Category: Maps

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Lisbon’s craziest night June 12: true love, basil & street parties

The month of June is party time in Lisbon! One of Portugal’s most popular saints, Santo António (Saint Anthony of Padua), was a Fransiscan friar canised by the Catholic Church in record time, one year after his death (on June 13, 1232). On the eve of June 13th Lisbon (and in all of Portugal) turns into one big party, the craziest night of the year!

Lisbon Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 romantic manjerica2

Mouraria, June 12, 2009

Santo Antonio is also the matchmaker saint. A charming custom on the eve of June 12 is for young men to present a newly sproutet basil (manjerico), for a newly sprouted love) to the girls they hope to wed. A frilled and fluted tinsel-trimmed paper carnation of various colors blooms in each pot. Within the petals is a poem or message which indicates the young man’s passion. Often the flower is accompanied by a painted toy, a pretty fan, or some other trifle calculated to appeal to a maiden’s fancy.

Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo do Terreirinho dancing1

Largo do Terreirinho  Mouraria Lisbon

On the Eve of June 13 young girls try various methods of finding out whom they will wed. One favorite way is for a girl to fill her mouth with water and hold it until she hears a boy’s name mentioned. The name she hears is sure to be that of her future husband!

Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo do Terreirinho sardines 6

Largo do Terreirinho  Mouraria Lisbon

In June, the month of the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints), the Lisbon nights are filled with lively festivities, parades and live music that take over the city’s historical center. The main Saints’ days are for Anthony (Antonio June 12-13), John (June 23-24) and Peter (June 28-29). Parades, feast, sardines, wine & live Fado music (2)

Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo do Terreirinho live music

Largo do Terreirinho Mouraria Lisbon

Live music, dancing and plenty of food and drinks like gaseous lemonade, wine, beer or sangria.

Lisbon Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo do Terreirinho sardines9

Largo do Terreirinho Mouraria Lisbon

Traditionally millions of big and tasty sardines (sardinhas), accompanied by traditional bread, are grilled in the month of June in Portugal, high season for this delicious silvery fish. They were already eaten in the XV Century and grilled outdoors, due to the strong aroma that they free when roasting.

Lisbon Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo do Terreirinho students3

Largo do Terreirinho Mouraria Lisbon

Party time, also for students! Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon

Lisbon Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo macho students

Largo do Terreirinho Mouraria Lisbon

The streets are filled with the delicious smell (and the smoke!) of sardines being grilled. After a couple of beers some students show the girls that boys are created with very strong muscles…..whow! 25 push ups!

Lisbon Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 Largo do Terreirinho bar restaurant Anos 60 1

Largo do Terreirinho Mouraria Lisbon Restaurant ‘Anos 60’ (the sixties)

Unique bar and restaurant  ‘Anos 60’ has been established in the nineties in this neighborhood  More…….

Santo Antonio church Largo Santo Antonio a Sé Alfama.

Santo António was born in 1195 in Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood Alfama, where the small church of Santo António da Sé now stands. Young people write letters asking him to furnish sweethearts. These epistles are dropped into a box in the church. When love affairs prosper and suitable mates are found, the box receives thank offerings from the grateful lovers. Mass marriages known as “St. Anthony’s Weddings” are held during the mid-June St. Anthony’s Day celebrations.

More information  ‘Festas de Lisboa’ (visit Lisboa 2014)

Santo Antonio Mouraria june 09 5 tram sardines

Largo do Terreirinho Mouraria Lisbon

In June you can enjoy musicians singing fado music in the old trams, some are decorated with sardines…

Thanks to Dorothy Gladys Spicer

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Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon: gorgeous garden & André Magalhães

You don’t need to be a member of Lisbon’s ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ (‘the Press Club’) to visit this restaurant, and it’s really worth it! Among it’s habituées you can find diplomats, politicians and, of course, journalists.

Lisbon Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas Rua das Trinas

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon

The Press Club’s restaurant is set in a very charming 18th century building with a lovely inner-garden. The kitchen offers creative Mediterranean food (vegetarian friendly) and the wine cellar is representative of the portuguese winemaking tradition. Located in the centre of Lapa, Rua das Trinas 129.

Lisbon Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas garden4

The wonderful inner-garden of Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’

‘Clube de Jornalistas’ is a perfect venue for group gathering or a celebration. Journalists and eating out go hand in hand, so Lisbon’s ‘Clube’ was a natural progression for local chef and Co-owner André Magalhães with his years of media experience.

