The People’s Guide to Lisbon
The People’s Guide to Lisbon
Featured Articles
The founder of Jardim Botânico da Ajuda may not be well known, but his influence over the project was immeasurable, and his bad luck a lesson to us all.
Domenico Vandelli, the Luckless Founder of Jardim Botânico da Ajuda
For fans of full-body tans, Portugal has a plethora of nude beaches to choose from, with something for everyone. What’s more, all Portuguese clothing-optional beaches are great for those who like to keep their swimsuits on, because they’re typically located in more secluded — and, as a result, often cleaner and more beautiful — areas.
Nudist Beaches in Portugal, Or How To Stop Paying for Swimwear
José Avillez isn't slowing down his quest to maintain his reign as the king of cuisine in Lisbon (and Portugal). Here's what we found out about what makes him tick.
Seventeen Restaurants Deep: A Q&A with Chef José Avillez
"Another Lisbon Story" follows the community that makes up Bairro da Torre — a Lisbon favela — and their active participation in the future of their neighborhood. Director, Claudio Carbone, who was kind enough to answer some questions for Atlas.
A Q&A with Claudio Carbone: Director of Another Lisbon Story
Lisbon is the perfect city for rooftop bars, with sun, views, and fantastic drinks. We check them out so you can experience the best Lisboa has to offer.
The Rooftop Bars Of Lisbon
Tiago Pais managed to compile an easily digestible yet comprehensive text on the best tascas in town — the only thing missing is the smell of the food as you peruse the pages.
Tiago Pais' Hunt for the 50 Best Tascas in Lisbon
A few tips and tricks to save some money on Lisbon's vibrant classical music, theater, and dance offerings
Lisbon Culture on the Cheap, Part 1: Music, Dance, and Theater
If you're looking for a quick and inexpensive holiday, here's a look at the cheapest airlines in Europe — and what the ticket prices don't include.
Breaking Down Budget Airlines Flying In and Out of Lisbon
Portugal’s relatively flat terrain makes it ideal for long-range bicycle touring, and Paulo Guerra dos Santos made an interactive cycling guide to the whole country. All by himself.
A Chat with the Man Behind the Ultimate Cycling Guide to Portugal
Kamal and Laxmi are two of the more than 15,000 Nepalis in Portugal trying to build a life. With the help of the Nepali community and a skilled culinary background, these two are well on their way to living the dream.
The Nepali Experience in Lisbon According to Kamal and Laxmi
The Roman ruins at Conímbriga, near Coimbra, are a slice of Pompeii in Portugal, minus the crowds and annoying guides. And it's still being excavated.
Conímbriga, a Secret Paradise for Roman History Buffs and Hedonists
Things to Do
Events Calendar
There’s a lot going on in Lisbon, but we curate what’s up so you know…
Museums
What are the top places for art, history, puppets, and more? We’ve done the legwork.…
Parks and Gardens
Lisbon’s top outdoor spaces range from miradouros, to green parks and gardens, and yes, cemeteries.…
Shopping
We love Lisbon because it’s a small town wrapped up inside a big city. Prices…
Restaurants
Restaurants, cafes, kiosks, and more, Lisbon's got all kinds of kitchens, and we've reviewed them…
Bars
With incredible vinho and cheap beer everywhere, you'll need a guide to get your drink…
Clubs
Put on your dancing sapatos! Party ’til sunrise like a Lisboeta at one of these…
Golfing
If you judge a course by its par threes, these two courses near Lisbon won’t disappoint…
Biking
It may be hilly and bumpy, but bike lanes are popping up in LX and…
Surfing
Here’s some info on the top three spots to grab a wave and get maps of dozens more surf…
Rock Climbing
There’s tons of climbing around Lisbon, even multi-pitch trad if you…
Essentials for Visitors
Going to a concert in Lisbon often means getting there early, but it is possible to book online for big-name bands and festivals — and even some of the smaller ones.
Planning Ahead: How to Buy Lisbon Concert Tickets Online
GIRA works off your phone: download the app, give them your financial details, and you’re ready to bike. This Atlas correspondent was able to do all of that in about 10 minutes. But then the problems began.
