lisboa Archives - Blanca Valbuena

Lisbon Art Classes
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 24, 2017
I've made art my entire life. As I got older, life (work) got in the way. That's why I began taking art courses, it made it so I had to create. In NYC I took classes at the Art Students League, those were some of the best courses I took and I am so lucky for it. I have just recently made Lisbon home base, and I am starting to do my research to find art classes that fit me and my personality. Right now, this list of Lisbon Art Classes is just research, but as I test some out, I'll add some insights. If you have suggestions on Lisbon Art Classes for me, please leave them in the comments and let me know what you think!

Lisbon Art Classes

Clube de Desenho Lisboa $

This is a fantastic spot if you're on a budget. This is more of a club than a class and payment is beyond fair. You can pay in cash, goods, or services. For example:

Payments in Cash

3€ each workshop // 10€ a month
1-off workshops: 6€

Payments in Goods

- give or lend for a month or 2
- New/old / 2nd hand - if it still works it's still good 🙂
eg: Guitar / ukulele / computer / food mixer / camera / art equipment ( brushes / pencils etc etc )

Payments in Services

- Admin help // Guitar lessons // be a model for drawing

Samantha Wilson $$

Wilson is a working artist who runs both group and individual classes in Lisboa. Her classes are incredibly affordable at 15€ for a one hour class. However, you must commit to at least 4 classes and if you sign up for a 12-week program, you get a 10% discount.

Facultade de Belas Artes $$$$

This is where you want to go if you're really serious. This is one of Lisbon's art colleges and the education here is superb. You can take all sorts of classes here including:
- multimedia art
- sciences of art and heritage
- drawing
- communication design
- equipment design
- sculpture
- painting
The annual fee at the Faculatede de Belas Artes starts at about 1,000 Euros.
Lisbon Airport Guide
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 23, 2017
Lisbon has become one of Europe's hottest travel destination. I've been traveling here for over five years and the tourism boom is exponential. Why is this so? Lisbon is inexpensive compared to most other major European capitals, it is gorgeous, it is close to crystal clear beaches, and offers great food and wine. If you're finally going to visit the City of Seven Hills, take a few to check out my Lisbon Airport Guide. It will make your arrival significantly more pleasant.

Lisbon Airport Guide

Getting to Lisbon from the Airport

Let's discuss the multiple ways you can get from Lisbon airport to the city center:

1. Skip taxis: Not all taxi drivers speak English in Lisbon and some who do will make believe they don't to go the longer way and tack on a few extra bucks to your ride. Many taxis are old and decrepit. They don't always want to take you to your exact location, and overall, I've not had the best experiences with taxis in Lisboa. Of course not all taxi drivers are like this, but why take the chance? A taxi will cost you between €15-20

2. Take an Uber: Ubers are great. Even if your driver does not speak English, you can just put in the address of your destination and they'll get you where you need to go. There is one caveat. You can't pick up your Uber where the taxis are parked. Instead, walk to the car rental area - Ubers know to pick up their fares there. An Uber will cost you around €10-15

If you don't already have an international smart phone, and you aren't planning on purchasing a SIM card at the Vodaphone kiosk at Lisbon airport, you can use the airport's free WIFI to procure your Uber. Just keep in mind that the service is only available for 30 minutes and requires you to create an email log-in.

3. Take the Metro: The metro in Lisbon is easy to take and cheap. I prefer Uber because you'll probably be tired when you arrive, but if you have the stamina, go for a ride on the metro. It's pretty easy and it is CHEAP! A trip on the metro will cost you €1.45

4. Take the AeroBus: Lisbon's Aerobus has two lines that will get you to the city center. A one-way adult ticket costs €3.50.
- Line 1 - Entrecampos, Campo Pequeno, Avenida da República, Saldanha, Picoas, Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, Marquês de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade, Restauradores, Rossio, Praça do Comércio, Cais do Sodré. Leaves every 20 minutes.
- Line 2 – Entrecampos, Sete Rios, Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, Praça de Espanha, Avenida José Malhoa. Leaves every 40 minutes.
5. Take the City Bus: This should be your last choice. These are the city Carris buses and while they will get you to your destination, they're not the most reliable and have a restriction on luggage sizes. The bus will cost you €1,85 if you pay cash, or €1,45 if you use the Viva Viagem card. If you do decide to take the bus, these are your choices:
- 705 Oriente-Aeroporto-Roma/Areeiro
- 722 Praça de Londres-Aeroporto-Portela
- 744 Marquês-Aeroporto-Moscavide
- 783 Amoreiras-Aeroporto-Portela
- 208 Cais do Sodré and Oriente
6. Rent a Car: Let me be clear. You do not need a car in Lisbon. The metro is outstanding, it's a very walkable city (except for the hills), and Uber is quite reliable. Only rent a car if you are planning to head to Sintra or Setubal or to the Algarve. That being said, there are tons of car rental companies at the airport. Some have their stalls right at the airport, others will have representatives meet you there and then shuttle you over to their offices. Either way, you can get some incredible deals. These are a few of the car rental companies you can rent from:
- Europcar
- Guerin
- Hertz
- Avis
- Budget
- GoldCar
- Enterprise
- Sixt
How Long To Get to the City Center by Car

Lisbon airport is ridiculously close to the city center, about 4 miles to the downtown Lisboa. Here are estimated times on how long it will take you to get to different neighborhoods in Lisbon:

Alfama Uber 8-20 min
Cais do Sodré 25-30 min
Marquês de Pombal 20-25 min
Parque das Nações Metro 5-10 min
Rossio 25-30 min
Saldanha 20-30 min
São Sebastião 20-30 min

How Long to Get to the City Center by Metro

As I mentioned before, the metro is the cheapest way to get to Lisbon proper. The line at the Airport is the red line that goes to São Sebastião. It connects with all other lines, so no matter where you are going, it's pretty easy to get there on maximum 1 transfer.

Alfama 24 min
Cais do Sodré 30 min
Marquês de Pombal 20-25 min
Parque das Nações 5-10 min
Rossio 25-30 min
Saldanha Metro 20 min
São Sebastião Metro 20-25 min

How to Buy A Metro(Viva Viagem) Card

Metro cards in Lisbon are called Viva Viagem Cards. You can purchase them at the ticket machines (they have an option for English on the screen). The card will cost you 0.50€, then you need to add value to the card.

Each person in your party needs to have his or her card. Lisbon is not like NYC where you can swipe people in with your card.

The Viva Viagem card works not just on Lisbon's subways, but also on the yellow Carris buses.

Lisbon Airport Guide - The Terminals

There are two terminals at Lisbon Airport:
- Terminal 1: Arrivals & International departures
- Terminal 2: Low-cost airlines
Have other questions about this Lisbon Airport Guide? Have other questions about Lisbon in general? Leave your question in the comments.
Best Parks in Lisbon
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 21, 2017
There are tons of reasons to love Lisbon. It offers some of the most beautiful panoramic views, incredible street art, wonderful museums, great food, and wine. There is one other thing that you will absolutely love about the city, its parks. Lisbon has some gorgeous public spaces to offer. These are places to sit back and relax either alone or with friends. They are places where you can enjoy the laughter of children and get to know both locals and expats alike. We've put together a list of the best parks in Lisbon, make sure to visit them when you come to the city of the seven hills.

Best Parks in Lisbon

Parque Eduardo VII is one of the largest and best in Lisbon

Parque Eduardo VII (Avenidas Novas & Marques De Pombal)

This is one of my favorite parks in the city. It is named after King Edward VII from England and starts off at Marques de Pombal square. It is the largest in the city and offers tons to do and see such as:
- The Estufa Fria & Estufa Quente greenhouses
- The 25 de Abril Monument & the miradouro's panoramic view of the city
- Pavilhão Carlos Lopes:
- Jardim Amália Rodrigues: which includes the Linha D'Agua cafe and its lake
- Eleven: a 1 star Michelin restaurant with incredible views
- And tons of sculptures if you're into art
- Lots of places to eat
- A playground for the little ones
The park at the Gulbenkian Foundation has some incredible nature

Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

I hate writing about this one because I want to keep it secret. This is a masterpiece of landscape architecture. The park feels like a complete escape, even when it is packed full of people. It offers the perfect combination of nature, modern architecture and art. Why will you love Gulbenkian's Gardens:
- It houses the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
- It also houses the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and the Center of Modern Art
- There are incredible sculptures throughout
- The amphitheater often has free or inexpensive music shows and theater
- There are three restaurants in the park and one offers some of Lisbon's best ice cream
Estrela Park in Lisbon is great for people watching

Jardim da Estrela (Lapa & Estrela)

This is definitely a favorite for locals. You can go there any day of the week and see older Lisboetas walking and using the free exercise equipment in the park. You'll see parents playing with their kids, people reading, lovers embracing. It is probably my favorite park for people watching. Why else will you love Jardim da Estrela?
- The duck pond
- The playground
- The exotic plants that are found throughout the park
- The cafe & restaurant
- Its sculptures
- The view of Estrela Cathedral
Jardim do Torel (Arroios)

This tiny park is hard to find but so worth the search. It's a 19th Century garden that has some of the best views in Lisbon and its Baixa neighborhood. Why you will love Jardim do Torrel:
- It's "beach"
- The gorgeous mermaid that will keep you company
- The cafe
- Taking a ride there using the Lavra Elevator
- The nearby mansions
Campo de Martires de Patria is one of the best parks in Lisbon and a fab spot to grab a drink

Campo de Martires de Patria (Arroios)

This park was a complete surprise to me. It honors Gomes Freire de Andrade and his companions who attempted to overthrow the government of Marshal Beresford. They failed and were hanged in 1817. It also honors Doctor Sousa Martins who was a doctor who cared for people free of charge and was murdered. Why you will love Campo de Martires de Patria park:
- It's got basketball courts (a rarity in Lisboa)
- The Fly Bar is a great place to grab a drink with friends
- There are ducks, geese, and roosters walking about
Tapada das Necessidades is one of the quietest parks in Lisbon

Tapada Das Necesidades (Estrela)

This is a true Lisbon secret. Every time I have been there it has been pretty much empty and I have been the only non-Portuguese there. It is gorgeous and calm, it is the perfect spot to get away. Why you will love Tapada Das Necesidades:
- There are ducks, geese, cats, and PEACOCKS!
- There is a gorgeous pond
- The attached Palacio das Necesidades is stunning
- It is said Manet's Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe was inspired by this park
- The architecture that is in ruins but still maintains its beauty
- The plant life in the park
Campo Grande is one of the best parks in Lisbon for a Sunday stroll

Campo Grande (Alvalade)

This is a good-sized park with tons to do. There are squash courts, there is a gorgeous lake and a wonderful place to go for a stroll on weekends. Why you will love Campo Grande park:
- Gorgeous restaurant on the lake
- Rent boats to enjoy a ride
- Check out the membership for the squash courts
- Plenty of spots to picnic
Have a suggestion for a park I should add? Have a question about Lisboa? Just leave it in the comments.
Jardim Gulbenkian
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 21, 2017
If you ask me, parks are the hearts of cities. When I lived in NYC, Central Park and Riverside Park were a part of my daily routine. Now that Lisbon, Portugal is my home base, I am thrilled to say that Parque Eduardo VII and Jardim Gulbenkian have taken over their role in my life. I'll tell you why out of all the best gardens in Lisbon I love this garden so much; and I'll tell you about some of the things you can do in the area so that when you come to visit, you can fall in love with this gorgeous park as quickly as I did.

Jardim Gulbenkian

Gulbenkian Garden's waterfalls add gorgeous sounds to the park

If you walk about 5 minutes away from Jardim Eduardo VII towards Saldanha, you will find yourself at the Calouste Gulbenkian cultural center which is home to the garden. I call it a cultural center because outside of the park and gardens, there is an incredible museum, a performance space, and plenty of things to do.

Things to do in Jardim Gulbenkian

Night herons are one of many species of birds you can see at Gulbenkian Garden

Enjoy Nature: Although (or maybe because) Gulbenkian garden is a masterpiece of landscape architecture, it is a haven for nature lovers. There is a lake, a waterfall, and bamboo gardens. There is also tons of wildlife and birdwatchers will delight. Currently, there are over 40 species of birds that frequent the gardens including water hens, wagtails, wrens, herons, woodpeckers, and more. One note, please do not feed the wildlife. It is not good for them.

The concert venue at Gulbenkian Garden

Enjoy Music: A big part of the Gulbenkian foundation is music. In the park, there is an open-air amphitheater where there are free and cheap shows very often. These shows are no joke. Previous performers have included Gustavo Dudamel, Steve Lehman, and many more.

Reusen Nakian Satyricon is one of many sculptures at Gulbenkian Park

Enjoy Art: The garden is filled with art. If you walk the garden's grounds, you will find some gorgeous sculpture. Should you decide you want something a bit more formal, then go to either of the museum buildings. There is one dedicated to modern art, and another that houses Calouste Gulbenkian's personal collection. Getting in will cost you around 11.50 €.

There is a castle next to Gulbenkian. Isn't it cool

Check out the Adjacent Castle: Don't have much info on it, but it's so damn cool. If you know something about it, drop me a line in the comments.

Where to Eat

There are three restaurants inside the gardens. We'll start with these:

One of the restaurants at Gulbenkian Gardens

Self Service Cafe at the Founder's Collection: Another inexpensive option serving Portuguese dishes with indoor and outdoor seating. Nothing to write home about, but you can't beat the setting if you can get a seat outside.

Self Service Cafe at the Centro de Arte Moderno: Inside the park, this is the cafeteria for the Modern Art museum. Cheap and tasty Portuguese dishes are served here. There is indoor and outdoor seating (and beer & wine).

This cafeteria is a great place to get coffee, tea, and ice cream

Cafetaria do Centro Interpretativo Goncalo Ribeiro Telles: The food here is lighter than the Self-service cafe. This place is more apt if you're in the mood to get coffee, but what I love there is their ice cream. They've got some incredible flavors there such as Eucalyptus, carrot and Tia Maria. I highly recommend dropping by for a quick ice cream break. This restaurant also has indoor and outdoor seating options.

The Cafés are open from Wednesday to Monday, from 10:00 to 6:00 pm.

The Garden Cafeteria is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the Winter and until 8:00 pm in the Summer.

If you decide to grab a meal outside the gardens, you also have plenty of options nearby. Antonio put together a few of his favorites on FriendsEAT, but if you ask me, these are absolute musts in the area:

Eleven: This is the splurge. A one star Michelin restaurant with an incredible view. They do offer a fantastic lunch deal on weekdays. Reservations are a must. Located at Rua Marquês da Fronteira Jardim Amália Rodrigues.

Things to do Nearby

The lake at Linha D'Agua is a popular spot for Praxes

Linha D'Agua: Gorgeous outside cafe that serves Portuguese fare. Quite affordable and simply a beautiful spot to people watch. Very close to El Corte Ingles. Located at Rua Marquês de Fronteira 18

O Talho: This one is for the carnivore in your life, the restaurant uses certified meats that are sold at its butcher shop and the meat is always cooked to perfection. Located at R. Carlos Testa 1B.

Expressoes da Nossa Terra: Updated Portuguese classics with an incredible wine list. Rua Latino Coelho Nº 63A

What to See Near Jardim Gulbenkian

Jardim Eduardo VII: Perhaps the best view of the city in a gorgeous park with tons to do. There are two green houses, a Michelin starred restaurant and plenty of art to enjoy.

