Rococo’ style. Remarkable rosewood table (movie)

An example of a noble house in the 17th and 18th centuries. Portuguese aristocrats loved shopping, also in other countries: beautiful decorative arts including textiles, furniture, paintings, jewelry, collections of silverware, woven fabrics, China crockery and ceramics.

Entrance Museum of Decorative Arts Lisbon: ‘Coupé Berlin, 18th Century.

In 2009 I also wrote about this museum, at that time you were not allowed to take pictures. Now you can wander freely from room to room and take time to make photos. The Museum has suffered several changes and it is really worth a visit.

Museum of Decorative Arts Fress Lisbon: a beautilful tile panel & guided tour for children

Besides preservation, exhibition and research of the peaces in display, the Museum also promotes information throughout different audiences, converging the guided tours, as well as carrying out conferences and thematic arts- and craft workshops.

Museum of Decorative Arts Lisbon: new is a room with beautiful antique Portuguese chairs

The Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva (1900 – 1955) Foundation

Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva was the third son of a Portuguese banker with a remarkable name, because Espírito Santo means ‘Holy Ghost’. This business man, art lover and Maecenas, and besides famous as one of the most renowned Portuguese bankers, donated to Portugal the wonderful Azura Palace and a decorative art collection.

Ana Sim-Sim, our guide to the traditional Art & Crafts Ateliers and mr. Artur Sousa

Make a visit to the ateliers: an extraordinary experience!

In the former Palace there are 18 traditional Arts & Craft ateliers. Besides restoration of ancient pieces, new ones are manufactured with high technique and artistic quality, incorporating traditional techniques and methodes. A wonderful combination of modernity and tradition! Very creative people are at work here, dedicated to traditional breeding and restoration of old pieces (cabinet-making, inlays, wood carving, chiselling, book decoration, trimings and upholstery)

Museum of Decorative Arts Lisbon: romantic and quiet patio to enjoy lunch, but today it’s raining 🙁

The Museum’s Cafetaria (there’s also a space inside for rainy days): from 12:30 to 14:30 you can enjoy soup, dish, vegetarian pie, salad, bread and olives, dessert, fruit, cold tea / juice, water, coffee (€ 10.00). The buffet changes every day.

Museum of Decorative Arts Lisbon, Largo das Porta do Sol 2 & entrance to Arts & Crafts Ateliers

The Foundation Ateliers are open to guided tours without pre-booking on Monday (11 am + 3 pm), Wednesday (11 am + 3 pm) and Thursday (3 pm). In English or Portuguese (in other languages according availability). Pre-booked guided tours are available from Monday to Friday. Call (00351) 21 881 46 39/00

View from one of the Museum’s windows February 2014: popular tourist viewpoint Portas do Sol

Museum of Decorative Arts, Largo das Portas do Sol, 2 , located in the historic area Alfama, one step away from one of Lisbon’s most popular tourist attractions: viewpoint (miradouro) Portas do Sol: stunning river Tagus views!

Mr. Artur Sousa at work in one of the Museum’s ateliers. Website (FRESS) with presentation: (several Movies)

Museum of Decorative Arts, Largo das Portas do Sol Alfama , easy to reach by legendary tram 28.

Facebook Closed: New year’s Day, Easter, May 1st and Christmas (December 25). Adults 4.00 euro, free entrance children aged 12 or under. Open: 10:00 to 17:00.

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January 9, 2014June 23, 2021

Bar/cafe ‘AI Mouraria’Lisbon: square Martim Moniz, tram 28 & sunny terrace

Wine is one of the best national products of Portugal. There’s a tiny cafe, wine & tapas bar in Lisbon: ‘AI MOURARIA’, next to the starting point of old TRAM 28, a very popular tourist attraction.

Happy New Year! Feliz Natal! New wine & tapas bar ‘AI MOURARIA’ Lisbon: Sandra Vaz & Bruno Salsa

Taste a glass of wine in tiny but stylish wine & tapas bar ‘AI MOURARIA’ , or at their sunny terrace located in the historic former Moorish quarter of Lisbon. Near square Martim Moniz, with a lot of kiosks, live music and weekly markets. Portuguese coffee (bica), or beer, (Irish) whisky or Ginja are also available: a ‘must try’ being a visitor. A favorite liqueur of many Portuguese and a typical drink in Lisbon.

