Category: Lisbon city center

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LISBON: Dutch artist Franka Struys, abstract paintings & inspiring Colares coastline

In one of the coolest streets in Lisbon, Rua da Boavista, there’s Franka Struys‘ studio, visual artist from Dutch origin.

Lisbon & atelier Dutch visual artist Franka Struys, November 2025

Work in progress! YouTube  It was a wonderful experience to watch Franka being at work 🙂

Visual artist Franka Struys was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Since 2000 Franka lives in Colares, close to the Portuguese Atlantic coast.

Franka Struys, Nov. 2025: ‘OPEN STUDIO’, in Lisbon YouTube

In 1990, Franka graduated in economics and began a diplomatic career until she moved to Portugal. In 2009, she decided to follow her passion and studied painting at Ar.Co in Lisbon.

Wonderful Portuguese coast near Colares & dog Nuru

Raw, quiet Portuguese Atlantic coast

At the foot of the Sintra mountains, very close to the sea, the town of Colares is absolutely delightful and has long been a very popular summer resort. More: Visit Portugal

Wonderful Portuguese coast near Colares & dogs Bana & Nuru

Franka: “Colares is a place where I feel an endless sense of wonder, joy, connection, passion and respect for nature“.

Visual artist Franka Struys & painting ‘MAMAN’

Franka: ‘MAMAN’ is a part of the ‘MOTHER EARTH‘ series, about the strength of creation and the fragility of life’.

Since 2013, Franka’s work has been shown at a variety of galleries and exhibition spaces in Portugal and The Netherlands.

Visual artist Franka Struys, Nov. 2025: ‘OPEN STUDIO’, in Lisbon

Deep connection with nature 

Franka: “For many years now, the raw and quiet Portuguese coast of Colares has inspired me and reconnected me with nature”.

“That connection shows up in my paintings. Each piece carries something of this place”.

Stones from  Portuguese coast near Colares

Franka: “During the COVID pandemic , I began collecting earth pigments from the local beach where I live , including them into my painting technique to create more texture and to embed a sence of place and time into my work”.

This resulted in the series “Connectedness” 

New painting Franka Struys & Exposition Lisbon december 2025

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” 

December 4, 2025: opening “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, a group exhibition of 19 female artists working in Lisbon.

December 4, 2025: opening exposition “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”

Exhibition women artists December ’25/January 26 in Lisbon

Group exhibition bringing together internationally recognised women artists.

Origanised by “THE CURATED Lisbon” , an online platform dedicated to Lisbon’s contemporary art and design scene. More information : Instagram 

Visual artist Franka Struys in her studio in Lisbon

Exhibition ‘RESILIENT TRANSITIONS’ : from May 20 – June 20, 2026

Site-specific exhibition by artists Franka Struys and Vania R. Gonçalves. 

Curation by Federica Elena, which creates an ambient environment within the interior and the environment that continues with material and spirit of the times.

Artists Vânia R. Gonçalves & Franka Struys, opening new exposition, May 2026          YOUTUBE: Opening day May 20, 2026

Exhibition RESILIENT TRANSITIONS : from May 20 – June 20, 2026

Galeria Diferença
Rua São Filipe Nery, 42, c/v Lisbon

galeriadiferenca.com

Tuesday to Friday, 2 PM – 7 PM,
Saturday, 3 PM – 8 PM

Franka Struys, opening new exposition, May 20, 2026   

Want to learn more or visit Franka’s studio?

Website                Facebook                        Instagram

Studio: Rua da Boavista 84, Lisbon

(BTW: this street still represents LIsbon’s elegant architecural Pombaline (Marquês de Pombal ) style, developed after the 1755 earthquake).

