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Square Martim Moniz Lisbon: tram 28, dancing & aphrodisiacs

Update January 2019: unfortunlately the streetfood kiosks disappeared on this square 🙁  , soon plans will be announced about the ‘new look’.

At this square there’s the starting point of the legendary tram 28, a ‘must do’ Lisbon attraction.

Square Martim Moniz : Kiosk ‘A Preta’ (‘The Black’) : João (Johnny) and his sister Luiza Gabriel

Kiosk with a tropical touch. João and his sister Luiza (DJ Lady G Brown) serve super good hamburgers, delicious pinchos (meat on a stick), salades and fresh juices. They were born in Angola, a former colony of Portugal (from the 16th century to 1975). They moved to Lisbon in 1982. Johnny worked a few years in Amsterdam and he speaks a little Dutch (‘lekker!‘)

Kiosk ‘A Preta’ Square Martim Moniz Lisbon; hamburger with salad and potatoes € 5,50. Delicious! Salad: 4.00 €

Square Martim Moniz, located in the most multicultural area in Lisbon is nowadays a place where you can enjoy a light (also vega) meal in the sun: a meeting of cultures that will host delicacies from the four corners of the world, in the weekends there’s a market selling biological products, shops, music and shows.

Castle of Saint Jorge (Castelo de São Jorge ) overlooking square Martim Moniz Lisbon

Here you can eat samosas, or a pizza, or ice cream, or a hamburger, or a vegetarian snack … drinking a cold beer, listen to live music or a DJ and enjoy the warm summer evenings. The Castelo de São Jorge overlooking the historical centre of Lisbon, and the entire square has a view of the castle.

Square Martim Moniz : vegetarian kiosk Erva & Carla Contige

Kiosk with green cuisine: vegetarian, vegan and macrobiotic specialities, made with fresh ingredients and prepared with love by Carla Contige…. You must try the salad, full of fruit, greens and seeds, or a Vega burger (€ 5).

Square Martim Moniz : kiosk mr. Leader (BBQMM)

Kiosk with a cook of Chinese origin. I tasted his creation of an empadão, a mix of minced meat and mashed potatoes.

Empadão (pie) mix: minced meat with mashed potatoes, linguiça (smoke cured pork sausage seasoned with garlic and paprika), bacon an dried chili peppers

Delicious! ( 3.50 euro)

Square Martim Moniz Mercado de Fusão

Aphrodisiacs and liqueurs like Licor de Merda (made of shit)  😉

The Liqor de Merda was born in 1974. It is a Portuguese alcoholic drink and the literal translation is “Shit liqueur”. Portugal went through a turbulent period marked by the struggle bewteen left and right. It was made to “honour” the government and, despite being a milk licor, it is said that it’s made with the best different types of shit.

Square Martim Moniz Kiosk ‘A Preta’ : here you can enjoy sun and music (DJ is Rycardo)

YouTube Square Martim Moniz Lisbon

On Thursdays and Fridays from 3 PM to midnight there’s a DJ ( Soul, Funcky, Reggae, World Music, Jazz and more..) to liven up the square and to get you in the mood for the weekend.

Square Martim Moniz Lisbon: people are invited to dance for ONE BILLION RISING

There’s also a stage on the square, always ready to host concerts, lectures, workshops and much more….. A Fun Track is also available in one of the kiosks, which rents pedal karts, streetsurfing boards, scooters, skateboards and roller skates for both children and adults.

Square Martim Moniz Lisbon, Christmas period

Every day the kiosks are open from 10:00 till midnight. On Thursdays and Fridays from 3 PM to midnight there’s a DJ . Every Saturday and Sunday a Fusion market is held here, Mercado de fusão (10h às 19h), bringing together the Martim Moniz retail trade with famous shops in the city.

Near this square is the starting point of the legendary tram 28.