Lisbon Clube de Jornalistas garden dinner 11

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon, garden

The excellent wine list is also served by André Magalhães, a leading light in the slow food movement and a talented food & wine journalist, writing for Wine Passion magazine, Beer Passion, Lisbon Golden Guide, Slowfood and others.

Lisbon Clube de Jornalistas Restaurant inner-garden

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon, inner-garden

We enjoyed outside dining in the wonderful quiet inner-garden, surrounded by trees and flowers.

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ is a mixture of old Portuguese architecture and modern cuisine with an exotic touch.

Lisbon Clube de Jornalistas Lapa dining inside

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon: a dining rooms inside

‘The Club’ was founded in 1986. During the Salazar period (Salazar was a dictator who ruled Portugal from 1931 to 1970), the Casa da Imprensa in Chiado was a secret meeting place. After the revolution, some of the members went on to found the ‘Clube de Jornalistas’.

Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas garden creative cuisine dinner5

Tuna “escabeche” with fried portuguese polenta and clam sauce (14.50 €)

‘The Club’ is an inviting space to long conversations at lunch time and to cheerful gatherings at night’.

Clube de Jornalistas, Lapa/Estrela (facebook)
Rua das Trinas 129
1200-857 Lisbon
+(351) 213 977 138/ 21 396 57 74. Mail: cj@clubedejornalistas.pt
Open: Monday through Saturday 12.00-02.00

Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas Press club garden dinner1Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas Press club garden dinner4

Carpaccio of Tuna from the Azores, wild rocket and S. Jorge cheese (10.00 €) house-smoked duck breast and sauted Pears (12.00 €)

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Top biking services in Portugal: Bikeiberia Lisbon Hub & Didier Mimoso

Bikeiberia, established in 1999, was the first local operator offering top biking services in Portugal & Spain to an international clientele. Bikeiberia offers guided, independent or tailored-made tours (like bike tours of Lisbon area or coastal areas like Sintra, through out Portugal and parts of Spain) and offers rental services for high-quality bikes & equipment at competitive rates.

Rebt a bike Lisbon Bikiberia office shop Didier owner

Bikeiberia Lisbon, Largo Corpo Santo 5

Bikeiberia founder & manager Jorge Didier Mimoso (r) and staff Tânia Caldas or Ana Rolo will be happy to welcome you in the bikeiberia office & shop in Lisbon, Largo Corpo Santo 5 ,  the headquarters and central Bike Rental station in Baixa in the heart of Lisbon downtown. Here, travelers are able to get information about the plentiful biking possibilities in Lisbon.

Bikeiberia rent a bike in Lisbon owner Didier Mimoso office Lisbon

Bikeiberia Lisbon & Didier Mimoso

Didier: “We want to share with you the parts of Portugal and Spain we know, offering some of the most unique biking experiences in the world”  bikeiberia website . “For those who do not want to be bothered bringing their own bicycles and gear by plane, we have created special bike rental – touring packages including chosen bicycle, helmet use, front bag, rear panniers, toolkit, bike pump, spare inner tube and luggage storage service. If you like, the bikes can be delivered directly to your hotel”.

Linbon bike rental bikeiberia owner Didier at work

Bikeiberia Lisbon

Didier:”I started bikeiberia to share with others the unique way in which cycling, both on and off road, opens up for the adventurous traveler the hidden and still intact landscapes, history and culture of remote areas of Portugal and Spain”.

Bikeiberia rent a bike in Lisbon 2 Didier at work biker 2

Bikeiberia Lisbon

“I was born in Mozambique (a former Portuguese colony, independent in 1975). Although I grew up like lots of kids loving to ride my bike in the neighborhood streets of Lisbon, it was only at university in Évora, an ancient town set in Portugal’s vast Alentejo, that I discovered the fun and potential of biking. After my study (economy) I lived and worked in England for three years, cycled there and in over fifteen other countries (a 3 months tour from Berlin to Istanbul and from Istabul to Lisbon for instance). 10 years ago I started bikeiberia”.

Bikeiberia office and shop Lisbon rent a bike Haroldo Castelo Brano

Assistant Haroldo Castelo Branco

bikeiberia office & shop in Lisbon

Bikeiberia rent a bike in Lisbon street bikes Pedal your way

Bikeiberia Lisbon, Largo Corpo Santo 5
phone 00351 21347 0347
mobile: 00351 96242 3455,
e-mail info@bikeiberia.com

You can directly pick up or order them to any place within Iberian Peninsula. Business hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am to 8:00pm GMT, open all year.

bikeiberia website   Facebook

Bikeiberia Lisbon shop office rent a bike in Lisbon children’s bike cow cycle bell

Bikeiberia has a variety of children bells available.

