The best tips for the Lisbon Region
Built in the 17th century and intended as a hunting lodge for the first Marquis of Fronteira, that’s the palace Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira. How did it come to this? After the 1755 earthquake, this palace became the residence of the de Fronteira family, as their house in downtown…
On the edge of the charming Praça das Flores you will find the lovely Pão de Canela café. Most of the café’s seats are outside on the terrace and it’s especially busy at weekends. If you want to have brunch here at the weekend, it is advisable to make a…
One of the best things about having a travel blog about Lisbon is to discover special places and then actually not being able to wait to write about them. But at the same time, as you discover that place, you wonder if you wouldn’t rather keep it all to yourself….
Officially this park is called Jardim Marcelino de Mesquita, but among Lisboetas it is better known as Jardim Amoreiras: park of the mulberry trees. Jardim Amoreiras is a tribute to the playwright, poet and writer Marcelino de Mesquita. Mulberry trees Inaugurated in 1759 by Marquês de Pombal, this park is…
You would think that iconic landmarks like Elevador de Santa Justa, Castelo de São Jorge or Ascensor da Bica are the most visited sights of Lisbon. Apparently that’s not entirely true, we’ve been told that title goes to Portugal’s national coach museum, Museu Nacional dos Coches. When you visit the…
If you want to know more about the history of all those yellow trams you see in the city, you have to plan for a visit to Museu da Carris. The museum takes you back to the history of public transport in Lisbon. The museum is part of an active…
Situated on Monsanto’s highest mountain, the Panorâmico de Monsanto is a beautiful, deserted restaurant that has gained cult status over the years. This is the ideal place for urban exploring and taking beautiful pictures. Panorâmico de Monsanto kind of reopened in 2017. It is no longer an abandoned restaurant, but…
The Miradouro da Graça viewpoint, also known as Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, is especially popular with young people who seek some cooling down in the shade of the pine trees on the terrace of the café. Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen This miradouro contains a bronze statue of…
Since April of 2018, tram 24, or Elétrico 24, is been back in the streets of Lisbon after 23 years – and just like elétrico 28, you can enjoy the tram ride in one of the characteristic yellow trams. On the route the tram is numbered 24E, where “E” stands…
Opposite Igreja São Cristóvão in the district of Mouraria, a group of artists has paid tribute to the district: Escadinhas de São Cristóvão. Escadinhas de São Cristóvão is not only a tribute to the Mouraria district, but also to Fado, the Portuguese song of life that originated in this district….
When you’re enjoying a city break in Lisbon with the family, be sure not to miss a day at the Lisbon Zoo: Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa. This is definitely one of the most beautiful zoos we have ever seen. It’s a very big place but it doesn’t feel like it….
Hidden under the pond in the park Jardim do Príncipe Real you will find Reservatório da Patriarcal, (Patriarcal Reservoir). From 1864 until the mid-twentieth century, this reservoir was an important part of the water supply for large parts of Lisbon’s city centre. The reservoir, also known as Praça de D….