Knight & hero Martim Moniz

Stylized depiction in the square Martim Moniz metro station

Hotel Mundal rooftop terrace Ans de Graaf Jan 16

Saint Jorge Castle Lisbon: view from rooftop terrace hotel Mundial square Martim Moniz & Ans de Graaf from Holland

History Saint Jorge Castle & hero Martim Moniz

Who was Martim Moniz? He was a hero! He sacrificed himself in 1147. According to the legend, Martim Moniz was a knight participating in the Christian invasion force, led by king Afonso I of Portugal. At one point in the siege of São Jorge Castle, he saw the Moors closing the castle doors. He led an attack on the doors, and sacrificed himself by lodging himself in the doorway, preventing the defenders from fully closing the door.

Rob Plews December 2012 Praca Martim Moniz kiosk A Preta

Friend Rob Plews: square Martim Moniz Lisbon 2016

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Lisbon’s historical center & hanging laundry drying in the wind

Typical Portuguese is the hanging laundry, drying in the wind. In the narrow labyrinth of cobbled alleys of Lisbon’s ancient center it’s very nice to walk around 🙂

Lisbbon an Laundry Heineken

Restaurant Solar do Duque. Calcada do Duque 

Calcada do Duque  is a street made of hundreds of stairs to bohemien area Bairro Alto, lined with lots of traditional Portuguese restaurants, near Largo Duque de Cadaval, a square full of open-air cafes near the beautiful Rossio Station.

Lisbon Laundry Castelo

Around the Castle of St. Jorge (Castelo de São Jorge)

Tiny and partially restored ancient neighborhood of Santa Cruz do Castelo , is one of the most picturesque parts of Lisbon.

Lisbon hanging laundry Pensao Flor1

Mouraria, historical part of Lisbon

City center historical area Mouraria (this laundry is not mine)  😉

Laundry Lisbon small socks and bra

Mouraria, Rua dos Cavaleiros.

From here, you can walk to a beautiful viewpoint over the city, Miradouro da Graça.

Bairro Alto hanging hand washing laundry

Bairro Alto Lisbon, a wonderful area for a night out!

Many older people still wash by hand..

Bairro Alto Lisbon hanging laundry

Bairro Alto.

During daytime, the famous Bairro is a very quiet district, it’s really worth it to walk around: trendy shops, art galleries and fashion. At night, bars suddenly appear everywhere from behind the shutter doors.

Lisbon laundry Rua dos Bacalhoeiros near Alfama

Quite close to the historic Alfama neighborhood

Very nice street to walk around at Lisbon’ city center is Rua dos Bacalhoeiros (street of the cod fish sellers).

Hanging laundry Alfama

Alfama (more…..)

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Nostalgic Moorish kiosks in Lisbon, gathering places & Portuguese snacks

On August 6, 711 Lisbon was taken by the Moors, 400 years later the city returned to Christian rule.  Nowadays the Moorish influence is still present, like the nostalgic kiosks (quiosque), serving traditional Portuguese refreshments and snacks.

Kiosks in Lisbon Camões Square

Kiosk Camões Square (Praça Luís de Camões), Lisbon

Just behind Camões’ statue , close to the statue of Portugal’s famous writer and poet Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935),  still mobbed by many tourists nowadays ; nearby great city views from luxury hotel Bairro Alto’s roof terrace  and, one of my favorites, a cheap and traditional Portuguese restaurant ‘Casa da India’.

Kiosks in Lisbon drinks Principe Real

Small kiosk Park Lisbon Principe Real

After shopping people like to take a break in this wonderful park with lots of exotic plants and trees, near Bairro Alto, posssibly one of the best (and gay) spots in Europe for a night out!

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

Kiosks in Lisbon drinks Principe Real2

Lisbon Kiosk Rua Dom Pedro

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

Kiosks in Lisbon Sao Roque museum church restaurant

Lisbon kiosk Largo Trindade Coelho

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

Kiosks in Lisbon Cais do Sodre train station and ferry

Small kiosk Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

A major bus station is sited outside the front of the Cais do Sodré station, with a Carris small kiosk selling transport passes, tickets and guides.