El Corte Ingles: This is a fantastic store to go shopping at. Make sure you check out the supermarket and food court downstairs. Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31

Campo Pequeno: For the record, bullfighting is a cruel and sadistic activity that I will never fund. That being said when Lisbon finally stops this barbaric practice, I will be glad to visit this incredible location. There is a mall under the bullring and plenty of restaurants above. The Moorish architecture is simply gorgeous and worth seeing, but I do urge you not to shop, eat, or see a show there until this type of animal abuse is banned in the country. There are tons of other places in Lisboa where you can do all this.

Anastácio Gonçalves Museum: One of the prettiest buildings in Lisbon which holds a gorgeous collection of Chinese art, specifically porcelain pieces. Avenida 5 de Outubro 6.

Basic Information

My location
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Jardim Gulbenkian is located at: Avenida de Berna, 45, 1067-001, Lisbon – Portugal
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm

Metro Stop: Sao Sebastiao

Have other questions about Gulbenkian Garden or any other locations in Lisbon? Leave your question in the comments below & I'll get back to you in a jiffy!
Where to Purchase Appliances in Lisbon
By Antonio Evans / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 18, 2017
When we moved to Lisbon, we brought over our home (not something I recommend - just sell your crap and buy new here). We were able to get a good number of our electronics to work (most of the new stuff), but some things (like our 10-year-old flat screen) just did not cut it. Needless to say, we had to do some shopping. If you need to pick up brand new electronics in Lisbon, here are a few places you can purchase appliances in Lisbon.

Where to Purchase Appliances in Lisbon

Box Jumbo

This is where we got our TV. Box is part of the Jumbo chain and they sell pretty much everything you could want. They also accept American credit cards, so this was great since we did not have a Portuguese one when we first arrived. Delivery of our TV was fast and easy, and everyone spoke English quite well which made our purchasing much easier. A few things you can buy here:
- Televisions
- Kitchen appliances (fridges, stoves, hand blenders)
- Computers & smartphones
- Cameras
- Air conditioners
There are three Box locations in Lisbon, Portugal:
- Campo Pequeno: Avenida João XXI, nº3
- Amoreiras: Centro Comercial Amoreiras, Avenida Eng. Duarte Pacheco, Loja 1
- Pascoal de Melo: Rua Pascoal de Melo, nº47A
You can purchase all kinds of items in El Corte Ingles including electronics and clothes

El Corte Ingles

Think of this store as Macy's. You can purchase almost everything here. We purchased our induction stovetop here. They take American credit cards, but the biggest drawback here for us was that nobody spoke English in the electro-domestic department, so it was a touch harder to communicate. It also took quite a long time to get our cooktop and to have it installed.
- Computers
- Cameras
- Televisions
- Smartphones
- Blowdryers
- Coffee makers
- Dishwashing machines
There is only one Corte Ingles location in Lisbon which is over at Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31 in the Avenidas Novas neighborhood.

Ikea

Yup, Ikea. You can't get electronics like smart phones, but you can pick up major household appliances. Their delivery and installation services were incredibly better than El Corte Ingles.
- Refrigerators
- Ovens
- Hobs
- Microwaves
- Dishwashers
There are two Ikeas "in" Lisbon. It usually costs 10-15 to get there by Uber, so save this trip if for when you need to purchase more household things.
- Alfragide: R. Oscar Niemeyer, Amadora
- Loures: R. 28 de Setembro 250, Loures
Worten

Worten is a great electronics store. They carry almost everything you can dream of (even top of the line items). A few items you can get at Worten:
- Televisions
- Refrigerators & Stoves
- Washer & Dryers
- Video game systems & accessories
- Hair dryers
- Cameras
- Drones
- Coffee Makers
There are three Worten locations in Lisbon proper, and tons more throughout Portugal.
- Amoreiras: Edifício Amoreiras Plaza - Rua Maria Ulrich nº1
- Parque Das Nacoes: Avenida Dom João II - Estação do Oriente
- Cais do Sodre: Praça Duque Terceira L8 (smaller location - we recommend the others)
- You can purchase computer related electronics at Nano Chip in Lisbon
NanoChip

This is a great store if you need some hard to find items for your computer. This is where you can get motherboards, smart phones, splitters, tablets, etc. Great service too.

There is one NanoChip location in Lisbon
- Avenidas Novas: R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 100
Cash Converters

This store is a used stuff store, not just electronics, but everything. When you buy something, it comes with at least a 1-year warranty (but you must be meticulous about keeping your receipts). What you can purchase depends on when you come in. Things you can normally purchase there:
- Fans & Heaters
- Drills
- Televisions
- Computers
- Smart phones
- Cameras
- Video Game Systems
There are tons of locations throughout Lisboa. One thing you need to remember is that if you purchase at one location, you must return or exchange at that same location.
- Avenidas Novas: Rua Pinheiro Chagas, Nº101-B
- Rato: Rua Alexandre Herculano, 80
- Arroios: Rua António Pereira Carrilho 5
GMS Store

If you are looking to purchase certified Apple items, check out GMS. They are a certified Apple reseller and you can buy all sorts of Apple products including:
- iMac
- MacBook Air
- Apple Watches
- iPhones
- iPods
There are three GMS Store locations in Lisbon:
- Amoreiras: Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco
- Chiado: Rua do Carmo, nº46
- Centro Comercial Colombo: Avenida Lusiada
Have a question about where to purchase a specific item? Leave a note in the comments & we'll get back to you.

Pro Tip: Don't purchase from Amazon. Currently, there is no Amazon Portugal so you'd need to puchase from either .es or .uk. Shipping returns will kill you since it costs at least 15 Euros. Anything that is shipped from Amazon.com (the US site) will be subject to taxes and at times this can cost more than the item you purchased.
Best Gyms in Lisbon Portugal
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 11, 2017

As most of you know I work online all day, that's a dangerous thing for someone who lives in Lisbon where food is delicious (and cheap). Lucky for me, before settling here I got to try tons of gyms. I'll leave the best for last (the one I picked for my membership), but I'll give you a breakdown of the best gyms in Lisbon so you can stay healthy and in shape (and still enjoy all of Lisbon's delicious food).

Best Gyms in Lisbon

Fitness Hut is the best value gym in Lisbon. Customer service does take a hit

Fitness Hut $

The Good: This is your budget gym. Memberships run at €7 per week. It's a fine gym if you aren't looking for any amenities. At the premier membership, you can go to any of the clubs within the chain and there are plenty (almost 20 in the Lisbon area). This is one of the best gyms in Lisbon when it comes to value.

The Bad: They require that you have a Portuguese or European bank account (no US credit cards or cash are accepted). Customer service varies by location and really leaves a lot to be desired.

The Verdict: Go if you want to save money, but don't expect much. This is your no-frills convenient gym.

Locations: Alfragide, Almirante Reis, Amadora, Amoreiras, Arco do Cego, Benfica, Parque das Nacoes, Picoas, Santos.

Holmes Place is one of the best gyms in Lisbon

Holmes Place $$$

The Good: Because this is a premium sports club, the equipment and amenities are fantastic. Most locations (there are 6 in Lisbon) have pools. There are tons of classes and they even have an app to help you reserve a spot in the classes.

The Bad: This club comes with a premium price tag and it is quite popular. There are always tons of people there and classes fill up fast. The staff there is a bit pushy on sales.

The Verdict: Great machines, great amenities, great classes. Very expensive (for Portugal) and too many people (which may be good if you're new in town and looking to meet people).

Locations: 5 de Octubre, Alvalade, Amoreiras, Avenida da Liberdade, Avenida Defensores Chaves, Parque das Nacoes.

The prices at Clube VII in Lisbon are steep, but the grounds and machines are spectacular

Club VII $$$

The Good: This is more of a country club - sports club combination. It's the Chi-chiest of the gyms and offers an indoor outdoor pool, plenty of tennis courts, a sunning area, and incredible equipment. It is also located in Parque Eduardo VII, so the location is fabulous. Lisbon's elite goes here, so if you are looking to rub elbows, this is the place.

The Bad: Membership comes at a cost, and that ain't pretty. There is also only one location, so unlike the other clubs when you travel you won't have clubs to visit.

The Verdict: If you have the money, join up. This place is gorgeous and has great amenities.

Locations: Parque Eduardo VII

Academia/Jazzy Life Club $$

The Good: This is one of my faves, and I would have joined if it was not so far from my new place in the Avenidas Novas neighborhood. This club is not pretentious at all. The price is quite fair on a monthly basis, the equipment is fantastic and there are plenty of classes (take the Samba class - it's awesome). People here are fit (seriously fit) which is quite inspirational when you are about to give up.

The Bad: It's kinda hard to get to. Since it's on the water, you have to cross a major street and then go over a bridge. The location is great if you are in Santos, but not if you are in other places in Lisbon. There are 4 clubs in total, but only 1 in Lisbon proper.

The Verdict: If you are in the Santos/Cais do Sodre area, this should be your choice.

Locations: Santos

Virgin Active is one of the best gyms in Lisbon with spotless grounds and brand new equipment

Virgin Active $$$

The Good: This is Richard Branson's gym and it is definitely one of the Best Gyms in Lisbon. The equipment is some of the best in town and if you are looking for a particular machine, they will have it. They have a pool, spa and you can get a fitness evaluation and training regimen free every month.

The gym is huge and because it has a higher price tag (and an ultra secret location), it's never packed. I've never had to wait for a machine. The staff is not overly salesy. You can also pay with American credit cards - a big plus for me.

The Bad: That after you read this you will come and it may get more crowded. In all seriousness, there's only one Lisbon location, so unless you live near Marques de Pombal, it's probably not convenient for you.

The Verdict: I go here. Needless to say, I love it.

Locations: Palacio SottoMaior

Got other gyms in Lisbon I should check out? Have questions about a particular club? Ask in the comments.
Where to Eat In Lisbon, Portugal
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 2, 2017
Lisbon is a great city for food. If you know where to go. Lisbon is on an uptick and so is its restaurant culture, so if you're willing to explore and be adventurous you will enjoy some amazing meals. I am not going to cover the fancy or expensive restaurants like Eleven, 100 Maneiras, or Belcanto (which are all outstanding). In this post, I will be discussing where to eat in Lisbon so that you get the best value for the quality of the food. This is not about the cheapest restaurants or the best restaurants, but the best restaurants in Lisbon for the money.

Before I list the restaurants you must try in Lisbon, let me give you a few tips for eating in the city of Fado:

Tips for Eating In Lisbon, Portugal

Entradas are like the coperto in Italy or couvert in France. If bread, cheese, or olives are placed on your table, and if you decide to eat them, they will be added to your bill. Understand that the restaurant is not pulling a fast one on you, they are just doing what has been done in Lisbon for years. The entradas usually cost anywhere from 1-3€

Pratos do dia are awesome. Think of these as the French Formule. These dishes usually change on a daily or weekly basis and are made with whatever fresh ingredient was brought in that day. These tend to be the cheapest thing on the menu and super fresh.

Petiscos: Petiscos are small dishes, think of them as Portuguese tapas. These were typically served as a snack to keep you going between meals (and ususally with a drink). They've become quite popular with tourists, and you can now find restaurants fully dedicated to them. If you are looking for a slightly lighter meal, check out a place serving Petiscos.

Sundays are usually bad days. A lot of restaurants will be closed. So make sure to plan ahead for this day of the week.

Tipping it's not customary in Lisbon. Most people leave 1€ or 2, but if you tip somewhere between 5-10% your server will be thrilled. So go ahead and tip.

Where to Eat In Lisbon

Petiscaria Ideal (Santos-o-Velho Neighborhood)

This Petiscaria in Lisboa serves typical Portuguese food in a nice atmosphere

Santos is a fantastic neighborhood for eating well. As mentioned above, Petiscos are Lisbon's version of tapas and Petiscaria Ideal excels at this type of dish. When you go here, the idea is to order a bunch of Petiscos to share. The dishes are priced quite nicely, and the atmosphere is friendly. Make reservations or go early to get a table, they fill up fast. Dishes start at abour 4 Euros.

Location: Petiscaria Ideal is located at Rua da Esperanca 100 in, Lisbon Portugal.

Hours of Operation:

Picanha (Santos-O-Velho)

Picanha is an easy place to miss, but offer delicious beef dishes including their signature picanha

While in Portugal this is more of a Brazilian style steak house. Note, this is not a churrascaria, but it serves Brazilian style steaks. The service is friendly, the food is tasty and the restaurant offers an incredible prix fixe for lunch at just 12 Euros that includes a soup, a main course, and dessert.

Location: Picanha is located at Rua das Janelas Verdes 96

Hours of Operation: Closed Mon, Tue-Sat 12:30pm - 3pm & 8:00 pm - 12:00 am, Sun 12:30pm-3pm

Le Chat (Santos-o-Velho - Museu de Arte Antiga)

This gorgeous restaurant and bar in a park has incredible views and solid food

If you're looking for a view in a trendy setting, this is it. The bonus here is that the food is great. Le Chat is just a few steps away from the Museu de Arte Antiga. The restaurant is a glass rectangle, so not matter where you sit you have an incredible view. The restaurant is known for their cocktails, and they offer very nice dishes like the octopus shown above and a perfectly cooked duck.

Location: Le Chat is located at Jardim 9 de Abril nº18

Hours of Operation: Sun 12:30pm–12am, Mon-Sat 12:30pm–2am

IIIMPAR is a fantastic new-Portuguese restaurant in the Rato area of Lisbon

Iiimpar (Rato)

R. Nova de São Mamede 23 - This restaurant boasts a fantastic value for the quality of the food. The dishes are classic Portuguese, but modernized to make them sleek but still comforting. The restaurant also has a great wine list and great lunch deals at right about 10€.

Location: R. Nova de São Mamede 23

Hours: Mon-Fri 12:30-3pm, 7:30-11pm, Sat 7:30-11pm. Sun Closed.

Martim Moniz Square (Martim Moniz Neighborhood)

Praça Martim Moniz in Lisbon Portugal is a great spot to listen to music, eat cheap tasty food and grab a drink.

We had many lunches and dinners at this lovely outdoor area. I had scoped it out before we got here and it did not disappoint. This square is not very touristy. I think a big reason for that is that the neighborhood is quite multicultural and most tourists that come to Lisbon like to hit up the touristy spots. Some spots in the neighborhood feel like Germany. There is a Chinatown. You can find Turkish Kebab houses and much more. The square reflects the multiculturalism. There is a stage, and when live music is not playing, there is jazz from a sound system to keep you company. On the periphery, there are small restaurants (much like food trucks or kiosks) that include everything from Chinese dim sum, doner shops, a batido (milkshake) shop, a Brazilian sandwich shop, sushi, burgers and more. What's even better, you can get pretty good food deals. Antonio picked up a beef doner with french fries AND a Sagres beer for just 6.50€.  I opted for the "Brazilian" shop where I found a beef empanada and a "Cubano" for 7.50€.  Mind you, my Cubano was not a Cubano (either Cuba is too damn far from Portugal...or they gave me someone else's sandwich), but I will say it was delicious and filling. This square is also pretty close to the Castelo, the Mouraria, and the water. It's a super chill spot. On Friday nights, DJ's play all kinds of music as all types of people: young, old, Portuguese, African, French, rich, poor, hippies, dandys, et all sit back and enjoy the music. I even got a 15 minute massage for just 5€. A lot of blogs had mentioned it was unsafe, but I had no issues whatsoever there. Forgot to mention that each kiosk has its own tent with tables and TVs - these came in handy when I needed to see the Colombia-Japan world cup game.

Location: Tram #15 to Praça da Figueira & walk North.

Mercado da Ribeira (Cais do Sodre Neighborhood)

Time Out's Mercado da Ribeira boasts a farmer's market, a food hall, wine shops, and a music stage.