New wine & tapas bar ‘AI MOURARIA’ in Lisbon & sunny terrace, November 2013

All wines on the list are from Portuguese origin, you can choose from a varied range, from red to white. The quality is high, the prices are low 🙂 . A glass of wine: € 2,20, ‘tapas’ (or, in Portuguese ‘petiscos’) from € 1.60 (pasteis). The sunny terrace is located at the recently partly renovated Mouraria neighbourhood in Lisbon, one of the oldest parts of the city. It is said that Fado music was born in this area around 1820.

Winebar ‘AI MOURARIA’ Lisbon & Bruno, very sympatic, muito simpático!

Beautiful glass door-design: images of two people who lived in Lisbon and who culturally played an important role in Portugal. Amália Rodrigues, famous fado singer who lived nearby this area, was most influential in popularizing fado music worldwide. The small image is a portrait of Portugal’s poet and writer Fernando Pessoa. Written on the door: one of Pessoa’s remarkable quotes.

Sandra Vaz & delicious Portuguese cakes (bolos): a good combination with strong Portuguese coffee (bica)

Amália Rodrigues was a very popular Portuguese singer and actress, known as the Rainha do Fado (‘Queen of Fado’). This winebar is named after one of her famous songs, ‘Ai, Mouraria’ (Vimeo): Amália sings about the streets of the old quarter Mouraria where she was betrayed in love. (This old town district is restored, the project is thus called ‘Ai Mouraria’).

Almost around the corner you can enjoy live fado music in the evening.

New wine & tapas bar ‘AI MOURARIA’ in Lisbon

Bruno, showing my favorite wine Terras do Pó, (lit. grounds of dust), a Portuguese guitar (YouTube) & good friend (and tourist guide) Josephine.

Adress wine & tapas bar: Rua da Mouraria 20. Facebook

Terras do Pó 2012, white wine (vinho branc0). Region: Setúbal Peninsula € 2,20 (by the glass)

Winebar ‘AI MOURARIA’ Lisbon: small image of Fernando Pessoa, famous Portuguese poet and writer

Fernando Pessoa (1888–1935). One of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century, Portuguese poet and writer, who lived in Lisbon. More about Pessoa & Lisbon

Famous quotes: The Book of Disquiet , published posthumously. Favorite quote: “Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.”

Terrace winebar ‘AI MOURARIA’ Lisbon at Christmastime & church ‘A Capela de Nossa Senhora da Saúde’

Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health. This tiny church was built on this spot in 1505 in gratitude for the end of the plague outbreak. The building was modified in the 18th century, and was given a very simple but beautiful façade and a baroque interior with paintings and tile panels.

‘A Capela de Nossa Senhora da Saúde’, interior, church in Mouraria, Lisbon

Starting point tram 28

Near the terrace of winebar ‘AI MOURARIA’ you will find the starting point of electrical tram 28. If you want to get a good impression of the historical city of Lisbon, a very good (and cheap) idea is taking this typical little trolley, ‘eléctrico 28′. This legendary tram is a tourist attraction in itself. It goes all around town. Of course you can hop on and hop off.

Square Martim Moniz Lisbon: starting point tram 28 Lisbon, (near hotel Mundial), going all around town

YouTube tram 28

June 2014: cafe/bar AI Mouraria Lisbon

Dutch friend Ruud Leijten enjoying a Portuguese beer

Lisbon Cafe bar AI Mouraira & friends Alexandra & Louis, March 2015

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July 23, 2013August 10, 2020

TagusCruises Lisbon Sunset Sailing Tour: great experience & romantic super full moon

Portugal has the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever seen! When you visit Lisbon it is a great idea to enjoy a sailing tour and to discover the city seen from the river Tagus.

TagusCruises Lisbon: sunset sailing on the river Tagus, a great experience!

This 2 hours sunset sailing trip departs daily from Doca do Bom Sucesso, close to the Belém tower, Lisbon, at 19:30.

How to get there: tram 15 from either Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio Lisbon

Doca do Bom Sucesso Lisbon: office Taguscruises & boat ‘Whatever’

If you wish you can go to the office (also situated at Doca do Bom Sucesso), buy a ticket and board immediately, but you can also book in advance via the website of Taguscruises.com .