Cais do Sodré  is Lisbon’s major bus, metro, trainstation (‘Linha de Cascais’ , name of the train line joining Lisbon to Cascais), and ferry terminal.

Wonderful 20 minutes ferry trip idea from here : ferry to Cacilhas at the other side of the river Tagus and how to reach the amazing Cristo Rei monument

Kiosks in lisbon Viewpont city de São Pedro de Alcântara

Lisbon viewpont Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

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

Kiosks in Lisbon fleamarket Feira da Ladra

Kiosk above Lisbon’s famous flea market Feira da Ladra .

The Moorish influence is still present in areas Alfama and in Mouraria, where the Moors kept on living in the city after the conquist and gathered in this area.

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

Adamastor Moorish kiosk near Tagus river

Kiosk river Tagus viewpoint Miradoura de Santa Catarina. Lisbon

‘Adamastor’, a popular gathering place in Lisbon overlooking the Tagus river, which is officially called the Miradouro de Santa Catarina.

From this vista point you have the most breathtaking views on the Tagus river, the 25th of April Bridge and the Cristo Rei monument, nearby my favorite cafe/bar Noobai

Kiosks in Lisbon Sao Paulo near Cais do Sodre

Kiosk Rua de São Paulo, near Cais do Sodré  station Lisbon

On the other side of the road,  Mercado da Ribeira (famous market near the river, since 1882), topped with a Moorish-style dome.

Kiosks in Lisbon snacks1

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Lisbon Rossio Square: history cafe Suíça, shoeshine boys & begging hands

The beautiful and very popular tourist attraction Rossio Square, the popular name of the Pedro IV Square (Praça de D. Pedro IV), has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations, bullfights and executions.

Rossio Lisbon Shoe shine boy

Rossio square 

Nowadays Rossio square is a preferred meeting place of Lisbon natives and tourists alike and the most congested area for traffic in the city center.

Lisbon Rossio Square

Rossio Square Lisbon

This square has been a meeting place for people of Lisbon for centuries. Some of the cafés and shops of the square date from the 18th century, like the Café Nicola, where Barbosa du Bocage , a Portuguese poet, used to meet friends.

Lisbon cafe Nicola Rossio Square

Famous Café Nicola, Praça Dom Pedro IV 26 (founded in 1929).

It was here that the first Portuguese women dared to break the male stranglehold on cafe-going.  Rossio’s cafes are popular for sitting and watching the world go by.

Lisbon Rossio Pastelaria Suica inside

Pastelaria Suíça, Praça Dom Pedro IV 101

UPDATE September 1, 2018

On August 31, 2018 Pastelaria Suiça – a veritable symbol of Rossio – closed its doors forever. It is said a 5  star hotel will be built here ..

Pastelaria Suíça was a traditional Portuguese cafe/restaurant, famous for its huge variety of delicious cakes and pastries.

Lisbon Pastelaria Suica delicious cakes

Pastelaria Suíça, Praça Dom Pedro IV 101

During World War II this place (Suíça means Switzerland) was the meeting point where those in exile negotiated their tickets to freedom.

Lisbon Patelaria Suica Rossio

Pastelaria Suíça terrace, Praça D. Pedro IV 96/101.

Be aware of pickpockets

Locals appreciate this cafe/restaurant just as much as tourists. The waiters are not always very nice. Being a tourist, be aware of pickpockets: while enjoying a delicious cálice de vinho do Porto (a glass of Port Wine), somebody tried to steel my friend’s bag from under her chair. Happily a friendly waiter warned us just in time! Be aware when you visit touristical attractions and terraces.

Nearby you can taste a Ginjinha, a liqueur made of a cherry-like berry, a typical Lisbon spirit.

Kisbon Praca da Figueria view from terrace Suica

From cafe/restaurant Pastelaria Suica ‘s terrace at the back a view of the square Praça da Figueira (English: Square of the Fig Tree) and the São Jorge Castle.

