A Lisbon guide from the inside

September 12, 2015October 25, 2019

Lisbon for children: the Oceanarium & the Science Museum: see, do & learn!

Lisbon is a very children-friendly city and a perfect destination for a few days with the family. The mild climate makes it ideal to explore the city, with places of interest and a lot of fun for children!

Lisbon Oceanarium a wonderful experience

Who’s watching who? Picture: Abilio Leitao

The famous Oceanarium (Oceanário) in Lisbon is the largest aquarium in Europe, with over one million visitors per year. The main tank contains approximately 5000 litres of water! A remarkable but hidden world with creatures weird and wonderful. The guided tours are a powerful educational tool that covers a broad range of scientific knowledge and stimulates learning about the oceans.

Lisbon Oceanarium Himantura uarnak Honeycomb stingray

Picture: Carla Robalo Martins. Himantura uarnak (Honeycomb stingray)

The Lisbon Oceanarium website (also in English) includes all the info you need about opening hours, exhibiotions, prices and how to get there. Located in Parque das Nações (Park of the Nations), at the south end of Doca dos Olivais, a wonderful area for children! The Oceanarium Center also promotes a range of sporting activities, like canoing, windsurfing and sailing for children and adults.

There’s lots of possibilities to bike, roller skate, skate or walk by the river, and there are many green spaces for playing ball. More information and highlights

Lisbon Pavilhao do Conhecimento Parque das Nações

Pavilion of Knowledge. Picture Fernanda Sampaio

Also located in this Park is The Pavilion of Knowledge (Pavilhão do Conhecimento), an interactive science and technology museum that aims to make science accessible to all, stimulating experimentation and exploration of the physical world. There are interactive blocks as well as recreation and formative areas reserved for children.

See, do and learn!

Lisbon Parque dos Indios fun for children

Parque dos Índios (Indians Park) , located in Benfica

One of the best parks for children in Lisbon is Parque dos Índios (Indians Park) with scenic views and two different areas: for younger children, aged up to 5, and for those aged 6 to 12. This is a park with a pretty landscape, offering a good place for adults to rest at the outdoor cafe. The space is wide, allowing you to watch the kids having fun.

September 9, 2015June 8, 2021

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: sunny terrace, petiscos & Fado Museum

Portugal is famous for its culinary richness! Highly recommended in Lisbon, also for groups: restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’, attached to the Fado Museum.

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa (traverse) do Fado’ Lisbon: sunny terrace in June

Fado Museum attached to the restaurant

Your first visit to Lisbon? Don’t think you can always enjoy traditional fado music in this restaurant during your lunch or dinner. The name is related to the Fado Museum, attached to the restaurant.

If you wish, the very nice manager António Moita can recommend a good fado-bar. The next-door Fado museum is open from 10:00-18:00 (closed Mondays)

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: small plate dishes (petiscos)

Sopa legumes (vegetable soup) € 4.00, Bochecha do Porco Preto (black pork cheeck) € 6.50, Tomatada (fried tomatoes) € 4.00, pão ( bread) € 1.00, copo do vinho branco (glass of white wine) € 4.00, agua (1/2 lit. water) € 1.50, café € 1.50.

Petiscos/tapas

Small plate dishes are called petiscos in Portugal, so basically the same as Spanish tapas. (More…. ). Don’t say this to the Portuguese, the Spanish invasion (1762) is still fresh in their memory…. 😉

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: manager António Moita

Famous restaurant ‘A Travessa’ in Lisbon, considered one of the best in the city, opened in July 2012 this new space, A Travessa do Fado’ , in another area: the heart of Alfama, the historical part of Lisbon.

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: Bacalhau (Cod) Zé do Pipo

Quality and sophisticated service .

In case you come here for a lunch experience, this restaurant is a good starting point to discover the narrow streets of Alfama, the historical part of Lisbon.

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon, November 2012, a rainy day.

Also in wintertime this restaurant is worth a visit, inside it is beautifully decorated. Together with my friend Erika Reusens we spent an afternoon here enjoying some petiscos and a good red wine (Foral Reserva, bottle € 18,00).

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’: Peixinhos da Horta (fried green beans): € 3,00. I love it! 🙂

Peixinhos da horta (YouTube) is a traditional dish in Portuguese cuisine, literally translated as ‘little garden fish’, as it resembles small pieces of colorful fish.

On the wall there’s a chalky blackboard with suggestions: soups, salads, octopus, cuttlefish, shrimp or oysters. Desserts (sobremesa), like tarte de amendoas (almond tart) € 4.00, or bolo do chocolate (chocolate cake) € 4.00.

