Espinheira
From here you can continue along the footbridge into the “Chiado” or you can go back to the “Baixa” in the direction of “Praça de Rossio”. Look for the National Theater on the “Praça de Rossio” and take the street on its right side “Largo São Domingos” to get to “Praça São Dominogo”. Do not miss the tasting of the Espinheira! It is a traditionally produced cherry liqueur with whole cherries in the bottle. Simply delicious! The tasting is in “A Ginjinha” which is located in an old, vaulted cellar on the “Praça de São Domingo”. Have a close look to the wonderful traditional Portuguese tiles on the wall and the ceiling. Cheers!
Chiado
which is adjacent to the “Baixa” and offers various shopping facilities in both new modern or old traditional buildings. A major fire in 1855 destroyed almost completely the “Chiado”.
In the heart of the “Chiado”, people also like to meet for a “Bica” in the legendary “Café A Brasileira”, which dates back to the Belle Epoque. The “Bica”, the Portuguese espresso, was created in the “Café A Brasileira”. “BICA” comes from “Beba Isto Com Açúcar”, which means “drink it with sugar”. In the beginning the guests didn’t like the bitter taste of the espresso and started ordering always with sugar and so a new espresso was introduced in Lisboa: the Bica – Espresso with sugar! 🙂
A bit further on in the direction of the Tejo you reach the “Miradouro de Santa Catarina”, where you meet many students and intellectuals from all over the world. A small bar in the shade of the trees invites you for a cold Sagres oder Superbock. Cheers!
Bairro Alto
the old town, which is the opposite of the “Chiado”. During the day it is very quiet in the small and narrow alleys, but as soon as the sun sets, small bars and clubs open their doors at every corner, every cellar or even in a garage. The bar counter is often an old commode and the music is coming from a rattling ghetto blaster. But exactly this simplicity makes it unique. The Bairro Alto is the heart of Lisboa’s nightlife. Don’t miss it!
Belém
is located directly on the banks of the Tejo. The traditional port of Lisboa, called “Restelo”, was located here, from where many famous Portuguese explorers such as Vasco da Gama set sail to conquer the world. The “Torre de Belem” is one of Lisboa’s landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It welcomes seafarers to the port of Lisboa.
Next to the Torre you will find the “Padrão dos Descombrimentos”. This monument was built on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death from Infante D. Henrique and is intended to commemorate the era of Portuguese discoveries. Not far from the “Padrão dos Descombrimentos” you will find the “Mosterio dos Jeronimos” another UNESCO World Heritage Site adjacent to the park “Placa do Imperio”.
Until 1834 the monastery housed the Hieronymites, the Order of S. Jerónimo, who gave the monastery its name. The building survived the earthquake of 1755 without major damage. But in the early 19th century it was devastated by the troops of Napoléon Bonaparte.
Don’t miss to visit the nearby Café “Pasteis de Belém” to eat an original traditional portuguese “Pastéis de Nata”. These are the best “Pastéis de Nata” in the world and you’ll dream of this sweet seduction the rest of your life. I’ll promise! Don’t miss them! By the way: the recipe is top secret and only three cake shops in Lisboa know it.