Lisbon Suica Pastelaria street performance living statue

Street performances (‘living statue’), newspaper vendors, street traders (offering cheap watches or ‘jewellery’), lottery ticket sellers, ‘psssst drugs’ sellers and begging hands……….also some lovely shops, like the unique hatmakers shop Chapelaria Azevedo Rua (opened in 1886)

And, of course, in wintertime, the unmistakeable smell of roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas)

Lisbon Rossio lottery ticket sellers

Lisbon Rossio lottery ticket seller 

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Lisbon Praça do Comércio: Sunday flea, coins, (eco) handicraft market & erotic art

Do you enjoy flea market shopping? Every Sunday morning there’s a small market at Lisbon’s famous square Praça do Comércio (‘Commerce Square’) , where you can find antiques, books, collectioner’s items, vinyl music albums, stamps, coins and (eco) handicraft. In summertime this market also take place on Saturdays.

Flea market Praca do Comercio Sundays2

Sunday market at Praça do Comércio  Lisbon

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

Sunday flea vintage market Lisbon 3 erotic handicraft

Sunday market at Praça do Comércio  Lisbon

Carlos Lages – erotic fantasy art ‘Father of the Humanity’ : 8 euro

Sunday flea vintage handicraft market Lisbon2 eco bags

Sunday market at Praça do Comércio  Lisbon

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

Lisbon Sunday flea handicraft vintage market Lisbon5

Sunday market at Praça do Comércio  Lisbon

Fernando del Pretti – video on his blog with a wonderful vintage magnetic collection (from 2 euro) and 20th Century Portuguese magazines.

Sunday flea vintage handicraft market Lisbon6 Praca do Comercio Lisbon

Sunday market at Praça do Comércio  Lisbon

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

Sunday flea handicraft vintage market Lisbon1

Sunday market at Praça do Comércio  Lisbon

This outdoor market is held every Sunday from 9am to 3pm (summer hours are 8am to 2pm)

Flea market Praca do Comercio Lisbon Sundays5

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Bar Flamingo historic Mouraria Lisbon & crazy psychedelic bathroom

Reopened May 10, 2018: new owners

The Flamingo Bar in area Mouraria is one of the best surprises in Lisbon. A perfect place for a night out (till 03:00)!

Strike a pose!! Bar Flamingo in Lisbon, owners Jorge Gomes Moreira & Ana Batel,  June 2017

Vintage decor with an aristocratic twist

The space, a former lavandaria (dry cleaning shop), is cozy, quite small, but with a very original decor 🙂 😉

Bar, dance- and nightclub Flamingo is situated at the same square as the famous bar Anos 60, that has recently closed its doors: Largo do Terreirinho in Lisbon.

Bar Flamingo Lisbon: June 12, Lisbon’s craziest night , friends Margriet, Rob, Lilja & bar owner Jorge

