Feb 3, 2025

Cemitério dos Prazeres Lisbon

Strange attraction

""Cemitério dos Prazeres" in Lisbon means 'the cemetery of pleasures' (great start-off point). It's aristocratic and very big; I'm just attracted to it..."

To begin with, this cemetery has an amazing name: Pleasures. Of course the name comes from its neighborhood location, but it induces me to a lot of musings about the meaning of life.

But what attracts me here? First, it's flooded with amazing sculptures and beautiful mausoleums. It's an aristocratic cemetery, the kind where famous sculptors and architects worked for wealthy families graves. Second, it's on a hilltop, with a great view over the city, more specifically the Alcantara valley, river Tagus and "25 de Abril" Bridge. And last, I do like visiting cemeteries. They are trabid, but they are also the most peaceful places in any city.

When I wander in a cemetery, I am extremely interested in the facts about people and about history written on the tombstones. And since Prazeres cemetery is home for the graves of great Portuguese personalities of culture, art and political history, it's history everywhere. For instance, here was the place where the poet Fernando Pessoa had been buried for 50 years, before being moved to Jeronimos monastery. Yet his only love during his lifetime, Ofélia Queiroz, is still buried here.

Opened in 1833, due to a "cholera morbus" epidemic, it's surrounded by mysterious signs and symbols, mostly Christian and Masonic. It has the biggest private mausoleum of Europe, of the family Duques de Palmela. Try to get this mausoleum opened, its really an experience. And it's the biggest and oldest concentration of cypress trees in Iberia. More reasons why I like it so much.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Praça São João Bosco

free

213912700

Explore Lisbon like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Lisbon guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Lisbon

Picoas Street Art

Art attack!

Lisbon was sleeping while some of the new urban artists and graffiti artists were painting and drawing over vacant buildings in town...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Conserveira de Lisboa

Est. 1930

"Conserveira de Lisboa" Lisbon is a traditional grocery shop located in the city centre offering an excellent selection of local products and fresh stock.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Mercado de Alvalade Norte

Fresh and delicious

"Mercado de Alvalade Norte" Lisbon is a local market offering a selection of fresh live stock and delicious bites, featuring anything from fish to fruits!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Barbearia Campos

Est. 1886

"Barbearia Campos" in Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest barber shops. Come here, get freshened up like the famous and start feeling the pulse of the city!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Caza das Vellas Loreto

Lisbon's oldest candleshop

"Caza das Vellas Loreto" Lisbon was founded on the same day of the French Revolution. They light their candles for all sorts of events and is beautiful...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

The Amoreiras Wall

Art Attack II!

"The Amoreiras Wall" is a huge mural, perhaps the biggest graffiti wall in the Iberian Peninsula, and most definitely in Lisbon, an open-air museum!

002-building
Art & culture

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Pastelaria Mexicana

Portuguese fine pastry

"Pastelaria Mexicana" Lisbon is a Portugese family run fine pastry shop near Londes square. I'd suggest going for cake with a cup of cold milk- heavenly!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Campo de Ourique Market

A market nightlife

The "Campo de Ourique Market" was recently reborn; it's no longer a market: now 30-40-somethings go there to enjoy themselves at the bars & restaurants.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Cláudio

Carneiro

Feb 16, 2025

Tapada das Necessidades

A hidden eden

"Tapada das Necessidades" is one of Lisbon's parks that are hidden in plain sight. It's a great place for a walk or picnic with great views over the city.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Cláudio

Carneiro

Feb 16, 2025

O Careca

A church of sin, a hell of sugar

"O Careca" Lisbon is a place where I'd highly recommend to drop by if you like yourself a delicious freshly baked croissant! A cozy spot to start the day

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 16, 2025

Bairro Alto

Bohemiam Rhapsody

"Bairro Alto" Lisbon is a neighborhood located on one of the hills, a trendy and pleasant quarter where designers and intellectuals reside

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Feb 15, 2025

Cortiço & Netos

A historical collection of tiles

"Cortiço & Netos" in Lisbon is a place of recent Portuguese history - it could be a museum instead of a shop with the best tiles from the last 50 years...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Alexandre

Cotovio

Feb 15, 2025

Heading to Lisbon?

186 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Lisbon?

186 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves Lisbon

Get to know our other Spotters from Lisbon