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HomeTown Lisbon blog offers you a selection of articles devoted to the destination Lisbon, its news, culture, activities and of course, its people
Take some height in Lisbon: The best rooftops
The advantage of being nicknamed "The city of seven hills", is that it is abound with panoramic and breathtaking views. Everywhere in Lisbon, after the effort is made to climb up a hill, all is well rewarded: dazzling views and the outlook on the horizon of red tile rooftops or the sparkling mouth of the Tagus. Follow our guide to the best rooftops of the Portuguese capital, for an evening with the stars... The Park Bar, hanging garden on a parking building Located on the 7th floor of a municipal parking building, The Park bar is not the easiest spot to find, but this just makes the experience more flavorful. Voted the best rooftop in the city on Tripadvisor, this hanging garden offers stunning views of the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Santa Catarina church. Outdoor cinemas or top notch DJ’s invest in the place for the night, you can enjoy burgers, light salads and white sangria. Park, Calçada Do Combro, 58 / from Monday to Saturday: 13h00-02h00 / Sunday: 13h00-20h00 Lost in, An Indian atmosphere in the heart of Lisbon A Change of scenery on the heights of the Principe Real neighborhood with the Lost In, that invites India on Lisbon's land. Mismatched furniture, colorful parasols, accomodating cushions make this a cozy terrace. The view of the hills and the Castelo de Sao Jorge is superb, and the cosmopolitan cuisine a surprise. Lost in Esplanada Bar, Rua D.Pedro V, 56 / Monday: 16h00-00h00 / From Tuesday to Saturday: 12h30-00h00 The Silk Club, The most exclusive terrace of the capital Member of "the world's finest clubs", the Silk Club is without doubt the most hyped terrace of Lisbon. Offering a 270° view over the city, its sophisticated atmosphere welcomes the Portuguese elite, the big bosses and stars of entertainement. The Japanese restaurant is very popular, events organized by the club as well as unavoidable rendez-vous of the jet-set of Lisbon are indeed, A must! Silk Club, Rua da Misericordia, 14 From Tuesday to Thursday 19H00 à 1h30 / Friday and Saturday: 19H00 à 04h00 (last entry at 2h30 a.m.) The BA Terrace, stunning views of the Bairro Alto At the top of the 5-star Bairro Alto hotel, in the district of the same name, the BA terrace is a must during any stay in Lisbon. Dominating the skyline of the historic center of Lisbon and offering a commanding view of the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge, the place is ideal for a break in the afternoon or a romantic sunset. But get there early, the narrowness of the place makes it a very popular location and is regurlarly overcrowdeed. Terrace BA, Praça Luís de Camões, 2 / From Sunday to Thursday: from 10H30 to 22H / Friday and Saturday: from 10H30 to 1H / During Summer, from 10H30 to 1H00, everyday The Sky Bar, ambiance lounge and a unique view On the 9th floor of the 5-star Tivoli Hotel, the Sky Bar is a very comfortable lounge set around a lit bar overlooking the neighborhoods of Baixa and Castelo. The cocktail menu is very rich, the snacks one a bit reduced, but big appetites will be satisfied at the Terraço restaurant just on the side. DJ sets, theme parties and concerts, events succeed and undoubtedly make the Sky Bar one of the most impressive panoramic terraces of Lisbon. Sky Bar, Avenida da Liberdade, 185 / From April to September, 17h00 - 01h00 If this selection has seduced you, take some height and discover Lisbon differently...