Terrace Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon in summertime

Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, Alfama, Lisbon

Telephone: (+351) 218 870 144. Closed: Monday and Tuesday. Opening times: from 11:00 am till 01:00. Facebook

Fado Museum Lisbon, attached to restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’

The Fado Museum in Lisbon is ‘a must do’ for those who love Fado music as well as those with an interest in Portuguese culture and history. The permanent exhibition is a tribute to Fado and its promoters, revealing its history since 19th century Lisbon. More…

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: fado night September 2013

July 26, 2015April 22, 2021

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

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

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon: wonderdul vintage decoration

Cool Cais do Sodré riverside area & a former brothel

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

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon & the very sympathic waiter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Folclore Online de Portugal

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

Bordalo Pinheiro: traditional Portuguese ceramic designs

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

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

Big plastic pig

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

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

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

Restaurant Casa de Pasto Lisbon & one of the funny bathrooms

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

May 13, 2015June 10, 2021

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

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

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

Famous fado artist Amália Rodrigues

The mortal remains of Amália Rodrigues, the famous fado artist, were transferred to the National Pantheon in Lisbon (under enormous pressure from her admirers and a change in the law requiring a minimum of four years before repatriation).

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

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

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

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 2 Lisbon

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

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

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

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

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 3 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

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

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 4 Lisbon river view

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

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

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 5 Lisbon river Tejo views

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

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

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 7 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

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

Cemetery of Pleasures Cemitério dos Prazeres 8 Lisbon

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon

TRAM 28 – last stop

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

More about cemeteries in Portugal

Cemiterio Prazeres entrance

Cemetery of ‘Pleasures’ Lisbon : entrance

YouTube

April 22, 2015March 27, 2022

Lisbon’s nightlife: Bar Portas Largas area Bairro Alto & gay guide

A good place to start in area Bairro Alto Lisbon, one of Europe’s hottest an cheapest nigthspots, is bar Portas Largas (Large Doors), Rua da Atalaia 105. It opens his doors early, at about 17:00 already. Everyone gets a warm welcome, especially the gay crowd.

Unfortunately nowadays many dealers are hanging around offering you hasj or coke outside on the street.

Gay Portas Largas Lisbon Bairro Alto1

Portas Largas, Lisbon

Lisbon Gay Guide – Overview of gay clubs, discos and parties

Bairro Alto Lisbon gay 11 Rene van Gijn

Picture: Rene van Gijn

Whether you’re gay or straight: you’ re welcome! 🙂

Bairro Alto Rua da Atalaia June 09

Rua da Atalaia

Portas Largas is an extremely popular bar with a friendly crew. People from all over the world meet here drinking Caipirinha’s, cocktails or beer , served in plastic cups.

Portas Largas Lisbon Bairro Alto nightlife

Bar Portas Largas Lisbon

Inside the bar on a Saturday night in April. The ambiance is laid back and relaxed.

Gay Portas Largas Lisbon Bairro Alto music

Bar Portas Largas Lisbon

Portas Largas is a distinguished place in Bairro Alto. On Saturdays there’s live (and good) music and the rest of the week there’s a DJ.

Gay Portas Largas Lisbon Bairro Alto azulejos

Bar Portas Largas Lisbon

The building is a converted old Portuguse tasca (tavern), with many original details like the azulejos (Portuguese tiles) on the walls.

Bar Portas Largas Bairro Alto sept09

Portas Largas, Rua Atalaia 105, Lisbon.

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 20:00 – 02:00. Friday Saturday 20:00 – 03:00; Sunday 21:00 – 02:00.

FACEBOOK

I Love Bairro Alto

April 17, 2015May 21, 2022

Castle of St. George’s neighborhood ‘Santa Cruz’ & Mercearia Castello Cafe

Around the Castle of St. George’s (Castelo de São Jorge) in Lisbon, the tiny and partially restored ancient neighborhood of Santa Cruz do Castelo , is one of the most picturesque parts of Lisbon. Ageing residents are living here as well as younger people and there’s lots of luxury hotels.

Lisbon Bairro Castelo Merceraria Castello

Mercearia Castello Cafe

A bit tucked away on a tiny street, Rua das Flores de Santa Cruz behind the Castle, Mercearia Castello Cafe opens in summertime a small outdoor seating just around the corner. Quiche and salads, coffee and toast, this cafe is a great place to stop for a snack or a light meal after visiting the Castle.