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Rooftop restaurant 8th floor POLLUX Lisbon: scenic views & delicious lunch

A good idea for a lunch if you visit Lisbon 🙂

Around 25 years ago I discovered a cafe on the 8th floor of a huge department store in Lisbon named Pollux : small plastic tables, great view, good coffee (bica, 40 cents!) & a tasty, traditional pastel de nata

January 2025: Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon & view famous Santa Justa elevator.  For me this view will never be boring! 🙂

8th floor classic department store Pollux

In 2017 restaurant & bar LESS was opened, on the 8th floor of department store Pollux ( 5.000 m2), founded in 1936, offering typical Portuguese luxury items for home decoration and household goods.

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Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon & Tagus river view January 2025
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Total make-over in 2017
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The terrace, offering views of the legendary Santa Justa lift and the ruins of the Convento do Carmo, (Carmo Convent) used to have a small cafe with plastic tables (20 years ago: a hidden gem..)
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Basic snacks, soups and coffees were served nearby products for sale in the store such as plastic flowers, garden chairs and camping tables.
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Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon & great city views, January 2025
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In September 2017 the entire 8th floor of the department store was transformed into a modern casual dining space.
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Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon. January, 2025
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8 Dutch girls 😉 😉  enjoying each other’s company and a delicious lunch.
It was too cold and windy for us to sit outside, but the interior space is lovely!
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Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon & very nice waiter Augusto
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Bill for 8 girls, including wine (Raposinha, red), or Marmore, white: 171,15 euro.
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Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon , January 2025
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Vegetarian lasagna ( Euro 12,75) & chicory salad (Euro 4.25)
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Restaurant & bar Terraço Editorial in Lisbon , January 2025

My choice: Atum (tuna) & vegetables, euro 15:50

‘Are you being served?’
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BESIDES: When I entered the Pollux department store for the first time, around 30 years ago, the old-fashioned atmosphere and the (good) hierarchical service-model reminded me a little bit of the legendary British sitcom  “Are you being served?’ 😉 (YouTube), broadcasted between 1972 and 1985
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Restaurant & Bar Terraço Editorial Lisbon, January 2025
Muito obrigada, thank you very much! Very nice waiters Francisco & Augusto 🙂 🙂
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Important: the restaurant can only be reached by taking the elevator in department store Pollux: 8th floor. Rua dos Fanqueiros, 276, Lisbon.
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♥️of Lisbon: Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica’: ceramic sculpture, pottery & workshops

In the heart of Lisbon, ceramic artist António Salvador Carvalho opened his Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica‘ (‘Sculptural Gallery‘) about a year ago. The area, Alcântara,  is charming and quiet.

Ceramic artist António Salvador Carvalho & Vase ‘Medusa’

Vase ‘MEDUSA’ & hair with living snakes

Medusa (Greek mythology) was a woman with living snakes in place of hair; anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone.

Medusa was beheaded by the Greek hero  Perseus, who then used her head, which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, as a weapon… (more: Wikipedia).

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António:  “The process of creating the Medusa took a couple of weeks. The hairpieces design is what takes more time to accomplish because each one of them is hollowed inside to make the sculpture lighter although the full sculpture weights around 12 to 15 kilos in the end”.

The Medusa ends up to be a vase for flowers that subverts its symbolic meaning.

Studio Ceramic artist António Salvador Carvalho Lisbon

‘Gato por Lebre‘ (‘A Pig in a poke’ 😉 😉 )  immediately caught my attention :  beautiful and funny!

‘Galeria Escultórica‘ Lisbon & twinbrother António José Carvalho

Africa/Mozambique & Alentejo

Born in Lisbon in 1969, António Salvador studied sculpture in the University of Fine Arts. Most of his sculptures are in dialogue with childhood memories being Africa / Mozambique  (António‘s father worked in Africa for several years) when being a kid as well as folk art from the Portuguese Southern culture of Alentejo from where his family is.

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Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica‘ Lisbon: Lindsay Renaud &  António

In the Studio, the atmosphere can be described as very pleasant and inspiring. Ceramic artworks are displayed (some creations ‘still in progress’).