At the moment the collection of animals is very popular: a cow, a giraffe, a parrot or a crocodile.

Bikeiberia rent a bike in Lisbon shop and office vintage bike 2

Bikeiberia Lisbon

In de window a beautiful Vintage bike. Didier: ” They have been the same for over 40 or 50 years and it’s amazing how they are still being made! Maybe bikes got way better mechanically but this is a Vintage with its own charm! One of the most interesting things on it is the braking system, which does not work with cables or oil and the lights working with a wheel dynamo or the 3 hub gears by Sturmey Archer! The painting work also has some interesting details and I could not believe my eyes when we found out we could still get them brand new this way! Many people stops by to tell us they got one many years ago and how much it cost then, apparently over 40 years ago it could costs the huge sum of “15 bills of 100 Escudos”…This is equivalent to 7.5 Euros!!!”

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Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ Lisbon, great lunch & Palace of Independence

There are a lot of high quality restaurants crowding the downtown streets of Lisbon, but if you like to enjoy a great Portuguese lunch located in the heart of Lisbon in a pleasant and historic environment, I can recommend ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’).

Independece Palace Lisbon Restaurant Chamines do Palacio chimneys

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

The restaurant’s entrance and the beautiful patio of the Palácio da Independência  (Palace of Independence), located near Rossio Square on the north side of the Largo de São Domingos. The building’s foundation stone was laid in 1509 and some of Manueline details from this time can still be detected in the inner courtyard, for example the door decorations. The two conical kitchen chimneys are reminiscent of the royal palace at Sintra.

Restaurant Chemines do Palacio Lisbon Independence Palace 1

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

Paulo Saraiva de Reffóios (with sunglasses): “Recently I started (February 2009) this restaurant. I used to work as a hotel director for 20 years but besides I always had a real passion for Portuguese gastronomy and for many years I enjoyed cooking for friends”. “At the moment you are welcome to enjoy a (Portuguese) lunch here (June 2009), dining is possible on request from 12 persons”.

The other 2 gentlemen are José Cardoso (and daughter Filipa) and Henrique Santos, ‘Lucinda Tudo Bom’ wine producers. At the table a delicious bottle of Douro wine: Fraga Alta (High Crag) Douro Doc 2003.

Lisbon Restaurant Chamines do Palacio Independence Palace Rossio Paulo owner

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

My friend Erika Reusens and Paulo Saraiva de Reffóios, the very friendly and always joking restaurant owner. Our choice for lunch: salada de rucola com requeijao (salad with cream cheese) € 8; salmão fumada com boulgour (smoked salmon with bulgur) € 12; agua (water) € 2,50; um copo do vinho branco (glass of white wine) € 2,50; bread and delicious salted butter € 3.

Lisbon Restaurant Chamines do Palacio Independence Palace inside

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

Visit the Independece Palace: each Friday at 15:00

If you wish you can enjoy your lunch inside of this beautiful building.The name Palácio da Independência (‘Independence Palace’) recalls a curious event that occured in 1640: a conspiracy against the Spanish occupation. If you are in Lisbon you can visit the palace. More information…….

Independent Palace restaurant Chamines do Palacio azulejos ship

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon: beautiful tiles

The walls of this former palace are decorated with beautiful azulejos (Portuguese tiles). The azulejo is a form of Portuguese painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. They have become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture. Azulejo comes from the Arabic word az-zulayj, meaning polished stone.

Independence Palace restaurant Chemanes do Palacio patio garden 1

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

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. Many azulejos chronicle major historical and cultural aspects of Portuguese history.

 

 Independence Palace Rossio 12 entrance restaurant Chamines do Palacio

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

‘Chaminés do Palácio’, Largo de Sao Domingos 11.  Mail: chaminesdopalacio@gmail.com

Tlm (0351) 919450754

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Visit ‘Palace of Independence’ Lisbon & conspiracy Spanish occupation 1640

The beautiful Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence), located in Lisbon close to the Rossio Square (near national theatre D. Maria II ), on the north side of the Largo de São Domingos , is known by two names.

Lisbon Indepence Palaca near Rossio Suqare Entrance

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

It was given its original name of Palácio de Almada in honor of its former owner, the Count of Almada. The name Palácio da Independência (‘Independent Palace’) recalls a curious event that occured in 1640. Philip II of Spain had occupied Portugal in 1580, a year later he was recognized as King of Portugal.