How to Use GIRA, Lisbon’s Only Bike-Sharing Option
This year's festas de Lisboa are being treated as one big secret, but we've done the digging so you can do the partying. Here are the top events around town this year.
Festas de Lisboa 2018: Atlas' Top Picks and Best Parties
Lisbon is known for long wait times, but only if you don't plan ahead. The locals know a few tricks to make life move just a little faster here. Avoid long lines, avoid frustration, do more stuff with these tips.
How to Avoid Queues, Lines, and Waiting in General in Lisbon
Lisbon DJ Van Der suggests the baddest music venues around the city for you to get that techno-fix.
Techno in Lisbon: An Insider’s Guide
Are you planning a trip to Lisbon? Do you have questions? We have answers!
The No-Nonsense FAQ for the Visitor to Lisbon
Renting cars here is much like anywhere else, with a few peculiarities such as restrictions on taking the car out of Portugal, where exactly you'll be picking up the car, how the rental companies in Porgugal handle damage coverage, and a very weird, counter-intuitive and ridiculously overpriced toll system that you'll have to plan for before you rent.
Renting a Car in Portugal: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Tiago Pais managed to compile an easily digestible yet comprehensive text on the best tascas in town — the only thing missing is the smell of the food as you peruse the pages.
Tiago Pais' Hunt for the 50 Best Tascas in Lisbon
If you're looking for a quick and inexpensive holiday, here's a look at the cheapest airlines in Europe — and what the ticket prices don't include.
Breaking Down Budget Airlines Flying In and Out of Lisbon
It’s true that Lisbon gets more sun than any other European capital. You’ll likely get a tan even if you visit in the fall or spring.
Weather in Lisbon, or What to Expect and How to Prepare
Tourist traps have grown in numbers to the point where it is becoming harder to completely avoid them than to enter a minefield without stepping on a mine. Here are some tips to help you out.
How to Spot and Avoid Lisbon's Tourist Traps
For those of you who want the sand and the tan without spending too much, here are some tips to enjoy a budget day at a beach near Lisbon.
A Guide to Going to Lisbon's Beaches on the Cheap
Douro, Alentejo, Dão, it's tough to make a poor choice, but it can happen. Here’s a little guide to affordable Portuguese wines that won't disappoint.
Chasing the Grape, or the Quest for Good Portuguese Wine Under 10€
Here's an aggressive 24-hour tour of Lisbon that will help you get a good feel for the city of light. Our guess is after completing this itinerary, you'll end up changing your ticket out to go for another few days at least.
Top-Speed Tourism: How to Spend 24 Hours in Lisbon
Living in Lisboa
In Lisbon you can visit one of the many swimming pools in sports halls, gyms, and rooftops year-round to get more deeply in touch with its favorite of the four elements.
The Waterworld of Lisboa
GIRA works off your phone: download the app, give them your financial details, and you’re ready to bike. This Atlas correspondent was able to do all of that in about 10 minutes. But then the problems began.
How to Use GIRA, Lisbon’s Only Bike-Sharing Option
Lisbon doesn’t seem like a live music hub, but scratch the surface and you'll find one of the freshest music scenes in Europe, from punk to classical.
For the Love of Punk: A Guide to Live Music in Lisbon
Lisbon is being heralded as the next big thing, frequently referred to as “the new Berlin." But how well is this underdog really doing? Lisbon ranked 42 out of the 77 cities by prices of goods and services. This general figure is a little skewed, however, by the cost of things such iPhones. And rent.
How the Stats Stack up: Lisbon Vs Berlin
Lisbon is known for long wait times, but only if you don't plan ahead. The locals know a few tricks to make life move just a little faster here. Avoid long lines, avoid frustration, do more stuff with these tips.
How to Avoid Queues, Lines, and Waiting in General in Lisbon
Renting cars here is much like anywhere else, with a few peculiarities such as restrictions on taking the car out of Portugal, where exactly you'll be picking up the car, how the rental companies in Porgugal handle damage coverage, and a very weird, counter-intuitive and ridiculously overpriced toll system that you'll have to plan for before you rent.
Renting a Car in Portugal: What to Expect and How to Prepare
These spots, unlike some of the more traditional cafés around the city, don't mind at all if your lunch date is your laptop. Just be sure to order something and you'll be left alone.