Workshops

A Dutch friend of mine, AnneMarie, really enjoys the ceramic workshop  twice a week. She asked me to visit the studio while working on one of her new creations.

♥️Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica‘ Lisbon & Dutch friend AnneMarie 🙂

TWINS:  António Salvador Carvalho & António José Carvalho

António Salvador: ‘We were born in Lisbon in the year that men went to the moon, separated by a five minute interval. We were so alike that few of us distinguished, whether by physical similarity or the name we shared’.

INSEPARABLE TWINS

António Salvador: ‘Because we are so much alike it was easier for us to change our identity countless times without no one would notice. We have always been inseparable even though life has taken us apart’.

♥️Pottery wheel  lessons Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica’ & Lindsay Renaud

Oasis in a world of chaos and instability

António Salvador: ‘Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica‘ is the place where we want to be at a time when the world is turned upside down with problems of all kinds. An oasis for people like us, who long for a sense of freedom, creative processes and the exchange of knowledge’.

♥️Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica‘ Lisbon & Lindsay Renaud

Original pieces, pottery wheel & workshops

♥️Studio ‘Galeria Escultórica‘ Lisbon & Annick Rozendaal

António Salvador: ”We create original pieces that we sell and give introductory workshops on the pottery wheel, sculptural tile, support for ceramic sculpture projects, sharing of workshop space, and clay firings”.
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Studio Ceramic artist António Salvador Carvalho Lisbon
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♥️ Workshop sculpture December 2025: Uma (8 yrs old) & her father Martijn from Amsterdam.
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Picture: António Salvador Carvalho
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♥️Create your own ceramics with your own hands! 
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Lisbon, Portugal 1300-356
Phone:  (00351) 963 099 428
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Workshop ‘turning wheel’‘ Studio António Salvador Carvalho Lisbon 
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Lisbon & autumn: smell of roasted chestnuts & St. Martin’s Day traditions

The unmistakable smell of roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas) is announcing autumn’ s arrival in Portugal. ‘Quentes e boas’! ‘(Get’ em hot!). This cry goes out on the Lisbon streets.

Lisbon city centre in autumn

Much to the chagrin of many, the traditional paper cone made out of the Yellow Papers has been replaced by soulless paper packages, which takes something away from the ritual of chestnuts.

Baixa area, the commercial heart of Lisbon

St. Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11

It’s called Magusto. This day is the peak of three days, often with very good weather, known as Verão de São Martinho (Saint Martin’s summer).

St. Martin’s Day dinner at home with friends, November 2018

The Portuguese celebrate St. Martin’s Day with jeropiga (a traditional delicious sweet liqueur wine) and roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas).

Tram Lisbon Feliz Natal and roasted chestnuts

Rossio, Lisbon in December & Christmas trams

Traditions

On St. Martin’s Day traditions dictate that family and friends gather around a glowing hearth or bonfire.

How to roast chestnuts in the oven

Roasted chestnuts

Chestnuts are roasted, traditional alcoholic drinks are served, like água-pé (a watered kind of wine), jeropiga, vinho novo (young wine), or the slow smooth burn of aguardente (‘firewater’, alcoholic drinks between 29 and 60 percent).

Chestnuts and Jeropiga

Tradition: chestnuts and jeropiga

Because this pagan festival is a celebration of life, there is food and drink and plenty of fun: in some regions people smother themselves with ashes, black themselves up and sing around the fire.

Largo do Chiado chestnuts

Largo do Chiado, Lisbon

More….

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Lisbon Charity Center ‘DONA AJUDA’: affordable items & vibrant community center

Charity Center ‘Dona Ajuda’ (Mrs. HELP) in Lisbon is not just a secondhand shop; it’s a vibrant community center located at the former Rato Market, where solidarity and creativity go hand in hand.