I have a thing for markets. Not supermarkets but galerias and les Halles. This falls into the category I love. It's a damn good place to go food shopping and to grab a bite. The market has been around since 1882 and it is located near the River and the Cais do Sodre station. You can get everything from octopus, escargot, funeral flowers (yup...funeral flowers), and of course bacalhau. I spent about 3.50€ on eggs, peaches, nectarines, pears, and strawberries.  Prices for produce and meats here are amazing. It now has a fancy dining hall where you can find almost all types of food you could possibly desire. There are 30 restaurants in the market including Chinese, beef, sushi, and much more. It also serves as a beer and wine garden and since it is open to 2 am on Fridays, it's a great nightlife spot, but we don't recommend visiting on Fridays or Saturdays. It is a madhouse. Instead try a weekday during lunch. The restaurants here are more expensive than those in town, so don't expect a value here. I had a sandwich tasting trio from the Vitor Claro kiosk. Three tiny, but delicious sandwiches: Club Bijou - chicken breast, bacon, and egg, Escabeche - fish escabeche, and Lombo de sardinha - sardine filet. This and a glass of wine cost me 15€.

Location: Mercado da Ribeira is located at Avenida 24 de Julho in Lisbon, Portugal

Market: open daily 5am– 2pm. Closed on Sundays. Dining Hall Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 10am to midnight; Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2am

Expressoes da Nossa Terra (Avenidas Novas)

Expressoes de Nossa Terra is an affordable but incredibly high quality restaurant in Lisbon

This market/restaurant serves seriously good quality food. The dishes are all updated versions of Portuguese classics made in an open kitchen. The wine list at this restaurant is also superb and the wait staff is incredibly knowledgeable on both the dishes, ingredients, and wines. Most dishes are served as small portions meant for sharing (Petiscos are Portugal's version of Tapas). If you go during lunch on weekdays, you can get their 10€ lunch deal (an appetizer, main and a drink). If you don't go during this time, expect to pay about 20€ per person.

Location: Rua Latino Coelho, 63A, Lisbon Portugal

Hours of Operation: mon-sat 12:30-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Zaafran is a good Indian restaurant with great prices in Lisbon

Zaafran (Saldanha - Avenidas Novas)

Largo Dona Estefânia 7: Great Indian restaurant is located right on the Largo de Dona Estefania so you have a great view of the Neptune fountain. The food here is delicious, and if you go for lunch, you can get some incredible deals. I got the Thaali lunch at 9.5€, but you can get a lunch as cheap as 6.5€. They have outdoor seating and the service was great. I'd highly recommend getting lunch here on weekends.

Location: Largo Dona Estefânia 7, Lisbon Portugal

Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 12–3PM, 7:30–11PM. Closed Sundays

Masstige Avenidas (Avenidas Novas - Campo Pequeno)

Masstige Avenidas is a young and contemporary restaurant in Avenidas Novas

A fantastic little restaurant with a gorgeous outside area. The food here is more international than Portuguese and the dishes are executed perfectly. The food is fairly priced, but if you want to enjoy their best deals, head over for lunch. You will have a choice of two executive menus, one at 10€ the other at 15€. The more expensive deal gets you a main course, soup or dessert, wine or beer, and a coffee.

Location: Avenida Antonio Serpa Nº9, Lisbon Portugal

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 12am-12pm, Sat 12:30-2am, Sun Closed

Aromas e Temperos serves gorgeous Brazilian in Lisbon

Aromas Temperos (Arroios)

Tv. Rebelo da Silva 2 - This restaurant is incredibly hard to find, but you will be glad you did. It's tiny in space, but HUGE in flavor. The food here is Brazilian-Portuguese. The couvert breads are baked as they are ordered and the wait is totally worth it. The capirinhas are strong & sweet (so ask them to go easy on the sugar). Worth every penny. You'll spend under 10€ per entree. My fave was the bobozinho de camarao.

Location: Tv. Rebelo da Silva 2

Hours of Operation:  12pm-2:30, 7:30-11:30. Closed Sundays

Farol de Santa Luzia (Alfama)

Portuguese feijoada from Farol de Santa Luzia in the Alfama in LIsbon blew us away

We read great reviews about this restaurant online and the price was right...keep in mind food in Lisbon is not as inexpensive as we thought it would be. Besides, this restaurant is situated between the Castelo & Alfama neighborhoods, so it made a perfect spot for our trip to the Feria de Ladras. Loved our server, he was one of those you could tell had been working professionally as a server for years. We declined the couvert because it was 3.50€ for olives, bread, and olive oil...and because we had seen pictures of the portions online. This was definitely a right move. Our dishes were HUGE. I ordered grilled sardines with potatoes. The fish was perfectly cooked inside and the potatoes were delicious. The sardines were a tad over salted, but that's just due to the method of cooking. Antonio chose the entrecote, pork ribs. His ribs were also (ever so slightly) oversalted, but they came with the most amazing rice and beans. Seriously - the beans were worth the meal. I'm Colombian-American. Antonio is Dominican-Cuban-American. We know rice and beans. If this is what Portuguese rice and beans taste like, I am a convert. Good food, good price, good service. I give it a thumbs up.

Location: Farol de Santa luzia is located at Largo de Santa Luzia, 5

Hours: Monday to Saturday 12 noon to 11pm.

Mr. Lin (Parque das Nacoes)

Mr. Lin serves incredible Szechuan cuisine in Lisbon

The best Chinese restaurant we've tried in Lisbon so far. It is so worth the trip to Parque Das Nacoes (and some of the metro lines take you there much faster than if you were to drive). This is not American-Chinese food, it's a touch more authentic. The dishes are perfectly prepared and not overloaded with MSG or grease. You will pay a bit more here, but the portions are HUGE.

Location: R. Pimenta 45, 1990-254 Lisboa, Portugal

A Cantina das Freiras (Chiado Neighborhood)

Cantina das Freiras is one of the best values in Lisbon - and it has an amazing view

An amazing view of the Targus, and cheap-yummy homemade Portuguese food: don't miss out on this place. It's kinda hard to find. When you turn onto Travessa do Ferragial, you'll probably walk right past the entrance. It has no sign. It's in a really tall building. When you walk in, just keep walking up the stairs until you get to the top. At the entrance is a sort of delicatessen where you can purchase drinks and snacks. Walk past this into the dining room and to the cafeteria style area where you order. Prices are INSANE. What do I mean by INSANE? Here are a few examples:
- Salad + quiche 2.90€
- Omelet + salad 2.50€
- Soup + sandwich 3.50€
- Ementa: soup, main dish (example would be a huge portion of calamari, mashed potatoes AND a salad), and a drink 6.50€
We went, loved it, and went back. We sat in the sun with a gorgeous view and were not even able to finish our food. They even have beer and wine. Seriously - go. It's kinda awesome. Only downfall - cash only (but at these prices - who cares) and no English is spoken here (but who cares - you can always point and make an ass out of yourself - it will be worth it). Best deal in the Chiado neighborhood.

Location: A Cantina das Freiras is located at Travessa do Ferragial 1

Hours: Monday - Friday 11:30am - 3pm

Leitaria Aviz

Aviz is a mom and pop restaurant in Lisbon that serves ridiculously delicious food at an incredible value

Lisbon is filled with tiny mom and pops throughout the city. These restaurants feel kinda like you're eating at somebody's house. Leitaria Aviz is one of them. These restaurants are frequented by Lisboetas who work in the area. Usually a group of 4-10 of them will take a break from the work day and recharge here. You can get an incredible meal for under 10€. I had Arroz de Polvo, a Portuguese dish of rice, octopus, shrimp, chorizo. Antonio got Portuguese rice and beans along with some gorgeous pork ribs, and Nuno got an entire grilled fish with potatoes and broccoli. For dessert, we had Arroz Doce à Portuguesa. A sort of rice pudding sprinkled with the most charming designs in cinnamon. Our meal (with a 1/2 bottle of wine and one Sagres) came out to less than 20€. MIND BLOWN! Delicious food that does not break the bank does not usually happen to me. Check out this place on your next visit. Something tells me I'll be back before I leave town.

Rua das olarias 2, 218-860-471

Jesus é Goês (Avenida Liberdade/Baixa Neighborhoods)

Jesus é Goês serves delectable Goan food in Lisbon including this fish curry

Jesus is indeed Goan, he's the Goan born chef at this wonderful establishment. Jesus left his homeland to move to Lisbon years ago without knowing a word of English. He learned his dishes from his mom and now shares authentic Goan flavors (as well as his wonderful spirit) with everyone who enters the restaurant. Although the restaurant was packed upon minutes of opening, he made it a point to walk to each table and give everyone personal attention. But the most important thing here was that the food was outstanding. I had not had such good Indian food since I last went to Junoon, a one star Michelin in Manhattan. We had chickpea fritters with coriander and chapati to start with. Both delectable and they came with a gorgeous cilantro chutney. I had the fish curry at 14€ and Antonio had the coriander chicken at 11€. Both dishes were exquisite, fresh, not oversalted in any way. This was one of our more expensive meals, but I say that with a grain of salt. The quality of the food served here is worth much more (if you're reading this Jesus - don't raise your prices - we like them just the way they are). Do not miss this lovely spot.

Location: Jesus e Goes is located at Rua de São José, 23

Hours: 12:00pm - 12:00am

Notes: Reservations are a must

Bar Cerca Moura

The duck stock makes these clams at Cerca Moura really special

Antonio hated this place...but I think that was mostly because his chicken dish did not fit his flavor palate. I quite enjoyed what I got and I would return. This place sits on the Alfama neighborhood, right across from the Statue of St. Vincent next to the Miradouro Largo das Portas do Sol. It has outdoor seating, so it is great for people watching...especially the tourists getting off the tram. Make a stop here and get the clams in duck bouillon. They cost 9€ and are absolutely delicious. Antonio's chicken dish was a Paillard...which I will admit was strange. It had a sort of scrambled egg sauce that I have never seen before. I'm not sure if it's a regional deviation or just something that is done at this restaurant, so skip that and go with my suggestion. Afterwards, sneak into the Decorative Arts Museum or grab your camera and cross the street to the overlook.

Location: Bar Cerca Moura is located at Largo Das Portas Do Sol 4

Hours: Mon-Sun 11am - 6pm

Stanislav (Avenida Liberdade/Baixa)

Stanislav is a Russian restaurant in the Estremadura neighborhood in Lisbon Portugal

After we settled into the apartment, we needed to get SIM cards forour phones, so we decided to do that and get acquainted with the city. We had no destination and were lucky to walk into Stanislav. The restaurant was spotlessly clean, and a charming blend of Portuguese and Russian aesthetic. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone spoke English (which came in quite handy as my Portuguese is "basic" at best. The restaurant offered a 15€ 3-course prix fixe lunch. Each course had 2 options, so Antonio and I decided to order one of each. Antonio chose the Borscht, and stuffed pork with mashed potatoes. I had the Sproti fish toast and the roasted potatoes with minced meat. Everything was delicious, but the star of the meal was the Borscht. It was served warm with Smetana sour cream. We kept dessert to a simple (but delicious) vanilla ice cream topped off with fruit. The wine selection at the restaurant was nice as well. Antonio had the Monte da Ravasqueira 2012 Vioignier/Albarino blend (had great mouth feel) and I had the Quinta da Pinto Vioignier/Chardonnay 2011 which was simply lovely. The meal came to a total of 33€ - that was for 2 people, 3 courses, 2 glasses of wine AND a bottle of sparkling mineral water - This restaurant was a great value. We ended up having to pay in cash because the restaurant only took debit cards. This is common in Lisbon - so always carry cash. We returned for dinner another night and loved it just as much.

Location: Stanislav is located at Rua São José 182

Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 12:30pm - 3:00pm,,7:30pm - 11:30pm

Frankie in Campo Grande has the best hot dogs in Lisbon

Frankie Hot Dogs (Alvalade - Campo Grande)

R. Dr. João Soares 8B - You can get hot dogs at plenty of spots in Lisbon, but these are the best. They aren't NY style dirty water dogs. These are lovely sausages in really good buns (the buns are where most other hot dog joints in Lisbon go wrong). You can get them plain there, but they make some incredible creations like their Mac n/ Cheese dog, and Ramirez dog. The fries and onion rings are fried to perfection, and 4 hot dogs with a large beer and a lemonade will come to about 20€. Worth all the calories.

Location: R. Dr. João Soares 8B, Lisbon Portugal

Hours of Operation: daily 12PM–12AM

Taberna dos Clérigos

Calçada de São Vicente, nº 10 - The thing about Lisbon is that you can walk the city and find deals almost everywhere. We found one of these deals at Taberna dos Clérigos in the hills of the Alfama neighborhood. Most of these types of restaurants aren’t fancy. They tend to feel as if someone opened up their home and decided to make a restaurant. The people who owned the place were incredibly kind. We normally do not take the couvert (beware – this is where prices can get high – restaurants will over charge for bread, olives, and cheese). But the couvert here was fair, and came in handy at the end. Dishes here cost under €10. The meats themselves were great, but as Antonio mentioned, the rice was not so good. It was soggy and overcooked…this was not that much of an issue since the meat portions were so big.
Phone number +351 218 861 229

Hours of Operation: Daily 10am – 2am Daily 10am – 2am

Do you have other suggestions on where to eat in Lisbon? Let me know. I'm always looking for new places to try, so leave a comment with the name of the restaurant you love and why you love it.
Cemitério dos Prazeres (Pleasures Cemetery) in Lisbon
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / May 8, 2017

I'm a big fan of cemeteries. This is not because I'm morbid or have an unhealthy obsession with the dead. I love cemeteries because they are quiet places, filled with art. They are gorgeous sculpture gardens that offer tons of information about their city and its people. They are also often free to visit. This is another reason I often start my visit to a city at its most famed cemetery. In Lisbon, this is Cemitério dos Prazeres which is located on the border of the Estrela and Campo de Ourique neighborhoods. If you decide to visit, it is very easy to reach. You can take the 28 tram, walk (the hills are challenging, but great for your bum), or grab a taxi or Uber. No matter which way you choose, you will find a city of the dead that will open itself to let you discover many stories and secrets.

Cemitério dos Prazeres

Cemitério dos Prazeres is one of the loveliest in the city

This cemetery has quite an ironic name. The cemetery of pleasures has nothing to do with them. Cemitério dos Prazeres was built out of necessity. In 1833, Lisboa was affected by cholera. Thousands died and the city was under pressure to create a new resting city for the dead. Why the name? The cemetery sits on the land that used to house a quinta owned by the Palmella family.

Prazeres Cemetery has numbered streets to make it easier to find your way

Prazeres does indeed feel like a city. There are streets that are numbered. This and the map that you can procure when you come in make it a bit easier to find your way.

There are so many beautiful features at this cemetery

The cemetery is quite large, it is the largest in Lison. As you walk through keep an eye open because there is beauty around every corner.

Tombs in Prazeres allow you to look inside

One thing that freaked me out just a tad is that many of the tombs and mausoleums had either perforated doors or openings so you can clearly see the coffins inside. This was especially startling when the graves were in disrepair.

Everard Tomb in Prazeres

The aesthetics of the tomb will tell you a lot about the city and its history. This one, made out to the Chief of the squadron Franco Everard was placed by his daughters. The broken anchor tells us that he was a man of the seas.

Manoel must have been a dog lover

This gravestone belongs to someone named Manoel de Oliveira Braga. One thing is sure, he must have loved dogs. As a dog lover who recently lost her best friend, this one had me tearing up quite a bit.

I found this cemetery to be much prettier than the British Cemetery near Estrela Basilica, but both are worth a visit.