We love the Bacalhau pastries that you can usually get at any pastelaria. This is something different though, Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau serves a very special Pastel de Bacalhau! For years we usually walked past this bacalhau pastelaria in the Baixa and never visit it, because I always…
There is nothing Portuguese about Tease. If you’ve had enough of typical Portuguese sweetness and you’re craving for a ‘normal’ pie, then Tease is a great place to go. Another big advantage of Tease is that it is located in one of my favorite neighborhoods: Príncipe Real. If you want…
n the Rua Santa Justa, right in the centre, stands the iron, Elevador de Santa Justa, 45 Meters high, connecting the lower city of Baixa with the upper city of Bairro Alto. The elevator was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The steep hills formed a major obstacle…
There is always a queue at Nannarella. Which is no wonder, because the ice cream there is simply delicious. This ice cream shop has been around since 2013 and is located in the São Bento district. It doesn’t matter what time you come here, there are always locals in line…
Parque Marechal Carmona in Cascais is is one of the most child-friendly parks I’ve ever visited, it seems like everything here is arranged for children. The park is very charming and at the same time adventurous, because of the many chickens and roosters that walk around freely, and because of…
When you walk around in Sintra it seems like you ended up in a fairy tale. The castles, palaces, the Pena and the historic centre. All equally beautiful to see and behold. Near the historical centre is Parque da Liberdade, which translates to Freedom Park. We highly recommended your spend…
Tucked away in a corner near Praça dos Restauradores you will find Veneziana. This is the smallest and oldest ice cream parlour I have seen in Lisbon. The store is small, but the terrace is normally gigantic. Currently (and unfortunately for the owner of Veneziana), a few buildings next to…
This is certainly one of the coolest playgrounds we have encountered in Lisbon: Parque Infantil do Alvito. Large, clean and something to do for all ages. The playground is located outside the tourist center and is not easy to get to if you don’t have a car. But because the…
Ice cream store Amorino describes herself best: Amorino is celebrating love with a gourmet touch. We are sold! Amorino has three different stores across Lisbon. Two are located in the Baixa and Chiado districts. And there’s also a branch in the Vasco da Gama shopping centre on the former expo…
In the past, when I went to Lisbon with my parents, ice cream shops hardly existed. At the few ice cream shops that were there, you paid premium for 1 scoop of ice cream. And often the scoop was just a bit too watery and therefore not that tasty. Luckily,…
Boca do Inferno (“mouth of hell”) is a cliff / rock just outside of the city centre of Cascais. The name is partly due to the shape of the cliff (a small cave created by a natural collapse of the rock) and the droning sound that the Atlantic makes when…
In the 13th century a daily vegetable market was held at Campo das Cebolas. It is also from this time that the square owes its name. Campo das Cebolas literally translates to “onion field”. From parking lot to chill field As long as I can remember, Campo das Cebolas was…
Parque Eduardo VII might not be the most spectacular park in Lisbon, but the view that the park offers definitely makes it worthwhile to go here. The park is located on a slope and sports some beautiful views over the Baixa and the Tagus river. In clear weather you can…
The city of Óbidos, surrounded by castles walls, is an one hour’s drive north of Lisbon. In Óbidos time appears to have stood still. This city is located near the sea and had an important strategic function in defending the Portuguese territory in the past. The city is built on…
This is how Lisboetas describe it: at Gelato Davvero you’ll find a bit of Rome in Lisbon. Less than three years ago, their first ice cream shop was opened at Cais do Sodré. Soon enough five more stores followed in Lisbon and another four outlets outside the city. This is…
If it’s romance you want, you have to go to Miradouro de Santa Luzia. This beautiful vantage point is next to the eponymous church: Santa Luzia. The view of this miradouro covers the oldest part of the city, Alfama en de Taag. Even though this miradouro is located on a…
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is not only a very nice vantage point, it also doubles a small park. It is one of the largest viewpoints of the city and that is just as well, because it is always busy with tourists. In the park of the miradouro there’s…
Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte is the highest miradouros in Lisbon. If you want to come back from Lisbon with beautiful panoramic photos of your holiday, this is definitely the place to go to! Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte offers a beautiful view of Baixa, Tagus river, Ponte…
Mafra is a 45 minute drive from Lisbon. This city is best known for the Royal Palace: Palácio Nacional e Convento de Mafra, one of the most beautiful Portuguese Baroque buildings. A visit to this palace is certainly worthwhile if you want to discover the surroundings of Lisbon. The overwhelming…
So your doll is sick, what do you do? In Lisbon, people have been going to the doll doctor at the dolls hospital for generations: Hospital de Bonecas, right in the centre of town. The dolls hospital has existed since 1830 and has cured all kinds of dolls over the…
