Famous Cafés in Lisbon
30.04.2010
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No trip to Lisbon is complete without tasting the famous Lisbon coffee called bica. In Portugal, and Lisbon is not an exception, coffee is an obligatory drink. All the cafés and pastelarias in the city have the espressos (strong coffee) or the galão (latte).
Below we present a list of some of the famous Cafés in Lisbon that you can visit during your vacations in the city. You can taste a coffee indoors on in the beautiful esplanadas (outdoor terraces) spread all over the streets and avenues of Lisbon.
Café Martinho da Arcada in Lisbon's downtown
Opened over 200 years ago, Café Martinho da Arcada in the Comércio square, in Baixa-Chiado district, is the city's oldest café. Coffees such as meia de leite (half milky), bicas (espressos) and the famous portuguese custard tart are served in a traditional tiled interior. It also as a restaurant, where a table remains laid for modernist poet and former guest, Fernando Pessoa.
Café Brasileira, in Chiado
This is the city's most famous café in Lisbon, opened in the early 20th-century. Most tourists come to see the bronze statue of modernist poet and former regular customer Fernando Pessoa. Even today this coffee house in Chiado is popular with writers.
Café Benard in Chiado
Right next door to the famous Brasileira, in the heart of historical Lisbon, is another city attraction - the Benard Café. The pastry and the croissants are an excellent reason to stop in this adorable café, opened in 1912.
Café Versailles in Saldanha
Located in the business district of Saldanha, this is a spectacular 19th century decorated café with a dizzying baroque confection, aristocratic grace and taste. An endless range of sweet and confections are served in a shimmering glass case and it is a must to visit.
Antiga Confeitaria de Belém in Belém
Antiga Confeitaria de Belém is a traditional café renowned for its custard tart recipe. Pasteis de Belém can be enjoyed with coffee in the maze of rooms at the back, sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar from battered metal shakers, or take them home in a tube with little sachets.
You have a lot to discover during your vacations in Lisbon. Travelling to Lisbon website provides fantastic accommodations in the wonderful city of Lisbon. You have apartments in Baixa (Lisbon's downtown), serviced apartments in Chiado, holiday accommodations in Belém and a variety of apartments in all other major locations in Lisbon. Don't forget to check the promotions and last minute accommodations in Lisbon.
Lisbon museums
15.04.2010
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If you are an art lover or a museum fan, Lisbon is the perfect city for you. Plan an afternoon excursion to the Lisbon museums where you can find fantastic collections of historical and cultural items.
Start at the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Ancient Art Museum),in the Lapa district, were you will find some of Portugal's finest ensemble of paintings like the panels of "São Vicente de Fora", one of the most renowned group portraits in the European tradition. This 17th century palace also contains the work of artists like Bosch and its "Temptation of Saint Anthony" and the the Namban Screens that depict the arrival of the Portuguese in Japan in 1543.
In the Belém area there are three museums that should not be missed. The Museu Nacional dos Coches (Coaches Museum) - Lisbon's most frequented attraction, the world's best coach museum contains an impressive collection of coaches dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries - , the Museu da Marinha (Navy Museum) where you can find Portugal's glorious contributions to nautical expedition and the recent Museu Berardo (Berardo Museum of Modern Art) where you can appreciate one of the world's most acclaimed modern art collections.
In the Chiado area, one of the city's historical neighbourhoods, the Museu do Chiado (chiado Museum), offers you a tour through the Portuguese contemporary art. For more contemporary Portuguese art there's also the Gulbenkian Foundation's Modern Art Center and the Arpad Szenes - Vieira da Silva Museum.
If you want to know Portugal better don't miss the Fado Museum in the Alfama district and the Azulejo National Museum, near Santa Apolónia, a tribute to a most cherished aspect of Portuguese history. Exhibits trace more than 500 years of this remarkable art form with several thousand examples on hand.
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Lisbon football Stadiums
19.03.2010
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Two of Portugal's super football stadiums are in Lisbon - Estadio Jose Alvalade, home to big team Sporting Clube de Portugal and Estadio da Luz, home to legendary Portugal football team SL Benfica. Both of these Lisbon football stadiums are north of Lisbon city centre. It's easiest to get to them via nearby Lisbon subway stations.
Estádio da Luz - S.L.Benfica football stadium
Sport Lisboa e Benfica commonly referred to as simply Benfica, is a multi-sports club based in the beautiful city of Lisbon. Although they compete in a number of different sports, Benfica is mainly known for its football team. Historically, Benfica has been one of the most successful football clubs in Portugal and Europe and is one of the Três Grandes, or Big Three, football clubs in Portugal, with Futebol Clube do Porto, and Sporting Club de Portugal, being the other two clubs, Benfica's two biggest rivals.
The Estádio da Luz, Benfica stadium, is a legendary football stadium and took centre state in the Euro 2004 football championships. Estadio da Luz is situated in the northern area of Lisbon.
Nearest Lisbon subway stations are Alto dos Moinhos or Colegio Militar/Luz, both of which are situated on the Blue line. It's an easy walk to the Luz Stadium from both these Lisbon subway stations, and getting to the stadium via the subway is the easiest and best way to travel! Alternatively by car get to the stadium via the Segunda Circular ring road which is connected to the national motorway system.