Famous People at Prazeres Cemetery

Because the cemetery was located in the West side of Lisbon, which was the more affluent area, many of Lisbon's aristocratic families were buried there. This is one of the reasons the funerary architecture and art is so beautiful here. Let's meet some of its residents:

The mausoleum that holds the remains of José Carlos da Maia

José Carlos da Maia: He was an officer of the Portuguese Navy and prominent Republican politician. When he was murdered in the Bloody Night of October 19, 1921, he was no longer involved in politics. If you want to learn more about this event, there is a mini series called Noite Sangrenta that follows the events and his murder.

Dom Pedro de Sousa Holstein family tomb

Familia do Duque de Palmella: This is the mausoleum for the family of the Duke of Palmella, Dom Pedro de Sousa Holstein. He was a politician and ambassador. This happens to be the largest private mausoleum in Europe. The duke is in the center and is accompanied by not just family, but also friends and even two priests. There are over 200 people in this mausoleum.

Beautiful art is usually tied to a very sad story

Valle Flor Family: This was my favorite mausoleum and it comes with a very sad story. The patriarch of the family was José Luis Constantino Dias, a farmer from the north who made his fortune in the former colony of São Tomé e Principe. The top floor of his home, the Valle Flor Palace, was added so that the Marquês would have a clear sight of the Prazeres cemetery, where his two daughters were buried.

Mausoleum topped with a pensive female angel

Familia Adriano Julio Coelho: Could not find much on the family except that he was part of the chamber of commerce in the 1920's, but could not resist posting this image. It was such a beautiful mausoleum I just had to.

The tomb of Carlos Lobo de Avila and his father, the Count of Valbom.

Carlos Lobo de Ávila: Better known as Lobo d'Ávila, he was an aristocrat, writer, journalist and politician. He died quite young at a tender 34 (note the broken column, this is a sign of a life that ended prematurely), but he had already become famous in Portuguese intellectual circles. He was also one of the Vencidos da Vida, a group of Portuguese intellectuals.

Amália Rodrigues: Perhaps one of the most famed residents of Cemitério dos Prazeres is Amália Rodrigues, the famed fadoista. She has now been moved to the National Pantheon because many of her fans asked for it.

Fernando Pessoa: The famed poet was also a resident. In 1985, his remains were moved to Belem's cloister at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

This is a field where Firefighters are buried

Firefigthers: There is an area that is designated as the burial ground of Firefighters. It is a beautiful way to honor their service. This spot also has some of the best views in Lisbon including that of the 25 de Abril bridge and the Tagus. Firefighters have been honored with this space since 1911. Make sure to check out the Crypt of firefighters, designed by the architect Dias da Silva who was also the architect for Campo Pequeno. There are old autopsy rooms here. It's a pretty interesting spot.

Other Notables: There are many others resting at Prazeres including António Gedeão, Cândida Branca Flor, Carlos Paredes, Henrique Mendes, Maluda, Mário Cesariny, Raúl Indipwo, Cesário Verde, Vasco Santana, Fernando Maurício, Raul Solnado.

Things to do near Prazeres Cemetery

Cemitério dos Prazeres has incredible views of Alcantara

Incredible Views: The cemetery has some gorgeous views over the Alcântara valley, Tagus and Ponte 25 de Abril bridge.

Mercado de Campo De Ourique: A short walk away, you can check out the market at Campo de Ourique. There are tons of restaurants and shops for you to choose from.

Red: Right outside the cemetery, there is a container restaurant that specializes in roast beef. It's damn good roast beef. Get the one with the egg on it.

How to get to Cemitério dos Prazeres

Prazeres cemetery is the last stop on the Electrico 28

Cemitério dos Prazeres is located at Largo dos Prazeres, Praça São João Bosco

Tram: Take the Electrico 28. Prazeres is the last stop.

Bus: 9, 18 & 74

Cost: Free

Hours of Operation

Daily 09:00am – 5:00pm (May – September 09:00am – 6:00pm)

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Top Ten Neighborhoods in Lisbon Portugal
By Antonio Evans / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel, Lists / November 13, 2016

I wanted to put together my impression of the Top 10 neighborhoods in one of the best cities of the world; Lisbon, Portugal! I have had the pleasure of staying in most of these neighborhoods in Lisbon. For the ones I have not lived in for more than a month, I have asked local friends to give me their experiences and opinions. If you have any suggestions feel free to put them in the comments.

Top Ten Neighborhoods in Lisbon Portugal

Alfama & Graça

WHAT IT’S LIKE: This neighborhood is characterized by tiny streets, the sound of fado, and amazing views. This is one Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods and it shows. As you walk around, you will be lost in a maze of streets, but this is exactly what makes it special. Unfortunately, with this charm has come a large tourist onslaught. The neighborhood is divided according to how high up you are on the hill. The top of the hill near the castle (Castelo Sao Jorge) is Graça. Down by river you will find the Alfama. There are a bunch of bars and little eateries. While the area has a reputation for being cheap, prices have been soaring since the cruise boats dock by that part of the river.

WHO LIVES HERE: This was originally (and still is) a working class neighborhood. Outsiders tend to be looked down upon until you "get in" with the community. A colleague of mine lived in the neighborhood for a few years and told me when she first moved in her car was broken into constantly. She (luckily) was talking to an older pensioner one day who told her just to put an orange sash in her window. This dictates to the would-be thieves that she was from the area. She never had a problem again.

PROS: Small with a view of the river. Has a very "neighborhoody" feel that can make you fall in love with it quickly. It is the home of Fado, so you will hear music being sung constantly. Cost wise, prices are more affordable than most neighborhoods mentioned in the post. Most of the newly renovated apartments look terrible from outside, but once you walk in you will be quite impressed by these hidden gems.

CONS: Don't drive! If you do not know how to navigate in streets 3 meters wide you will not like this area. Also, parking can be a nightmare. During the day, the area during gets overrun by tourists since the cruise boats dock near Alfama. The Tuk Tuk drivers bring new visitors into the Alfama to show them Fado and the history of the city. This gets annoying really quickly. Rents have been fluctuating recently, so you will see many apartments have been turned to Airbnbs or Holiday Rentals. This is a plus and minus since you get more international minded landlords, but prices have jumped because of it. Oh...good luck finding a lift (elevator) in a building. Lots of apartments that have beautiful views will be 4-5 store walk up. It's rough but you getusede to it after a few months...errr...years.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL (Beer) IN THE ALFAMA & GRACA: .80-2€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT RENTAL IN THE ALFAMA & GRACA: 1000€ per month
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ METER APARTMENT PURCHASE IN THE ALFAMA & GRACA: 500,000€

Avenidas Novas & Alvalade

WHAT IT’S LIKE: I would describe it like the Upper East + Upper West Side to my NYC friends. There are more upper-middle and upper class people, and this area has that great feel of park (the very large and beautiful Parque Eduardo the VII marks this neighborhood) and city life. Some of the most stunning architecture can be found here along with massive avenues. If you spent time in Paris the area would probably feel familiar, but along side some of the grand places there is too much traffic during day.

WHO LIVES HERE: It's mix of some wealthy families and middle class. You will not see pensioners/retirees here. You will not see many families here because of cost, and if you do you will know they are wealthy.

PROS: Most of the apartments are quite spacious. Good shopping and transportation links.

CONS: Pollution because of the cars. Each grand boulevard has so much traffic it's ridiculous. During the day you will be playing Frogger in the street because of the amount of cars. Apartments are large but quite expensive.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL (Beer) IN AVENIDAS NOVAS & ALVALADE: 2€
COST FOR RENT FOR A 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT IN AVENIDAS NOVAS & ALVALADE: 1500€ per month
COST FOR PURCHASE 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT 100 SQ M: 600,000k+ €

Bairro Alto

WHAT IT’S LIKE: I would describe this as the East Village of Lisbon. Everyone who lives here is either some artist, poet, DJ or a pensioner who can't leave. At night the neighborhood comes alive, but not like normal alive I am talking night of living dead alive. Drunken people will fill up the streets. When there is a festival or a holiday it will be packed with British, Spanish and American tourists trying to get their drink on. You will see many foreign men trying to mac it to the local ladies - this is a futile effort. Women from Portugal tend to be conservative and won't fall for your tricks guys. You do not want to live on any street where there is a pub (this means most of the neighborhood). If you do, you will not sleep. If you like this type of vibe, but don't want to be in the heart of it, get a flat in the Santa Catarina or Brica neighborhoods. They are adjacent and still very accessible to Bairro Alto.

WHO LIVES HERE: Artist, pensioners, expats and new immigrants.

PROS: Wanna party? Need to be right in the middle of Lisboa/Lisbon's downtown district. Want to have 50 different bars and restaurants to chose from. Are you young and single and looking to hook up? If that you this is your area.

CONS: Old buildings and really too much partying. I took an apartment on a "quiet" street for 3-weeks. It was old, needed lots of renovations and had terrible windows, so it got cold really quick. The worst part is I couldn't sleep for 3-weeks because the noise was unbearable. Every day I woke up for a run the streets were full of plastic cups everywhere, drunken Brits half sleeping on door fronts and the occasional vomit. It was a special 3-weeks.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL (Beer): 0.80-1€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL: 1600€ per month
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ M PURCHASE: 700,000+€

Baixa

WHAT IT’S LIKE: This is more like Midtown Manhattan. No one really lives here, but you have lots of shopping, restaurants and people watching. It's also the most touristy of the neighborhoods since it literally is downtown.

WHO LIVES HERE: No one I know anymore because it has lots of foot traffic. I almost stayed in an apartment in the area but after doing a Google Maps walk thru I saw it was packed with people. My recent frequenting of area confirmed my suspicions. If you do stay here, you can find large apartments (up to 3 bedrooms) and very modern.

PROS: I am a walker. If you are a walker you will love this place. It's so easy to get to most anything in downtown by foot from here. Yes you may have to walk up a few hills but this is Lisboa/Lisbon, so that's the case all over the city.

CONS: No real local Portuguese live here, just banks and tourist stuff. When high season ends the area becomes a ghost town.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL (Beer) IN BAIXA: 3€

COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL IN BAIXA: 1800€ per month

COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ M PURCHASE: 700,000€

Belém & Restelo

WHAT IT’S LIKE: Belém is a charming area at the outskirts of Lisboa/Lisbon. It is filled with old homes that aren't on the beach-y areas of Estoril or Caiscas. There are loads of museums, monuments and stuff to see. The MAAT museum is in the neighborhood which is worth a visit just for it's amazing architecture (as of right now it is quite sparse in art). Three much better museums there are the Museu Coleção Berardo which has an incredible collection of modern art and no crowds, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos which is absolutely spectacular (but so crowded). Also flanking the area is a new hipster area surrounding the LX Factory. The area is semi-walkable to Restelo and Ajuda, but not the most pleasant walk. From Belem you need to either take an Uber or taxi or take the train (very cheap) and you can be in Santos in 10 minutes.

WHO LIVES HERE: The area has sprinkles of low-middle class residents in both Belém and Ajuda. My more wealthy friends are scooping up beautiful homes in Belém and the Restelo neighborhoods. When I visited their homes I was pretty shocked how nice they were. Massive gardens, quiet area, larger than you get in Lisbon proper.

PROS: Belem is really quiet area during evenings when tourist leave. You can get a good value if you are buying right now.

CONS: A little bit away from most stuff downtown. The train can take about 20 minutes (10 to Santos, 20 to Baixa) and doesn't run 24-hours. If you Uber it, it's about 10 minutes and maybe 7-8 euros.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL IN BELEM (Beer): 1-2.5€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL IN BELEM: 1400€ per month

COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ M PURCHASE IN BELEM: 800,000€

Campo de Ourique

WHAT IT’S LIKE: It's a community places at the northwest of the city. Campo de Ourique feels like Park Slope in Brooklyn; tree-lined streets, locals going about their day, families with kids and dogs. Campo de Ourique is a lively residential district.

WHO LIVES HERE: Lots of my wealthier friends live in this area because you can get a larger apartment. It's not a massive pensioner/retiree community, but you will meet some. I experienced lots of young families in area trying to get away from the noise of downtown.

PROS: Very town-y feel. You will get to know your neighbor and the area. Lots of cute small locally shops. A good market in the area and lots of supermarkets. It is also near the highway so easy to get in and out of the city.

CONS: You have to walk downhill and back uphill (a while) or take a tram down to main part of the city. It's better to have a car in this area but watch for street parking. My friend who has a classic Mercedes from the 1970's won't ever move his car because of fear of having to "hunt" for a space.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL (Beer) IN CAMPO DE OURIQUE: .80€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL: 1200€ per month

COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ M PURCHASE IN CAMPO DE OURIQUE: 700,000+€

Chiado

WHAT IT’S LIKE: This is the SoHo of Lisbon. Chiado has the best shopping (after Principe Real), the best cafes, and things to do. I would say this is the least "Typical Portuguese" neighborhood and most wealthy. When you walk around you will find lots of big shops such as Zara (on the low end), Helmut Lang (on the high end), FNAC, and even an Apple Store (it's a re-seller - but works when your machine is not feeling well). It will be tourist 365 days of year but you can find streets that won't be.

WHO LIVES HERE: Wealthy and upper-middle class locals and foreigners. There is a lot of construction down by Mercado Riberia (Time Out Market - sort of debatable if this is Chiado or Cais do Sodre) which will bring a lot of new units into play over next few years. It is wholly though focused on a higher end market.

PROS: Chiado is super walkable, has an easy access to nightlife, and tons of restaurants. I love the area, but it does get a bit much during the day when the tourist are at their peak. Even with the tourists it never feels overwhelming like in the Alfama or down in Baixa.

CONS: You might need a loan to get an rental. Prices are high. Restaurant meals will be 15-30 Euro and an Imperial will be 3 Euros minimum. So be prepared.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL IN CHIADO (Beer): 3€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL : 1700€ per month

COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ M PURCHASE IN CHIADO: 700,000€

Parque das Nações

WHAT IT’S LIKE: Parque das Nacoes is the former site of the World Fair of 1998. It has become one of the largest redevelopment projects in Europe. It's a stark difference from all other neighborhoods in Lisboa. This place is super modern and feels a bit like how Long Island City felt about 15 years ago. The architecture here is top notch and there are plenty of things to do if you have kids.

WHO LIVES HERE: Upper-class expats (mostly Chinese Gold Visa holders who actually don't live in their flats). It's a real ghost town that only springs up when you have a big trade show.

PROS: It's quiet usually except when a big trade show happens. There is a big train station which give you access to all of Lisbon, but also other cities in Portugal. You won't have parking issues in the area and the apartments are really modern. There is a big mall called Vasco da Gama and also a bridge right their giving you driving access to everywhere in the Iberian Peninsula.

CONS: 30-40 minutes away from anything depending on traffic. Lots of buildings have been bought out by the Chinese Gold Visa seekers, so you might live in an apartment and never see your neighbors.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL IN PRACA DAS NACOES (Beer): 2€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL: 2000€ per month

COST OF A 2-BEDROOM 100 SQ M PURCHASE IN PARQUE DAS NACOES: 500,000€

Príncipe Real

WHAT IT’S LIKE: This is the Greenwich Village of Lisboa/Lisbon. It is a very nice neighborhoods with high end shops and restaurants. Apartments have lifts and usually a good view of the city and river. The area is very gay friendly, artist friendly and shopaholic friendly. It's a bit high end but not overrun like a few other neighborhoods.

WHO LIVES HERE: Middle & upper middle class. The neighborhood is very gay friendly and also very family friendly. You will see very few pensioners/retirees because the cost of housing is higher here than most other neighborhoods in Lisbon.

PROS: There is a great park along with the botanical gardens in the neighborhood. It's super easy to walk everywhere since it is at the top of the hill. Decent size modern apartments are easy to find.

