TravelModus Ideas for Sophisticated Travelers
Lisbon, where old and new come together to create a truly magical city. One of the cities with the richest history on the Atlantic coast Lisbon is on seven hills with endless historical buildings, monuments and cultural legacy which can be seen throughout the city’s streets. Set against the ever-present backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, this sun-kissed city lives in a Latin fairy-tale of timeworn manners and traditions. The city is vivid and authentic, Lisboners are so genuinely warm, the food is so delicious. But there is also plenty happening in the present. New shops, bars, restaurants, boutiques and hotels are opening. I have prepared a guide about what I liked most in the city of light.
Best Hotels: Lisbon’s hotel scene continues to blossom, thanks to the new hotels
Housed inside an 18th-century pile on one of Lisbon’s most romantic squares is Hotel Santa Clara 1728. Set atop one of the city’s seven hills, overlooking the Pantheon and the Tagus River beyond, the hotel has been designed by local architect Manuel Aires Mateus.
Located in Lisbon’s hipster Chiado quarter, the handsome four-storey Verride Palácio Santa Catarina was revitalised into a modern boutique hotel by architect Teresa Nunes da Ponte, who meticulously restored the intricate Pombalino interiors including the wrought iron staircase, ornamental ceilings
Located in Lisbon’s creative hub, between bohemian Bairro Alto and cosmopolitan Chiado, the Bairro Alto Hotel celebrates art and design throughout. The luxurious rooms, spread across five floors and affording views of Luis de Carnões Square, Rua das Flores or Rua do Alecrim are done in traditional Portuguese hues. Florés restaurant, on the ground floor, serves dishes blending Portuguese and Mediterranean influences, while a hip, young crowd patronizes the split-level Café Bar for light meals, cocktails and live music
Located in the Avenida da Liberdade, in the most noble of Lisbon, Valverde Hotel reminds us of London and New-York Town Houses, with its classic and elegant style, it’s contemporary furniture, works of art and antiques. Its warm colours, the comfort of its fabrics and materials, its homey arrangement of space, are what distinguishes the Valverde Hotel from any other hotel in the surrounding area, an “Oasis of comfort and discreet luxury.”
Best Restaurants, Clubs and Patisseries :
Founded in 1956 Cervejaria Ramiro serves the best seafood in Lisbon. The space is relaxed and associated with the nautical environment, although it is not sophisticated it is pleasant. Noisy by nature it is dividing by three floors. You may start by tasting our Dark Smoked Ham “Pata Negra 5J Sanchez Romero Carvajal”. Afterwards lose yourself with the quality of our seafood. Don’t miss the unique Shrimp à la Aguillo and tasty Clams, pass over the Goose Barnacles and continue with the Grilled Giant Tiger Shrimp or savor the supreme Crayfish, for another choice why not have a Rock Crab or a Spider-Crab.
Palácio Chiado in the historic 18th century building, the historic rooms now host seven alternatives for fine dining and other forms of entertainment. As an outstanding cosmopolitan venue in the city, it is a timeless blend of history and modern life. The bar service is provided in partnership with Ás de Copos and based on a touch of extravagance in everything that is created.
Right in the hustle and bustle of Chiado, in an ample and bright place of 1000 m2, José Avillez, one of the most praised Portuguese chefs, created the most atypical of Lisbon’s neighbourhoods and combined different, yet complementary concepts in Bairro do Avillez . Here, there’s a Mercearia (gourmet deli) stocked with irresistible delicacies, a wonderful Taberna for those who like hearty food, a Páteo where seafood and fish are king, and Beco, the most cosmopolitan corner of this neighbourhood, where an internationally-inspired menu is accompanied by a cabaret show.
You will love especially the tiles of the Pastelaria-Padaria Sao Roque. The bakery also serves up delicious sweets and savories as well. Located on the northern edge of the Bairro Alto, the pastelaria is filled with an ornate dome ceiling, bronze-colored marble columns, curved counters, and art deco azulejos with intricate designs, bright colors, and nature scenes. Locals come here to enjoy treats such as pasteis de nata (custard tarts), meringues, coconut-dusted pao de deus.
In 1837 they began making the original Pastéis de Belém, following an ancient recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. That secret recipe is recreated every day in their bakery, by hand, using only traditional methods. Even today, the Pastéis de Belém offer the unique flavour of time-honoured Portuguese sweet making.
Fado music is another expression of what it is to be Portuguese that has also been awarded World Heritage status .Clube de Fado in Alfama hosts the cream of the fado crop in vaulted, dimly lit surrounds. Big-name fadistas performing here include Cuca Rosetta and Maria Ana Bobone, alongside celebrated guitarists such as owner Mario Pacheco.
Best Stores to Shop
A Vida Portuguesa was born out of the will to create an inventory of the brands that survived the passage of time, to highlight the quality of Portuguese manufacture and to showcase Portugal in a surprising light. The first A Vida Portuguesa shop opened in June 2007 in the heart of the Chiado neighbourhood. Occupying the centennial and extraordinary space of the old warehouse and perfume factory David & David, its full of beautiful cabinets and jars of powder left behind. Here you will find all unique everyday products, rescued from the memory of the country; jewellery, embroidery, ceramics, aluminium, toiletries, stationery, books, toys, plus a wide range of cleaning products, food and drink.
Conserveira de Lisboa is located in Lisbon’s Alfama district and it remains true to its principles: selling only preserved-fish sardines, with hundreds of colorful tins of the Portuguese favorite fish. The shop opened in 1930 under the name ‘Mercearia do Minho’and changed it’s name to Conserveira de Lisboa in 1942. Since than they only sell Tricana and Prata do Mar brads
Best Museums
MAAT Museum The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology by Amanda Levete’s firm AL_A has opened to the public, on the edge of the Tagus River in Lisbon’s Belém district. Covered in 15,000 white, three-dimensional ceramic tiles, the building boasts an undulating form that connects its grand rooftop terrace with the waterside promenade. Apart from the exhibitions, from the cantilevered terrace, visitors can take in views of the Moorish São Jorge Castle on the hillside above and the waterfront below.