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Take some height in Lisbon: The best rooftops
Lisbon’s seaside: the most beautiful beaches around the Portuguese capital
It's beautiful out, it's hot, and you’re wandering the city of 7 hills discovering its every corner! At every viewpoint, the ocean awaits you, and your only idea is to: take a dip to cool off! Even if the Portuguese capital does not offer a real beach, its surroundings are full of beautiful stretches of sand and also private coves. Follow this guide... In the North, you have the nearest beaches, but also the most visited Carcavelos, The ultimate family destination At only 20 minutes from Lisbon by train (Estoril line), Carcavelos beach is the largest beach near the Portuguese capital, but also probably the most crowded. Surfers enjoy the waves there, those into sports; volleyball competitions and families; the many restaurants and terraces that border the sea. Guincho, for thrill seekers This is one of the most popular beaches in the area, enjoying an exceptional setting between city and mountain. This place was adopted by kite surfing, windsurfing and sailing sports fans, Guincho beach receives many national and international competitions throughout the year. Adraga, One of the most beautiful beaches of Europe Elected in 2003 among the 20 most beautiful European beaches by the Sunday Times, Beach Adraga enjoys an exceptional natural environment. Located in the heart of the Sintra Natural Park - Cascais, the beach is surrounded by cliffs carved by the ocean, and is much less crowded than the beaches located a little further south. In the south, 30 kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches Troia, jet set and a taste of the Caribbean With its white sand and crystal clear waters, warmer than elsewhere on the coast, the Troia beach became the fashionable spot in the south of Lisbon. A trendy clientele enjoys the luxury and high-end restaurants and hotels that borders the ocean ...all to make you think of the Caribbean! Portinho de Arrabida, Sumptuous diving spot The green of the vegetation covering the mountains, the blue crystal waters of the bay, the white sand of the many isolated coves ... a real postcard landscapes Portinho de Arrabida. And a renowned diving spot in a protected marine reserve. Figueirinha, white sand to the horizon A relaxing spot by excellence, The Figueirinha beach is known for its white sandbanks and transparent waters, which promises a change of scenery. Put on your swimsuits! Ready? Dive!
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Lisbon’s seaside: the most beautiful beaches around the Portuguese capital
Les Pasteis de Nata, Lisbon’s delight
Kind of a small pastry flan, often eaten warm and sprinkled with cinnamon, the pastel de Nata has become an emblem of the Lisbon gastronomy. Discover the origin of this pastry, popular with locals and tourists, and an easy recipe to bring a bit of Lisbon home! The History Pastel de Nata "cream pie" in Portuguese was created in the early nineteenth century by the monks of the Jéronimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos), located in the city of Belem, which has become a district of Lisbon. When the liberal revolution broke out in 1820, it was ordered to close all the monasteries, all the monks were then expelled. To survive, one of them decided to produce small tartlets that were formerly made in convents, and sell them in a small shop adjoining the monastery. Belem was then a tourist destination in itself; many visitors would come to contemplate the Tower of Belem (Torre de Belem) and the Monastery. The success of these small flans was immediate, and since 1837, only the original Fabrica dos Pasteis de Belem produces and sells the original recipe of these cakes renamed Pasteis de Belem. We now find these throughout all of Portugal, but also far beyond! Brazil has of course adopted it, but more surprisingly, the entire Asian continent: introduced via Macao at the time of the Portuguese colonial presence, the pastel de nata seduced China, then Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. This global success has made pastel de nata one of the 50 best foods in the world by The Guardian! The recipe After a gourmet stay in Lisbon would you want to experience a bit of Portuguese flavors at home? Follow this quick and easy recipe! 2 pâtes feuilletées (puff pastry) 4 egg yolks 2 whole eggs 500 ml milk 20g of flour 250 g sugar 1 washed organic lemon zest about 1 cm in width. Roll the puff pastry on itself to make a small sausage and cut slices of about 1cm thick. Place each slice in a small tart pan (flat) and flatten it with your thumb so that the batter covers the pan. Dilute 20 g of flour into 500ml of milk. Whisk. Add lemon zest. bring then the milk to boil while whisking regularly. At the first boil, remove from heat and reserve. Mix the eggs and egg yolks and set aside. For the syrup: Mix 250g of sugar and a little bit of water (sugar should be moist). Melt the sugar slowly. Cook the syrup until it reaches a temperature of 107/110 ° C. Remove it from heat and stir into milk / flour mixture, stirring often and vigorously enough. Remove the lemon zest. Add the eggs, still mixing regularly. Place the pans full of dough on a baking sheet. fill 3/4 full with cream. Bake in a preheated oven (250 to 300 °c) for 7 to 10 minutes. Ready To taste?
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Les Pasteis de Nata, Lisbon’s delight