CONS: Lots of small hills so be prepared to walk up and down. Many of the apartments are under construction so will be noisy if you are in the side street. Prices are higher here than most places in Lisboa/Lisbon, but the prices are worth the investment. As this area gets discovered by tourists the place will begin to get cluttered with holiday rentals. So be prepared.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL IN PRINCIPE REAL (Beer): 2€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL IN PRINCIPE REAL: 1600€ per month

Santos & Lapa

WHAT IT’S LIKE: This art district that has so much charm it's crazy. I stayed here for 3-months and met every pensioner, artist, and expat in the area. Streets are typical stone (they are horrible for your knees and back), but you are also a "stone throw away" from the riverfront. The area has similarity to the Alfama, but less windy streets and a lot less tourists. It is still undiscovered by tourists and not many sites to see. It's a neighborhood neighborhood.

WHO LIVES HERE: Lower middle class with a few very wealthy people up in Lapa. You will see whole mansions owned by one family next to a pensioner/retiree living in a 2-room house.

PROS: No tourists or people from the cruise boats. There are some very nice and modern buildings up in Lapa. This neighborhood is very community centric, so you will know your Talho (butcher), market owner, restaurant owner, and even the cleaning people. On each street you will find 3 women who look out window every few hours to see "what's going on". Make friends with them (they will hook you up with pastries)!

CONS: Lapa is quite expensive because of the high rise building and large format homes. Santos offers more affordable but prices are jumping because the French community has purchased lots of the apartment blocks to convert to holiday rentals or to flip. You can hear French around every corner in this area.

COST OF AN IMPERIAL IN SANTOS & LAPA (Beer): 0.80-1.50€
COST OF A 2-BEDROOM RENTAL: 1300€ per month

If you have any questions or feedback on the different neighborhoods in Lisbon/Lisboa, please leave them in comments. We love to hear your experience staying in this beautiful city. And if you want to see more of Lisbon, check out my Instagram feed.
All About the Santos Neighborhood in Lisbon
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / September 1, 2016

The Museu de Arte Antiga offers an incredible view of Cristo Rei and the April 25th Bridge

This is one of many repeat visits to Lisbon, Portugal. Since Antonio and I had already stayed in Castelo, Principe Real, Amoreiras and Alfama; we figured this time we'd try out a different neighborhood. Since we liked Mercado Da Ribeira so much, we decided we'd stay nearby and chose Santos-o-Velho. There are tons of things to do in the Santos neighborhood, but you need to understand it before you decide what to do here.

Santos Neighborhood

Imagine sipping on an ice cold Sagres while checking out this view

We read somewhere that Santos was a party neighborhood, but I can tell you that it is not anything like Bairro Alto (I would not recommend staying there unless you plan to party all night and sleep all day). Santos is a true Lisboeta neighborhood. I am pretty sure we are the only tourists on the block. Yes, there are lots of restaurants and things to do, but this neighborhood still feels Portuguese. I think the misconception comes in because IADE, the institute of Visual Arts, Marketing and Desing is located, so people assume that students nearby mean a party. And, yes there are bars, but this is not where the rowdy, loud and obnoxious tourists come to be drunk off cheap liquor all day. This is where you find a nice wine bar, grab some petiscos and walk home with your loved one walking hand in hand.

Santos is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. It's actually called Santos-O-Velho (Santos, the old). It's officially a micro neighborhood since it was absorbed by Estrela, and often confused with Lapa. There are some gorgeous churches, narrow streets, cobblestoned hills and museums.

THINGS TO DO IN THE SANTOS NEIGHBORHOOD IN LISBON

Museu de Arte Antiga €6 (free entry the 1st Sunday of each month)

This is one of many statues you can enjoy at the garden of the Art Museum in Lisbon

Lisbon's Museum of Ancient Art is one of the things to do in the Santos neighborhood you should not miss. I went twice because I underestimated their collection. It took me 5 hours to enjoy the museum (for most people I would recommend 2 hours - I went to school for art history, so I'm kind of an oddball). When you walk into the museum, take the elevator up to the top level. This is their Portuguese collection of fine arts. What I really loved was how the curators explained the influences of other countries on Portuguese art and vice versa. The second floor is decorative arts, and the first floor is European art. When I visited they had a special exhibit of the art that is usually in storage. Kudos to the team there for this fantastic expo.

One downer - no audio guide - which IMHO every museum should offer.

One perk - free wifi.

The museum also has a GORGEOUS garden where you can enjoy a very affordable lunch. It overlooks the 25th of April bridge and Cristo-Rei.

Where to Eat Near Museu de Arte Antiga

For eating in the immediate area (if you don't want to eat at the Museum), check out Le Chat (incredible views - right next to the museum) as well as Picanha (about a block away).

The Museu de Arte Antiga is Located at: R. das Janelas Verdes, 1249-017 Lisboa, Portugal

Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun 10AM–6PM, Monday Closed

Getting There: Tram 25, Bus 713, 714, 727

Museu da Marioneta €5 (free entry on Sunday mornings)

The puppet museum in Lisbon's Santos neighborhood is super cute and fun

This is one of those quirky fun museums you will love. It is homed in what used to be the Convent of Bernardas so the building in itself is gorgeous. The museum is totally dedicated to puppets and marionettes, their history, and ends the focus on Portuguese artistry. They do have marionettes from all over the world. Unlike the Museum of Ancient Art, this one does offer an audio guide (in English) which is included in your cost.

Where to eat Near Museu da Marioneta

There are tons of amazing restaurants near the Museu da Marioneta including Restaurante O Caldo Verde (traditional), Petiscaria Ideal, Pratinho Feio, and Frades dos Mares.

The Museu da Marioneta is Located at: Rua da Esperança 146, 1200-660 Lisboa, Portugal

Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun 10AM–1PM, 2–6PM, Monday Closed

Santos-o-Velho Church

While not the grandest, the Church of Santos-o-Velho is rich in history. The church sits on the burial site of three people; São Veríssimo, Santa Máxima, Santa Júlia who were killed by the Romans in 308 when Diocletian was in power. The story says that when they died their remains were left out so dogs and birds would eat them...but their bodies remained untouched. The original structure was destroyed, and the current structure came up in 1147 by Dom Afonso Henriques. The church was updated in the 17th Century by architect João Antunes. It is he who brought in the frontispiece which covers the original Medieval facade. He also added the towers that are seen from outside. I found out that the church and the convent were sold to the French state...the reason why the convent (Palacio do Santos) now houses the French Embassy. When you go to the church, check out the tomb of the Abrantes damily and the tomb of the child martyrs.

Convento dos Marianos

What is now the York House was the Convento dos Marianos which was founded by Barefoot Carmelite Ambrósio Mariano in 1581. The site was chosen because of the martyrs mentioned above. The convent, dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, was built with money that came directly from Philip the 1st. The convent did well until 1830 when a law enacted by Joaquim António de Aguiar who enacted a law to close any houses of religious orders. This earned him the nick name "Mata-Frades", the Friar killer. The building was abandoned and repurposed in the second half of the 1800's until it became the studio of Gaspar José Marques, an inventor.

Ceramica Constancia

Founded in 1836, they now recreate tiles from photographs. It's a fantastic place to visit to bring a souvenir home. Here they make tiles in 3 different ways: the mark (paper with open design), silkscreen, and hand painted. A quick note, don't buy antique tiles on the street or flea markets. Unscrupulous sellers will rip them off of houses, so only purchase tiles from shops like this one where they make replicas.

Ceramica Constancia is located at 8 Calcada Santo Domingo 1200, Lisbon Portugal

Quiosque Xafariz

Quiosque Xafarix is a great place to enjoy a drink outside in the Santos neighborhood in Portugal

This cute kiosk is located right at the border of the neighborhood adjacent to the Fountain of Hope (which is gorgeous). It's been open since 1986 and they often have live music at night. Stop by any time of day for a tasty inexpensive beer, snacks, and when there are futbol games, you can catch them there. It's a chill spot and a way to do as the locals do.

Quiosque Xafaiz is located at: Avenida D. Carlos I, Madragoa, Lisboa

Hours of Operation: Wed-Sat 11pm - 4am

Jardim De Sao Bento

The Jardim de Sao Bento is a great park "in" Santos to grab a beer and do as the locals do

Ok, this is officially outside of Santos, but if you cross the street you're back in the neighborhood, so I decided to include it. This little park is gorgeous. While it is not a Miradouro, it does enjoy a great kiosk (Quiosque de Sao Bento) where you can enjoy a beer and a really good burger. There's also wifi, so on a nice day you can grab a seat and get some work done. It's right next to the Assembly of the republic and is home to Leopoldo de Almeida's sculpture called Familia. This is a great place for both people with families, kids as well as people just looking to grab a drink. This is the place to stop being a tourist and do as the locals do.

The Jardin de Sao Bento is Located at: Rua das Francesinhas - Santos-o-Velho, 1200-675 Lisboa, Portugal

Hours of Operation: Open all day, the Quiosk is open Mon-Thu 10AM–7:30PM, Fri 10AM–10PM, Sat 12–10PM and Sun 12–7:30PM

Basilica Da Estrela

Basilica da Estrela is one of the grandest churches in Lisbon and has an incredible manger

It is said that Queen Maria I had the church built as a deal she made with God. She wanted to have a male child who could become king. In exchange for this favor, she would build the most beautiful church that ever was. The neoclassical church project was undertaken by architects Mateus Vicente de Oliveira and Reinaldo Manuel in the Baroque style with a Latin cross plan and a single nave. The façade's main features are its triangular pediment and bell towers. If you visit now, look towards the altar. Queen Maria is buried in the massive marble crypt. Look to your right. See that tiny sliver of space? Sneak in there and go through the doors behind the crypt. There is an incredible manger scene there. Mangers are a Portuguese tradition - when you go to the Museu de Arte Antiga, you will see some gorgeous examples. It will cost you 1.5o to check out the manger and they have tons of information on the church and the manger in all different languages.

Basilica Da Estrela is located at Praça da Estrela, Lisbon, Portugal

Hours: 8:45AM-8PM daily

Getting there: Tram 25 or 28

Estrela Gardens

Jardim Da Estrela in Lisbon was built in the style of an English Garden of the early to mid 19th century

Once you're done with the Cathedral, cross the street and walk in the gate. You will be in the 19th Century romantic style Jardim da Estrela. The 5 hectare park features two kiosks where you can grab a drink and some light food, as well as another that is for books. It is incredibly well designed and has plenty of spots you can get lost in. As you walk you will see the wrought iron gazebo and imagine live music emanating from its structure. Then you'll run into a pond where ducks and peacocks roam. Go and give yourself time to enjoy this lovely park. Then head to the English Cemetery where writer Henry Fielding is buried. This park reminds me a lot of another favorite, the park in the Principe Real neighborhood of Lisbon.

Jardim da Estrela is located at Largo da Estrela, Lisbon, Portugal

Hours: Daily 7AM-Midnight

Getting there: Tram 25 or 28

How to Get to Santos

Trams: 25, 15
Buses: 714, 727, 728
Trains: Santos or Cais do Sodré station: Take tram 15E and 18E or bus here. The neighborhood is just a 5 minute walk from here.
The Kiosks of Lisbon, Portugal
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, International, Restaurants, Updates, Europe / August 8, 2015
If you're traveling to Portugal, you need to know about the Kiosks of Lisbon. They are one of my favorite things about the city. These little stands are a great place to stop and grab a quick bite while you're earning steps for your fitbit challenges. If you're staying in Lisboa long term, they are great places to caffeinate, or to meet locals and expats alike.

Kiosks of Lisbon

These 19th Century kiosks of Lisbon have a somewhat French and Moorish feel. They are simply darling and it is incredible to learn that they had fallen into disrepair. Lucky for us they are currently undergoing a renaissance. They seem to be the heart of the city along with the city's Miradouros. Lisboetas go there in the morning for their daily coffee, and they start their evenings there with either tremocos (brined lupin beans), empadas (just like empanadas) and wash them down with an imperial (300ml draught beer - the best size when it is hot - the beer stays cold).

Note: the corn is actually "tremocos" a brined lupin bean that makes for an awesome bar snack.

The Kiosks of Lisbon are located throughout the city, but the one Principe Real and the one at Sao Pedro de Alcantara (Bairro Alto) were my favorites. If you go to the Kiosks by Avenida da Liberdade, those tend to have themes; an Asian Kiosk, a Banana Kiosk, etc...

Things you can get at Lisbon's Kiosks

Capilé: Drink made from syrup of maidenhair and orange blossom essence mixed with water.

Orchata: non-alcoholic beverage made from almonds, sugar, and water.

Carioca de Limao: lemon juice "tea" made of lemon peel.

Leite perfumado: boiled milk with cinnamon, lemon and sugar. Serve cold.

Empada: These are like tiny little meat pies. They usually come in chicken or beef and are delicious.

Pasteis de Nata: These egg custards are delicious. You can get them at most kiosks, but to get the best ones in town you need to go to Belem for the original Pasteis de Belem.

THE BEST KIOSKS IN LISBON

The Jardim da Estrela has various kiosks including one that hosts a local library

Biblioteca Jardim: (Estrela & Lapa) This is one of the non-food related kiosks. This one is located at the Jardim da Estela (across from Estrela Basilica) and serves as a public library. As you can see there are plenty of comfortable spots to sit and read a book. This is a local favorite.

Hours of Operation: October 1 to April 30: Tue-Sat 1pm-5pm. Closed on Mondays, Sundays and holidays. May 1 to September 30: Tues-Sat 1pm-6pm. Closed on Mondays, Sundays and holidays

The Gengibre da Estrela Kiosk is right next to the kid's park. Super convenient if you're traveling with kids

Gengibre da Estrela: (Estrela & Lapa) This kiosk offers a food menu and a full bar. Added plus, there's wifi, so it's a nice place to work from in the late Summer. A beer here will cost you around €1.25. They offer baguette sandwiches (do not confuse these with French baguettes, this is a Portuguese version), and various toasts, salads, burgers and hot dogs and each will cost you under €5.

Hour of Operation: Daily 8:00am-11:30pm

Cafe Jardim da Estrela may not be an official kiosk, but it's a lovely place to grab a bite outdoors

Jardim da Estrela Café: (Estrela & Lapa) Yeah, there are three kiosks at Jardim da Estrela. This one (ok - not really a kiosk, but I wanted to include it) has the most food choices and serves mostly Portuguese food. Food is ok, but the scenery is fantastic. When you get there, walk inside to order. They will give you a number you can take to your table. Once your food is ready they will bring it to you. There's a lake with duck and geese. You can people watch and enjoy a day in the sun. If you get lucky, you'll go when they have live music. It's usually jazz or reggae.

Hours of Operation: 9pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri-Sat.

The sushi kiosk is located right next to Estrela Church

Noori Kiosk: (Estrela & Lapa) This one is a sushi kiosk. Yeah! It's located to the right of Estrela Basilica, so if you're jonesing for hand rolls in the park, you can easily take care of that (they offer takeaway). There's also wine and beer. A meal for two will cost you around €20.

Hours of Operation: Daily 12pm-7:30pm

The Kiosk of Sao Bento is a great spot to grab a bite, work, and even listen to music

Quiosque de São Bento: (Sao Bento & Santos) This kiosk makes an incredible burger and fries (under €6). They also have a full bar, toast sandwiches wraps and salads. They usually play dj music in the afternoons and on weekends. This one is a favorite because locals usually come with their dogs and kids who play around the park. If you're near the Parliament (Sao Bento Palace) this is a great spot to stop and recharge before you head out for more sight seeing. Wifi is available here.

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 10:00am-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 12:00pm-12:00am

Kiosk Xafarix in the Madragoa area of Santos is a nice spot to grab a beer

Kiosk at Chafariz da Esperança: (Santos & Sao Bento) The food options here are more limited, but the beers are great and the adjacent fountain (its namesake) make for a great experience.