Independence Palace Rossio entrance1 restaurant

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

The loss of some colonies and the intense pressure of taxes levied to finance the Spanish wars led about 60 years later to a conspiracy among several of the Portuguese nobility. On December 1st, 1640 there ensued a successful rebellion, followed by the restoration of Portugal’s independence.

Independence Palace Lisbon near Rossio the conspiracy room

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

About 40 conspirators prepared for the action under the leadership of the Duke of Bragança (or Braganza) in the grounds of this palace.

Lisbon Independence Palace near Rossio garden azulejos

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) & garden Lisbon

The Duke, from who’s grandmother the royal family descended, was crowned João IV, King of Portugal. From a neighboring monastery the nobles reached the palace garden from across part of the old 14th C. city wall and gathered there in a small, isolated pavillion. It has even been suggested that there was an underground path linking the garden with the Baixa along which people could pass unseen.

Independence Palace Rossio garden azulejos 1

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

Beautiful azulejos (tiles) representing the story of the conspiracy

Lisbon Independence Palace near Rossio

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

The building’s foundation stone was laid in 1509 and some of Manueline details from this time can still be detected in the inner courtyard, for example the door decorations. Two conical kitchen chimneys are reminiscent of the royal palace at Sintra.

Independence Palace Lisbon near Rossio kitchen chimneys

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

The Sociedade Historica da Independência de Portugal has its seat in this Palace. This society has awarded itself the task of keeping alive the memory of the happenings of December 1st, 1640 and the general consciousness of Portugal’s national history.

Every year on December 1st official memorial events take place both in the Palácio da Independência and at the nearby square Praça dos Restauradores

Independence Palace Lisbon Ana Maria Proserpio

Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence) Lisbon

Ana Maria Proserpio, Directora dos Serviços Culturais (Director of Portuguese Cultural Services). In Ana Maria’s hand the keys of the palace. If you are in Lisbon you can visit the palace .

Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm | Sat. and Sunday is also possible  (visits have a minimum of 5 people).
Price: € 3 per person or € 25 per group.

Palácio da Independência
Largo de São Domingos, 11
1150-320 Lisboa

Phone: 21 324 14 70 Facebook  Email: ship.geral@ship.pt

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The Napoleão wine shops in Lisbon, Ginja, the magic of vintage Port & free shipping

Vintage port is made only in exceptional years, must be bottled within 2 years of the harvest date and be 100 % wine from that harvest.

The magic of Vintage Port is different in every phase: as a young wine its captures the useful fruit characters, then after 20 years or more the effects of the slow bottle age integration are revealed and finally, after many decades the spirit dominates the wine. Vintage Port is amazing in all the three phases. A sua Saúde (to your health) !

Port Ramos Pinto Lisbon Napoleao

Napoleão, Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70, Lisbon, world wide delivery.

Famous poster: ‘the kiss’. As the couple leans together for a kiss, playful cupid offers them a glass of Ramos Pinto Port instead. ‘The kiss’ is one of the most recognized wine posters in the world. Founder of this Port House, Adriano Ramos Pinto, strongly believed in promotion both in Portugal and his primary market, Brazil. He backed his product with well-planned sales drive based on artistic advertisements.

Lisbon Napoleão shop Port Vintage & Ramos Pinto

Napoleão, Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70, Lisbon, world wide delivery.

The Napoleão wine shops, existing for more than 50 years in Lisbon, are specialised in the best Portuguese wines and Port wines. They can explain you all about the best Vintage years of the 20th Century.

Vintage Port tasting Napoleão shop Lisbon

Napoleão, Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70, Lisbon, world wide delivery.

You can taste the Port Wines for free and appreciate an exemplary service.

Lisbon Napoleão shop Vintage Port 2

Napoleão, Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70, Lisbon, world wide delivery.

”Of course, all the vintage years are very good, but some years are exceptional compared with the others”.

Lisbon Napoleão shop Port Wines Aguardentes street

Website Napoleão, Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70, Lisbon, world wide delivery.

A new store of the Napoleão family (in the same street). Besides: they also sell Portuguese wines like Vinho Verde, Aguardentes (similar to Cognac, Schnapps or Grappa) and the legendary wild Cherries Liqueur Ginja or Ginjinha. Famous small Ginjinha bar in Lisbon, Rossio

ginja_0020_de_0020_obidos

Napoleão, Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70, Lisbon, world wide delivery.

If you wish, you can order via their website.

