Image by Erik Lassche

Esplanada do Principe Real is a nice terrace in one of Lisbon’s nicest parks. It’s a great place to have breakfast or just a coffee.

The place has changed owner several times in the past, with mixed results. But it seems that this time they’ve got it right. Each Saturday morning you can visit the Principe Real Organic Market, right next to the terrace.

Although I normally come here during the day to catch some sun and read a magazine, they are open until 2 in the morning.

The whole area around the park has become increasingly interesting, with a lot of shops and cafés opening. A nice place to stroll around a bit.

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Esplanada do Principe Real | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Meia de Leite € 1.40
Jardim do Príncipe Real | Príncipe Real | +351962524513
Thu – Sat 09:00 – 02:00, Sun – Wed 09:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita Esgalhado

As soon as the weather starts to get warmer, this is the spot to watch the perfect sunset. It can be a place to go on your own with a book or magazine to keep you company, or with a noisy group of friends after work.

Meninos do Rio (river boys) or just Meninos, as its called by locals, is a big terrace filled with chaise longues and comfortable poufs. One can find a somewhat peace here due to the fact that it’s on the river side, and can just sink in the amazing scenery.

The atmosphere is really cool, fueled by some lounge or bossa-nova music and a young and cheerful clientele. They always have a great variety of drinks and appetizers on the menu, from cocktails to iced teas, potato skins or salads. Just relax and enjoy. The only disadvantage of this place is that, when it’s really busy, service tends to be slightly on the slow side… But the atmosphere and view are definitely worth the waiting!

May you wish to prolong your stay for dinner, you can always opt for the sushi restaurant located behind, named Sushi Rio. The view is also magnificent and the sushi-men are really creative, so it’s definitely worth a visit!

Rita’s Favorites – Some nice drinks and chatty company make this the perfect after work spot!

Vee’s Favourites – Great strawberry Morangoska! (Strawberry caipirinha made with vodka instead of the regular Cachaça)

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Meninos do Rio | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Caipirinha € 5.00
Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa Arm. 255 | Riverside | +351213220070
12:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica Leitao

The Bertrand Bookstore in Rua Garret opened in 1773, and it’s the oldest store from the Bertrand chain (the first one, built in 1732, was devastated by the Lisbon 1755 Earthquake). It has also been considered the oldest bookstore in the world!!

Bertrand, which once was a privileged space of cultural debate and a literary club, frequented by the intellectual elite of the city, is now transformed into a regular bookstore, but keeps a few peculiarities that are worth a visit.

Still located in the original building, the shop has an amazing quantity of books, divided into maze-sections that respect the original architectural features of the space.

The staff is polite, helpful and glad to be of service when asked to. You also won’t be disturbed if you just wish to sit quietly and read a novel.

This is an excellent spot to relax and recharge batteries, and can as well be the place to find information about Lisbon and Portugal.

Rita’s favorites – Top selection of travel and art books.

Vee’s favorites – Great place to find hidden book marvels as well as a great selection of magazines from all over the world.

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Bertrand livreiros | Relaxing, Shopping
Rua Garrett 17 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213476122
10:00 – 19:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Nuno Lopes de Paula

Alvalade quarter was planned in the 40′s and even nowadays it’s surprising that this urbanism example is not more valued in other new cities. It’s an ideal form of urbanism with small three floor buildings – all yellow or pink – with simple, functional architecture, large sidewalks, gardens and magnificent avenues. It’s still my favorite place to live. Here, everyone has their own small garden and friendly neighbors still talk to each other. I have friends since school days.

Alvalade is still a good and peaceful place to live well. The quarter is surrounded by famous buildings like the Cinema Alvalade and old pubs like Grog (check the Grog article), parks and small shops. These places are open and working since my childhood. Here the portuguese punk movement also started, giving birth to bands such as Censurados and Tara Perdida. You can sing “Sheena is… a punk rocker!”