Seven Cafes for You and Your Laptop Around Lisbon
It’s hard for many visitors and expats to imagine that Lisbon has a dangerous underbelly, with few venturing outside the progressively hip center. But in the 1970s, neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city started growing — and they quickly gained a reputation for being hotbeds of criminal activity.
A Decade of Change: Lisbon’s Most Dangerous Neighborhoods Then and Now
CNAI (Porgual's National Immigrant Support Centre) was set up to make assimilation for the growing amount of immigrants to Portugal less complicated. What follows is an account of how our correspondent availed himself of their services in Lisbon.
Fear and Loathing in Portugal's Immigration System
Lisbon's passion for football has been mostly fueled by Benfica and Sporting. This piece is not about these two clubs, but about the smaller, neighborhood clubs playing in lower leagues, whose grounds might just be around the corner from where you are.
Footie in Portugal: We're Surrounded
The number of vegetarians in Portugal increased by 300% between 2007 and 2017. But it's not just the hipsters who are gorging themselves on hummus. Last year, Portugal’s parliament passed a law requiring all public canteens to provide a vegan option.
From Praças to Parliament, Veganism Is Sweeping Through Lisbon
It really does get cold indoors here in the winter as there's usually no central heating unless you're staying in a fancy-schmancy hotel. However, the Lisboetas have learned a trick or two to keep the temperature tolerable.
Seven Hacks to Survive the Winter in Lisbon
Like everything else these days in Lisbon, meal delivery (serviço de entregas) is catching on.
From the Restaurant to Your Door: Meal Delivery in Lisbon
A few tips and tricks to save some money on Lisbon's vibrant classical music, theater, and dance offerings
Lisbon Culture on the Cheap, Part 1: Music, Dance, and Theater
All the campaigns have varying degrees of ambition to tackle the issues, but they should probably all taken with a pinch of salt.
Autárquicas LX 2017: Who's Who in the Mayoral Elections
If you're looking for a proper school around Lisbon to aprender de falar, you might want to keep reading.
Studying Portuguese in Lisbon: Onde e Quanto
A website started by an enterprising economics student could make searching for a Lisbon apartment or room rental a little easier.
Looking to Rent in Lisbon? RentIndicator.com Can Help
There are dozens of museums in Lisbon to feed your thirst for art, archeology, history, and much more. Here are some tips to visit them on the cheap.
Lisbon Culture on the Cheap, Part 2: Museums
Latest Restaurant Reviews
One of Pessoa's favorite cafés for watching the world go by. Sure, there are cheaper coffee shops, but here you are on Praça do Comércio.
Martinho da Arcada
Authentic Turkish street food, traditionally prepared. This Restaurant ticks all the right boxes for an authentic Turkish meal in Anjos.
Ottoman's Bite: Pizza Tradicional Turca
Go for the grilled flavor and friendly staff and try to ignore the forgetful service.
Madragoa Vinho e Petiscos
Delicious, if pricy, poke, with maybe TOO many options to choose from.
Local Santos - Your Healthy Kitchen
Lisbon Events
Aug
16
Thu
all-day
to Aug 29 | FILM FESTIVAL | “A Y...
to Aug 29 | FILM FESTIVAL | “A Y...
Aug 16 all-day
Haven’t seen a good trailer or gone to a movie theater in months but still miss that magic moment when the lights go down? No need to fear. A YEAR OF CINEMA(S) at Medeia Filmes[...]
10:00
to Nov 18 | EXHIBITION | “The Fu...
to Nov 18 | EXHIBITION | “The Fu...
Aug 16 @ 10:00 – 18:00
“The future is unwritten.” Joe Strummer. But Lisbon is changing. Fast. Some changes are good, others — not so much. What does the future of Lisbon hold? Will the city manage to keep its character[...]
10:00
to Oct 28 | PAINTING EXHIBIT | “...
to Oct 28 | PAINTING EXHIBIT | “...
Aug 16 @ 10:00 – 18:00
Did the picture on the left bring you here? No need to be ashamed, it’s only art.. Here’s what the organizers say: “Bringing together 70 pieces from its storage rooms – representing masculine and feminine[...]