Lisbon & Charity Center ‘Dona’ Ajuda (Mrs. HELP), some volonteers & Operations Manager Pedro Folque (wearing a striped shirt)

Volonteers Graça, Ana, Staff member, Alice, Pedro, Ana, Maria & José, October 2025

Lisbon & Charity Center ‘Dona Ajuda’

One of the volunteers showed us where to drop off the donations.

Our visit was organized by NV Lissabon (Dutch Society) in cooperation with the Dutch-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. A great experience !  🙂

Lisbon & Charity Center Dona Ajuda

Workshops, art exhibitions, and neighborhood activities

Charity Center ‘Dona Ajuda’ is a place where you can not only buy all kinds of affordable secondhand items, but also participate in inspiring workshops.

Art exhibitions and neighborhood activities are regularly organized.

Lisbon & Charity Center:  Dona Ajuda Ajudou…. (Mrs. HELP helped….)

Every donated item gets a second life here, enabling to support lots of families.

Circular economy

‘Dona Ajuda’ promotes the circular economy by giving used goods a new life and thus contributing to help people in need.

Lisbon & Charity Center Dona Ajuda

Enthusiastic team of volunteers

All kinds of stuff can be donated – such as (children’s) clothing, books, decorations, toys, paintings, or furniture. All the items wil be sorted by one of the volunteers.

Lisbon & Charity Center Dona Ajuda 

Lunch & Middle Eastern dishes

After walking around in the large hall (formerly a market) we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the building, provided by Mezze/Pão a Pão, specializing in Middle Eastern dishes, prepared by refugees.

Lisbon & Charity Center Dona Ajuda , MEZZE restaurant employees

Plant section & beautiful cactus

There’s also a plant section. Plants not in a good condition are lovingly cared for. My purchase: a beautiful cactus. Transporting it wasn’t easy because of the thorns, but with some help it ended up in my garden. Beautiful! 🙂

Lisbon & Charity Center ‘ Dona Ajuda’ ,  friend Margriet de Vrieze and my lovely dog Nelson 

Dona Ajuda’s volunteers sort the incoming donations by checking their condition, ensure that all goods are arranged, and send them to the correct destination.

New donations Charity Center ‘ Dona Ajuda’: work to do!!

Connect those who need help with those who can help

Dona Ajuda is a social solidarity Association that wants to contribute to a better world by creating networks, connecting those who need help with those who can help.

Lisbon & Charity Center ‘ Dona Ajuda’ & outside tasca ‘O Cantinho do Rato‘

October 1st 2025: new donation drop-off days 

Open everyday, from 11:00 till 19:00. Donations at Dona Ajuda will only be  possible between Thursday and Sunday.

This 3-day weekly pause will allow the sorting team to have the necessary time to carefully check and separate the items that arrive.

‘DONA AJUDA‘, R. Alexandre Herculano, 64 1250-012 Lisbon

Worth a visit! 🙂 🙂

Website               Facebook             Instagram

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Lisbon: saturday biological market Príncipe Real & amazing centuries-old trees

This park in area Príncipe Real in Lisbon is a gorgeous location! Centuries-old beautiful trees and shadowed terraces .

A biological market is held here every Saturday morning 🙂

This century-old cedar ‘umbrella’ (20 meters) tree is really amazing!

Park Príncipe Real (Royal Prince) Lisbon : charming area 🙂

Beautiful trees and terraces to drink your bica (espresso). The atmosphere is relaxed.

Parque Príncipe Real Lisbon &  Saturday bric-a-brac market

Paula Maio & her beautiful stuff 🙂 April 26, 2025

The Príncipe Real market is one of the most popular for handicrafts and bric-a-brac in Lisbon (last Saturday and Monday of each month)

Parque Príncipe Real Lisbon &  Saturday biological market, 2019

Biological market every Saturday from 9:00-3:00

Around the park, the Biological Products Fair (Feira de Produtos Biológicos) is held every week on Saturdays at Jardim França Borges, commonly known as Jardim do Príncipe Real.