Lisbon Bairro Castelo Rua do Chao da Feira

Rua Bartolomeu do Gusmão, just near the Castle.

The neighborhood is very charming, it’s really nice to walk through the cobbled small streets. Costa do Castelo features some of the most spectacular viewpoints of Lisbon.

Lisbon neighborhood St John Castle O Terraco amazing views

A 10 minutes walk away from this street is a great cafe/bar overlooking the river Tagus, 25 April bridge and the city, cafe O Terraço, spectacular views!

(update : new owner, now there’s a restaurant)

Lisbon Bairro Castelo Rua do Espirito Santo3 laundry

Rua do Espírito Santo….

Normal life is going on, quietly, nobody takes attention to the tourists. This hilly part of Lisbon, located in the highest hill of the historic centre, is one of the main historical and tourist sites.

Lisbon Bairro Castelo walking around

more….. an idea to walk up the hill to the Castle of St George

April 3, 2015August 10, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

Informal atmosphere

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

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

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

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

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

Francisco Franco Afonso & one of his favorite wines

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

Popular Hen & Stag Party’s

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

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

Save a tree – buy wine with natural cork

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

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

Unique cork oaks in Portugal: fortunately they are protected

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

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

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

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

February 16, 2015August 10, 2020

‘Bike A Wish’ rental (E)-bike shop Mouraria Lisbon: top biking expercience & owners Ana & Rui

Lisbon becomes more and more attractive for tourists! The nearby Atlantic beaches and fairytale palaces (like in Sintra ) are famous attractions, also easy to reach by (e)-bike.

‘Bike A Wish’ store Lisbon: owner Rui Gomes & trainee Diego Sarasola (18 year old Erasmus student from Spain) Mouraria Lisbon, near square Praça Martim Moniz (background)

Eco-friendly e-bike & breathtaking views

If you visit Lisbon during a few days (the city of seven hills or in Portuguese ‘a cidade das sete colinas), an e-bike is a great way to explore the city and to discover Lisbon’s breathtaking views.

Lisbon ‘Bike A Wish’ store, owner Ana Nascimento & amazing Lisbon graffity wall design (the 25 April bridge, the Castle of Saint George above the city, the hills…). Artist: Diogo

More and more Lisbon is changing: impoverished old buildings and/or neighborhoods with a long history are to be restored. Creative young people start their own business, like Ana Nascimento and Rui Gomes recently did in historic Mouraria, one of the oldest areas of the city.

Beautiful view old town Lisbon & river Tagus

‘Bike A Wish’ store in Lisbon: ‘A dream came true”

Owner ‘Bike A Wish’ store in Lisbon Rui Gomes: “Ana and myself started to think opening our own business about 2 years ago. Our passion for bicycles was crucial, when deciding which business to start.
We had already visited Amsterdam several times in the past, and it marked us, in such way, that in result, today we´re the proud owners of ‘Bike A Wish’ (also partners are Frederico and Joana from Vilamoura , Bike a Wish Algarve store)”.

‘Bike a Wish’ store in historic area Mouraria Lisbon & owners Ana and Rui

Rui: “Ana (marketeer) and Joana (designer) were both unemployed and me and Frederico were working in a foreign bank, in Lisbon, and quit, in order to give 200% of ourselves to this project. So, I´m happy to say that, first of all, ‘Bike A Wish’ is based on friendship and trust!”

‘Bike A Wish’ store in Mouraria Lisbon & owner Rui Gomes. Rua das Fontainhas a São Lourenço 29, Martim Moniz

The location – historic Mouraria Lisbon

Rui Gomes, owner: ‘ Mouraria is one of the most unique places we know. There´s a certain magic in it, the streets, the light (or the lack of it ), the religions, the mixture of people from all over the world, gathered in a peaceful combination.
The shop is located very central, close to square Martim Moniz ( 1st stop for the 28 tram) as well to the Castelo de S. Jorge ( Castle of Saint George, the most visited monument in Lisbon)”.

Lisbon, Mouraria, close to ‘Bike a Wish’ shop: a maze of narrow streets & beautiful light

My 3 bedroom apartment with a lovely patio is for rent in this area

‘Bike A Wish’ concept: Portuguese pure cycle-chic, extreme comfort & 2 models of e-bikes

Rui Gomes, owner: ‘Our bicycles were thought to give extreme comfort to the users. Soft, old fashioned seats and handles, will allow clients a top biking experience in our 7-hills capital.
Our concept is pure cycle-chic: all bicycles are a Portuguese product, produced by “ÓRBITA“.