Owners Flamingo Bar: Ana Batel & Jorge Gomes Moreira

Owner Ana Batel: ‘Flamingo is a journey, you’ll never know what’s going to happen but you always can count with good mood: Time Out Lisbon rated our bar the bar with best good mood for square meter !! although we only have a few square meters 😉  ‘.
‘Good music, especially when me, Ana, choose the playlist, sorry Jorge… and of course there’s the craziest psycadellic bathroom in Lisbon – a bathroom that turns into a disco floor’.
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Bar Flamingo, the craziest psychedelic bathroom in Lisbon & Saturday Night Fever!
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Strike a pose!! We’re always vogueing!
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Owner Ana Batel: ‘Dead Combo (a Portuguese Indie Electronica band) shoot all the photos of their latest album in Flamingo, but especially from us… 😉  we’re always vogueing! Strike a pose!!’
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Bar Flamingo in area Mouraria Lisbon: Colin Ginks & Garçon Niere
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Variety of music styles & Ana’s famous cocktails
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Surprising music: hip hop, rap, funk, jazz and unclassifiable.
Although this small bar opened not so long ago in Mouraria, Ana’s (gin) cocktails are already famous in Lisbon…… !
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Bar Flamingo in area Mouraria Lisbon & cocktail Red Hot Chili Gin 🙂
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Cocktails  € 4 –  € 8);  Gin € 5 – € 10
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Bar Flamingo owner Ana: ” Cucumber Daiquiris, Red Hot Chilli Gins, Peach Margueritas & so on & of course infinitive madness!! – that’s why Atlas Lisboa rated us one of the best of 2016!! “
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Bar Flamingo in area Mouraria Lisbon, owner Ana Batel & June 12, Lisbon’s craziest night
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Happy hour: always from 6 to 8 p.m
Beer Estrella Galicia (20 cl) 1€;
small sangria 1€;
cocktail of the day 4€;
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Bar Flamengo in area Mouraria Lisbon & 2 very nice girls!
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Cocktails from 5€ to 8€; Gin from 5€ to 10€; whisky, vodka & rum 5€;
liquors 3€ to 4€. Beer from 1,5€ to 3€, Wine 2€ (glass)
Shots 2€
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Bar Flamingo in area Mouraria Lisbon & decor with an aristrocatic twist 🙂 😉
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June 12: Lisbon’s craziest night & Santo Antonio (Saint Anthony’s Day)
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In June, the month of the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints), the Lisbon nights are filled with lively festivities that take over the city’s historical center. On the Eve of Saint Anthony’s Day, June 12, Lisbon turns into one big party!
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Bar Flamingo in area Mouraria Lisbon & June 12 2017, Lisbon’s craziest night
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Bar- dance & nightclub Flamingo – Largo do Terreirinho 16, Lisbon
Tuesday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m
Fridays & Saturdays from 6 p.m to 3 a.m.
Sundays from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Happy hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m (wine 1 euro, beer 1 euro) Facebook (more info)

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Bar Flamingo in historic area Mouraria : Largo do Terreirinho 16 Lisbon
5 minutes walk from square Martim Moniz (tram 15, 28 stop & metro)
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Lisbon’s Botanical Garden: designed in 1873, unique & one of Europe’s finest

Tucked away in the Principe Real dictrict, near Bairro Alto, the Botanical Garden (1873) is a lush retreat from the afternoon sun.

April 2018:  reopened after renovations – Video Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden Lisbon entrance

Lisbon’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)

The University of Lisbon Botanical Garden was designed as a scientific garden, planting began in 1873 through the initiative of two professors, the Earl of Ficalho and Andrade Corvo.

Entrance with beautiful palms: Rua Politécnica 58, Principe Real

Botanical Garden Lisbon ticket office

Lisbon’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)

Ticket office in the garden. Tickets: cheap. Children up to 6 years: free

Botanical Garden Lisbon Ficus macrophylla

Lisbon’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)

Ficus macrophylla (moreton bay fig)

The great diversity of plants gathered from every corner of the world under Portuguese rule by its earliest gardeners – the German, E. Goeze, and the Frenchman, J. Daveau – illustrated Portugal’s colonial power at the time, though in Europe it was seen as a small and rather peripheral nation.

Botanical Garden Lisbon couple enjoy the garden

Lisbon’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)

It’s really wonderful to walk around and sit down for a while in this haven of tranquility and serenity. The park offers the ideal place to explore the vastness and beauty of nature. Wander along mosaic paths under tall palms, take in the scents of the herb garden and visit the colourful butterfly house.

Botanical Garden Lisbon Dracaena Draco dragon tree

Dracaena Draco (dragon tree) Lisbon’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)

The systematic collections serve various fields of botanical research, demonstrating to the public and visiting schools the great diversity of plant forms and various ecological processes. They also represent an important and effective way of conserving plants whose survival is threatened.

Botanical Garden Lisbon 2 ladies making pics

Lisbon’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)

Some collections deserve a special mention. The outstanding diversity of palms, brought from all continents, confers an unexpectedly tropical atmosphere to several locations in the garden. Cycads, real living fossils representing ancient and mostly extinct floras, are one of the garden’s hallmarks. Nowadays they are extremely rare and certain species are preserved only in botanical gardens.

