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5dina.y..s
Built on seven hills, Europe’s westernmost capital lies on the
estuary of the River Tagus. Whether its getting a taste of high
culture along the waterfront, walking the winding streets of
Alfama or paying homage to the great Portuguese explorers of the New
World, Lisbon is a stunning kaleidoscope of experiences.
DAY ONE
A after a short taxi ride from the airport I arrive at Fontana Park Hotel,
a magnificent central design hotel (fontanaparkhotellisbon.com). My
first port of call is café Nicola (+351 21 3477925) in Rossio Square.
For a taste of the city’s essence I stop by a Ginginha house (Rua das Portas de
Santo Antao 7) and order a traditional sour cherry liqueur. Then I head to
Casa do Alentejo (casadoalentejo.pt), where I savour traditional Portuguese
cuisine in an elegant and decadent setting.
DAY TWO
Istart my exploration at the Castelo de Sao Jorge, located on the highest hill
of the city, and work my way down the winding alleys. Alfama enchants
with its narrow streets, extraodrinary vistas and nostalgic journeys on the
fabled yellow Tram 28. Lunch finds me at Bico do Sapato (bicadosapato.com),
a trendy eatery on the waterfront owned by Hollywood’s John Malkovich.
The river has been calling me all day, so I hop on a ferry from Cais do Sodré
to Cacilhas and visit Cristo Rei. Inspired by his brother in Rio de Janeiro, this
open-armed statue was erected in thanks to God for having spared Portugal
during WWII. After a dinner at Atira-Te Ao Rio (atirateaorio.pt), a rustic
riverfront restaurant with sublime sunset views, I return to my hotel.
DAY THREEhis morning I take my bica (espresso) and pasteis (custard cream
tart) at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Rua De Belém 84-92),
Tin the district from where explorers set out during the period of
the discoveries. It is only fitting I visit the Monument to the Discoveries,
which features a mosaic showing a world map with the routes of Portuguese
explorers. Then, I visit the Berardo Collection Museum (museuberardo.com),
showcasing contemporary art by Picasso, Warhol and Francis Bacon, among
many others. My next stop is Enoteca Chafariz do Vinho (chafarizdovinho.
com), a wine-bar set in an old wellhead, an extension of Lisbon’s celebrated
Aqueduct. My trip would not be complete without a visit to a ‘Casa de Fado’,
a restaurant where you can enjoy the mournful, melancholy sound of Lisbon.
Head to Lisbon’s most sophisticated clubs, the Senhor Vinho in Lapa (srvinho.
com) or the A Baiuca at Alfama (Rua de Sγo Miguel 20, +351 21 886 7284).
DAY FOURday-trip to Sintra, a nearby town Lord Byron called a ‘glorious
Eden’ is in order for today. Castle of the Moors and Pena Palace
Aare the crown jewels of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Returning abruptly to reality, I realise its lunch time. Gspot Gastronomia
(g-spot-gastronomia.com), an informal restaurant that serves delicious
food with a delectable gourmet attitude, offers the ideal cure. I have time
to explore the tiny little stores that exude a dreamy village feel to stock
up on Portuguese ceramics, embroidery, and lace before heading back
to Lisbon. After freshening up, my gourmet taste buds lead me to Eleven
(restauranteleven.com), the celebrated restaurant by acclaimed German
chef Joachim Koerper. To celebrate my last night in Lisbon, I head for
the Pavilhao Chines (Rua Dom Pedro V 89), a former brothel turned
kooky bar -an alternative meeting spot for people in the know.
34
Built on seven hills, Europe’s westernmost capital lies on the
estuary of the River Tagus. Whether its getting a taste of high
culture along the waterfront, walking the winding streets of
Alfama or paying homage to the great Portuguese explorers of the New
World, Lisbon is a stunning kaleidoscope of experiences.
DAY ONE
A after a short taxi ride from the airport I arrive at Fontana Park Hotel,
a magnificent central design hotel (fontanaparkhotellisbon.com). My
first port of call is café Nicola (+351 21 3477925) in Rossio Square.
For a taste of the city’s essence I stop by a Ginginha house (Rua das Portas de
Santo Antao 7) and order a traditional sour cherry liqueur. Then I head to
Casa do Alentejo (casadoalentejo.pt), where I savour traditional Portuguese
cuisine in an elegant and decadent setting.
DAY TWO
Istart my exploration at the Castelo de Sao Jorge, located on the highest hill
of the city, and work my way down the winding alleys. Alfama enchants
with its narrow streets, extraodrinary vistas and nostalgic journeys on the
fabled yellow Tram 28. Lunch finds me at Bico do Sapato (bicadosapato.com),
a trendy eatery on the waterfront owned by Hollywood’s John Malkovich.
The river has been calling me all day, so I hop on a ferry from Cais do Sodré
to Cacilhas and visit Cristo Rei. Inspired by his brother in Rio de Janeiro, this
open-armed statue was erected in thanks to God for having spared Portugal
during WWII. After a dinner at Atira-Te Ao Rio (atirateaorio.pt), a rustic
riverfront restaurant with sublime sunset views, I return to my hotel.
DAY THREEhis morning I take my bica (espresso) and pasteis (custard cream
tart) at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Rua De Belém 84-92),
Tin the district from where explorers set out during the period of
the discoveries. It is only fitting I visit the Monument to the Discoveries,
which features a mosaic showing a world map with the routes of Portuguese
explorers. Then, I visit the Berardo Collection Museum (museuberardo.com),
showcasing contemporary art by Picasso, Warhol and Francis Bacon, among
many others. My next stop is Enoteca Chafariz do Vinho (chafarizdovinho.
com), a wine-bar set in an old wellhead, an extension of Lisbon’s celebrated
Aqueduct. My trip would not be complete without a visit to a ‘Casa de Fado’,
a restaurant where you can enjoy the mournful, melancholy sound of Lisbon.
Head to Lisbon’s most sophisticated clubs, the Senhor Vinho in Lapa (srvinho.
com) or the A Baiuca at Alfama (Rua de Sγo Miguel 20, +351 21 886 7284).
DAY FOURday-trip to Sintra, a nearby town Lord Byron called a ‘glorious
Eden’ is in order for today. Castle of the Moors and Pena Palace
Aare the crown jewels of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Returning abruptly to reality, I realise its lunch time. Gspot Gastronomia
(g-spot-gastronomia.com), an informal restaurant that serves delicious
food with a delectable gourmet attitude, offers the ideal cure. I have time
to explore the tiny little stores that exude a dreamy village feel to stock
up on Portuguese ceramics, embroidery, and lace before heading back
to Lisbon. After freshening up, my gourmet taste buds lead me to Eleven
(restauranteleven.com), the celebrated restaurant by acclaimed German
chef Joachim Koerper. To celebrate my last night in Lisbon, I head for
the Pavilhao Chines (Rua Dom Pedro V 89), a former brothel turned
kooky bar -an alternative meeting spot for people in the know.
34
