The People’s Guide to Lisbon
The People’s Guide to Lisbon
Featured Articles
Atlas gets a tour of the bank vaults, gets to touch a bar of gold, and learns about one of the biggest forgery schemes in the history of money.
Museu do Dinheiro: The Smiling Face of Portugal's Central Bank
Our favorite crag has been getting crowded so we’d like to reveal a few more places you can climb outdoors within just an hour's drive from Lisbon.
Rock Climbing Around Lisbon — and Beyond, a Part II of Sorts
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in May
The title Marquês de Pombal is more or less the same as Prime Minister, so it's no wonder that this guy needed a snazzy palace to call his own whilst in office.
Palácio do Marquês de Pombal in Oeiras
This is the last leg of your 50-city tour, so throw your vehicle into high hear and get ready to get a little dirty.
Driving Through Portugal: See it All in 50 Stops (Part 3)
Not all Lisbon markets are created equal, nor are the vendors who comprise them. Here's where to go if you're keen for a stroll as you shop or bargaining before you buy.
The Thirteen Best Markets In Lisboa
From mechanical steampunk bacalhau to runaway trams, Atelier 49 puts out a steady stream of art work. This quirky duo has a little something for everyone, but it certainly hasn't been easy to get here.
Lisbon Between the Lines: An Interview With Hauke Vagt of Atelier 49
There are many travel guides for Lisbon, and each tends to suit a certain traveler. Luckily, we've had a look at the best to save you the legwork.
The Best Travel Guides to Lisbon
Amadeo Cardoso was a caricaturist, painter, and man-about-town in the Parisian art scene. He certainly has his place among the great Portuguese modernists.
Amadeo de Souza Cardoso: The Slow-Burning Modernist
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
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
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
The Beja Aquapark was in operation for only three years and has been closed for the last 25. What is left is easily accessible to curious road-trippers and ruin hunters alike.
Abandoned Portugal: Beja Aquatica
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.
Eight 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
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…
Featured April Events
![to May 19 | EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCE | João Onofre: Once in a Lifetime [Repeat] | Campo Pequeno | FREE - 4€](https://i0.wp.com/www.atlaslisboa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-02-12-at-8.48.25-AM.png?fit=350%2C309&ssl=1)
Essentials for Visitors
Our favorite crag has been getting crowded so we’d like to reveal a few more places you can climb outdoors within just an hour's drive from Lisbon.
Rock Climbing Around Lisbon — and Beyond, a Part II of Sorts
June can be brutal in Lisbon. Luckily, it's also the month that the city celebrates itself, which means street parties, sardines, and pimba music. But if you're more of an indoor person, we got you covered as well.
What's On in Lisbon in June
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in May
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in April
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in March
Are you planning a trip to Lisbon? Do you have questions? We have answers!
The No-Nonsense FAQ for the Visitor to Lisbon
This is the last leg of your 50-city tour, so throw your vehicle into high hear and get ready to get a little dirty.
Driving Through Portugal: See it All in 50 Stops (Part 3)
Bairro Alto is the party neighborhood of Lisbon, and if you’re visiting, it is a “must-go” spot. But please, do it in style and find the best bars.
Bairro Alto Alternativo
2 for 1 drinks and dishes means your dining just got that much cheaper. Here are our tips for using the Zomato Gold membership in Portugal to its fullest.
How to Use Zomato Gold for 2 for 1 Food and Drinks in Portugal
There are many travel guides for Lisbon, and each tends to suit a certain traveler. Luckily, we've had a look at the best to save you the legwork.
The Best Travel Guides to Lisbon
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
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
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
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, No Longer Lisbon’s Only Bike-Sharing Option
Living in Lisboa
A few Lisbon hotels offer their saunas and steam rooms, and sometimes their swimming pools, to non-guests, but it will cost you.
Lisbon's Public Steamrooms and Saunas
June can be brutal in Lisbon. Luckily, it's also the month that the city celebrates itself, which means street parties, sardines, and pimba music. But if you're more of an indoor person, we got you covered as well.
What's On in Lisbon in June
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in May
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in April
Finding books in English in Lisbon isn’t too difficult, and the number of stores selling English-language books keep growing.
Where to Find English-Language Books in Lisbon
From an animation festival to concerts by rock's oldest and newest talents, and plenty of art spanning centuries, March in Lisbon this year promises to be a nice spring blast.
What's On in Lisbon in March
There are dozens of museums in Portugal’s capital and within a short drive, and almost all charge admission. Here are a few tips to do it on the cheap - or for free.
Lisbon Culture on the Cheap, Part 2: Museums
There have been some recent changes to Recibos Verdes (Green Receipts) that you’ll need to wrap your head around. This is for all the self-employed English-speakers battling their way through the Portuguese bureaucracy.
Public Service Announcement: Changes to Recibos Verdes / Green Receipts
Strangers do things that annoy us, make us laugh, and make us cry in the great city of Lisbon. Here is the place to share your stories anonymously.
