Monocle 25/25 Lisbon Portugal

Monocle 25/25
Lisbon
Portugal
One of the oldest capital cities
in Europe, Lisbon – with its
seven hills and proximity to the
Tagus River – has a pleasing
tempo afforded by its largely
sunny climate and penchant
for terraços. Modern architecture and newly renovated
public spaces nestle amid
winding Moorish streets and
centuries-old edifices; an outdoor kiosk with a view is never
too far away. This city of about
three million is also increasingly cosmopolitan, with more
and more foreigners setting up
small businesses alongside traditional restaurants and cafés.
Essentials
01 Don’t bother driving: parking is impossible – especially
in the centre – and downtown traffic creates frustrating backlogs at rush hour.
02 Although most of central
Lisbon is entirely walkable,
walking boots or shoes with
thick soles are recommended
– rather than flip flops or
heels – given the uneven
cobbles and steep hills.
03 Airport taxis are prone to
overcharging. Agree on a
price at the beginning or
buy a pre-paid cab voucher
at arrivals.
04 Late nights are the norm; the
bars aren’t full until around
01.00 at weekends. Concerts
and performances are routinely billed at 22.00 but are
unlikely to start on time.
05 Meetings are taken at a
leisurely and friendly pace
so best not to schedule too
many consecutively.
For more Monocle travel
guides, visit monocle.com/25-25
Guide/Info
Hotels
Independent and easy
Bairro Alto Hotel
Praça Luís de Camões 2
1351 21 340 8288
bairroaltohotel.com
Dependable chain
Sheraton Lisboa
Rua Latino Coelho 1
1351 21 312 0000
sheratonlisboa.com
Premium
Four Seasons Hotel
Ritz Lisbon
Rua Rodrigo da
Fonseca 88
1351 21 381 1400
fourseasons.com/lisbon
Luxury stay
Olissippo Lapa
Palace Hotel
Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4
1351 21 394 9494
olissippolapapalacehotel.com
Modern classic
InterContinental Lisboa
Rua Castilho 149
1351 21 381 8700
intercontinental.com/Lisbon
River view
Memmo Alfama
Travessa Merceeiras 27
1351 21 049 5660
memmoalfama.com
Dining
Fast breakfast
Café Pastelaria Benard
Rua Garrett 104
1351 21 347 3133
Business breakfast
Deli Delux
Avenida Infante Dom
Henrique Armazém B,
Loja 8
1351 21 886 2070
delidelux.pt
Mid-morning coffee
Tartine
Rua Serpa Pinto 15a
1351 21 342 9108
Working lunch with
colleagues
Cais da Pedra
Avenida Infante Dom
Henrique Armazém B,
Loja 9
1351 21 887 1651
caisdapedra.pt
Need-to-impressclients lunch
Belcanto
Largo de São Carlos 10
1351 21 342 0607
belcanto.pt
Lunch on your own
Decadente
Rua de São Pedro
de Alcantara 81
1351 21 346 1381
theindependente.pt
Afternoon tea/drink
Chá do Carmo
Largo do Carmo 21
1351 21 342 1305
chadocarmo.com.pt
Dinner on your own
Tasca da Esquina
Rua Domingos
Sequeira 41c
1351 21 099 3939
tascadaesquina.com
Dinner with colleagues
Bistro 100 Maneiras
Largo Trindade 9
1351 91 030 7575
restaurante100maneiras.com
Private dinner
A Travessa
Travessa do Convento
das Bernardas 12
1351 21 394 0800
atravessa.com
On the tiles
Lux Frágil
Avenida Infante Dom
Henrique Armazém a
1351 21 882 0890
luxfragil.com
Something for someone
you love
Handmade gloves from
Luvaria Ulisses
Rua do Carmo 87A
87 1351 21 342 0295
luvariaulisses.com
Something for yourself
Cork accessories and
design from Pelcor
Rua das Pedras Negras 28
1351 21 886 4205
pelcor.pt
Designer homeware,
jewellery and fashion
accessories from boutique
Portuguese brands
Embaixada, Praça do
Principe Real 26
1351 96 530 9154
embaixadalx.pt
Reading
Books & CDs
Ler Devagar
Rua Rodrigues Faria 103
1351 21 325 9992
lerdevagar.com
Two-hour tour
01 Museu Nacional de
Arte Contemporânea
do Chiado
Rua Serpa Pinto 4
1351 21 343 2148
museuartecontemporanea.pt
02 Alfama
Wander up the streets that
lead to St George Castle,
stopping at viewpoints on
the way.
Thank-yous
Flowers
Pequeno Jardim
Rua Garrett 61
1351 21 342 2426
pequenojardim.pt
Limousine/car
Taxis Lisboa
These pale yellow cars can
be found at many ranks or
flagged down easily.
taxislisboa.com
Shopping
Something you can’t get
anywhere else
Ceramics and soaps from
A Vida Portuguesa
Largo do Intendente
Pina Manique 23
1351 21 197 4512
avidaportuguesa.com
Lost luggage – where to buy
shirts, socks and underwear
Fashion Clinic
Avenida da
Liberdade 192a
1351 21 314 2828
fashionclinic.pt
Transport
Metro
The cheapest option for
getting around but the
network is small.
metrolisboa.pt
Airport pick-ups
The Aerobus shuttles leave
every 20 minutes, heading
downtown via business/
transport connection hubs.
Fitness
Good running route
Tagus riverside
Jogging and cycle paths
link Praça do Comercio
all the way west to Bélem,
past the 25 April Bridge.