One of our favorite parks in Lisbon is Jardim Príncipe Real. Even though it is next to a fairly busy road, Rua da Escola Politécnica, it is a very romantic and quiet park, in the middle of the Príncipe Real district. This does not seem to be the ideal ingredient…
Traveling from Sintra to Praia das Maças by tram is a wonderful tourist attraction. Do take time because a ride with this 100 year old tram takes a bit over 45 minutes. Hang on! When you start in Sintra you start at the top of the mountain and the tram…
About 10 years ago it was almost impossible to find a vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon. If you wanted to eat vegetarian, the salade mista (salad with tomato, cucumber and carrot) or an omelette was the best option on the menu. Foto: Terra Nowadays there are more and more vegetarian restaurants…
The first branch of Gelado Artisani was opened in 2009, near Jardim da Estrela. With the opening of this ice cream shop, Gelado Artisani responded to the trend of the past: Homemade ice cream with fresh ingredients. Natural ingredients, many flavors Artisani claims to use only the best ingredients for…
Lisbon has something to offer for visitors of all ages. On this page we’ll hand you some suggestions if you are traveling with children. Don’t forget that Lisbon is a wonderful city to wander around and discover places. Even if you walk around with your family, there is so much…
It’s hard to imagine: just a few years ago we wouldn’t recommended you go to the Jardim Botto Machado park in Alfama. There were dodgy types everywhere, and the park was dirty and not that well maintained. Nowadays the park is a favorite place for locals to go and meet…
In the vast majority of Portuguese restaurants children are more than welcome. And even though there may not be that many specific facilities for kids, such as a children’s menus or playroom, we still think it’s very nice to take our daughters to a Lisbon restaurant. Why? Well, mainly because…
Like most big cities, Lisbon keeps a keen eye on the the little ones. There are more than 150 playgrounds in the city, suitable for kids between 3 and 9 years. The playgrounds are maintained by the municipality and are often in near perfectly condition. You rarely encounter defective playground…
Yes, Lisbon is built on seven hills. So if you move your kids around in a buggy, that will take some effort. But to be honest, traversing the city with a stroller is not all that, we’ve done it many times and we’re not complaining. Our tip is to use…
There is a lot of choice regarding staying in Lisbon with children, for every budget there is a different option. If you stay in Lisbon for a short while, like 3-4 days, then we advise you to look for accommodation in the city centre (or nearby). If you stay in…
Ascensor do Lavra is the oldest cable car in Lisbon still in use. This tram is not yet widely known by tourists, and it is definitely worth a ride! At 188 meters this route is the shortest ride with any cable tram in Lisbon, and with an average gradient of…
Need a transfer from Praça dos Restauradores in the Baixa to the Bairro Alto!? Take the Ascensor da Gloria! This is one of the steepest rides (20%) that you can take in Lisbon. If you are a daredevil, don’t wait for the tram and just walk up the hill. I…
The Ascensor da Bica tram runs through Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo and is, together with the Ascensor da Gloria, a popular place for tourists to take a nice picture with the yellow tram. What makes Ascensor da Bica so special is that it runs straight through a street…
Elevador Castelo has been in use to get from Baixa to Castelo de São Jorge since 2013. These lifts are freely accessible. As early as 2009 a decision was made to connect the Baixa with Castelo de São Jorge. In the end they chose a lift over an escalator or…
A visit to Miradouro das Portas do Sol feels like you’re standing on the balcony of a regular house. Despite the fact that it looks like a large observation deck, it feels cozy and cozy. Miradouro das Portas do Sol is a perfect stop when you are discovering Alfama. When…
Basílica da Estrela is often skipped by tourists, probably because it’s not in the city centre. Big mistake, because for me this basilica is one of the most beautiful churches in Lisbon. The Basílica da Estrela distinguishes itself with the white dome that rises high above the surroundings and is…
Lisbon is built on seven hills, so there is always a place with an overlook of the city. Miradouros (scenic viewpoints) are often tiled with azulejos (Portuguese tiles). You won’t just find tourists here, the locals also like to enjoy the view of their city. Especially couples in love make…
Praia das Maçãs literally means “beach of apples”. The beach got that name because the Ribeira de Colares (Colares river) used to flow into it. Sometimes small ships would lose some of the fruits they were carrying, which then ended up on the beach. Former hotspot for the rich and…
New Year’s Eve – experience the New Year in Lisbon
Bolo do Rei – traditional Christmas cake from Lisbon
Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira – hunting lodge turned palace
Café Pão de Canela – quiet neighbourhood café with delicious food
Páteo Alfacinha – Lisbon’s best kept secret
Jardim Amoreiras – park of the mulberry trees
Aqueduto das Águas Livres – Lisbon’s eye catching aqueduct
The whole city smells like chestnuts
