The People’s Guide to Lisbon
The People’s Guide to Lisbon
Featured Articles
Welcome to the Week em Breve! This week in Portugal: the Looming Financial Crisis, Landlords Could Get Tax Break, Crabby Cabbies, Dangerous Drones, Arson, and much more! much more!
The Week em Breve - September 20
Polish artist Weronika Anna Rosa came to Lisbon and fell in love at first sight. When she moved here for good, the city's light and colors — and the country's azulejos — would shape her paintings as well. Atlas sat down for a chat.
Flowers are her best lovers: Q&A with Weronika Anna Rosa
Welcome to the Week em Breve! This week in Portugal: the Cost of Communism, Deadly Balloons, Climate March, Kids on Drugs, Tagging Terror, and much more!
The Week em Breve - September 13
Cale Atkinson is an artist, author, and animator who's worked for the likes of Disney Hyperion and Marvel. His travels through Portugal prompted a series on the country, so we decided to get in touch.
Kidding Around in Portugal: A Q&A with Children's Book Artist Cale Atkinson
When rebuked about not talking enough about her work, the modernist painter Vieira da Silva once retorted: "And what does one paint for? Isn't it to make the canvas speak? The painter's language is the paintings themselves!"
The Silent Lady: Maria Helena Vieira da Silva
For lovers of vinyl, Atlas has compiled a list of the best places to get records in Lisboa. Whether new releases, oldies, or anything in between.
Digging in Bins: The Record Shops of Lisbon
Welcome to the Week em Breve! This week in Portugal: EDP in Trouble Again, Pollution, Dead Fish, Nearly-Dead Birds, Eviction Proposals, and much more!
The Week em Breve - September 6
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
Street art can add to a city in many positive ways, but what we are seeing here is mercantile vandalism. This is a large company profiting at the expense of the city and the people and businesses who populate it.
Foxes, Owls, and Guerrillas: Graffiti Marketing in Lisbon
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
The previous PT climbing guide, “pirate topo,” didn't consult the original openers of the routes nor respect the crags themselves. This one is different.
The Portuguese Climbing Guide: An Interview with the Author, Carlos Simes
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€
Living in Lisboa
You’ve just arrived in Lisbon. Right about now you’re probably wondering what the hell you got yourself into. Well, perhaps it’s time for an introduction.
Erasmus Lisbon Welcome Day, or How Not to End Up Drinking Alone
For lovers of vinyl, Atlas has compiled a list of the best places to get records in Lisboa. Whether new releases, oldies, or anything in between.
Digging in Bins: The Record Shops of Lisbon
How blessed women are to bring a child into the world! Bullshit. If you are giving birth here in Portugal, I've got some tips for you as someone who has been through it twice.
Preparing for Childbirth in Portugal
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
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
Sep
22
Sat
all-day
to Oct 5 | CALL FOR ARTISTS | “I...
to Oct 5 | CALL FOR ARTISTS | “I...
Sep 22 all-day
Ever wonder what’s happening? If you’re an artist, or just want to do something different, now’s your chance to determine the answer. From the organizers: “It’s Happening: A socio-cultural event in which both the artist[...]
all-day
to Sept 22 | FILM FESTIVAL | Que...
to Sept 22 | FILM FESTIVAL | Que...
Sep 22 all-day
Depending on where and how one was raised, how old one is, and, more importantly, how straight one’s priorities are — no pun intended — the term queer may evoke different emotions in people. The[...]
all-day
to Sept 27 | PERFORMANCE ART | S...
to Sept 27 | PERFORMANCE ART | S...
Sep 22 all-day
Rua das Gaivotas 6 has pushed the boundaries on traditional theatre by providing a space for performances, movement, residencies and readings, a former School, now opened to a neighborhood and a city. As imagined by[...]
15:00
LIVE MUSIC | 1st Anniversary of ...
LIVE MUSIC | 1st Anniversary of ...
Sep 22 @ 15:00 – Sep 23 @ 05:00
A year ago, a bunch of DJs and their friends decided to get together and take and make a party. O/B (ouro bravo, or “brave gold”) was the result. This month, O/B turns one year[...]
Latest Posts
- The Week em Breve – September 20 September 20, 2018
- Flowers are her best lovers: Q&A with Weronika Anna Rosa September 19, 2018
- Amadeo de Souza Cardoso: The Slow-Burning Modernist September 18, 2018
Blog Categories
Interviews with Lisboetas
Freelancing in Lisbon: A Q&A With Graphic Artist Tiago Lourenço - Tiago Lourenço's hyper-real graphic design images show a depth of visual language we've rarely seen. We asked him how he does it, and what 3D imaging has to do with rock climbing.
There are Things Lisbon Does Not Love - Whether you live here or you're just visiting, responsible tourism is something we should all pay attention to. According to LDNL, "Be respectful and act with dignity just as you would do at home."
Lazuli Shoes: Portugal-Inspired Footwear - Recently, Atlas was gallivanting along the Tâmega River in Amarante and noticed something quite special through a shop window on Rua Frei José Amarante, just up from Igreja de São Gonçalo. The name of the store? Aguarela - Art Shoes & Bags. This wasn't your typical souvenir shop that sells magnets, teeshirts and mouse pads […]
History and Customs
Camões: The Portuguese Poet - Luís Vaz de Camões is considered the greatest poet of the Portuguese language. His mastery of language and unmatched influence over it has led some to call Portuguese "the language of Camões." The story of Camões' life is rather sketchy and predominantly crafted from snippets written long after he was gone. It is believed that […]
The Eccentric Englishwoman: Guilhermina Suggia - In her hometown, Porto, the cellist Guilhermina Augusta Xavier de Medin Suggia was affectionately known as "the eccentric Englishwoman." This nickname, earned by someone who was, in fact, flesh-and-blood Portuguese, reflects the extent Suggia was ahead of her times — as a cellist and as a woman.- The Silent Lady: Maria Helena Vieira da Silva - When rebuked about not talking enough about her work, the modernist painter Vieira da Silva once retorted: "And what does one paint for? Isn't it to make the canvas speak? The painter's language is the paintings themselves!"
Lisbon Street Team
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.
Fábrica da Pólvora: The Explosive New Art Scene in Oeiras - Who would have thought that eight stops from Lisbon’s Rossio station in Barcarena, there’s a city of artist studios that laughs in the face of the co-working space concept, a green space, a killer buffet-style restaurant, an outdoor amphitheater, and an archeological museum all in the same complex?
Drug Levels in Lisbon: The 2018 Report - Drugs are doing funny things in Europe, with some dropping off and others on the rise. The 2018 European Drug Report examines trends within Portugal.
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.
Breaking Down Budget Airlines Flying In and Out of Lisbon
In Batalha, just 2km outside of Fátima, lies the Grutas da Moeda, a 45-meter-deep cave that spans over 350 meters in length, and it is magical.