Parque Príncipe Real Lisbon: Saturday biological market

At Lisbon’s weekly organic farmers market producers from all around the country sell most varied natural products, from vegetables to cosmetics, honey and wine. Bargaining is always possible and appropriate.

Parque Príncipe Real Lisbon 2019

‘Doces da Paulinha’ (sweet and savory): traditional flavors, with organic products, handcrafted with love . Facebook

Restaurants in this area

There are several good places to have lunch or dinner, such as one of my favorites, Italian restaurant & pizzeria Zero Zero with a lovely outdour dining area, or trendy restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria:  excellent steak or fish.

Lisbon Principe Real Rua dom Pedro V Cunha Palace

Rua dom Pedro V, no. 26 : Arabesque Ribeiro da Cunha Palace (1877)

Principe Real’s Rua dom Pedro V  is one of the most interesting streets of Lisbon to walk around. In recent years, the neighborhood has become a great place to shop . Watch out for pickpocking !  )-:

Embaixada, Praça do Príncipe Real

Shopping & renovated historical buildings

Designer boutiques and art galleries are housing in wonderful renovated historical buildings.

There are incredible stores, such as Embaixada (the Embassy), ​​which was built in 1877 and now houses design shops, fashion and gastronomy in wonderful spaces.   Website

YouTube : the Rebirth of Lisbon’s Principe Real District

Shopping store Embaixada is located in Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, a XIX century new-Arabian Palace, one of the most iconic buildings in this neighbourhood. Facebook

Embaixada, Praça do Príncipe Real,  no. 26 Lisbon

Park Príncipe Real Lisbon

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Restaurant Casa do Alentejo Lisbon & amazing former 17th C. Moorish Palace

A few minutes walk from Rossio Square in Lisbon,  behind a small door in a popular tourist street there’s Casa do Alentejo: suddenly you step in an amazing Moorish palace, with an impressive courtyard! (in 2023 celebrating 100 years)

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon, a former Moorish palace, 2019

‘Casa do Alentejo’ was created 100 years ago, to be a meeting place for people from Portugal’s historical province Alentejo (além Tejo means beyond the Tagus) and to cultivate its unique culture. At that time many people from this region left home in search for a better life in Lisbon.

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon, a former Moorish palace

The palace dates from the last quarter of the 17th C., but its current appearance is a result of considerable alterations carried out in 1918.

Nowadays here’s the headquarters of the association of the Alentejo people.

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon, friend Loesje Broere & ballroom

Ballroom & activities

Many activities take place here: on Saturdays the ‘Alentejo afternoons’ (tardes Alentejanas), with choral groups. On Sunday, dancing begins at 3:30 pm in the beautifull ballroom. Mostly elderley people come here to socialize.

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon & singers, November 2023

Singers waiting for their turn to perform in the ballroom. Cante Alentejano is traditional singing performed by amateur choral groups, without instrumentation. YouTube

There’s also a library and a handicraft shop of typical products of Alentejo (downstairs).

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon, a former Moorish palace & one of the restaurants

Beautiful tiles (ajulejos) & Portuguese history

The dining rooms are picturesque, with open fireplaces and decorated with beautiful tiles (azulejos). The azulejo is a form of Portuguese painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework.

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon, a former Moorish palace & one of the restaurants

Tiles: a typical aspect of Portuguese culture.

Azulejo (tile) comes from the Arabic word az-zulayj, meaning polished stone. Wherever you go in Portugal, azulejos are to be found inside and outside cafes, churches, palaces, ordinary houses and even ceilings, train- or subway stations.

Restaurant Casa do Alentejo &  friend Margriet de Vrieze, Nov. ’23

Dinner (traditional dishes from regio Alentejo): Carne de Porco à Alentejana is one of the most traditional and popular pork dishes of Portuguese cuisine. A  combination of pork and clams, with potatoes and coriander. (Wiki ) Average price 3-course meal: € 30 – 35.