Sunset sailing Tagus river Lisbon: beautiful views of the old city of Lisbon

Tagus Cruises can also organise birthday parties, marriage proposals, champaign parties, and live music on board. You can bring your own food and drinks or you can buy all you need in a shop near the office. Or maybe you prefer a private yacht and sail between Lisbon and Cascais?

Tagus river sailing & Lisbon’s most famous square: Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comerçio is one of the most majestic squares of Lisbon and absolutely worth a visit. Terraces and restaurants are facing the Tagus river, surrounded by the most stunning architecture.

Sunset sailing trip Lisbon & friendly Taguscruises staff: João Silveira Ramos

On the background the wonderful 25 of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril), connecting the city of Lisbon to the municipality of Almada on the left (south) bank of the Tagus river, and the Cristo Rei monument. How to get there?

Sunset sailing trip Lisbon: amazing 25 April Bridge & drawings of dolphins

Dolphins return to Tagus estuary. Their presence is believed to be the result of a significant reduction in the River Tagus pollution from the city, and the improved quality of the river water is providing them with healthy fishing grounds.

Sunset sailing tour Lisbon: view on historical part of Lisbon Alfama and the Pantheon (Panteão Nacional)

You will pass Lisbon’s beautiful monuments and attractions, such as the Monument of the Discoveries, the beautiful St George Castle (Castelo de São Jorge), and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery.

Sunset sailing tour Lisbon, June 22nd & Jorge Nuno, Taguscruises

Jorge Nuno: “In december 2012 we started with Taguscruises in Lisbon. The main idea is to give the people a ‘new door’ to the Tagus river. The boats are docked in front of the office; groups can buy a ticket here and then navigate. Of course you can book via our website, but personal contact is important for us”.

Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) Lisbon as seen from the Tagus River

Jorge Nuno: “Sailing is my passion and also my profession, because I used to work as a deck officer on a container boat”. ” We also can arrange events for companies: we have organized a Regatta with 16 boats for 160 people”.

Sunset sailing trip river Tagus Lisbon June 22nd & romance

Super full moon

I enjoyed this sailing trip on the evening of June 22nd, one day before ‘super full moon’ in Lisbon. The atmosphere on board was quite romantic… A lot of people believe that when the moon is full, people tend to allow their emotions to rise to the surface 😉

Sunset sailing trip Lisbon: Torre de Belém (Belém tower) & romance

TAGUS CRUISES LISBON YouTube Video boat ‘Whatever’

Daily departures from 10:00 – 19:30, Doca do Bom Sucesso Lisbon.

Sunset sailing tour. 45 €/pax. Duration: 2hours. Dep: 19.30h. Min. 2 pax – Máx. 11

Reservations: info@taguscruises.com, (00351) 925 610 034

Sunset sailing tour Taguscruises Lisbon

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March 23, 2013August 25, 2021

Bar ‘da Velha Senhora’ Lisbon: burlesque, revue & the day Cesária Évora died

If you like burlesque performances, glittering revue shows and cabaret a must-go place is bar “da Velha Senhora” (Old lady’s bar) in Lisbon! Video:

‘Hallooooooooooooooooooo!” 2 beautiful ladies invite you to enjoy the show

Bar ”da Velha Senhora” Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

While eating traditional Portuguese snacks (“petiscos“) you can enjoy various artistic performances. This bar is in the same typical Portuguese 18th-century building as “Pensão Amor” (a former ‘love’ guesthouse), with a wonderful unique décor . Also really worth a visit!

Stage Bar ”da Velha Senhora” Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

Inside, almost everything complies with the burlesque theme and imagery of Lisbon in the early twentieth century. The building itself – a cultural and artistic project – witnesses the time that thirsty sailors docked in the harbor and spent their free time drinking booze and have fun with women.

Bar ”da Velha Senhora” Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

Former Lisbon’s red light district

The stories of prostitutes and sailors are inseparable from Cais do Sodré, formerly known as Lisbon’s red light district with bars named after northern European capitals (like Copenhagen, or Roterdão, Rotterdam) to attract their sailors who stepped off their boats here.

But times have changed: nowaydays it is a great area to go out at night! Musicbox is a trendy hotspot for live bands and DJ’s, disco clubs Tokyo and Jamaica became two of the most loved alternative clubs in Lisbon.

