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It would be a shame to reduce Lisbon to just stockfish and football, because the metropolis of millions on the Atlantic Ocean has much more to offer. We reveal the tips of the insider and fashion photographer
Mário Príncipe
.
The ball is not really rolling. While Italian and Spanish cities are overrun by tourists in droves every year, hardly anyone sticks around in Lisbon. To your own neglect. Last year, the Sunday Times Travel Magazine voted the city of 5 million inhabitants the coolest city ever, praising it with the words “sexy and sensual”. A trip to Lisbon is worthwhile right now, as the rain says goodbye and the colorful street cafés pull up their shutters. Mário Príncipe is a fashion photographer who was born in Lisbon and never moved away. He reveals his insider tips to FACES.
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Fish & Flavors Festival (12.-22.4.)
Portugal has more to offer than just stockfish – culinary diversity will take center stage from mid-April with numerous events.
Indie Lisboa
(26.4.-6.5.)
Every city its film festival. In Portugal, the Int. Independent Film Festival for indie productions.
Rock in Rio Lisboa
(25.5.-2.6.)
Even if it sounds like Brazil, the indie and rock festival often changes its stage. Lenny Kravitz & Co. are rocking Lisbon again this year.
LIVING
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Young, modern and white is the
Gat Rossio
(from EUR 70), centrally located in the city center of La Baixa.
Rua do Jardim do Regedor 27-35, Travessa do Forno 9-13, Lisboa
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For those who like it more dignified, the 5-star Spa Hotel
Altis Belém
(from EUR 190) is the right address. The generous glass fronts offer views of the Tagus.
Doca do Bom Sucesso, Lisboa
EATING
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The
Portas do sol
is located on a terrace near the river, with a view of the rooftops of Alfama. The dishes are light and Mediterranean. Occasionally a DJ plays.
Rua de São Tomé 84, Lisboa
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Whether the Portuguese copied tapas from the Spanish or vice versa is a question in itself. One thing is certain: Lisbon’s Restô is one of the best tapas bars in the world.
Costa do Castelo 7, Lisboa
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Café tati is a small, fine restaurant with scattered wooden chairs and mini bookshelves on the wall. Here you can get the best brunch in town every day.
Rua da Ribeira Nova 36, Lisboa
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For a snack in between, it’s worth making a detour to the
À margem
. The crispy salads are well-known in the city.
Doca do Bom Sucesso, Lisboa
SHOPPING
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What the Champs-Élysées is to Paris, the Avendia da Liberdade is to Lisbon: a wide, 1.1-kilometer-long boulevard and the number one shopping address.
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Vintage lovers come to the city center in the
Outra face da Lua
will get their money’s worth. Color-phobes will leave the store after a few seconds and perhaps miss one of the drinks in the in-house bar.
Rua da Assunção 22, Lisboa
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Reading nourishes. If you get literary hunger: in the
Ler Devagar
you are guaranteed to be satisfied by the extensive selection of reading material.
Rua Rodrigues Faria 103, Lisboa
PARTY
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You can find information about popular parties via Luxfragil.com. In the Bairro Alto district, which is also the cultural heart of Lisbon, the best bars are lined up next to the best clubs.
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The latest place to be is Pensão Amor, a bar with Christian paintings on the ceiling, pictures of naked women, Jules Verne-like souvenirs and English upholstered furniture where you can have a drink if they let you in.
Rua do Alecrim 19, Lisboa
QUARTERS
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Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and most charming district with its picturesque alleyways.
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From the fortress with its integrated castle ruins, Castelo de São Jorge, you have a fabulous view over the city and the Tagus. Around the Castelo, locals sell their trinkets on Tuesdays.
MUST DO
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Forget about Mexico’s mariachis, who pounce on sentimental tourists with guitarron, violins, harps and sweet singing. Fado blows through Lisbon. Gentle guitar sounds that make you think of beautiful things. Listen and take a look around the old town of Alfama, this is pure Lisbon.
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Mário Príncipe
is a fashion photographer in Lisbon.
loves traveling, food, cinema and art.
hates standing on the beach.
Find out our insider tips for Paris here.