Alexandre Cotovio

Lisbon

Spotter since 2014

About me

About me
I’ve been a Lisbon resident (“alfacinha” as the Lisbon inhabitants are often called) since 1993; I first came to this beautiful city to finish my studies and ended up finding a job, a house and a neighborhood where I feel at home.

I live with my girlfriend Fatinha; I’m an origami enthusiast and a board game addict. I consider myself a romantic in love with things from other times; things like film photography, vinyl discs or the first gaming consoles immediately make me smile.

I see myself as a friendly person. I’m unpretentious and open minded and love get to know new people from other places mostly because I love to know things from where they’re from. And I love to share my own stories, my neighborhood history and any Portuguese curiosities that visitors might find interesting. I always feel enthusiastic when talking about Portugal because of its history, its beautiful places, the kindness of its people or the amazing food we have.

Why Lisbon?
I live in São Cristóvão, Mouraria; one of the first traditional ancient neighborhoods of Lisbon; it’s like living in a little village inside the city and that’s maybe one of the reasons why I love Lisbon so much. Because it still has all its history, buildings and the people are genuine to their roots.

I was born in Tomar, a city 115 km from Lisbon, and spent my childhood in a little village 10 km from Tomar. When I came to Lisbon at the age of 18 to go to college I ended up living with a friend in São Cristovão. Once again finding myself in a little village but in the centre of the Portuguese capital city.

And that’s what I love the most about Lisbon: its authenticity in the buildings, narrow streets and stairs, its food and its people. And this is Lisbon all the way, a beautiful, several hundred year old puzzle made of old neighborhoods.

Where can you find me online?
Facebook

My spots (17)

Taste of Punjab

Tandori restaurant

"Taste of Punjab" in Lisbon has great Indian food for a reasonable price. It's not modern, crowded or touristic. Here you can just take your time & enjoy!

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Restaurants

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Dec 4, 2025

Loja da Laurinda

Historical shop

"Loja da Laurinda" in Lisbon is a traditional old shop that has everyday household articles (that also make perfect gifts). It's from another era...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Dec 4, 2025

Atelier Joana Simão

Pottery artist

Atelier Joana Simão in Libon's Mouraria is the studio and shop of this pottery artists that's truly genuine and unique. I love living in this area...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Nov 19, 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...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Oct 17, 2025

Manteigaria Silva

"The" old grocery store

"Manteigaria Silva", dating back to the 19th century, is a well-known Lisbon shop where you can taste and buy the famous 'Serra de Estrela' cheese...

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Coffee & tea
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Shopping
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Snacks

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Oct 10, 2025

As Bifanas do Afonso

THE pork sandwich

"As Bifanas do Afonso": one of the best places in Lisbon where you can have a 'bifana'. It's a cheap snack, nothing fancy - it's the experience behind it.

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Snacks

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Oct 10, 2025

Livraria do Simão

The tiniest bookshop

"Livraria do Simão": probably the smallest bookshop in Portugal, let alone Lisbon. It has around 4.000 used books & despite not being a book fan I love it!

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Oct 10, 2025

Amigos da Severa

Ginjinha, history and Fado

"Amigos da Severa in Lisbon is, according to legend, the birthplace of fado. This one is a smart choice over the 'touristic' gijinhas in square Rossio...

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Bars

by

Alexandre

Cotovio

Oct 10, 2025

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