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My one or two day walking tour of Lisbon

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My one or two day walking tour of Lisbon

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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 01:37 AM
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My one or two day walking tour of Lisbon

I have spent a year in Lisbon, and I love showing it off to my friends. I’m an avid walker and we’ve gotten a lot of visitors, and those two things combined to give me the idea of putting together a “best of Lisbon” walking tour. I have taken a number of groups on this route and everyone has always been very happy. It’s not a strenuous walk, though there are lots of hills in Lisbon. If you get tired going up a hill, you are never far from a café or square where you can sit and enjoy the views. Though the walk itself, if done non-stop, will take 2 ½ - 3 hours, with stops it can easily fill one or two days in Lisbon. It just depends on how often you want to stop and how many of the sights you want to visit. Here’s my route, the directions are not exact and precise, so having a city map with you will help. I hope some of our Lisbon mavens (thanks, Stu for that great word) will have additions or modifications.

Start at the Rato metro stop. The Largo do Rato is an old square with some big old government buildings and a small row of storefronts, where several busy streets intersect. There are a few cafes right there and a restaurant in an old royal factory called the “Fabrica Real.” (I forget what they used to make here, but I think it may be silk). If you are an Amalia Rodrigues fan, you can visit her house before starting the walk. It’s on the Rua Sao Bento, not far from the metro stop. When we visited, we were led through the house by the woman who was her maid for 40 or more years and lived in the house with Amalia and her husband. The house is crammed full of all Amalia’s personal things, awards, clothes, etc. Admission is about 5-6E.

From Rato, walk up the Rua Escola Politecnica to the Praca do Principe Real, making sure to get the views of the river and the bridge on your right as you go up higher. Before you get to the square, you will come to the entrance to the Botanical Gardens on your left. http://www.jb.ul.pt/ It’s a huge oasis right next to the Museum of Natural History (where I’ve never been so I can’t tell you much about it).

Principe Real is a very nice square with rubber trees and other beautiful plants. There’s a nice café right in the square and usually there are groups of men playing cards, kids playing on the swings, it’s just a very nice atmosphere. Keep going straight, you’ll pass the Pastelaria Sao Roque on the right side. This pastry shop was in the New York Times’ “36 hours in Lisbon.” It’s a very pretty tiled café, kind of art nouveau-ish, but I don’t think the pastries are great. The one exception is the “sonhos” (dreams), kind of a fried dough concoction. As the street starts to descend, you come to the Miradouro (look-out) Sao Pedro de Alcantara. This is a two tiered square that has been very nicely renovated – fountains, gardens, and terrific views over the city. The Port Wine Institute is right across the street, but it’s usually a little too early to drink port when I get there.

Stay on the same street (whose name changes from Escola Politecnica to Sao Pedro de Alcantara, and then to Misericordia). At the next little square on your left, you’ll see the Sao Roque Church. The wooden painted ceiling and mosaics inside, along with a number of very ornate small chapels, may strike your fancy or not. Across the square from the church, on the Rua da Misericordia, is the Adega Sao Roque, one of my favorite casual restaurants in Lisbon. The seafood cataplana and the grilled fish plate are delicious.

Right around the Adega Sao Roque, turn left off of Misericordia and weave around and you’ll come to the Convento do Carmo, the gothic church/cloister/monastery that was left in ruins after the 1755 earthquake. There’s an archeological museum, even has some pre-Colombian artifacts inside. Walk on the narrow sidewalk alongside the edge of the church and you will be on the top of the Sao Justa elevator. Walk up the spiral staircases, there’s a café on the top. Another set of spectacular views. Head back to Rua Misericordia, which will take you down into the Praça de Camoes and the Largo do Chiado with its two heavily visited cafes. Keep going straight down the Rua Garrett and the building facing you at the end is a shopping mall that has a FNAC (book and music store). Turn left and go down the Rua do Carmo (past the glove store Ulisses, it’s about six feet across, has its original facade from the early 20th century and sells reasonably priced and very nice handmade gloves). http://www.luvariaulisses.com/pt/pagina/1/home/

The Rua do Carmo will take you straight into the Praça do Rossio with its fountains and statue of King Pedro IV (?). Keep walking straight with the praça on your right and turn the corner at the end of the Praça, where you will see the beautiful Rossio train station (recently cleaned so it’s quite a show stopper). Cross the street (having the train station at your back) and you will come out on the Largo de Sao Domingos (church there of the same name), but the attraction here is the “ginja” store that looks like it’s been there for at least a hundred years. It’s a little hole in the wall with a very old storefront and sells a cherry liquor for 1E a shot. There’s always a line of people, and they’re not all tourists. We usually get the option that gives you a few soaked cherries in the little glass and 1 glass usually satisfies four or more people, especially if it’s morning. But trying it is part of the fun.

If you go past the Sao Domingos church (church on your left), you’ll emerge in the Praça da Figueira, which adjoins the Rossio. If you’re hungry, the Pastelaria Suica has a lot of great options for pastries and is a nice place to sit – since the store is in the line of buildings that forms the sides of both squares, you can sit outside in either the Rossio or Figueira.