Delicious! Sericaia com ameixas de Elvas

One of the most famous delicacies in the Alentejo region!
A conventual sweet, always accompanied by Elvas plum jam (Ameixas Rainha Cláudia), an obligatory presence in Alentejo gastronomy. Recipe

Casa do Alentejo Lisbon: outside place & tavern

Opening hours Casa do Alentejo Lisbon

Restaurant: 12pm – 3pm & 7pm – 23pm, Tuesday – Sunday. Outside taberna  12pm – 23pm.  Area de Alentejo: Tuesday – Saturday 12pm – 23pm.     Facebook

YouTube: Postkarte für Pauline

Reservations: +351 213 405 140

Former Moorish palace Casa do Alentejo Lisbon

Casa do Alentejo 100 years & Fountain of Friendship

Casa do Alentejo inaugurated April 25th 2023 the sculpture commemorating its 100 years. A Fountain of Friendship, designed by the Moorish sculptor Jorge Pé-Curto. The work will be displayed in the Páteo Arabe.

Restaurant Casa do Alentejo, Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 58, Lisbon

Street restaurant Casa do Alentejo, December 2019.

A wonderful exception in this street: no tourist trap!

More about this street….

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Lost In Lisbon Restaurant & shop: magical Indian-style, great views & shrimp curry

Restaurant/cafe Lost In is one of the most magical places in Lisbon: fantastic city views and an inviting hangout Indian-style decoration.

In the same building: shop Lost in India, selling a.o. beautiful typically Indian style clothes with Arab influences.   🙂

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon & lovely outside space May 2023

A while ago I bought a beautiful Indian-style coat in the imposant Lost In  clothing store, Rua dom Pedro V no. 58. The nice saleswoman asked: ‘Did you already visit  the restaurant behind the store? No? From here it is possible to enter the restaurant’. What a surprise!  🙂

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon & terrace June 2018

Peace & tranquility

The view over the city is wonderful, even when it’s a cloudy day.

Lost In  is a chill-out ambiance. When you enter this space, you immediately feel the peace and tranquility it conveys.

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon June 2018 & Loesje Broere

Shanti (inner peace)
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It is said to be the “shanti place of Lisbon”. I am not religious nor interested in esotericism, but for those looking for relaxation after a busy day this is a great place.
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Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon June 2018: waiters Samuel & Patrik

Caril de gambas com arroz basmati, legumes salteados e papadam (Shrimp curry with basmati rice, sauteed vegetables and papadam), delicious!

Bill for 2 persons  € 64,80 (May 2023) ( shrimps, tuna, wine (5 euro a glass), water and coffee).

Ben Weijers & Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon , May 18, 2023

The staff is friendly and chatty, speaking a variety of languages. The 2 lovely young waiters gave 2 older ladies like us the idea being young again  😉  😉

We had a great afternoon amongst Indian couches and sofas, candles, colored comfortable chairs, statues, paintings & Indian shoes hanging on the walls.

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon June 2018

The music is calm, with a strong focus on jazz  🙂 (the day we’ve been there). Restaurant Lost In VIDEO 

Restaurant Lost In Lisbon December 6, 2018 & Lilja Plews

Music:  every Thursday evening or on Sunday in the afternoon there’re live jazz sessions/music events. Besides frequent oriental dance events or DJ’s.

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon & very friendly manager Rita Teixeira

Lost In
Rua dom Pedro V no. 58
Príncipe Real Lisbon

 Website (& how to make a reservation)

Lost In India Shop :  clothes from India & Mica & Leonor

Clothing store, typically Indian style with Arab influences.

Lost In India Lisbon Shop March 21  & owner Leonor

Preparing the shop for reopening after 3 months of lockdown in Portugal January – April 2021

WEBSITE

Lost In India Shop: clothes from India & much more beautiful stuff!

Update March 2021: It is possible to order online more….