The Banana Cafe Kiosk can be a great place to recharge

Banana Cafe Kiosk at Praça do Município: I love this Kiosk because this area has very little respite from the sun. When it is super hot out, you can head here, grab a beer, a toast or a healthy snack, and a gourmet ice pop for a well deserved rest.

Cerca Moura is a lovely little kiosk with an incredible view

Kiosk Cerca Moura: (Castelo) If you're going to check out the Santa Luzia church or Miradouro, or if you have just left the decorative arts museum, this is your watering hole. It tends to be more touristy and this means that you'll have to deal with people aggressively trying to sell you stuff, but the view is spectacular from here.

Hours of Operation: Daily 9:30am-9pm

The Kiosk of Principe Real is one of the best in town with a healthy mix of locals and expats

Kiosk Principe Real AKA Oliveira: (Principe Real) This one is referred to by locals as Oliveira (this is the name of the gentleman who runs the kiosk. This kiosk is usually packed at 7pm, but if you get there early, you'll get to listen to taxi drivers who stop in for a quick shot of caffeine, students who stop by to take a break from the school day and locals looking to break their hunger.

Hours of Operation: 7am-9pm (these can change from time to time)

This is one of the kiosks of Lisbon. Isn't it darling

Quiosque de Refresco du Jardim do Príncipe Real: (Principe Real) Principe Real has two kiosks and one restaurant. The second kiosk is cute as a button. First of all, it's red (my favorite color). It has these gorgeous round lights that dangle playfully off the roof. It's just so darn cute. This one tends to be a little quieter than Oliveira, so it's a lovely place to bring a book and enjoy a little sunshine.

This is one of the Kiosks of Lisbon with the best view. You won't be disappointed

Kiosk at the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara Top Level: (Principe Real & Bairro Alto) This is one of the prettiest miradouros and I adore their Kiosk. Again, another amazing view of the city, Castelo Sao Jorge, Avenida liberdade and the river. They serve light meals like sandwiches (€5), salads (€7), empadas, and of course, Imperials. More hearty meals are offered and cost usually less than €8. As if all this was not enough, there is plenty of art here. There is a map of the city that matches the view, and if you go to the second level of the miradouro, there is an incredible fountain.Oh, yeah...and across the street just a short walk away is the Port Museum.

Hours of Operation: 10am-midnight

There are two Kiosks at Sao Pedro De Alcantara Miradouro. This one tends to be more quiet.

Kiosk at the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara Lower Level: (Principe Real & Bairro Alto) If you want a little quiet, this is a great option since most people tend to stay at the kiosk on the top level. This one is more booze than food, but it is a great spot to read a book while enjoying a glass of wine.

Ribadouro Kiosk is a more casual version of it's more established big brother, Cervejaria Ribadouro

Ribadouro Kiosk at Avenida Liberdade: This kiosk is cash only and seafood heavy, therefore this kiosk is pricier than most. It's great during the day and very popular at night.

Hours of Operation: 12PM-1:30AM.

Which is your favorite of all the Kiosks of Lisbon? Leave a note in the comments, tell me which one you love best and why.
Your Castelo de Sao Jorge Guide
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 24, 2014
On the first leg of our trip, Antonio and I stayed steps away from Castelo Sao Jorge, perhaps the most famous site in Lisboa. It quickly became one of those landmarks that are so close I thought I'd never get to see it. I finally made it 2 months after arriving in Lisbon! If you go to Lisbon, don't be an idiot and wait so long. Here's a brief list of why you NEED to go check out Castelo de Sao Jorge:

Reasons To Visit Castelo de Sao Jorge

1. The Views

2. Peacocks (lots of them)

3. Birds of Prey

4. Architecture

5. History

6. An insane workout for your bum

7. A Ginjinha in chocolate cup break at the cafe

8. Did I mention the views?

9. Great place to escape the kids & in laws (more on this later)

10. The adrenaline rush

A quick glimpse at the view from the Miradouro and a cat's futile efforts to hunt a peacock. I think I messed up his mojo, but something tells me the peacock is someone you don't want to mess with.

The Castelo de Sao Jorge is HUGE - GINORMOUS. You can see it from basically any corner of the city. As with most castles and churches, it has a pretty long history. It goes back to the 6th century and passed through the rule of the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. The current structure was built by the Moors in the 11th Century and served as both a defensive building and royal residence. That changed in 1147 when Afonso Henriques captured the castle and became the first king of Portugal.

A lone column gives us a hint of what the complex at Castelo de Sao Jorge may have looked like

The castle was named after St. George (the patron saint of England - the one who slay the dragon). This was in part to celebrate the pact between England and Portugal. The castle then became the royal palace. Understand you are not going to a "castle". Do not expect Versailles (I never did - anyone who knows a little about architecture can tell just by looking that this is a defensive building). It is so much freakin' cooler than a stodgy old castle (No offense Versailles). At this site, one can see history develop and truly understand the story of Lisbon and Portugal.

One of my favorite things at the castle of St. George were all the fountains and water works

WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT CASTELO DE SAO JORGE

Castelo De Sao Jorge is magnificent and I am upset it took me so long to get there. You buy the tickets in a building outside the castle. Then you walk up to the gates, scan your ticket, and walk in. The first thing you will encounter is the miradouro. From here, you can basically see the entire city since it sits on the highest hill of Lisbon. There is also a kiosk here where you can pick up a quick snack. A statue of King Afonso Henriques (a copy of one made by António Soares dos Reis) stands in the center courtyard reminding those who visit that he was the one to take the castle from the Moors. There are cannons that call back to its military history.

Detail of a cannon at the Castelo de Sao Jorge with the Coat of Arms of Portugal and Maria II's name

From there, you can walk up to the romantic gardens. They are lovely and hold many surprises. From here, you can find the ruins of the former Royal Palace of the Alcáçova. The complex now holds the museum (tiny, but completely worth it). There you can see objects that were found on site, so you get a view into the lives of the people who inhabited the castle from the 7th C BC to the 18th C. There is a good amount of Islamic items as well.

These stairs lead from the romantic gardens to the roof of the museum that houses the permanent exhibition at the Castelo de Sao Jorge

You will want to walk the castle. This is not for the un-fit or elderly. Just being honest, if you are not in good health and a little athletic, I suggest you skip this. If you complain that your back hurts on a daily basis, don't go. If you use a wheelchair - you're gonna have a hard time. If your kid is still in a stroller - you may want to consider a different site (or get a sitter). If your kid likes to climb on things like a monkey and does not listen when you tell them to stop climbing (Catelyn Stark - I'm talking to you), you may want to leave them home. It's an old building with irregular stairs and it requires lots of climbing. This was one of my favorite things to do at Castelo. There are no restrictions, no safety nets, so you can pretty much go anywhere you want. I walked all the way to the top and even touched the flag pole. I will admit, some of those stairs are scary (and they have NO RAILINGS). You fall, you're gonna fall from a good height, and you'll probably break something. I got a little vertigo from time to time - but this was wicked cool. If you make it all the way to the top, there is even a rookery. I had no idea, just saw a tower with a lock, and to my surprise there were owls, hawks and a kite. So freakin' awesome.

Detail of the archeological dig at the Castle of St. George in Lisbon - super cool site

There is also an architectural area where they are excavating. It is separated into three different eras: the first residential structures from the seventh century BC; the houses and streets of the mid-eleventh century, the Islamic period; and the vestiges of the last housing palate - the Palace of the Counts of Santiago - destroyed by the 1755 earthquake.

1. 7th-3rd Century BC: The first residential structures at the site.

2. 11th-12th Century: The Islamic period. You can see the remains of homes and streets.

3. 15th-18th Century: These are the ruins of the hall of Condes de Santiago palace which was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake.

Sadly, I missed theTower of Ulysses and its famed Periscope. If you visit, let me know how it was. It's a sort of camera obscura that allows you to view the city from inside the castle. I may have to go back before just for that.

There are tons of peacocks roaming free at the Castle of St. George

My second favorite thing here was the peacocks. I had no idea that they roamed around freely at Castelo. It was my first time seeing one up close. I was genuinely sad that I sold my camera, cause this was one time I needed it.

Lions flank the entrance to Casa do Leão Restaurant at Castle St. George in Lisbon

WHERE TO EAT IN CASTELO SAO JORGE

The Castle Cafe: Located at the romantic gardens. This cafe self service, you can grab a beer, ginja, and a quick snack like a sandwich or empada). It has indoor and outdoor seating. Sit outside and enjoy the castle, the peacocks, and people walking around the place.

Casa do Leão: Located at the romantic gardens. To be frank, I did not eat there (I didn't plan ahead, and €30 is just too expensive (at least in Portugal), but if that's your sort of thing - I say go for it.

Kiosk de Castelo Sao Jorge: Located right at the entrance. Outdoor seating and quick simple snacks and desserts.

Bring your own: There are tons of places for you to sit, so go ahead and BYO lunch..

This kitty really (really) wanted to catch a peacock

TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP TO CASTELO SAO JORGE

1. Comfortable Sports Shoes: Like I mentioned above. This castle is not for the faint of heart. It is physically demanding, has dangerous stairs with no railings, and since it is a defensive castle, in many spots there is no respite from the sun. Wear athletic shoes with good grip.

2. Sun Protection: I don't want you to end up with skin cancer. Make sure to wear sunscreen (and bring more to reapply), and wear a hat.

3. Arrive Early: I am an early riser. I walked from my flat in Amoreiras to Castelo and made it there before 9. There was already a line. When I left a few hours later, the line was ridiculous. Do yourself a favor and get there early so you can enjoy the castle. This was nothing like the tourist-hell that is Versailles, but listen to me on this one.

4. Take Pictures Early: There will be less tourists.

5. Sticker Shock: This was the most expensive site I've visited in Lisboa. The ticket cost €8.50. Honestly, for me it was worth it. Or you could get smart and purchase the Lisboa card. With it, entry is free.

6. Leave the babies and the sick at home: This is not an easy site to traverse. I imagine that baby carriages and wheelchairs would be quite a task here. Not trying to discourage you, but the site is a bit on the more dangerous side once you go "into" the castelo (area past the moat). It's a great learning opportunity for kids, but as I mentioned before, the site is risky. There are plenty of irregular stairs, rocks, and places where kids can get hurt. If your kids are not the kind that listen well, you may not want to bring them here.

It is said that Lisbon was founded and named Olisipona by Ulysses. This is a sculpture of the city's namesake.

BASIC INFORMATION ON CASTELO SAO JORGE

HOURS OF OPERATION: 9am-9pm (Mar to Oct) & 9am-6pm (Nov to Feb)

GETTING THERE: : Bus 37, Tram 12 or 28, Castelo Elevator (two elevators, make a right & walk up to the castle) Taxi

Phone: +351218800620

A Castle loophole or arrowslit is a thin vertical window from which arrows could be launched and keep the shooter semi protected.

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Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon Portugal
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / August 16, 2014
Our 4th apartment in Lisboa discovery mode was near the Amoreiras shopping center, I knew the area was more on the business/residential side - which I was looking for after a 10 day stay in the very fun (but loud) Alfama neighborhood. As usual, I started researching on places to explore. I'm an avid walker, so I was excited to be near (15 minutes by foot) to Parque Eduardo VII. My hopes were soon dashed as I read what a disappointing park it was on Tripadvisor.

Parque Eduardo VII

I've got something to tell you, TripAdvisor was WRONG! Not just a little wrong - seriously wrong. This park is AWESOME! I could see this becoming my daily walking spot if I lived in Lisboa. Let me break down why I loved Parque Eduardo VII so much.

A detail of the Marques de Pombal Monument depicting a male nude holding up the city

Marques de Pombal Square: ca 1934: Adães Bermudes and António Couto, Francisco Santos, Simões de Almeida, and Leopoldo de Almeida.

This 118 ft tall monument stands in the middle of a plaza at the end of Avenida Liberdade, and right before the start of the park. It's impressive to say the least. The first register of the sculpture is filled with turbulent, tense scenes depicting the earthquake. A male nude struggles to hold up columns of a crumbling building. An octopus encroaches on land as it is taken there by violent waters. The next register shows scenes of order, growth and commerce. A strong woman pulls along cattle as a man next to her carries the harvest. A man behind her plows the land, and a young man carries a cornucopia. A large figurehead in the front of the group holds the Portuguese shield. Above her, a female nude triumphantly draws the eye to the top of the monument, where a bronze sculpture of the Marques stands victorious with a lion. There is much more to the monument, so go and enjoy it, but make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat. There is no covering here. Also, be careful crossing the street to see it. It's a pretty major intersection and cars tend to go fast around the roundabout.

Landscaped gardens with geometric patterns at Parque Eduardo VII in Lisboa

Geometric Gardens

As you stare up from the Marques monument, your eyes are led up to the top of the park by way of a green strip of geometric gardens. I found them lovely, but I can see how people may find them dull. There is also no covering from the sun here, so walk up on the side where there is sporadic shade from trees.

There are many ponds with fish at the greenhouse in Eduardo VII park in Lisbon

Estufa Fria; ca 1930: Raul Carapinha

My favorite spot at the park is the Estufa Fria. It's an eight hectare greenhouse that was erected around 1930 by architect Raul Carapinha. It is so big that there are actually three greenhouses here. Before getting there, you will note a lake with tons of fowl. Follow this into the building with the unremarkable facade. This is the entrance and largest part of the greenhouse; the estufa fria. One can easily get lost here. It can also be a workout if you want it to be, and if you want to get to the Estufa quente which contains the greenhouse's tropical plants. There is also a estufa doce, which houses cacti and succulents.

Am I crazy to see a resemblance here?

25 of April Monument: João Cutileiro

If you're crazy like I am and make it to the top of the hill, you will reach a small esplanade with four large pillars and a fountain that commemorates the Revolution of 1974. This spot also has a gorgeous view of the Tagus river and the city. The fountain kinda looks like an ejaculating phallus...but maybe my mind is in the gutter today. You can judge for yourself.

Bronze sculpture of Mother and Child by Colombian artist Fernando Botero at Jardim Amália Rodigues in Lisbon Portugal

Jardim Amália Rodrigues

This garden, dedicated to the famous fadoista Amalia. It's also got a mother and child by Fernando Botero (I was born in Colombia - so I got a little excited at this). At this park you will find some food trucks, an amphiteater of sorts and Eleven restaurant (1 Michelin Star).

This cafe is a great place to eat when you are at either Eduardo VII or Amalia Rodriguez parks

Linha D'agua

There's a cute little cafe here with a sort of lake filled with fish. When I visited the Lisboetas brought their dogs here for a "swim". I loved this! They've got light snacks and cocktails.

O Segredo is a sculpture by Lagoa Henriques that resides at Amalia Rodriguez park

O Segredo: ca 1961 Lagoa Henriques

I could not help but think of the LGBT struggle while looking at this sculptural group. I'm not really sure if the artist meant for this to happen, but it did. I did some reading, and the sculptor was quoted as saying "It is not a piece made to order. Did it for me, was made to play a daze". The secret can be anything, and I think it is up to the viewer to figure it out. Make sure to peek into these gorgeous ladies.

This gorgeous building has fallen into disrepair, but holds on to its past splendor

Carlos Lopes Pavilion: ca 1923: Guilherme and Carlos Rebello de Andrade and Alfredo Assunção Santos

This is one of those places that breaks your heart. As you look at it, you can imagine the splendor that once was and you ache at the ruin it has become. This white and ochre building was erected for the 1923 Rio de Janeiro Expo, and was brought back and rebuilt at the park in 1932 for the Portuguese Industrial Exhibition. It became a meeting place, concert and sports hall. It has fallen into disrepair. If you go to the front door, you can sneak a peek at the gorgeous, but dilapidated interiors. Outside of the building are some of the prettiest tile paintings in the city. The azulejo panels were made by Jorge Colaco, and the sculptures by Raul Xavier.