Now it’s time to walk down to the river, through the grid streets of the Baixa (low area) that were rebuilt after the earthquake. Rua Agusta is pedestrian only and quite popular. Lots of those “hip” clothing stores for young people – H&M, Zara, Mango, Stradavarius, etc. At the end of the Rua Agusta, you will walk through the arch and emerge in the Terreiro do Paço (also called Praca do Comercio), the square adjacent to the water. Boats now leave from here to cross the river. Modern trams leave from here that take you straight to Belem with its many sights. An excellent restaurant in the square is Terreiro do Paço. http://www.terreiropaco.com/por/index2.html. It’s in a beautifully restored building with brick arches that are mesmerizing. I’ve eaten both lunch and dinner there, and the interior is glorious at night. Very good food, sort of “nouveau Portuguese.” In February, 2008, the square has been sort of walled off for a long overdue sewage project that will finally treat the sewage before it’s dumped into the Tejo River. The restaurant has also closed for renovations, but from what I understand, the restaurant will reopen long before the sewage project is completed.

From the Terreiro do Paço, retrace your steps a few blocks on the Rua Agusta until you hit the Rua da Conceiçao and follow the trolley tracks to your right and up. You will soon come to the Cathedral. It’s a 12th century fortress-like building. There’s a nice café with very good food, called Pois, Café, which is located on the street that runs along the right side of the Cathedral (if you’re facing its main door).

The street that Pois, Café is on is called Cruces da Se, and it is a good entrance into the Alfama district. Just wander around a while, there are churches, restaurants, small shops, etc. When you’re done visiting the Alfama, you will need to climb up and find the Miradouro that’s at the Largo das Portas do Sol. Right next to it is the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. The views are great from both, cafes in both.

From Santa Luzia it’s a short but steep climb up to the castle Sao Jorge. You will see signs pointing you in the right direction. Once inside (5E), you can climb and walk the walls to your heart’s content. Incredible views in all directions. Frequently there are very good “street musicians” playing guitar or violin and it makes the place just magical.

But since no Lisbon visit would be complete without a ride on the tram, I suggest that after you’re done with the castle, walk back down to the miradouro Santa Luzia and catch the Tram 28 in the downhill direction. Get on one that says “Prazeres” (the other option will say Estrela and it will not take you far enough). Take the tram up and down through the Bairro Alto, Santa Catarina, past the Parliament, up past the Estrela basilica and gardens (a very nice stop in themselves), to the stop where Saraiva de Carvalho crosses Domingos Sequeira. (You can ask your driver to tell you when you hit Campo d’Ourique). Campo d’Ourique is a very nice 19th century tree-lined residential neighborhood, with very good restaurants (Tasquinha d’Adelaide, Os Passarinhos, and Stop do Bairro are a few of them) and lots of little shops, cafes, a nice square, etc.

I know this route leaves out a few important destinations – the Gulbenkian, Sao Vicente de Fora, the Tile Museum, Belem, etc., but I think it is a great way to get a good view of Lisbon without a lot of backtracking.

Laurie
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 05:57 AM
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Thanks so much for this! I hope I'll get back to Lisbon to use it - although I think I'll once again take the tram UP to the castle and walk down!

Did you ever make it into the Port Wine Institute? Are you headed home now?
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 06:02 AM
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Great tips! I really loved my visit to Lisbon.
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 06:15 AM
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Thanks Laurie. I'm putting this in my Portugal folder for a future trip.
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 06:52 AM
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Excellent suggestions. Let me add the tea and scones cafe in Rua Sao Bento, my favourite charity (a few steps from Largo do Rato) and the chocolat cake shop in Campo de Ourique, nearby the end of tram#28.
Ginginha has only a problem imho, it used to be served in glass cups, but the public healh autority made it mandatory to be served in plastic cups. It lost most of its charm.
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 09:57 AM
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This is perfect - we will be in Portugal for the first time in May so these are great suggestions for our time in Lisbon.

Our first day will be a Saturday. Is everything open on Saturday? Any suggestions for a place to listen to fado on Saturday night (if we can stay awake)?
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 11:26 AM
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Lobo, I've heard about those tea and scones on Rua Sao Bento, but haven't ever found the place. Can you describe where it is a bit more? Which side of the street (the side Amalia's house is on or the other side?)

When we were at the Ginginha, they were serving both in plastic cups and little round shot glasses -- we got the real glass!

Thursdaysd, Yes we went to the Institute and my husband tasted a couple of really old tawnys. We were sorry there were no Vintage ports available by the glass, but maybe that has to do with spoilage or something. Not going back to the US till July, but I'm going to be spending a lot of the those months in Spain walking.

Baladeuse -- everything is open on Saturday, it's Monday you have to worry about. I did this walk most recently on a Monday and Sao Roque was closed, but Carmo was open -- go figure. I don't have fado recommendations but I know Lobo does -- you should be able to find some posts here with the places he recommends.