The Igreja Avenue is a good place to start the day, shopping or just strolling along the main streets, enjoying the crowded and noisy marketplace where you can buy fresh vegetables and fruits. Try the quiet atmosphere of small cosy and charming places like Tin Tin at Roma Avenue and Ó Chá near Igreja Avenue (check the Tin Tin and Ó Chá articles). Roma Avenue is also good place to take a long walk and if you get starving, go straight to the original Frutalmeidas small grocery (check the Frutalmeidas article) for the best traditional portuguese pastry – “Pastéis de Massa Tenra”.

It’s central neighborhood with nice people, good transport, schools, gardens and shops… sounds like I’m a real state agent… I did mention you can hear planes landing?

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Bairro de Alvalade | Art & culture, Relaxing, Shopping
Avenida da Igreja | Avenidas
09:00 – 20:00 daily (depending on location)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Nuno Lopes de Paula

I have friends that begin the day at the gym, hearing loud music while punching the air, burning calories and yelling like recruits. For those to  who working out at 07:30 in the early morning sounds insane and stressfull, here’s a good tip to relax and improve your game afterhours in a central place in town.

I didn’t like playing Tennis that much because: It’s not a traditional sport in Portugal, only few people play it, you won’t learn it in school like football or basketball, and it’s expensive because you can’t practise in the streets so you always need to rent a court.

At the beginning, playing Tennis was boring and painful - Anyway, I know I am stubborn - I started playing almost every weekend, and now at twilight, I’m more than happy with my skills… well, all cats are alike in the dark. 

I guess playing Tennis is still a good way to get yourself in shape and burn some calories for it gives your arms and legs a good work-out. I enjoy playing at 7 or 8 p.m. because it’s not that hot, and, after the game you can ruin your diet a little in a restaurant nearby.

To play Tennis I would often go to Monsanto Park, but there are some places spread all over town. There’s one I also know called Parque 1º de Maio – Inatel, in a much more central location. There you’ll find different courts to rent and you can practise your “Topspin”.

Portuguese food doesn’t have nothing to do with aguacate salads, so, if you’re enjoying our food, you’d better start hitting the ball… Matchpoint! 

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Tennis at 1º Maio | Relaxing | Court rental € 8.00
Av. Rio de Janeiro | Avenidas | +351218453470
08:00 – 23:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Nuno Lopes de Paula

Belenenses football club (founded in 1919), now in the second division, was one of the strongest Portuguese teams until the 80′s. Winning several cups in sports such as football, rugby, handball, basketball and athletics. Now, despite the team poor results, old “Restelo” stadium still remains one of the best in Portugal to enjoy our national sport – Football. 

Although low attendances and sometimes home defeats, besides Benfica and Sporting - the major teams from Lisbon - At Restelo Stadium you will enjoy the authentic football passion. Belenenses will be always my favorite football club despite recent history.

I used to go there every Sunday afternoon with my grandfather, watching my idols playing while eating “Pastéis de Belém” (check the Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém article), showing my blue flag and jumping out of my chair when a goal was scored. There I learn also how to swear – some words you just won’t learn from language courses. I could never forget the noise from the crowd: The applause, the whistles…

I believe that Restelo is the prettiest stadium I have ever seen: The atmosphere is authentic, the view is breathtaking: The Tagus river, the 25th April Bridge, the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries… Well, if the game is too boring you can always enjoy the view, but when the ball goes past the line…you can scream your lungs out: Gooooooooooaaaaallll! Belenenses!!! 

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Clube de Futebol “Os Belenenses” | Art & culture, Relaxing | Match Ticket € 10.00
Estádio do Restelo | Riverside | +351213010461
Match day

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

Lisbon is known as the city of Seven hills. With so many hills, it would be impossible to go around the city without a car or an elevator. That’s right, Lisbon has many elevators which are a huge help for the city residents, and the Santa Justa lift is one of them.

Besides being a huge help, this lift is a one of the greatest example of Portuguese architecture, and a landmark of the city. The lift was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, a Portuguese apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, the same guy from Eiffel Tower. The iron tower is fabulous from outside and to ride it you only need a normal bus service ticket. The elevator is huge, with lots of wood in its interior and kind of victorian, which would be enough for me, but there is more.