Bar ”da Velha Senhora” & DJ Rycardo Lisbon, December 17, 2011

The day Cesária Évora died

I will never forget the day Cesária Évora died, December 17, 2011. Early in the evening we went to Bar da Velha Senhora. When DJ Rycardo started to play the famous and wonderful songs of Cesária, suddenly all the people in the bar started spontaneously clapping their hands and some began to cry … I still get goosebumps thinking about that day…!

Bar ”da Velha Senhora” & DJ Rycardo Lisbon: the day Cesária Évora died

A woman jumped on the table and started to dance……. Amazing!

Popular singer Cesária Évora, “the Barefoot Diva’, has made Cape (Cabo) Verde famous all over the world. She generally performed in bare feet, as a sign of solidarity for the large number of women and children back home in the Cape Verdean Islands who cannot afford shoes.

Cesária Évora: ‘Miss Perfumado (youtube). More about former Portuguese colony Cape Verde (from 1456-1975)

Bar ”da Velha Senhora” Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

Rua Nova do Carvalho 38, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, tel. (00351)351 213 468 479. Open: Tuesday to Sunday 6pm to 4am . FACEBOOK

Metro: Cais do Sodré. Facebook.com/bardavelhasenhora

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March 22, 2012August 11, 2020

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon: surprising menu, integrated museum & ‘LSD’ cocktail

Restaurant Pharmacia in Lisbon is integrated into the Pharmacy Museum just near Tagus river viewpoint (miradouro) Santa Catarina or Adamastor. The remarkable décor is inspired by pharmacies of the past, the menu is a surprise!

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – the garden in summertime on a Sunday afternoon

Restaurant Pharmacia is integrated into the Museum of Pharmacy (Museu da Farmácia). In Portuguese farmácia literally means “Drug Store” and it truly holds onto its name, since it is located at the building of the Portuguese National Drug Store Association. The remarkable interior is inspired by classic old pharmacies.

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – very nice waiters dressed in white lab coats

When you enter the restaurant, you are shown to your table by somebody wearing a white lab coat. The menu is mainly focused on Portuguese cuisine, and “petiscos” (small dishes), but the restaurant also has a bar, serving all kinds of drinks and light snacks. One of its fine features is the outside terrace. The restaurant does not close after lunch and ‘a la carte’ service throughout the day is available.

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon: long lunch with good friend Erika Reusens

We enjoyed a delicious lunch, coffee and wine included € 45,70 . For dinner you also have the choice of a special menu of several dishes (€ 28, without drinks).

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon, integrated into the Museum of Pharmacy

Inaugurated in June 1996, the Pharmacy Museum is the only museum of Universal History in Portugal and one of the most complete in the world. The collection is based on pieces that represent 5000 years of history of health in civilizations as diverse as Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, Greece, Islam, South America, China, Tibet, Japan, Africa, and modern Europe. YouTube movie Pharmacy Museum of Lisbon

Museum open from Monday– Friday: 10am – 6pm. Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon

Inside the building you will find the wall of old medicine cabinets full of glass drug containers, medicine vials, and bottles of all kinds. Also the wallpaper is a tribute to the pharmacy. Your plain water will be served in an old ether bottle, the bottle holder is wearing a red cross logo…

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon: restaurant inside & vintage items

The remarkable interior uses almost exclusively vintage and antique items and some pieces that are on loan from the museum. The menu card is a pharmacy notebook and even your soup will be served in a small vial.

But the comparison with a pharmacy stops here: the food in a hospital is totally different.... 😉 😉

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – bottle of wine served in a measuring cup

Even the bottle of wine is served in a plastic measuring cup…. And the cocktails here all have ‘drug’ names, like ‘LSD’ cocktail (whisky and ginjinha). How about a cocktail ‘ibuprofen’ ? (Cachaça licor and lemon juice), or try a paracetamol cocktail (honey, melon and ginger beer) 😉

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon, Rua Marechal Saldanha 1, Lisbon.

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Restaurant Pharmacia is overlooking the Tagus river

Nearby: Miradouro (viewpoint) Adamastor.

More……..

……your coffee…….

BTW: famous artist Damien Hirst tried his hand at the restaurant business in 1998 when he opened the art-filled Pharmacy Restaurant + Bar in London. Filled with pseudo-scientific pharmacy-themed items, Hirst curated every design element from metallic pill-printed wallpaper and pill-shaped ashtrays.

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