***Update: This was being renovated in late 2016.

A reclining female nude that has been defaced at the park. This just makes me angry.

Female Nude: ca 1958: Vasco Pereira da Conceição

This piece breaks my heart. I cannot understand why people decide to vandalize art. I understand anger at the government, but I cannot understand why people feel the need to deface art. I wonder if this was disenfranchised youth, or a stupid tourist. It is not ok to deface art. I hope that people continue to visit Lisbon and spend more money there so that at some point, once the country bounces back financially, there is enough money to pay this young lady some well deserved attention. She reminds me of early Etruscan sculptures, and some of Picasso's work from the early 1920's. I love that she is corpulent and thick and beautiful If you're at the park, stop by, take some pics and give her some love so you can bring this lovely lady some more attention. She deserves it.

Tips for Visiting Parque Eduardo VII

1. Sun Protection: Unless you're walking on the sides of the park, you will need massive sun protection. This means high grade sunscreen and a hat.

2. Comfortable Shoes: The park is on one of Lisbon's hills. Wear comfortable shoes to make the climb more comfortable.

3. Explore: You will find this park boring if you just stay on the center of the park. Go off route and check out all its hidden gems.

Map of the restaurants in Parque Eduardo VII

Where to Eat at Parque Eduardo VII

You can certainly picnic at the park, but if you don't feel like lugging your picnic basket uphill, there are plenty of options for you:

1. Pizza Kiosk: If you're towards the bottom of the park, there is a kiosk that sells pizzas (€8), salads (€7), soups (€2) and toasts (€4). There are tables with umbrellas.

2. Food Trucks: At the top of the hill, right behind the 25th of April monument, by the amphiteater of Amalia Rodrigues, there are food trucks selling burgers, Japanese food, etc.. There's no covering here, so this is more your grab and go place.

3. Linha d'Agua: This is all the way at the top of the park at the Amalia Rodrgigues garden. It's got a good cocktail list and sells light snacks and pastries. Great spot. This would be my pick.

4. Eleven: You can't just walk into this joint. It's got one Michelin star, so if you want to go here, make reservations. I didn't go during my first trip, but I finally got to visit in 2016. They have a great lunch deal at €35. The meal did not disappoint.

5. Restaurante Botequim Do Rei: Typical Portuguese food with a view. Dishes cost around €14.

6. El Corte Ingles: Not technically in the park, but about a block away. The supermarket downstairs has tons of places to eat. The eateries on the top floor leave a lot to be desired, so skip those.

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All About the Principe Real Neighborhood in Lisbon
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / July 27, 2014
Antonio and I had to leave Lisbon early due to the passing of our 11 year companion Petey. We came back immediately after since we had fallen in love with this amazing city. Last time, we stayed in the Castelo neighborhood, so we decided to try a different spot this time. Our Airbnb search led us to a really cute apartment in the Principe Real neighborhood in Lisbon.

The Principe Real Neighborhood is named after Queen Maria II's first born son, the Royal Prince, and situated north of Bairro Alto and São Bento. It reminds me a lot of Nolita in NYC. There are tons of antique shops, bars, and there's some great shopping to be done here. I like it much better than the neighbouring Bairro Alto neighborhood since Principe Real is a bit quieter and luxurious, yet lively. The neighborhood has some gorgeous gardens, one of the best lookouts in the city (Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara), and some seriously pretty homes.

To get there, you can take the Gloria Elevator, this funicular has been in service since 1885 and makes for a pretty fun ride to Restauradores Square in the city center. You can also walk up from the Chiado, grab the Autocarro 758 (bus), eléctrico, or take the metro to the Baixa-Chiado stop.

Things to See in Principe Real Neighborhood of Lisbon

Jardim França Borges is the official name of this small but gorgeous park in the Principe Real Neighborhood in Lisbon

Jardim do Príncipe Real: Its official name is Jardim França Borges. It was designed in the Romantic style in the 19th Century. One of the most impressive sights at this park is a HUGE white cedar umbrella. It measures over 20 feet in diameter. Grab a seat underneath and enjoy a Sagres, or climb up and share secrets with your loved one. On Saturdays, there are vendors and an organic farmer's market. This is not at all like the Feira da Ladra (which I really did not enjoy). There are some really great things to be found here like antique pins, jewelry homemade hand bags and tons more. There are also two kiosks where you can grab a quick bite, and a full restaurant - all of which are very fairly priced. There is an aqueduct, museum and tons of other surprises. Make sure you go, I'll outline each of the highlights of the park below:

Monument to Franca Borges in Principe Real. Gorgeous composition and use of mixed materials.

Statue of França Borges at Jardim do Príncipe Real: This statue honors Franca Borges, a Republican journalist and ardent fighter for the Republic who founded of The Mundo newspaper. The composition shows a female in bronze (the Republic), looking up in appreciation to a medallion with the likeness of Franca Borges.

The Cedar from Buçaco is a lovely spot to cool off in on a hot Summer day.

The Cedar from Buçaco at Jardim do Príncipe Real: The centerpiece of the Principe Real Garden is this gorgeous tree umbrella. It is known as a cedar from Buçaco, but it's actually a one hundred year old Mexican cypress tree. Lovely spot to grab a book, people watch, or fall in love.

Check out the antiques vendors at Jardim do Príncipe Real for some true treasures

Antiques Shopping: Not only can you find some great antiques at Jardim do Principe Real, there are tons of antique shops in the area offering everything from the iconic Portuguese tiles, jewelry, furniture...if you can't find it here, it probably can't be found.

Embaixada: If you're not the antique type, there's no need to worry. This is the coolest little shopping center. The Ribeiro da Cunha Praca do Principe Real is now home to the coolest independent shops in Lisbon. The building itself is a sight to see. It was erected in 1857 by the aforementioned businessman and is a blend of Arabic and Art Nouveau. The building has two floors of shopping and a great backyard where you can sip on wine and enjoy some snacks. It's worth it to visit just because of the building.

Located at: Praça do Príncipe Real, nº 26

Hours of Operation: 12pm - 2am (Thu-Sat), 12pm - 12am (Sun-Wed)

This aqueduct turned museum is a really cool spot underneath Principe Real Park

Museu da Água Príncipe Real: You can easily miss this amazing museum. It's located underneath the garden at Principe Real. Belowthe central pond and fountains lies this19th-century reservoir. It used to bring in water from outside of Lisbon to the city in the 19th Century. If you enter at the park and take the tour, it will have you exit at another spot you should no miss, the Miradouro de São Pedro.

Located at: Underneath the fountain at Jardim do Principe Real Park

Hours of Operation: Open Wednesday-Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm. Entry costs 2€

Pararge aegeria is one of the many species of butterflies to be found at the Principe Real Botanical gardens in Lisboa

Jardim Botânico:: Right in the center of Principe Real, you will find the Natural History Museum and its botanical gardens. The garden spans 10 acres and it is simply stunning. Yes, it has fallen into a bit of disrepair (ponds and streams without water), but the variety of flora and fauna is spectacular ( 18,000 species from all over the world). I was also pleasantly surprised when I ran into its butterfly house. Although it was tiny, I spent quite a lot of time in there. This is a perfect spot for families, couples, and the lone traveler looking for a bit of quiet and relaxation. I say go, spend money there, so they can bring back this garden to splendor (it really would not take that much).

Located at: Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58 Entry costs 2€

Hours of Operation: 9am-8pm in the Summer, 9am-6pm in the Winter.

The beautiful fountain at the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara makes for a great spot to watch kids play

Miradouro de São Pedro: This gorgeous outlook on the border of Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto has a garden and one of the best views in the city featuring the Castelo de S. Jorge. There is a map made of tiles (of course) that serves as a guide to the view. It is also decorated with sculptures of Greco-Roman heros and gods, so if you have kids, this can make for a nice educational experience. In the upper level, there is a sculpture by Costa Motta of Eduardo Coelho. He was the founder of the newspaper Diário de Notícias. It is quite charming; a paperboy stands in front of Coelho as he sells the newspaper.

Solar do Vinho do Porto: If you're a wino (like me) you gotta make it here. This is the port wine institute and they have over 300 Ports including some gems. I was told the oldest was from 1937. It's a pretty chill spot too, so make this a must visit.

Located at: Rua de S. Pedro de Alcântara, 45 at Ludovic Palace.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 11am to 12am. Saturday 3pm to 12am. Closed Sundays and holidays

Details of the Capela do Santíssimo at Igreja do Sao Roque in Lisbon Portugal

Museu Sao Roque: I have a thing for churches. If you've visited this blog, you probably know that by now. I was especially drawn to the Church of Saint Rocco for various reasons. My grandma (who is no longer with us) was extremely religious. One of her all time favorite saints was San Roco (I'm Colombian born, so going with the Colombian spelling here). Legend goes that Roco was a French nobleman with a cross-shaped birthmark on his chest. Early on his parents died and he went to live with his Uncle, the Duke of Montpellier. Roco took a vow of poverty and went off on a pilgrimage. He encountered a town where people had the plague, and ended up curing a bunch of people. When he returned to France, he was sick with the plague (had his iconic open sore on his leg)and unrecognizable. He was banished and sought refuge in a cave. A dog (the second reason why I think I was drawn to this church) would bring him bread and one day his owner followed him to the cave where he found Roco and nursed him back to health. Story may not be 100% to cannon, but you get the idea. It's interesting that a church dedicated to a saint who lived his life in poverty is one of the most ostentatious I have seen (and I've been in the Vatican). This church, from an art historian's point of view - is AMAZING!!! Seriously, don't be fooled by the plain facade. When you go in, you will be overtaken with awe at the gold, and the artwork that permeate the site.

The church was created in Rome, blessed by the pope and then sent to lisbon in the 1700's. The interior is decked in gold, silver, porphyry, ivory, lapis lazuli, and some of the most intricate mosaics I've seen since Ravenna. The ceiling is wood with depictions of the Apocalypse. This is when you truly grasp just how powerful and wealthy Portugal was at the time. The adjoining museum is small, but has a lovely collection. Especially if you're into reliquaries. This itty bitty museum is super cool, do not miss it.

The museum also has a cafe, but I did not check it out. If you have, let me know how it was in the comments.

Located at: Largo Trindade Coelho (technically it's Bairro Alto, but I'm including it here anyway). 2.50 € to enter (and you get 20% off a bunch of other museums with your receipt)

Hours of Operation:

Apr- Sept : T10am to 8pm
Closed Mon morning and holidays
Oct- Mar:
Mon 2pm-6pm
Tue-Sund 10am-6pm
Closed Mon morning and holidays

Where to Eat & Drink in Principe Real

Kiosks at Principe Real Garden: There are two, one at each end. Grab a table, grab a beer and relax. In the morning, you can pick up your coffee, grab a table and peacefully read the paper. If you come by in the afternoon, you will see all the Lisboetas enjoying their imperials (small beers), tremoços (the things that look like corn but are actually brined lupin beans - to eat them squeeze the bean out of its skin and enjoy), empadas (much like empanadas). There are tons of these kiosks throughout Lisbon, and even if you don't get to go to the ones in PR, make sure to hit up one. Great experience.

Grab a light snack, or a full meal at the Esplanada do Príncipe Real. Great spot for people watching.

Esplanada do Principe Real:. The food was good here, albeit more expensive than in other parts of town. I had the Arroz com Polvo (11€). Compare this to Leitaria Aviz in the Mouraria where I paid 10€ for arroz com polvo, wine AND dessert, and you may think there is no value, but you're paying for the area and the experience. I'd definitely recommend you get a meal at this spot.

Located at: Rua Escola Politecnica, Jardim do Principe Real

Hours of Operation: Mon - Wed: 9:00 am - 11:00 pmMon - Wed: 9am - 11pm, Thu - Sat: 9am - 2am, Sun: 9am - 11pm

Pavilhão Chinês: This bar is out of this world. This feels like what really luxurious bars must have felt like back in the day. There are over 4,000 pieces of arts and antiques at the bar. These were collected by the bar's owner, Luis Pinto Coelho. In fact, I'd say that if you did not know this was a bar, you'd think it was an antiques shop. There are lots of little rooms, so the bar has a relaxed, intimate, and comfortable feel. The servers are all dressed to the nines in black pants, white shirts, and red vests. You will pay more here than at other bars in Lisbon, but it's totally worth it. BTW - if I sound a little "off" it's because I had indeed done 3 shots of vodka at Stanislav (an awesome Russian restaurant)...so don't judge 😉

Located at: Rua D. Pedro V, 89

Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday 6pm to 2am, Sunday 9pm to 2am

The Pregos (Portuguese Steak Sandwiches) at O Prego da Peixaria are some of the best in town.

O Prego da Peixaria: Expect to wait on line here. This place is super trendy and I can see why. This restaurant specializes in the Portuguese Prego (garlic steak) sandwich, and fish burgers. It's a pretty easy restaurant to navigate. Once you sit down, you select the item you want and how you want it:

rare = mal (passado)
medium = med
well done = bem (passado)

I chose the classic prego (8.50€), mal passado with the tea of the day: ginger, orange, and basil. Let me tell you, that prego was delicious. The meat was juicy, the Bolo do Caco (that's the bread it comes on) comforting, and the tea super refreshing (which came in handy since it was 80 degrees outside). One note, DO NOT WEAR BLACK. The bread has this floury white stuff on top and you will look like you have a serious case of dandruff after eating your Prego. This is one time I'd recommend you wear white. On a side note, just like most places in Principe Real...you can get a cheaper/better Prego elsewhere...but if you're in the area, this is where you want to

Located at: Rua da escola politécnica, 40

Hours of Operation: Could find none on their website, but they are open on Sundays.

El Tomate: I was a bit confused by the Spanish name of this itty bitty joint, but the food here is more Mediterranean than Spanish. The dishes are super affordable, the food is delicious, and the owners are from Porto, so we had our first Francesinha here (I loved it...Antonio is still on the fence....but he's way more of a healthy eater than I am). Everything I had was delish: beef carpaccio and tuna tartare. Go and enjoy.

Located at: Rua Da Escola Politecnica, 23

If you're looking for a romantic spot in Principe Real, Lost In takes the cake

Lost In: This esplanada type bar is sort of hidden, you have to walk into an alleyway, but it affords you an incredibly romantic spot with a great view of the city. It's decorated with Indian fabrics, old wrought iron beds have been turned into couches for two, and the view simply makes this place spectacular. I did not eat here, so I can't comment on the food, but this makes for a lovely spot to visit on a night out.

Located at: Rua Dom Pedro V 56

Hours of Operation: Mon 4pm - midnight & Tue - Sat 12:30pm - midnight

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Lisbon, Portugal Budget Travel Tips
By Blanca Valbuena / in Travel, Europe Travel, Portugal Travel / June 19, 2014

Living in New Jersey meant that I had a decent number of Portuguese friends. They raced their bikes on Route 21, played billiards, and they'd go to Newark's Portuguese area to eat delicious shrimp in garlic sauce. Still, my understanding of Portugal did not come to where it needed to be until I started working in the wine industry. It was then that I learned about the country, its people, and its gorgeous wines. This year, instead of going to France for the whole Summer, Antonio and I decided to spend a little time in Portugal. I am thrilled that we came and I am already planning my return. In case you're not familiar with Lisboa (Lisbon), it is the capital of Portugal and sits on the Atlantic Ocean, which was a great advantage to the city in its beginnings. Today, I'll give you a view into Portugal's capital and a list of things to do in Lisbon, my favorite city.

