Discovering Lisbon
Those who visit Lisbon are enchanted by its hospitality, culture, gastronomy and architecture.
Although each Lisbon neighborhood has its own aesthetic, it is a must-visit for its inspiring examples of simple authentic pleasures. Experience it throughout the city, from the narrow streets crisscrossing Alfama, shop windows on Avenida da Liberdade, and the paths to Chiado. A meeting place for artists and intellectuals, Chiado is home to iconic cafes, such as A Brasileira, where tourists take selfies with a sculpture of Fernando Pessoa. When walking through the narrow streets of Lisbon we have the feeling that we will suddenly bump into Eça de Queiroz or Saramago. Or as if we could suddenly hear the voice of Amália Rodrigues - the great diva of Fado.
Located mostly in downtown Lisbon, the historic districts are must-see destinations for those who will travel to Portugal's capital. For the history, the culture, the architecture, the people or simply for a relaxing walk, it is a must to discover them.
Bairro Alto is one of the most attractive districts to experience the city. Typical and popular, it is a meeting place for people and is multicultural.
It is in this neighborhood that the best restaurants are concentrated, side by side with intimate bookstores, tea houses paired with design stores and clothing stores of some of the most renowned Portuguese designers.
As for Lisbon's gastronomy, it is, in every sense, original and very tasty, where the Pastéis de Belém are, in fact, a true gem of Portuguese gastronomy.
Restaurants
Restaurante Oficio
The shank bone served at the new restaurant in Chiado is so big that those who eat the meat ask to take it home. It is one of the bones of Ofício, the new project of actor Pedro Teixeira with Diogo Figueiredo, Pedro Pereira, Felipe Cholas and João Fernandes.
The focus of the restaurant is, therefore, the good meats, all with bone, and it is with this particularity that the Ofício wants to differentiate itself from the other steakhouses in the city. Besides the chambão, which is marinated for 12 hours with salt injected into the bone so that the meat can absorb it, there are also spare ribs with a Portuguese barbecue sauce and a good grilled and roasted rib steak à bairrada style.
The restaurant, which has two floors, has a bar at the entrance, which will be open until 02:00, with high stools and where you can order a cheese and national sausages board with a glass of the extensive wine list.
Price range: €€€
Where? Chiado
Address: Rua Nova da Trindade 11, 1200-309 Lisboa
Prado
The ‘Prado’ is always full, or almost. For dinner, somewhere between 8:30 and 10 pm, only with a reservation of at least a week. For the other hours, although more flexible, it might be better to book two days in advance.
The menu is brief and changes every day, it even changes from lunch to dinner. It applies a local focus on everything they serve thanks to partnerships with local farmers, fishermen and wine producers. This means that its menu is proudly 100% Portuguese and features dishes like pumpkin with whey and toasted butter, fish with lobster emulsion, and brioche with white port and chocolate. Before joining Prado, Chef António Galapito worked with Chef Nuno Mendes at the restaurant Taberna do Mercado, where he brought with him a versatile and varied passion for food that is evident in the menu and the well-presented dishes. Ideally, you'll want to bring some friends so you can sample them all and soak up the creative, modern, and fun atmosphere, as well as indulge in a bottle of wine or two, with help from the knowledgeable sommelier.
Price range: €€
Where? Santos
Address: Tv. Pedras Negras 2, 1100-404 Lisboa
Website: pradorestaurante.com
Places to visit
Panoramico de Monsanto
This Lisbon viewpoint is almost half a century old. A place that lingers in the memory of Lisboans, it was a luxury restaurant, bingo hall, nightclub, office building and now it's a viewpoint, which has always been its secondary vocation. The 360 degree view of the whole city and the privileged location, in Alto da Serafina, make this vacant building the best place to see the sights in Monsanto. It's the best view in the whole city. Abandoned since 2001, the Panorâmico was only sporadically visited by urban explorers, tourists, and the curious. It has hosted the Iminent Festival that has intervened with urban art and can be visited legally and safely.
Miradouro Portas do Sol
It is one of the most classic viewpoints in Lisbon and its privileged location, between São Jorge Castle and Alfama, also makes it one of the most sought after. It is an authentic public balcony with a magnificent view of Lisbon. Among several points of interest, it allows us to observe the Church of São Vicente and the entire Alfama neighborhood that extends through narrow, winding streets to the Tagus River and is one of the widest viewpoints in the city. Its name has medieval origins, since it was here that the Porta do Sol existed, one of the entrances to Lisbon's Moorish fence, damaged during the 1755 earthquake.
Hotels
Mama Shelter
Mama Shelter, a bold hotel with the soul of a restaurant and bar. It has arrived to liven up number 19 on Rua do Vale de Pereiro, between Rato and Marquês de Pombal. With 240 seats, including an esplanade and interior patio, the restaurant, which opens onto the street, is the centerpiece of the Mama Shelter Lisbon.
Created as a Portuguese reinterpretation of the typical French brasserie, the restaurant's decor is full of elements of national culture. The ceiling features a vast design signed by Beniloys, an artist with a long collaboration with the Mama Shelter brand, which transports the customer directly under the sea. The columns filled with Viúva Lamego tiles and the capitals decorated with fish and crustaceans in Bordallo Pinheiro ceramics complete the restaurant's atmosphere - a genuine tribute to Portuguese maritime history.
The kitchen, led by Chef Nuno Bandeira de Lima, presents a menu composed of Mama Shelter's signature suggestions but also by typically Portuguese dishes "with a special touch".
It is in this restaurant, which in addition to a bar area also has a terrace and a small stage, where the spirit of the hotel can be experienced. Also bold, although slightly more sober, are the rooms. There are 130 rooms, divided into four types according to size - S, M, L and M with terrace
Price range: €€€
Where? Lisboa
Address: Rua do Vale de Pereiro 19,1250-189 Lisboa
Website: mamashelter.com
Santa Clara 1728
Renovated by the architect Manuel Aires Mateus, Santa Clara 1728 became a new family home. His architectural style respected the history of the building while introducing a modern elegance. The result, a tranquil, light-filled sanctuary within the city. As our family home, Santa Clara 1728 is a special place where we invite our guests to make themselves at home and share this experience. The house is furnished and detailed with delicate, yet sophisticated touches that thoughtfully consider the comfort and needs of our guests. The desire is for you to feel the same warmth, ease, and pleasure of coming home.
Santa Clara 1728 offers 6 suites, consisting of the Santa Clara Suite and the Tejo Suite.
Price range: €€€
Where? Lisboa
Address: Campo de Santa Clara 128 RC, 1100-473 Lisboa
Website: silentliving.pt