‘Bike A Wish’ store & extreme comfort: ‘California dream’, a soft old fashioned bike seat 🙂

E-Bikes: Lisbon becomes “flat” for your legs!
Rui Gomes: “the 2 models of e-bikes have an autonomy around 60kms (depending of individual biking experience), allowing visitors to enjoy Lisbon in a comfortable, fast and effortless way. Ride everywhere: Mouraria, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Riverside etc. Our bike tours allow people to visit the capital’s highlights and explore alternative and picturesque routes. We recommend the West Lisbon Tour, by the river, heading Belém ”

Rui Gomes: “We provide a service with so many flexible options that will certainly suit all your travel plans.

We rent several types of bikes, from the classic ones to folding, tandems and electric bikes. They can be rented by the hour, half-day, day, week or month “.

Lisbon ‘Bike A Wish’ store Mouraria, Square Martim Moniz

Bike A Wish website: prices & more possibilities, like a tandem bike or guided tours.

Rua das Fontainhas a São Lourenço 29, Martim Moniz, Lisbon

Phone (00351) 211329949, Facebook,

Lisboa@bikeawish.com . Business hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00am to 19:00pm GMT |Sundays on the call to deliver or booked tours. Free deliver at hotels in Lisbon.

January 27, 2015August 9, 2021

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

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

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

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

YouTube Hendriktje ‘Amor de mel, amor de fel’

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

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

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

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

Amateur setting of Portuguese Fado is called FADO VADIO

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

Café/bar ‘Tasca do Jaime’ Lisbon December 2014

Silêncio que se vai cantar o fado (Silence)

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

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

Fado Vadio: ‘Dying cats or divine song’

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

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

Lisbon at Christmas time: X-mas kitsch, a giant tree & sexy X-mas lingerie

In December, thousands of colorful lights decorate Lisbon. Portuguese people love ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, celebrating Christmas with a lot of X-mas kitsch. Everywhere you look you see blinking neon lights, Christmas markets and decorated shops.

Lisbon Christmas 2009 Rua da Prata

Rua da Prata, in December…….

If you are a Christmas hater, maybe it’s a better idea to visit this fascinating city some other time of the year 😉

Movie Christmas decoration

Lisbon Christmas 2009 Theatre Dona Maria

National Theatre Teatro Nacional Doña Maria II.

Christmas time in Lisbon is similar to everywhere else in the world, except that the decorations has a higher kitsch factor.

Lisbon Christmas 2009 sexy window dressing

Rua da Palma,

lingerie shop close to one of my favorite restaurants in Lisbon, RAMIRO

Lisbon Christmas 2009 Hermes window dressing

Hermes, Largo do Chiado 9.

In Portugal people really love Christmas window dressing with animals!

Lisbon Chirstmas window dressing 2009

Of course, children love it!

Feira da Ladra alternativa recycled Nespresso cups

Creative Christmas decoration 🙂

Christmas decoration made from recycled Nespresso caps

Lisbon December 2009 Christmas and baggers

A creative idea to make some money at Christmas time……

Lisbon Christmas 2009 united colours shrinked Benetton pullovers

Benetton shop Lisbon, window dressing, Rua Garrett

The shrinked sweaters of Benetton 😉

Lisbon Restaurant the Temptations of Goa Jesus Maria2

Restaurant “Tentações (Temptations) de Goa”.

Tentações de Goa”, Rua S. Pedro Mártir, nº 23. Open for lunch from 12:00, dinner from 19:00 – 00:00. Closed on Sundays and Holidays. Vegetarian friendly.

Lisbon giant Christmas tree Praça do Comércio

NEW YEAR: on the night of December 31, Lisbon is one big street party! Live music and a fantastic fireworks display at the famous square Praça do Comércio will be filled on the night of December 31st with concerts by Portuguese bands . Cultural agenda Lisbon

According to the Portuguese tradition, twelve wishes are made to the sound of the twelve bell tolls, toasting with champaign to the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! FELIZ ANO NOVO!

The Lisbon Connection

Posts

Lisbon for children: the Oceanarium & the Science Museum: see, do & learn!

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: sunny terrace, petiscos & Fado Museum

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

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

Lisbon’s nightlife: Bar Portas Largas area Bairro Alto & gay guide

Castle of St. George’s neighborhood ‘Santa Cruz’ & Mercearia Castello Cafe

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

‘Bike A Wish’ rental (E)-bike shop Mouraria Lisbon: top biking expercience & owners Ana & Rui

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

Lisbon at Christmas time: X-mas kitsch, a giant tree & sexy X-mas lingerie