Western Europe’s poorest capital is also its most underrated destination. The streets are lined with jaw-dropping architecture and inspiring graffiti; the city’s residents are young, beautiful and bohemian. DailyXY headed there for a taste of the vida boa.
Drink: Finding the party in Lisbon is absurdly easy. On weekend nights the narrow streets of the Bairro Alto are crammed with revelers sipping from plastic cups. For a proper cocktail – and bathroom access – duck into Low, a cozy lounge that doubles as a showroom for eco-friendly, “remade in Portugal” furniture. Rua da Barroca 75.
Gaze: Skip the cable car and hike up the steep Calçada da Gloria; when you summit, at El Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, you’ll be rewarded with a delectable latte – and one of the city’s finest views. 351-213-227-000.
Roam: For the hungover or ADD-afflicted, Mude – the Museum of Design and Fashion – is just the right amount of museum. Inside, rough-hewn walls and exposed pipes are offset by minimalist displays of the 20th century’s most beautiful things. Rua Augusta 24, 351-218-886-117.
Gorge: Although the Bairro is teeming with trendy eateries, go authentic at Bonjardim; the service is brusque, the prices are right and the barbecued chicken is near perfect. Travessa de Santo Antão 12, 351-213-427-424.
Rest: Sitting on the Eduardo VII Park, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon balances old-school glamour – opulent marble bathrooms, impeccable service – with new-school luxury: The rooftop gym includes a spectacular outdoor running track, and the 16,000-square-foot spa takes chilling out to a whole new level. Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca 88, 351-213-811-400.
Image courtesy of Four Seasons.
Thank you for posting this great article about this wondrous city. I am not of Portuguese nackground, but am 6th generation Canadian
.I spent a fair bit of time in Lisbon, & in Portugal, Brazil, & Macao, & also the heavily Portuguese Kensington Market here in Toronto.
I love Lisboa very much, & although I have traveled extensively, I could live quite happily in Lisboa. The neighborhood I’d pick would be Mouraria, or the Alfama District, at the base of the giant fortress/castle, of San Giorgio. There, the streets are medieval, often so narrow, that the sidewalk is less than 1/2 a meter wide, & you have to lean against the wall of a building when a trolley car roars by, as the streets are barely a couple of meters wide as well, some almost vertical.
I love Fado music, & I highly recommend Maritza, who has numerous videos on youtube. My favourite is “Oh Gente de Minha Terra”. There are innumerable Fado bars in Alfama, & between the fantastic cuisine, the beautiful cool, urban population & the multicultural ambiance it’s one of my very favourite cities on the planet. Across the Tagus River valley from the fortress is a great modern shopping area where the streets have been closed to vehicular traffic, & there are also many wonderful venues for Portuguese red wines, & of course, the myriads of delectable Portos to savour.
Ciao!