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Beautiful Avenida da Liberdade Lisbon, luxury brands & Prada’s window dressing

Beautiful Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue) is located between Restauradores Square and Marquis of Pombal Square. The Avenue was built between 1879 and 1882.

Lisbon shopping Avenida da Liberdade pedestrial center kiss

Avenida da Liberdade Lisbon

This broad boulevard, with a pedestrianised centre in the middle, is the Portuguese equivalent of the Champs Elysees.

Lisbon shopping Avenida da Liberdade trees

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

It’s a lovely avenue to wander down, with cafes where you can take a break.

Lisbon Shopping Avenida da Liberdade Luis Vuitton boutique

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

If you are looking for luxury international brands you will find here f.i. Luis Vuitton, Emporio Armani and Escada fashionable boutiques.

Shopping in Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Be prepared: the prices are the same as in any of these shops in London or Paris.

Avenida da Liberdade Lisbon new Prada shop 2010

PRADA boutique Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Prada opened a store in Lisbon in 2010 . It was a long search for the location, because Miuccia Prada did not want just any shop. It eventually became a building on the Avenida de Liberdade, one of Lisbon’s main shopping streets.

Avenida da Liberdade, & autumn, September 2021

Many of the original buildings of the avenue have been replaced in the last decades by tall offices and hotel buildings. Nowadays it boasts several interesting buildings that reflect Portuguese architecture from the late 19th through the early 21st centuries and the Moorish influence.

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Famous Lisbon fish cannery store ‘Conserveira de Lisboa’ & nostalgic power

Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store) has been covered in many newspapers, tv-programs and on the internet, never paid for any promotion but is listed by many touristic guides.

Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store) March 2021

In this little shop hundreds of colorful tins of the Portuguese favorite fish are stored. It’s been open for 80 years.

Rua dos Bacalhoeiros Conserveira de Lisboa Maria de Jesus Silva

Maria de Jesus Silva, Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

History

The shop opened in 1930 under the name ‘Mercearia do Minho’ and changed it’s name to Conserveira de Lisboa in 1942. In the beginning days the company sold all kinds of alimentation, concentrating on canned foods.

Rua dos Bacalhoeiroa Conserveira de Lisboa canned fish shop Luís Vieira

Luís Vieira,Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

In 1942 the company applied for the registration of the first two brands of conserves: TRICANA and PRATA DO MAR.

Tricana was registered in 1948 and Prata do Mar in 1956.

 

Macquerel (filetes de cavala), tummy (atum), squid (polvo) and cod (bacalhau).

During the second world war the industry of conserved fish products developed rapidly and it helped the company to evolve quickly, reaching it’s peak with the colonial war in ’74. After this period, the conserves market shrinked steadily, frozen food became a more common way of conservation.

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Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

Confronted with this perspective of a further declining market, the Conserveira chose to remain operating on this niche market and offer only quality products. This way the shop also survived the aggressive low prices by the supermarkets.

Rua dos Bacalhoeiros Conserveira de Lisboa Manuela Preira

Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

Two nice ladies in the shop are wrapping the various preserves: Manuela Pereira….

Rua dos Bacalhoeiros Conserveira de Lisboa Maria Manuela Neves

Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

…..and Maria Manuela Henriques Nunes

Lisbon Conserveira de Lisboa no plastic bags

Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

I bought 4 cans: 2 fillets macquerel (€ 4,54) and 2 tuna fillets (€ 3,63). Happily no plastic bags! If you like you can write a nice note in the guest book.

Lisbon Conserveira de Lisboa guestbook

Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)

In June 2004 Armando Jose Cabral Ferreira and Regina Maria da Silva Monteiro Baptista Cabral Ferreira became the owners of the shop.

Famous cannery shop Conserveira de Lisboa street

Conserveira de Lisboa, Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 34 (website).

E-mail address: info@conserveiradelisboa.pt

Rua dos Bacalhoeiros means ‘street of the cod fish sellers’……). More.about this street..

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Conserveira de Lisboa (The Lisbon Cannery store)