Things to Do in Lisbon

Lisbon is a hilly city. Like Rome and Istanbul, it is defined by seven hills. While the temperature has been mild this June (around 75-80 Fahrenheit), you will work up a sweat as you walk up and down the hills. It is much cooler at the top of the hills where there are great lookouts known as Miradouros, these are great spots to meet some locals and enjoy an ice cold Imperial (that's a 20 cl measure of beer, no matter what brand).

The first time we visited, we were there in June, which is known for the Festas de Lisboa. The feasts celebrate the patron saint, Santo António (Saint Anthony). The entire month has a schedule of concerts, artist exhibits, theater and much more. To our chagrin, we missed the feast of the 12th. We were told this is the best party with people grilling sardines on the street, drinking beer, and dancing throughout the city. That being said, you can pick any day of the week and walk through the Mouraria neighborhood and find a mom and pop restaurant selling these and many other tasty bites.

There's no need to worry if you don't speak Portuguese, mostly everyone speaks perfect English. Still, it can't hurt to take a crash course on Memrise or to download an app called WordUp Portuguese (make sure to pick up the Iberian - not Brazilian version). The app will cost you $2.99 but it has every basic phrase you need to know. Now that you have the basics, here's what we experienced, loved and learned about Lisboa.

Check out this post for places to eat in Lisbon as well as tips on what to do, how to order and tipping culture in Lisbon

THINGS TO DO IN LISBON

There are two Kiosks at Sao Pedro De Alcantara Miradouro. This one tends to be more quiet.

Check out the Kiosks

The kiosks are the heart of Lisboa and thankfully for us, they have been recently revived from what seemed like extinction. They are fantastic spots to stop at while you explore the city, to meet locals after work, or just lovely places to grab a book and people watch. These are seriously wonderful and the best part is that they can be found everywhere throughout the city. Food and drink is usually pretty cheap at the kiosks with a beer costing anywhere between €0.80 and €1.50.

Tile work representing Psalm 22 "foderunt manus meas et pedes meos" - "They pricked my hands and my feet" symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus.

Go to Graça Church

Not too far from Castelo Sao Jorge, on the hill that marks the Graça neighborhood is Graça Church and convent. The original church was pretty much destroyed during the big earthquake in 1755. The current structure was built in 1721 in the Baroque style. The tile work is outstanding and the individual azulejos (tiles) date from the 16th & 17th Century.  Don't miss out on the Senhor dos Passos. It is the figure of Christ with his crown of thorns in royal porphyry purple carrying the cross. He resides in the transept and is kept company by the figure of (who I assume to be) the Virgin Mary. I was told he is taken out yearly for the Lent procession. Definitely spend a good amount of time in this church. Once you're done being wowed by the amazing tile work in the church, step outside for a gorgeous view of the city at the Miradouro da Graça. From there, you can take some amazing panoramas that include the castle and Lisbon. There are also tables there and kiosks where you can buy a little pick-me-up. Take Tram 28 to reach the hill if you're not up to the walk.

The 17th Century Church of Santa Engrácia is also known as the National Pantheon, and holds the remains of notable Portuguese people.

Panteão Nacional 4€ - free Sundays to 2pm

This church, also known as Church of Santa Engrácia, sits on the site of an older church that was taken down when it was robbed in 1630. The church bears resemblance to Peruzzi's St. Peter's plans (which were based on Bramante's Greek Cross plan - which was never executed). The church was finished in 1966. Santa Engrácia is now a pantheon, a monument to the gods because it serves as the resting place of many prominent people including presidents, writer Almeida Garrett, and the famed Fadoista, Amalia Rodrigues. When we went, there was a sculpture exhibit and fado playing in the background. Outside of the gorgeous architecture (domed ceilings, inlaid marble), I loved the rooftop terrace. It boasts a gorgeous view of the Tejo river and the Feira da Ladra.  I loved this spot. I only wish they'd open an outdoor bar there, maybe a few nights a week with some classical music just like they do in the building's interior.

Panteão Nacional is located at: Campo de Santa Clara 1100-471 Lisboa, Portugal

Hours: Open daily (except Mondays) 10am-5pm (6pm from May to September).

Both the flag of Portugal and the Flag of Lisbon are atop the Castelo de Sao Jorge in Lisboa

Castelo de Sao Jorge €8.50

It took me until almost the end of my trip to make it to Castelo Sao Jorge. I would have been a fool to miss it. This site is not a "castle" the way you may think. It is not Versailles and I never expected it to be. This is a monument to the history of Lisbon and Portugal. It is awe inspiring and complete workout. I warn that this is not the best site for everyone. One needs to be in good physical condition, be kind of a history geek (not necessary - but it helps), and kids may not work well with this site. Since it is a little perilous in some spots. That being said, the Castle of St. George in Lisbon has the most spectacular views in the city and is not to be missed. Click here for a more in depth look at the Castelo.

Castelo Sao Jorge is located at R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal

Hours: Daily from 9am-9pm

The plain facade of the church dedicated to Saint Rocco in Lisbon hides the many treasures that lie inside

Igreja and Museu Sao Roque Principe Real/Bairro Alto €2.50

What may be the most unassuming exterior leads to one of the most ostentatious church I've seen (and I've seen lots of churches). One really gets the scope of the power and wealth Portugal had. Adjacent to the church is a lovely little museum with some choice pieces. It's not the biggest church or museum, so you'll be able to do a lighter art day. From here you are a short walk away to Bairro alto, Principe Real, The Port Museum, and The Miradouro de Sao Pedro De Alcantara.

Igreja and Museu Sao Roque is located at Largo Trindade Coelho

Hours: Monday Closed, Tue-Wed 10AM–6PM, Thursday 2–9PM, Fri-Sun 10AM–6PM

Graffiti in Lisbon takes on the name of high art. Wander the streets and feast the eyes

Get Lost & Check Out Amazing Graffiti (free if you do it on your own or you can take a tour)

You can do this anywhere in the city, but the Mouraria has some amazing (and I mean amazing) street art. Yes, you will see the shitty, crappy graffiti that I hate as well, but most of the street art in the city is simply jaw dropping. The Cronos Project  is responsible for quite a large number of these pieces. The project was created between artists and the city of Portugal to liven up many of the city's abandoned buildings. There are even graffiti tours, but I say, get lost and make it a day of discovery. It will feel even more special as you find these jewels yourself.

Landscaped gardens with geometric patterns at Parque Eduardo VII in Lisboa

Parque Eduardo VII

This park has it all: amazing sculpture, a HUGE greenhouse (deserves a day to itself), peacocks, food, and a great view of the city. Bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen and prepare to spend a good amount of time here. A big tip is to venture away from the center of the park. This is where you will find all those jewels that make the park so very special. The park is free, entry to other spots in the park have a nominal fee.

Listen to Fado

Apologies for the crappy video quality. Fado is to Portugal what the blues are to the US. It's origins are murky, but it is said to have started with the songs of sad and lonely sailors. Fado became the music of Lisbon in the early 20th century and thrived during the dictatorship of Salazar. Fadistas sang their sorrows in the Alfama and Mouraria neighborhoods. Your typical Fado trio is a singer, a classic guitar (called a viola), and a Portuguese Guitar. The most renowned Fadoistas of the time were Alfredo Marceneiro, Amalia Rodrigues, Maria Teresa de Noronha and Armandinho and Jaime Santos. If you're interested, there's a great documentary on Amalia. The songs of fado are filled with saudade, a longing for dreams that will never come true. The music is beautiful in its tragedy. There are plenty of places to catch a Fado show, but if you walk around the Alfama, you're likely to catch a free show put on by a local bar owner for free or local spots like some noted below:

Arcaz Velho: Calcada do Forte, 56 - We ended up going here because Bela did not have live music on our first Fado night (I ended up missing Bela due to my early departure. I was told this is the best place for Fado - so if you get a chance to - check it out). The place is divided into a bar and a restaurant. If you choose to sit at the restaurant, you can pay 25€ per person. This includes an entire meal with wine AND the Fado show. The meal was fantastic. It included the couvert (bread & olives), caldo verde, mushroom salad, green salad, Bacalhau à Brás (Cod & potatoes), chorizo, potatoes, AND dessert. The service was incredible, the wine quite nice, and we listened to two amazing Fado singers. I would highly recommend Arcaz Velho for Fado and for a lovely meal.

A Tasquina: Largo Contador Mor, 5/6/7 - Ran across this place on our walk home from the Feira da Ladra in the Alfama to our apartment near the Castelo. The butterscotch sounds of fado drew us in for a nice cold Super Bock. Can't say anything about the food, but the Fado that played was gorgeous. Two singers took turns and our beers were merely 1€. Something tells me we'll be going back before we leave Lisboa.

Listen to Music: Besides Fado, Lisboa is filled with music. The video above is music from a free live show on the street. There's Optimus Alive with bands like Faith No More, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. There's also Out Jazz which goes on from May to September in various locations throughout the city. If you're a music lover, Lisboa is for you.

Party in Bairro Alto: Right off the Chiado metro station and up the hill is Bairro Alto. This 16th Century neighborhood has been the place for artists, poets for quite a long time. It's a maze of bars, restaurants, and revelers. We stumbled upon it at night and saw bachelorette parties, people dressed as bull fighters and bulls, hot messes, and lots of porqueria sellers (tchotkes like neon sun glasses, single roses, etc). There's also some great live music there (free). Go and have a blast. This is a party like no other. If you want to really check out the neighborhood, go during the day. It is much quieter...and outside of its party-hardy reputation, there is some lovely architecture here as well.

The Martini Terrazza Party happens each Wednesday during the Summer in Lisbon

Martini Terraza Party: Avenida da Liberdade 36 - Each Wednesday at 8pm, about two blocks from the Hard Rock Cafe, you will see a huge line. Get on it. It's a party thrown by Bacardi & Martini & Rossi on a gorgeous rooftop. There are free drinks, free food, a gorgeous view, beautiful Portuguese people and an unparalleled view of the city. Just when you start feeling a little buzzed, ladies with trays of pregos (beef steak sandwiches) come out. Dress to impress and have a blast.

LISBON TRAVEL TIPS

Gorgeous views are to be had everywhere in Lisbon, this one is from the hill at Castelo

1. Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes. The streets are made of mosaics and stones. This means that high heels can get caught on the crevices, and that your back will take a hit. Opt for flats or wedge heels, or comfortable (but not ugly) walking shoes. Also, make sure the soles have grip, the stones can be slippery.

2. Clothing: Wear breathable fabrics like cotton, and silk. The weather is mild, but it does get hot when you walk. Bring a sweater as there are big dips in temperature at night.

3. Water: Hydration is key, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

4. Sunscreen: But this I recommend anywhere you go.

5. Couvert: Food in Lisbon is quite inexpensive when compared to NYC. There is one caveat, the couvert. In the US we are used to things like bread and olives being complimentary. In Lisbon, when a server brings you things like bread, cheese, or olives that you did not order, you are expected to pay for them. This is a couvert and can cost anywhere from 1-15€ depending on where you are. If you don't want a surprise on your bill, simply ask "quanto e isso?" to find out the cost.

6. WordUp Portuguese App: One of the best language apps out there. It has all the basic phrases, and you can click to hear the pronunciation. Best $2.99 I've spent.

7. Don't Stay in Bairro Alto: Party in Bairro Alto, drink in Bairro Alto, dine in Bairro Alto, but don't stay there. It's a great neighborhood, but if you need to get any sleep at all, this is not the right neighborhood for it. Bars are open until 2am and partiers are quite rowdy.

8. Phone & Internet: First thing I used do when I travel to any country is pick up a SIM card. It allowed me to connect with Antonio & with whatever else I need to. It's also invaluable to have internet connection (so that I can navigate the city without a tourist guide). Luckily, T-Mobile has an awesome international plan now, so my US phone works in Portugal. If you don't have an international plan, in Lisboa you have a few options. One of them is Vodafone. There are two locations downtown. I went to the one at Praça D. Pedro IV, nº 4 e 5. It's right off the Rossio metro station and EVERYONE there speaks English. Just beware. If you get internet and phone, your phone credits are used towards internet. So ask them to pay the extra $20 for phone. $20 bucks got me through a whole 14 days of Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and Instagram. There is also LycaMobile, but I did not test them out. LycaMobile sims are sold at the Lisbon Tourism Bureau at the Praca do Comercio. These cards can be used in other countries in Europe, but you will pay roaming charges - so keep that in mind.

9. Chipped Visa/Mastercard: Before you head to Lisboa, ask your credit card company to send you a chipped card. It will make your life much easier. Also...make sure to bring a Visa/Mastercard. Businesses in Lisbon usually don't take American Express, so if this is your primary card, make sure to bring an alternative.

10. Tipping: You don't have to tip in Lisbon, but I say - why not. The food is so inexpensive here, that we dropped a few Euros with every meal.

Antonio patiently waits while United decides our fate.

GETTING TO LISBON

Planes: This was our preferred mode of transportation since we came in from NYC. We had a delay (what else is new), the food on our United flight was crummy - but we finally reached our destination. Since Lisbon is Portugal's capital, it is blessed with the largest international airport in the country; Aeroporto da Portela (LIS). The airport is lovely. It is clean, new, and easy to navigate.

Once you arrive, you have various ways to get into the city proper:

--Subway (Metro): A subway ride to downtown (Baixa-Chiado) stop will cost you just 1.40€.

--Uber: You all know I love Uber. Unfortunately, Portuguese cabbies do not. When you get to the airport, just make sure you're not in direct view of the taxis when you order your Uber. I find that the drivers are much nicer and the fares cheaper when you use Uber than when you take a regular cab.

--Rental Cars: There are plenty to choose from: Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Guerin, Hertz, Budget, and Goldcar. --Taxis: Be careful with the taxi drivers, some (not all) are known to scam tired tourists. Make sure they do not take the bridge to the city center. Our taxi ride took about 10 minutes (to the Castelo neighborhood) and cost less than 12€.

--AeroBus: This is the bus shuttle to the city. It runs from 7am to 11pm and costs just 3.15€. It stops at most major hotels and subway stations.

WHERE TO STAY IN LISBON

Nuno's Apartment in Castelo:

We found a sweet apartment via Airbnb. It's a two bedroom, one bath with an incredible view. It cost us $80USD per night and so far, it has been great. Nuno has been a spectacular host, so if you go, don't hesitate to stay with him. He met us at the airport, booked our taxi, showed us around the apartment, and gave us tons of tips for the city. At the apartment, he had a bottle of Portuguese wine, pasteis de Natas, and delicious queijo amanteigado. If you like his apartment and end up booking - I would not be upset if you used my affiliate link, it gets me a $25 travel credit 😉

Luis' Flat in Amoreiras:

Luis' apartment is not in a touristy area of Lisbon. If you stay here, you will be among Alfacinhos. The area is more quiet, so it may seem as if there are less things to do, but you're a quick walk to Principe Real, Estrela, and Campo de Ourique. This is a brand new apartment, so everything works. You'll be super comfortable. The apartment had a large deck where you can have wine every night as well.

Madalena's Rooftop Principe Real:

This apartment is all about location. It's a few minutes walk to all the hot spots in Principe Real. It was clean, comfortable, and had a deck that gave us a view of the Parliament. The plus to the apartment was that it had a washing machine and an elevator.

NEED MORE TIPS?

If you need more specific suggestions on things to do in Lisbon, where to stay, etc...just leave a note in the comments and I'll get back to you.

THANK YOU REDDIT COMMUNITY

I wanted to send a huge thank you to the people of r/Lisboa and r/Portugal for all their tips. Particularly: van_Zeller, CAROLINACP, dKABOOM,zalezale

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