Lisbon Napoleão shop Port wines cheap

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The strange history of National Theatre Doña Maria II Lisbon & backstage guided tours

Teatro Nacional Doña Maria II has a strange history, like a lot of historical buildings in Lisbon. It was built on the ruins of one of the city’s finest buildings, the Palácio dos Estaus, which had burned down and which had housed the court of the Holy Inquisition. The liberal revolution and the end of the civil war created a climate in Portugal that was conducive to the development of arts in general and the theater in particular.

National Theatre Dona Maria II Lisbon 1 Teatro Nacional

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon

In 1836, by order of Queen D. Maria II, Almeida Garrett (famous author and poet) was charged with creating a conservatoire for the dramatic arts. The site chosen for this colossal task was the finest in the city at Praça Dom Pedro IV, commemorates Portugal’s first liberal king. The square is usually simply referred to as Rossio (big square).

National Theatre Dona Maria II Rossio and wave pavement

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon

The theatre opened to the public on April 13 1846, the date of the anniversary of the queen it is named after, but the acoustics were poor and the theatre closed the very next day for improvements. It reopened several years later to notable success. In late November 1964, the theatre staged Shakespeare’ Macbeth. A strange superstition, or more appropiately a curse, hangs over theatres that perform this play: one week after the first show the whole building burned down except for its outer walls. It was reopened in 1978. Since then, countless plays, by the finest playwrights of the past and of today, have been performed and staged.

Rossio Lisbon Theatre National Dona Maria II and ginja cafe

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon

Today, Teatro D. Maria II is not merely a concert hall. Besides its majestic Garrett room, it also has a smaller room, while the great hall has been turned into a theatre/ studio, covering a whole world of activities that very often burst out from behind its venerable walls.

Theatre Dona Maria II Lisbon near Rossio Station

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon

On the other side of the theatre you’ll find the unique Rossio train- and metro station (Estação do Rossio)

National Theatre Dona Maria Rossio Lisbon hall

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon

You can discover the theater (or take the time to enjoy a good show).

From Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 13:00/ 15:00 to 17:00 there are guided tours, in several languages, to the backstage of the theater. A journey that reveals the secrets and stories of Teatro Nacional D. Maria II.  (website)

Lisbon National Theatre Dona Maria II view from cafe Garett Rossio Christmas

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon: view Rossio square

Christmas time. Café Garrett, beside the theatre’s foyer, one of the most perfectly located cafés in Lisbon, facing the lively Rossio Square

Lisbon cafe Garrett Theatre Dona Maria II facing Rossio

National Theatre D. Maria II Lisbon

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Famous tea/lunchroom Versailles Lisbon & surrounding areas

If you like to walk around outside of tourist areas go to Saldanha , the fashionable Avenidas Novas (a part of Lisbon built in the 1950s), with department stores, cinemas, museums, supermarkets and libraries.

Lisbon Versailles tearoom restaurant outside Avenida Republica

Avenida da República near Saldaña square. A must-do is to have breakfast or lunch in the wonderful old tea- and lunchroom Pastelaria Versailles (opened in 1922) which has it’s own bakery.

Saldana Lisbon statue Square Praça do Duque de Saldana

Praça Duque de Saldaña. Monument of the great liberal Marshal who gives the square its name. Designed by Thomaz Costa and Ventura Terra, unveiled in 1909. The base of the monument contains a bronze figure of victory. At Saldaña Square there’s the highly frequented cinema Monumental where many young Portuguese meet in the bar of the cinema, ‘Movies’ .

Saldana Restaurant Galeto Lisbon december 08

Famous restaurant Galeto, a classic spot. Avenida Da República, 14. Open from 07.30 am – 03.30 (!). Delicious food and quite cheap (dinner and snacks). Galeto (movie) is well known in Lisbon for its friendly and courteous service.

Lisbon market in Arroios fish

Market mercado de Arroios , fresh fish, flowers and fruit. Arroios is a very atmospheric working class neighborhood with great markets and very good prices in restaurants and shops.

Lisbon little shops Estefania neighborhoos

Estefania: a nice and very quiet area, with lots of typical Portuguese small business ‘mom and pop’ and food shops.

Lisbon cheap tradtional restaurants Estefania

Rua Ilha da Terceira, Estefania. To eat out, try the pastelerias (cheap small restaurants, great Portugese food). Not one tourist in sight…..Chiado, Baixia and Alfama are easily reached by public transport, and even at night a taxi isn’t more than 5 euros.