Botanical Garden Lisbon Pome granate

Pomegranade, native to semitropical Asia.

The garden is particularly rich in tropical species from New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South America, illustrating the mild climate and the special microclimates produced in the garden.

Lisbon Botanical garden

Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa  FACEBOOK 
Rua Escola Politécnica 58
Website

Open: summer (1 April to 31 October): everyday from 09:00 to 20:00.Weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 20:00.Winter: everyday from 09:00 to 18:00. Weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on Christmas and New Years day.                          

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Lisbon LX Factory Gastrobar ‘Rio Maravilha’: great river views & disappointing experience

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha (Wonderful River) is situated on the fourth floor of one of the nowadays trendy ‘LX factory’ buildings in the Alcântara (‘bridge’ in Arabic) district in Lisbon, surrounded by huge windows overlooking the Tagus river, the 25 April bridge and the Cristo Rei statue .

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha Lisbon & wonderful view 25 April bridge from a formerly factory building

Very different from the usual 🙂

We didn’t have to wait long before the friendly welcoming staff seated us at a small table near one of the the huge windows: what a wonderful view! The multi flowered designed chairs and the bright pink coloured outfits chosen for the waitresses are quite surprising.

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha, ‘LX factory’ Lisbon & the restaurant’s decor

The whole space is very different from the usual. But you can expect this from those who already are experienced of managing remarkable spaces in Lisbon like unique bar ‘Pensao Amor’ in a former red light district and restaurant ‘Casa do Pasto’ , with sophisticated Portuguese cuisine. A few months ago this place, ‘Rio Maravilha’ was opened, influenced by Brazilian flavors.

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha, ‘LX factory’ Lisbon: squid salad & grilled mushrooms

We decided to order a few small dishes like Salade de Lulas (squid salad, grilled sweet potatoes, onion and croutons) € 15.60, Cogumelos na Brasa (grilled mushrooms, foliage of sour cream and chestnuts) € 13.70, Ovo BT (egg BT) € 9.80, Hambúrguer de Novilho (veal) € 9.10,  and a bottle of white wine: VB Filoco € 12.00.

Surprising : Ovo BT, a poached egg accompanied by cream cheese with some marmalade, parmesan cheese and ibérico pancetta.

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha, ‘LX factory’ Lisbon & wonderful views

Disappointing

The Hambúrguer de Novilho (veal) was not such a good experience: we ate just a little bit of it, due to the unpleasant ‘aftertaste’. According to the waitress nothing was wrong, but both we had no good feeling, also afterwards… (the restaurant is aware of our complaint, they asked to come again to enjoy a better experience, that’s all 🙁  ). BTW: the hamburger was not mentioned on our bill.

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha, LX factory Lisbon, entrance & very friendly staff

Gastrobar Rio Maravilha
Tuesday from 18:00 – 02:00
Wednesday u/i Saturday 12:30 – 02:00 – Sunday: 12:30 -18:00
Closed on Monday – facebook Rua Rodrigues de Faria, 103

LX Factory | 4th floor, Lisbon  MORE about this area

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Lisbon tourist guide Josephine: Mouraria, narrow streets & drinking Ginja

Josephine Lucassen is a professional guide, licensed by the city of Lisbon. She loves it to organise private walking tours for a group of tourists in this old and wonderful city!

Mouraria, Lisbon: Escadinhas de São Cristóvão & Josephine Lucassen, guide

Example: a walking tour through the oldest parts of Lisbon, the popular districts of Alfama and Mouraria, the ancient areas that have survived the earthquake of 1755.

The many winding alleys still show the traces of the Moorish domination (from 711-1108). It is said that Fado music was born in Mouraria around 1820.

