Apr 10, 2025

Vila Berta Lisbon

Lisbon's most beautiful street

""Vila Berta" Lisbon is an early 20th c. terraced house project which today makes for a historical, picturesque, quiet and hidden pearl of a street."

During the Industrialization, a moment of economical growth back at the end of the 19th century gave birth to a big problem: housing. The population was growing with all the newcomers looking for a job in town... and no place to stay.

The tenements we know by the name of "vilas" were a new solution: a small quarter inside a quarter, sometimes just a "patio" with a gate - a unique "island" inside the city for the workers to live in, in most cases without paying rent, along with the necessary infrastructure.

Joaquim Tojal, a Brazilian entrepreneur and son of Portuguese emigrants just arriving in Portugal, decided to invest and start this project called Vila Berta. Look for the panel with the 1908 Art Nouveau tiles with the name "Villa Bertha" and you won't miss it.

The terraced house street is very picturesque and quiet, a hidden pearl located just 50m from the busy Largo da Graça. It shows innovative thinking with modern architecture (remember this was more than one century ago!). On your right, walking towards the tunnel at Rua do Sol à Graça, all houses have two floors, decorative tiles and were made for the working class, while on your left, they look much more extravagant and luxurious, with iron balconies decorated with flowers and showing a bourgeois look. They were built to accommodate an upper class.

Check this beautiful street just two steps from the Flea Market and have a nice walk around Graça quarter.

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

About this spot

Vila Berta à Graça

free

Find your way with 206 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

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

Choupana Caffe

Brunch café

"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...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sara

Trigo

Apr 25, 2025

Linha d'Água

Get a deep breath

"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!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sandra

Lopes

Apr 25, 2025

Royal Café

Healthy lunch & brunch

"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.

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

by

Erik

Lassche

Apr 24, 2025

Village Underground

Alternative Lisbon

"Village Underground" Lisbon is a creative incubator space, a co-working community & an events destination. I just love the progressive vibe of the place.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Apr 24, 2025

RD's Restaurante

Nepalese food

"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!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ana Carolina

Boldrini

Apr 23, 2025

MAAT

The most catchy museum

MAAT, a stunning modern building in Lisbon, offers a permanent exhibition on electricity and rotating art shows. Enjoy the river views and café afterward!

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

by

Alzbeta

Repakova

Apr 22, 2025

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

Apr 18, 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

Apr 18, 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

Apr 18, 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

Apr 18, 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

Apr 18, 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

Apr 18, 2025

Heading to Lisbon?

206 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

206 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Lisbon

Get to know our other Spotters from Lisbon

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
22
Filters