Lisbon Estefania Rua da Ilha Terceira restaurant owners

The bill? Grilled salmon 5,50 euro, soup 0,90. A glass of wine 0,75.

Lisbon Saldanha luxurous shopping center

Luxury shopping center Saldanha, quite near Avenida da Liberdade, (Liberty Avenue). This broad boulevard is the Portuguese equivalent of the Champs Elysees in Paris with lots of luxury boutiques selling international brands.

Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade Pombal statue

Marquis of Pombals’ statue , a despotic marquis….more…..The Rotunda, or, officially, Praça do Marqués de Pombal

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Hair saloon Salão S. Tomé e Principe Unissexo in historical area Mouraria Lisbon & Antonia

Mouraria, one of the oldest, historical areas in Lisbon, is an intriguing earthy place. Nowadays it’s a melting pot: there are the people with their origin from the once Portuguese colonies, especially from Angola, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe Islands, but also from other African countries; the Indian and the Chinese, the biggest representatives of Asia. There’s lots of small shops: typical Portuguese, Indian and a lot of Chinese.

Antonia in front of the saloon Salão S. Tomé e Principe Unissexo Centro Comercial Mouraria Lisbon

Antonia is my favorite hairstylist in Lisbon and she always makes me very happy 😉

Antonia hairdresser Salão S. Tomé e Principe Unissexo Centro Comercial Mouraria Lisbon

In the Mouraria shopping centre, you’ll find African hairdressers, Indian and Chinese food stores and all manner of Brazilian kitsch and knock-off gold in between.

Salão S. Tomé e Principe Unissexo

Antonia worked in Tomé Costa’s AfroLuso hair saloon, now it does not exist anymore. Happily for me Antonia works nearby in the neighbourhood in a saloon called Salão S. Tomé e Principe Unissexo

Tomé Costa 2 years ago:” We started a hair saloon in 1998 in a very small place. About 2 years  ago we opened our new saloon. Among our clients are tourists, but also lots of people who live in this neighborhood. We are very appy with this place”. ‘”Our parents moved to Portugal, we are born here, coming from the São Tomé and Príncipe Islands , a former Portuguese colony located near the northwestern coast of Gabon”. (The islands achieved independence in 1975).”

Tomé Costa African hairdresser Mouraria14

Ladies, gentlemen and children haircuts (from 5-8,50 euro), colouring (from 15 euro), manicure, pedicure and make-up (Kerli products) ; or maybe you prefer an old-fashioned barbershop-shave? (3,50)

Tomé Costa Afro hairdresser Calcada do Mouraria Lisbon5

The atmosphere in the saloon is very warm and welcoming, the staff is super friendly. While waiting for clients these two nice hairsylists enjoy the music….

Tomé Costa Afro Luso hairdresser Calcada da Mouraria Lisbon 9

Ankls Leima Sacramento Neto

The saloon is open from Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 19:00, Sundays and Holidays from 10:00 – 17:00.

Phone number Antonia: 00351 964845367

Antonia extentions

Hair extensions, fuzzy hair or braids? Antonia prefers extensions..

Tomé Costa Afro hairdresser Calcada da Mouraria Lisbon6

 

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Stylish Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon, great spot near vibrant Bairro Alto & champaign

Cool lounge bar in Lisbon with a laid-back vibe. Bicaense is very popular with a youthful and stylish, Portuguese crowd. Located on a rather steep street, Rua da Bica Duarte Belo, 38-42, Santa Catarina, climbed by the famous Bica funicular. Bairro Alto, nearby, is a fantastic area to explore the vibrant and alternative nightlife in Lisbon.

The Bicaense bar is split into two rooms.

Bicaense Bar Lisbon champaign birthday Laura

Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon

Cheers! Laura’ s (second right) midnight birthday surprise: champaign.

Bicaense bar Lisbon Champaign birthday Laura

Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon

Caipirinhas and champaign: we had a great time that night!

Bicaense Bar Lisbon near Bairro Alto room 2 dancefloor

Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon

In the second room the resident DJs pumping out hip house to really get people in the mood for dancing.

Bicaense Bar Lisbon dancefloor room 2 DJ

Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon DJ Rycardo

This bar is a great spot to hit before visiting Lisbon’s clubs like the Docas de Alcantâra, or world famous club Lux , Website

Bar Biaense Lisbon street at night

Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon

In case the bar is too crowded: you can always take your drinks outside!

Bicaense Bar Lisbon near Bairro Alto street at night

Bicaense lounge Bar Lisbon   Facebook