If you're new to Lisbon, you'll be intrigued by the Portuguese guitar, a beautiful "alaúde"-style guitar that resembles a sitar on the first strumming. It's delicate and magical but will make a room vibrate with it's old, melodic, Arabian-like sound. If you're a musician like me, this is heaven: one of the oldest musical instrument shop in town, my favourite playground!
I could easily spend half a day inside testing new instruments while smiling like a kid with cotton candy. If you're not a musician? Don’t worry - you’ll become one! There are instruments out of this world: check a Portuguese Fado guitar, with a very unique orientalish sound with a kind of natural delay that will echo in the streets. There are also other Portuguese traditional instruments like Cavaquinhos, a small 4-string guitar that was born in the North and travelled the world and the seven seas, to distant places like Cape Verde, Brazil, and ended up in Hawaii when it changed his name to Ukulele.
Ask Carolina, the grand-daughter of the founder, what you’re looking for, and she’ll help you in no time. Besides the Portuguese traditional instruments, there are electric guitars and basses from the major brands, flutes, drums and all sorts of accessories.
If you want to try something rare and exclusive, forget about the mandolins; get your hands on the Campaniças and Amarantinas traditional guitars and you’ll easily lose your head for a new sound and a perfect souvenir of your loving stay in Lisbon.
Find your way with 206 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Choupana Caffe" in Lisbon makes some amazing brunch - in my opinion, the best in town. My favorites are the scones, the croissants & the fresh juices...
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"Linha d'Água" is a perfect park in Lisbon to relax, enjoy a book, sit in peace next to the fountain... Just be careful: the birds might steal your food!
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"Royal Café" is a nice, almost hidden place to have breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack in Lisbon. Their main specialties are natural, organic products.
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"Village Underground" Lisbon is a creative incubator space, a co-working community & an events destination. I just love the progressive vibe of the place.
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"RD's Restaurante" is THE Nepalese restaurant in the city. I love their momos in every version. Very tasty and great if you're on a budget!
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MAAT, a stunning modern building in Lisbon, offers a permanent exhibition on electricity and rotating art shows. Enjoy the river views and café afterward!
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Lisbon was sleeping while some of the new urban artists and graffiti artists were painting and drawing over vacant buildings in town...
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"Conserveira de Lisboa" Lisbon is a traditional grocery shop located in the city centre offering an excellent selection of local products and fresh stock.
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"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!
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"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!
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"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...
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"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!
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206 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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✓ 206 Insider Tips