São Cristóvão (St. Christopher’s) Church in Mouraria Lisbon

Walk in historic Mouraria area March 18 & NV Lissabon members

Mouraria Lisbon: stairs to Rua de São Cristóvão

The best way to start this walk is from Rua da Madalena and then climb the stairs Escadinhas de São Cristóvão.

Mouraria Lisbon: Rua de São Cristóvão in wintertime

Josephine: “I was born in Holland in a small village in Drente. After some travel jobs (f.i. Hotelplan) I prefered to live in Portugal. I’m happily married to a sympathetic Portuguese man, Jorge. Together we have 2 children. My curiosity and also the beauty of Portugal made me decide to study at the University of Lisbon. Now I am a professional,  licenced tourist guide with a lot of experience and a passion for history”.

Artisanat Portugais vintage & curiosites

‘A Loja’: Artisanat Portugais, vintage & Curiosités, Rua de São Cristóvão 3

Josephine: “On the corner of this street there’s a nice shop for tourists with typical Portuguese pottery and much more. We continue our walk in the small alleys of the Mouraria area and then we enjoy a drink in one of the pubs: the famous Portuguese liqueur Ginja (or Ginjinha), a must when you visit Lisbon!”

A sua saúde! (cheers!) Josephine in Mouraria Lisbon, area with lots of old bars and narrow streets.

Ginjinha, or simply Ginja, is a liqueur made of a cherry-like berry called (not surprisingly) Ginja. The berries are fermented into a brandy that’s slightly bitter, slightly sweet and very sticky. It is a favourite liqueur of many Portuguese. You can order a Ginja for little money, with or without a cherry in it.

Mouraria Lisbon: historical area with tiny steets and small bars

Fado

Josephine: “Now we walk to Rua do Capelão, to visit the house of the first fadista, Maria Severa. Maria died very young after a passionate liaison with a nobleman in 1846.

Also grew up in Mouraria: famous singer Mariza. Amália Rodrigues, ‘queen of Fado’, was born nearby. Fado house Maria da Mouraria

Mouraria, Lisbon, a hidden place: beautiful very old tiles (azulejos)

Portugal is famous for its decorative tiles (azulejos). In Mouraria there’s a hidden place where you find beautiful tiles representing biblical- and scenes of Portugal’s rich history and culture. Azulejos are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces and ordinary houses.

Square Martim Moniz February 2013: Kiosk ‘A Preta’:  João (Johnny)

Josephine: “Then we finish our trip enjoying a drink in the sun at square Martim Moniz, nowadays with lots of terraces and food kiosks. This is where the historic Mouraria neighborhood starts, a multicultural area. The food here is also very good.

Lisbon Square Martim Moniz: Kiosk ‘A Preta’: guide Josephine & ???

This man, for both of us completely unknown, asked me to make a picture of him together with this beautiful lady  🙂

Starting point legendary tram 28

This square Martim Moniz is also the starting point for the legendary tram 28, a ‘must- do’ Lisbon attraction.

Alfama, historical area in Lisbon: Escadinhas Santo Estêvão

Private city walking tours

Josephine: “For some years I organize private walking tours for groups. Many tourists miss the hidden gems of Lisbon, simply because they did not know about them!

Lisbon river Tagus viewpoint (miradouro) Santa Catarina or Adamastor

Josephine: “Another idea for a 4-hour walking tour is a start near the river Tagus: Cais do Sodré, famous fish market Mercado do Ribeiro, cute and famous little tram to the top of the Bica area, river Tagus viewpoint Santa Catarina, bohemien neighborhood Bairro Alto, along Sao Bento palace, park in Principe Real with one of the oldest cedar trees in Lisbon. Finally Rossio, a wonderful square with historical buildings and of course: liqueur Ginja!

Tourist attraction Lisbon: sculpture Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, kissed by a young girl more than 75 years after his dead….

Tailored Tours

“How about a tour tailored to your specific needs? A walking full day tour combined with old trams and funiculars would be a perfect idea”.

Price: from € 15, 00 per person (4 hours) Full day tour € 25 pp.  Minimum 4 people (max. 10).