10:00
to Oct 30 | GEOLOGICAL EXHIBIT |...
to Oct 30 | GEOLOGICAL EXHIBIT |...
Aug 16 @ 10:00 – 18:00
Some say the world has seven wonders, others claim that’s fake news. Whatever the case may be, the Geological Museum is proud to host 27 of its own little old-school marvels. As they put it,[...]
Latest Posts
- Domenico Vandelli, the Luckless Founder of Jardim Botânico da Ajuda August 16, 2018
- Nudist Beaches in Portugal, Or How To Stop Paying for Swimwear August 15, 2018
- Camões: The Portuguese Poet August 14, 2018
Blog Categories
Interviews with Lisboetas
In Conversation with 35mais1 - 35mais1 is a collective of four photographers and film developers who aim to revive and encourage the art of analog photography. Based in Lisbon, the group have brought their artistic and technical skills and knowledge to create a business selling vintage cameras, developing film, and providing other photography services.
Lisboa Limpa: Minimising Lisbon’s Plastic Waste, One Cup at a Time - Bianca Beyer, founder of Lisboa Limpa, is aiming to eradicate the use of disposable plastic cups in Lisbon bars and replace them with reusable ones.
Introducing Mezze: Bringing a Bit of Middle East to Lisbon - Helping Syrian women and young men is just another day at the office for Mezze and the Pão a Pão Association.
History and Customs
José Saramago: The Wild Radish Who Changed Literature - José Saramago. The “wild radish.” The man whom many consider to be the best Portuguese novelist of the 20th century.
Abandoned Portugal: Some Ruins You Shouldn’t Miss - Many beautiful buildings and estates have been left to ruin in Portugal. These dilapidated gems crumble more each day as they wait for some TLC or their ultimate demise, whichever comes first. Here are some we fell in love with.
Monsanto’s Hidden Past - Monsanto park -- the lungs of Lisbon -- has a surprising history, and if you were to go back just 100 years, it wouldn’t have been there at all.
Lisbon Street Team
- A Decade of Change: Lisbon’s Most Dangerous Neighborhoods Then and Now - It’s hard for many visitors and expats to imagine that Lisbon has a dangerous underbelly, with few venturing outside the progressively hip center. But in the 1970s, neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city started growing — and they quickly gained a reputation for being hotbeds of criminal activity.
Resident Superstar DJ Senhor Santos Reports from Lisboa Electronica 2018 - Senhor Santos is an Irishman living on the other side of life and Lisbon (Cacilhas & reppin'). His hobbies include record digging and hiding from the sun, usually at one and the same time. Day 1 After meeting Irish music legend Jerry Fish, we headed to Ministirium, one of the host venues for this year's […]
Intendente Part 2: Where the Tramps Dwell - Intendente takes little more than a minute to walk across, but each time its pulse can be felt within seconds, be it good or bad or both.
Trips outside Lisbon
This route won't necessarily show you everything, but it will surely guide you through way more than just the highlights. Start from the capital or jump in at any point in the loop: here's an idea of what not to miss in each of these stops, but how long you stay or what you skip is up to you.
Driving through Portugal: See it All in 50 Stops (Part 2)
This route won't necessarily show you everything, but it will surely guide you through way more than just the highlights. Start from the capital or jump in at any point in the loop: here's an idea of what not to miss in each of these stops, but how long you stay or what you skip is up to you.
Driving through Portugal: See it All in 50 Stops (Part 1)
Eighteen years ago, Portugal gave up its role in Macau, leaving practically no political or economic influence and very little saudade among most of the Chinese population.
Macau: Going Both Ways and Coming Out Again
Athens might look disorganized but it's delightfully chaotic. If you've only got 24 hours, here's how you can enjoy the highlights and feel the pulse of the cradle of Western civilization.
How to Spend 24 Hours in Athens
Flying to Scotland is cheap and easy thanks to budget airlines, so Atlas went exploring and have some tips for visiting Skye, the Highlands, and Edinburgh.
A Long Weekend in Scotland
If you're looking for a quick and inexpensive holiday, here's a look at the cheapest airlines in Europe — and what the ticket prices don't include.