Estádio José Alvalade - Sporting Stadium
Sporting Clube de Portugal, also known locally and internationally as Sporting is the other major Portuguese Sports club based in Portugal's capital city of Lisbon. The club is particularly renowned for its football department.
The Estadio Jose Alvalade, Sporting Stadium in Lisbon is to the North of the city centre, closed to the Lisbon Airport. It was purpose built for the European Championships hosted by Portugal in 2004.This Lisbon Football Stadium is one of the most accessible. The stadium has its own Lisbon subway station called Campo Grande on the green line and on the yellowline. Campo Grande Lisbon subway Station is within easy walking distance from the football stadium. By car you've also easy access to Alvalade Stadium off the Segunda Circular ring road and from Calcada de Carriche
Smaller Football Stadiums in Lisbon are to the west of the city centre. Estadio Nacional known also as Estadio do Jamor is home to National Portuguese football, whilst Estadio do Restelo is home to football team CF Belenenses.
If you want to visit Lisbon as well as seeing a game in one of these stadiums, check for holiday accommodations in Traveling to Lisbon's website. You will find apartments in Lisbon historical neighbourhoods and self catering accommodations in Parque das Nações. See also the promotions and last minute accommodations in Lisbon. Traveling to Lisbon also offers other services like car rentals, airport transfers, excursions or whatever else you could need to make your stay the most pleasant.
Urban Sketchers - Lisbon
17.03.2010
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They have absolutely amazing sketches from different spots of Lisbon.
I am sure you will not regreat!
“Urban Sketchers is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world who draw on location where they live and travel. We aim to show the world, one drawing at a time.”
If you plan to visit Lisbon and you are looking for accommodation, please take a look in our apartments in Lisbon historic centre.
Ginjinha do Rossio – A popular spot in Lisbon
05.03.2010
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The most popular place in Lisbon to drink the famous Ginjinha is at "The Ginjinha do Rossio", located at Praça de São Domingos, Rossio, Baixa district. It is a tiny bar where you can have fun gathering with the locals!
Ginjinha or just Ginja, is a Portuguese typical drink and one of our favourite liqueurs. It is made by infusing sour cherry in Portuguese brandy (aguardente) and adding sugar with other ingredients. It is served in a shot form with a piece of the fruit in the bottom of the cup.
Lots of people stops in this little establishment in Rossio to tasted it.
As a matter of fact, the Rossio 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 poet Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage used to meet friends. Other traditional shops include the Pastelaria Suíça and this famous establishment, the Ginjinha do Rossio. The building of the Maria II Theatre only made the area more attended by Lisbon high society in the 19th century. Nowadays it is constantly populated by local people and tourists.
Right on the leftside of the Maria II Theatre, close to the Restauradores square, you find the Rossio station were you can take all suburban trains to the tourist sights of Sintra via Queluz and Rossio's metro station (green line.
Check out the apartments located in Baixa, the heart of Lisbon's city centre.
Estufa Fria – A beautiful greenhouse in Lisbon
12.02.2010
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Estufa Fria is real green museum located in Eduardo VII Park just in the centre of Lisbon.
The area is divided in three different zones: the cold greenhouse contains winter plants, the second houses tropical species and the third one the famous fleshy plants. Estufa Fria has great scientific and botanical value. It was built in 1930 and allows visitors to rest their spirit and purify their senses in front of an enchanted scenery of lakes, fountains and statues.
Eduardo VII Park is located on the extreme north side of the Avenida da Liberdade, right behind the Marquês de Pombal Square, and was originally called Liberty Park. Renamed with the name of the King of England who came to Lisbon in 1903 to reaffirm the Anglo-Portuguese alliance, this park provides excellent views over the city and is frequently used to hold exhibitions, concerts and the annual booksellers fair.
Miradouros – Lisbon viewpoints
12.02.2010
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Lisbon has fantastic viewpoints over the city. Called Miradouros, they are located at the highest points of Lisbon's seven hills.
You might feel very tired while wander around the narrow streets and staircases of Lisbon's old neighbourhoods like Alfama, Graça or the castle district, but take heart in the fact that they lead to heavenly Miradouros.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A small terrace near the Church of Santa Luzia has been laid out as a viewpoint. There is an excellent view of the Tagus River, the harbour, the rooftops of Alfama and its maze of small streets dominated by the bell-towers of São Miguel and Santo Estêvão. On the wall marking the south side of the square is an azulejo showing a general view of Lisbon.
Miradouro Senhora do Monte
This is the highest point in Lisbon. A small square next to the church of Santa Luzia, laid out as a belvedere with a superb view over the Tagus River, the harbour and, lower down, over the Alfama‘s rooftops and maze of streets. The bell-towers of São Miguel and Santo Estêvão are visible as well as St George's castle and the Mouraria neighbourhood.
Miradouro da Graça
A splendid viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the Lisbon's castle and Lisbon centre. Young Lisboetas flock to this pine-fringed square at dusk for sundowners and sweeping vistas over Lisbon.
Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara
This strategic viewpoint has a great view of the St. George's Castle and of historical Lisbon. Located close to Baixa and Restauradores, Lisbon's downtown, this spot is frequented by the youth of the city. Perfect for a lover's walk. Note that the prettiest way to get here is by the Elevador da Glória.