The Page of Disquiet
If a Lisboeta tells you to go to a certain place whose name you've never heard — and you're not quite sure where to find it — here's what they mean.
Lisbon Implied, or How to Talk About Locations Like a Local
Vintage, up-cycled, second-hand, or just plain USED: whatever you call not-new clothes, here's where to find them in Lisbon, from bargain bins to boutiques.
Getting Thrifty: The Second-Hand Stores of Lisbon
Bairro Alto is the party neighborhood of Lisbon, and if you’re visiting, it is a “must-go” spot. But please, do it in style and find the best bars.
Bairro Alto Alternativo
2 for 1 drinks and dishes means your dining just got that much cheaper. Here are our tips for using the Zomato Gold membership in Portugal to its fullest.
How to Use Zomato Gold for 2 for 1 Food and Drinks in Portugal
There are many travel guides for Lisbon, and each tends to suit a certain traveler. Luckily, we've had a look at the best to save you the legwork.
The Best Travel Guides to Lisbon
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
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
Latest Restaurant Reviews
Bairro Alto is the party neighborhood of Lisbon, and if you’re visiting, it is a “must-go” spot. But please, do it in style and find the best bars.
Bairro Alto Alternativo
2 for 1 drinks and dishes means your dining just got that much cheaper. Here are our tips for using the Zomato Gold membership in Portugal to its fullest.
How to Use Zomato Gold for 2 for 1 Food and Drinks in Portugal
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
Lisbon Events
Apr
3
Wed
10:00
to Apr 24 | GUIDED TOUR | Lisbon...
to Apr 24 | GUIDED TOUR | Lisbon...
Apr 3 @ 10:00 – 13:00
“Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they’re[...]
10:00
to April 28 | ART EXHIBIT | “Vi...
to April 28 | ART EXHIBIT | “Vi...
Apr 3 @ 10:00 – 18:00
If you ask a Lisboeta who the patron saint of Lisbon is, they’ll likely say “Saint Anthony.” Because of the parties (oh the parties!), his popularity has largely surpassed that of poor St. Vincent’s, who[...]
10:00
to Dec 31 | EXHIBIT | “Among Din...
to Dec 31 | EXHIBIT | “Among Din...
Apr 3 @ 10:00 – 17:00
As you probably already know, dinosaurs once roamed the Earth— but did you know that they roamed around Portugal? The Museum of Natural History is taking an intensive look at different types of dinosaur fossils[...]
10:00
to Jun 10 | ART EXHIBIT | The Br...
to Jun 10 | ART EXHIBIT | The Br...
Apr 3 @ 10:00 – 18:00
You don’t need to be Emily Dickinson and/or a perpetrator of the zombie apocalypse to know that the brain is pretty cool. The Gulbenkian‘s new exhibition, Cérebro – mais vasto que o céu (“The Brain[...]
Latest Posts
- Let’s Have A Word #6: The Loafing Heroes April 2, 2019
- Hiking Around the Santuário da Peninha in Sintra March 28, 2019
- Museu do Dinheiro: The Smiling Face of Portugal’s Central Bank March 25, 2019
Blog Categories
Interviews
The Unbeatables: The Sueca Players of Lisbon- Elias learned to play sueca by watching the games at Jardim da Estrela until he had a feel for it — no one had taught him, he says. The trick to becoming an efficient player lies in observation and bluffing.
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 […]- Seventeen Restaurants Deep: A Q&A with Chef José Avillez- 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.
History and Customs
About That Dawn- Freedom is sweet. Freedom is everything. 25 de Abril sempre. Viva a Liberdade!
Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro: Father of the Portuguese Everyman- An artist of many talents, Bordalo created cartoons that are still popular today and some of the most iconic Portuguese ceramics around.
The Futures of Lisbon: A Concerned Immigrant’s Preview.- Futuros de Lisboa is a unique interactive multimedia art exhibit composed of photographs, essays, videos, illustrations, and all sorts of weirdness, compiled by professionals in various fields, academics, artists, and regular citizens of Lisbon. The show examines one simple question that is on the mind of anyone who lives here: “What comes next for this magical little town?”
Lisbon Street Team
A Walk Inside the Abandoned Trafaria Prison- Presídio da Trafaria was where opponents of the Salazar regime were tried, defended by crooked lawyers, beaten seven ways from Sunday, and then jailed and left to rot.
May Day in Lisbon: People of the Parade- Lisbon’s May Day march didn’t have the pitchforks and torches of days past, but there was still plenty of energy, anger, and calls for change. 
An Expat and an Avó- She always keeps herself very busy: one day I come home and she is making pickles, the next day I come home and she is re-potting her plants. Her apartment is typically Portuguese; tiled floors, wooden furniture, and a Catholic figurine or image in every room.
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.
Off the Beaten Path: Grutas da Moeda, an Alternative to Fátima
On the Rota, well-marked trails take you along the stunning coast and through towns large and small until Cabo São Vicente.