Laurie
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Old Mar 6th, 2009, 02:56 AM
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Going down the street, from Rato Sq towards Sao Bento Sq, is the 4th or 5th door to the left. Impossible to get lost. The official address is Rua de Sao Bento 700. It has an odd working timetable, since it is not a regular commercial facility, but it belongs tho Vicentina's charity work. The name is "as vicentinas". It's opened Tuesday to Saturday, 3pm to 7pm.

http://lxsampa.blogspot.com/2008/11/as-vicentinas.html
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Old Mar 6th, 2009, 03:10 AM
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Some more photos:

http://mariapudim.blogspot.com/2008/...ou-tentar.html

I found other references saying it works 10am to 7.30pm, except Sundays and holidays. I don't know which information is correct. The better is to call in advance (Telf: 213 887 040) and ask.
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Old Jul 6th, 2009, 08:09 AM
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Laurie. How did I miss this the first time around. I think I was in Florida for the week.
Anyway. How timely for me!
Thanks
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Old Jul 6th, 2009, 01:06 PM
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Is the chocolate cake shop the one with the "best chocolate cake in the world"?
I must take my friends there. But I don't think it is open in the evening.
The last time we went to Stop do Barrio and then had cake. Not that we needed more food but could not pass it up.
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Old Jul 6th, 2009, 01:44 PM
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Printing and packing.
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Old Jul 11th, 2009, 03:47 PM
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bkk
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Old Jul 11th, 2009, 05:17 PM
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This is one of the best "walks" I have seen for Lisbon!
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Old Jul 12th, 2009, 02:38 AM
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Just a couple of closings to update this list. The cafe on the top of the Santa Justa elevator has been closed, so you have to be content with a view from the level at which the elevator arrives.

And the Terreiro do Paco restaurant, in the Praca do Comercio, is also closed, allegedly for renovations. People are not sure it will ever re-open, because the chef has started up another venture in Campo d'Ourique, right on the Rua Domingues Sequeira (the street the Tram 28 runs on). This is a "tapas" place, and it is extremely popular. Leaving the restaurant at 10:30 a few nights ago, there were people waiting to be seated. That may be common for Spain, but not Portugal. My opinions on this place are very mixed. The first time, we found the tapas were great, fresh, tasty. Just a few nights ago, we had terrible service, bland food, really pretty bad. The physical space is very nice, but if you reserve a table, make clear that you do not want to side in the space inside near the bar, but rather in the small window enclosed seating area.

Hope everyone enjoys Lisbon! Laurie
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Old Jul 12th, 2009, 03:44 AM
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P.S. I would appreciate any additions and suggestions from all you knowledgeable Lisbon folks!

I started developing this "walking tour" last fall when I was trying to entice our friends to come visit us in Portugal. One beautiful Sunday afternoon, I took a rapid, two hour walk through what I thought were the prettiest sections in downtown Lisbon, taking pictures as I went. I have posted them here, http://picasaweb.google.com/laurie.reynolds/Lisbon08#

Laurie
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Old Jul 12th, 2009, 02:39 PM
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thanks, I may be going to Lisbon this Oct or November. great info.
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Old Jul 12th, 2009, 08:27 PM
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Enjoyed your photos Laurie. We're heading to Lisbon after Christmas and will be there for New Year's Eve. Having read your wonderful walking tour and seen your photos I can't wait!

Thanks for posting.
Amanda
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Old Jul 13th, 2009, 01:14 AM
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I am not a 'walker,' per se. My range is limited and I need a walking stick. I use public transport to get to strategic locations and do my 'walkabouts' from there. MetroLisboa is unique! Each line has a theme and the Station stops follow that theme. I especially like Oriente linea and specifically Chelas Station.

I take the #28 Tram from Praça Saldanha to Belém and walk down the hill to all the Tourist attractions (Centro Cultural, los Jeronimos, the Discoveries Monument and the Torre de Belém).

You may consider this an alternative to walking everywhere. I stop at Pastelerias and Tabernas for sustinence (Tapas), usually de Bacalao.
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Old Jul 13th, 2009, 01:40 AM
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Amanda,

Lisbon's New Year's Eve celebrations are a lot of fun -- fireworks in the Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco). But right now the whole praca is under construction (new sewer treatment plant, I think), so I wonder where they will have the celebration. I think there are also fireworks out at the Parque de Nacoes (where Expo '98 was -- a nice river area with the Oceanarium, Casino, a few kids' museums, cafes, etc), so maybe all celebration will take place there. After the fireworks, the partying continues up in the Bairro Alto (my 20-something kids and spouses enjoyed themselves there, but the "old folks" (DH and I) headed back to the apt.).

Ned, I think you must have typed the wrong number tram for the tram to Belem. The 28 starts in Martim Moniz, goes up to Graca, through the castle area, down to Baixa, up to Chiado and then up and down, over to Estrela, ending either in Estrela or the Prazeres Cemetery in Campo d'Ourique.

The tram I usually take to get to Belem is the modern 15, which leaves from the Praca do Comercio and ends in Alges (a km or two beyond Belem). But you've pointed out another option, to go from Saldanha to a high spot in Belem, I'm just not familiar with that route.
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