Mail josephinelucassen@yahoo.com or call: 00351 966 361 983 . Facebook

“My favorite place in Lisbon? Pffffffff, not easy, one of them is river viewpoint Portas do Sol, especially by night…..amazing!”

Tagus river viewpoint (Miradouro) Portas do Sol, Alfama Lisbon

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Former Palace garden Lisbon ‘Tapada das Necessidades’: birthday cake & gossip

Exotic garden Tapada das Necessidades in Lisbon is a guarded secret even the most Lisboetas don’t know about. Beautiful grounds and palace peeling pink paint, with an incredible cactus garden and a setting for a picnic you usually only see in films. Since a few years it’s open to the public/tourists and it’s free!

Tapada das Necessidades garden Lisbon: birthday picnic party June 2012

Between the famous Prazeres cemetery (also really worth a visit!) and the river Tagus (Tejo) you can find this large (about 10 ha) exotical park, including a wonderful picnic area, a network of walkways, historical buildings, a garden and 3 lakes. The grounds of the palace contain a remarkable collection of exotic plants known as “Tapada das Necessidades”.

Tapada das Necessidades Lisbon: Lilja & the candy-pink birthday cake, June 2012

Surprise birthday picnic & special birthday cake

Our lovely friend Lilja Plews (70) from England, born in Iceland, was invited for a surprise birthday picnic.

This beautiful lady likes shopping, like handbags, hats and shoes, and she loves to try on every pair of shoes before deciding whether to buy anything at all 😉  . That’s why this special birthday cake: a pink ‘hat’ decorated with elegant ladies shoes and a small handbag on top.

Exotic garden ‘Tapada das Necessidades’ Lisbon: prime location for a picnic or a lazy afternoon

The Palace (Palácio) das Necessidades was built in the 18th century in gratitude for prayers answered by Nossa Senhora das Necessidades (Our Lady of the Needs, a title dedicated to the Virgin Mary), whose first devotional chapel stood on this site.

Nowadays this palace is a Portuguese National Monument

Garden ‘Tapada das Necessidades’ Lisbon: walk through the immense, amazing garden

The ‘Tapada das Necessidades’ has been the stage for some important events in Portuguese history, as exemplified in the famous case of the box that king Dom Pedro V installed at the door, in wich everyone could leave their messages and complaints to the sovereign.

From 1910, the palace remained unoccupied for almost 40 years. In around 1950 it became the headquarters of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Garden Tapada das Necessidades Lisbon: Rob and Felipe, June 2012

Sanitairy facilities & trees

It is really wonderful to walk in this garden, you have the feeling that it’s all yours, because there are almost no other people around… In the park are no sanitairy facilities, the guardians at the entrance cried: ” enough trees here”!…. 😉  😉

There are three lakes surrounded by exotic vegetation, sculptures, a waterfall, a fountain and a pool. Really beautiful but faded elegance….

Lilja Plews: “Hello? Thank you! I’m currently in Lisbon.. Yes! Celebrating my 70th birthday”

Small pink-washed cottages & gossip

Besides: officially the few small pink-washed cottages in this park were once the little prince’s playhouses. But there are rumors that young women lived in those little pink houses, being the mistresses of the king …  😉

One of the little pink-painted houses in the garden: playhouse for the little prince?

The abandoned buildings create a mysterious atmosphere…..and inside there’ s a lot of trash..

Tapada das Necessidades garden Lisbon: entrance/exit near the Palace

How to get there? Take the 28 tram to Prazeres.

The main entrance of the park Tapada das Necessidades is through the Largo das Necessidades. This park is open to the public every day of the week – including Saturdays and Sundays, the entrance is guarded but entry is free.

The Palace (Palácio) das Necessidades, June 2012

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Open: wintertime 8h – 18h (from Monday u/i Friday), from 10h – 18h (Saturday and Sunday). Summertine 8h – 19h (from Monday u/i Friday), from 10h – 19h (Saturday/Sunday)