I always go insane once I get to the top, thanks to the great panoramic view of the most beautiful part of the city. There are nice stairs to go to the very top, which has also an Italian restaurant, the “Bella Lisa Elevador“, which becomes the “Lift Bar”, a mix of bar and disco, on Thursday and Weekend nights.

When I get tired of the view, something that normally never happens, I leave the elevator through the upper exit, which goes straight to the Carmo Archaeological Museum (check the Carmo Archaeological Museum article), my other favourite spot!

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Santa Justa Lift | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing, Restaurants | Elevator ride € 3
Rua do Carmo 70 | Chiado & Baixa | +3513613000
Mon – Sat 07:00 – 23:00, Sun 09:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

This spot/location is called “Portas do Sol” (Sun’s doors) for a good reason. Here one can have all the sunshiny views that Lisbon has to offer. Close by the bar, there’s the Saint George’s castle, Alfama, Sé (the cathedral) and down there, the river Tejo.

A bar with such an astonishing view is reason enough to pay it a visit. But this bar offers much more. It’s modern, well designed, with very “cool” staff and with a broad offer of food and drinks. And exceptional for an open door bar like this: surprisingly clean!

From lunch to snacks, juices to wines, and a reasonable selection of tea, you can sit on their relaxing black sofas and have whatever you want with the best view Lisbon has to offer, as a bonus!

The bad news about this bar is that once you are there, it is really very hard to leave. The good news is that, when you do, you can get the famous Tram 28 that passes just by.

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Portas do Sol Drinks & Food | Bars, Relaxing, Snacks | Drink € 3.50
Largo das Portas do Sol | Castelo | +351218851299
Sun – Thu 10:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

Mãe D’Água Amoreiras Reservoir is in front of Amoreiras’ Garden, or Amoreiras’ Garden is in front of it. It doesn’t matter. What is worth knowing is that, yet small, this reservoir, called “Mãe D’Água”, translated “Mother of the Water”, is a jewel unknown to tourists. It’s the old city reservoir, not in use anymore. Nowadays it’s open for visitors and for special occasions, such as private parties or an art exhibitions.

The interior is composed of a huge marble squared room, with for central columns and a also huge pool with clear and transparent water. On hot days I almost feel like jumping in the water. I just wished they would let me!

There is also a beautiful ancient fountain from where the aqueduct water arrives. You can go up the fountain and have a gorgeous view to the reservoir. And continuing on the stairs you can reach the roof, where the view is as gorgeous as inside. You can have a wonderful view around the city and witness the aqueduct from a different angle.

It’s a Water Temple, for meditation, for dazzle and for fun!

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Mãe D’Água Amoreiras Reservoir | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance € 2.50
Praça das Amoreiras 10 | Estrela | +351213251644
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

The Saint George castle is the most enchanted, extraordinary and magical place in Lisbon to be.

From the castle, you have a impressive view over most of Lisbon, and the Tagus river. Every time I visit the castle, I just feel gifted for living in Lisbon and having such a fantastic spot so close by. I can stand hours staring over the city, watching the boats crossing the river, the beautiful city landscape, and figuring out what changed since the last time I was over there. Most of the castle are ruins, but nice ones. And there is the “castelejo”, a small castle inside the castle, where you can wander around the top towers and take tons of nice photos.

Inside the castle there is a nice and fancy restaurant called “Casa do Leão”, plus a pleasant esplanade cafe and a very nice giftshop. I try not to miss the concerts, plays and festivals that every year take place in the castle, normally at night, which highlights even more the beauty of the place.

I confess it’s my favorite Lisbon spot, ever! Some surprises can await you there, as it happened to me. A old lady singing Fado songs to the wind, another girl rehearsing her singing, peacocks… Whenever I go there, I reboot from all my worries and bad feelings. Magic? Probably.

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Saint George’s Castle | Art & culture, Relaxing | Students € 7.00
R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100 | Castelo | +351218800620
Nov – Feb 09:00 – 18:00, Mar – Oct 09:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon