Hometown Experience takes you to Lisbon
Discover the sunny life of Lisbon with Hometown Experience.
The city of a thousand colors awaits you for an unprecedented adventure at the edge of the Atlantic. Beaches of fine sand, colorful and high end gastronomy as well as artists are the perfect cocktail for a successful stay.
We have created a range of services for you to enjoy all the hidden treasures of the city and make your trip an unforgettable adventure.
Stroll through the streets of Lisbon, an attractive city that combines culture, gastronomy and relaxation.
Lisbon, Chiado
Palácio do Chiado
"Real haven of peace, spacious and perfectly located. An unforgettable stay"
Lisbon, Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida da Liberdade
"We spent a wonderful weekend in this amazing luxurious apartment in Lisbon !"
Lisbon, Castelo
Jardim Augusto Gil
"The swimming pool was the special touch for our holidays in Lisbon"
Lisbon, Castelo
Convento da Graça
"What a pleasure to enjoy the balcony overlooking the Castelo de São Jorge"
Lisbon, Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida da Liberdade Terrace
"A perfect stay in this idyllic setting"
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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
Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon
A story rich full of surprises Did you know that Alfama is a derivative of the Arabic "alfa maa", which means the thousand sources? Charming name for this emblematic and typical neighborhood of our city of a thousand colors! Located between the Castelo de Sao Jorge and Tagus, you will find many historical attractions and restaurants ... Let us guide you. Alfama is a very welcoming neighborhood with a village atmosphere. It is considered one of the oldest districts of the city and hosts every year several popular festivals such as that of St. Anthony of Padua from June 12 to 13. Dominated in turn by Eastern and Western influences, Alfama bears the imprint of the four corners of the world: that's what makes it so charming. The district has in its dominions a group of thermal sources, hence the origin of its name mentioned above. At the top of Alfama sits the famous Castelo de Sao Jorge, a medieval castle that was the royal residence until the sixteenth century. To observe the city and its monuments, it is necessary to reach the miradouros: that of Santa Luzia is one of the most known. Close to it is the Museum of Decorative Arts, a 17th century manor house with magnificent interiors. Located in the former palace of the Count of Azurara (17th century), this museum evokes everyday life in Lisbon in the 17th and 18th century through a succession of small intimate rooms decorated with azulejos and frescoes. The latter are adorned with Portuguese and Indo-Portuguese furniture, collections of silverware, Chinese porcelain and several tapestries from the 16th and 18th centuries. The 3rd floor has a temporary exhibition hall and a cafeteria with a welcoming patio. Address: Largo das Portas do Sol 2, 1100 Lisboa Phone: +351 218 881 991 Our best culinary addresses After a long walk, nothing beats a meal prepared with care! Pateo 13 For a picturesque dinner in the busy streets of Lisbon, nothing beats the Pateo 13: enjoy your fresh fish and white bread under musical notes played by street musicians: a moment full of life, filled with joy and satiation! Calçadinha de Santo Estêvão 13, 1100-219 Lisboa, Portugal Canto Da Vila A Brazilian restaurant in Lisbon: a place not to be missed. On a small terrace, enjoy a fresh mojito while choosing in which form you want to taste your cod ... Copious and delicious! Portugal 2, Rua Limoeiro, 1100-538 Lisboa, Portugal Fado Na Morgadinha The perfect place to eat and dance Fado, a traditional Portuguese music. You also have the possibility to just have a drink while admiring the dancers from the bar. Largo Peneireiro 5, 1100-219 Lisboa, Portugal Cruzes Credo For a vintage brunch, it's the place to be! A good burger, a salad accompanied by a fresh fruit juice: something to reinvigorate in after discovering the streets of Lisbon. R, Cruzes da Se 29, 1100-192 Lisboa, Portugal O Prego To enjoy a hamburger or tapas in a festive setting. Just like at home, come and restore yourself, O Prego! 18, Largo Menino de Deus 14, 1100-375 Lisboa, Portugal Must-See: The Fado Fado is a traditional Portuguese musical style. There is often a singer or a singer accompanied by two or three people with instruments (guitar, Portuguese guitar, at times violin and cello). The Fado is listened to in total silence, and puts forward a multitude of emotions (the saudade in Portuguese). In the district of Alfama, here are 2 places to discover fado: Fado em Si is an institution where all the big names of fado have occurred. Fine food, 4 to 5 professional fadistes each evening that offer a high quality service: the ideal conditions to discover the Portuguese tradition of fado. Arco de Jesus 7, Alfama, 1100-037 Museu do Fado (Fado Museum), where an outdoor concert is regularly held on the terrace. To discover the entire history of fado ... Largo do Chafariz of Dentro 1
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Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon
Holidays in Lisbon
Gastronomy mixed with tradition In Portuguese, "Merry Christmas" is called "Feliz Natal" and Christmas Eve is called "Consoada". The Portuguese Christmas meal is not a colossal meal consisting of a thousand and one dishes: it is a simple dinner, giving the family the opportunity to gather around the table to enjoy tasty dishes steeped in tradition. Legend has it that there are 365 ways to cook the famous Portuguese cod, a recipe for every day of the year. On Christmas day, it will be cooked in the most humble way possible: "bacalhau cozido", boiled with potatoes and cabbages cooked in water. After the meal, a special place must be kept for the many desserts that are wisely waiting to be savored after the midnight mass, otherwise called "Missa do Galo", the rooster mass. This is an important religious tradition. The return of the Mass sounds the tasting of the desserts and the opening of the presents, for the biggest pleasure of the children. The list of desserts is long and varied: the most famous is surely the "Bolo Rei", a cake of kings shaped in a crown and composed of dried crystallized fruits. It is a pastry normally served on January 6th, date during which the gifts were given for a long time, symbolic of the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. There is also rice pudding, French toast and "filhos", donuts made from bread dough, brandy and orange. The "pao do lo" made of eggs and flavored with orange or lemon is also a delight. An old tradition is that during Christmas, family members give each other an orange with cloves as a symbol of prosperity. Unlike some European countries, the Christmas tree is less present in Portuguese families who prefer the Christmas cradle. A selection of the most diverse Followed by Lille, Munich, Amsterdam and many others, Lisbon is at the head of the 10 best European cities to enjoy Christmas. Retro, antique and family shopping are added to the major luxury brands and brands known to all. We have selected for you various markets accessible in town, with different themes for everyone's tastes. Traditional Christmas Market (Avenida da Igreja) From December 7th to the 16th, this family market welcomes you in a colorful and festive atmosphere. Crafts, gastronomic specialties and animations as well as Santa Claus will be present. It is the perfect place to find nice memories and have a good time in a warm atmosphere. Craft & Design (Jardim da Estrela) Located in one of the most beautiful gardens of Lisbon, Jardim da Estrela, this market includes the creators and artisans of ceramics, photography, illustrations, jewelry, fashion ... It takes place the first weekend of each month. The Campo Pequeno Christmas Market (Campo Pequeno Station) In the big arenas of Campo Pequeno, more than 100 exhibitors will be present to present you various articles coming exclusively from Portugal. Buying in this market helps support small artisans and national creators, all while delighting yourself ! Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) It is a must in Lisbon. It is a covered market where you can eat thanks to the 30 small kiosks lined up, which will serve you to drink, to eat with the possibility of buying local specialties. Glaciers, pastry chefs, cocktail bar ... You'll be spoiled for choice. During Christmas, Lisbon shines Christmas in Lisbon is an adventure full of lights and colors. The whole city is decorated with beautiful illuminations, and particularly the district of Baixa. The inauguration of the illuminations begins on December 1st at 18h. The famous trade square will welcome, just like every year, the big Christmas tree of about 30 meters high, decorated with more than 86,000 Led bulbs. Wonderland Lisboa is an event not to be missed: it is the transformation of the Edward VII Park into a magical world with several activities: giant wheel, ice rink, handicraft sale counters ... It is a place of fun, shopping and relaxation. The city of Lisbon also offers many free street concerts in churches and other places of worship in Lisbon, as well as songs and shows. From December 1st to January 6th, participate in the largest indoor funfair, Diverlandia, at the Nations Park. On the program: rides for young and old, and breathtaking attractions! In the same category, do not miss Circo no Coliseu, a magnificent Christmas circus at the Lisbon Coliseum, from December 1st to the 26th! To end your parties in style, take your children to see the great ice musical show Alice o Pais Maravilhas no gelo (Alice in Wonderland on Ice). Performances will take place from November 23rd, 2018 to January 6, 2019.
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Holidays in Lisbon
How and where to taste good portuguese wines in Lisbon
There isn’t only Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Côtes du Rhône in life! Oenophiles know it, Portugal is an excellent country of wine. The poorly known Portuguese vineyard has about thirty regions of origin. Various wine productions, of which one can discover the tannins on the tables of famous bars or Lisbon restaurants, or why not during an organized tour dedicated to the best beverages of the region. Thus gently exhilarated by the local aromas, you will perhaps not leave Lisbon without one or two good bottles found among the cellars and specialty shops of the Portuguese capital. Cheers! A rich Portuguese vineyard Portuguese crus, we know especially Porto, Vinho Verde, or Madeira. The Lusitanian vineyard however has a wide variety of reds, whites or sparkling wines that can accompany all kinds of dishes and various occasions. Lisbon itself has no less than nine denominations of origin: Bucelas, Colares and Carcavelos to the south, Alenquer, Arruda, Lourinhã, Óbidos and Torres Vedras in the center, and Encostas d'Aire to the north. The white Bucelas is for example excellent to accompany your local sardines. Visiting Sintra, you can taste the red Colares which is vinified not far, and without going too far, the wines of Estremadura are among the best whites of the country. Further south of the white city, Moscatel d'Arràbida is produced. Sweet, golden, it is ideal for an aperitif or dessert, when it is 20 or 30 years old. Grilled meats will be better matched with a good red Dâo. For tables with stronger flavors, we will favor the wines of Alentejo, Barraida or Douro, a small region of the North also well known for the famous Porto. Speaking of Porto, just know that if it is appreciated by the French at the time of the aperitif, or as a starter with a good melon, the English prefer it with their cheese, while the Portuguese drink it for their part at the end of the meal. The other star of Portuguese nectars, of course, is the Vinho Verde. If It holds its name of "green wine" of its fresh spring and early harvest (unlike the "Vinho Maduro", or "ripe wine"), make no mistake: this sparkling wine can be red as white. Finally, let's not forget the wines of the Algarve, which bloom in the sun of the wine region of Portimão. Originally from the Algarve too, Amarguinha is a very sweet bitter almond liqueur. The diversity of the Portuguese vintages does not prevent to discover the joys of the famous liquors of the country. Typically from Lisbon, the Ginjinha or Ginja is indeed an "unmissable" of the capital, it's up to you to see if you prefer this cherry alcohol with or without the cherry at the bottom of the cup. Finally, in hot weather, you can always soak your lips in the freshness of a national beer of your choice: Sagres, Super Bock, Crystal or Imperial. Appellations of Portuguese wines Note that Portuguese wines are subject to a classification that is divided into four categories: DOC (Denominação de origem controlada), IPR (Indicação de Provenção de Provençncia Regulada), VR (Vinhos Regionais, synonyms of "Vins de Pays"), and finally the Vinhos de Mesa or "Table Wines". The DOC and IPR categories comply with European legislation Q.W.P.S.R. (Quality wines produced in specified regions). The DOC appellation is the equivalent of the French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée). These wines of very high taste and aromatic qualities, are attached to soils and meet the highest standards (grape varieties, soil characteristics, alcohol content, etc.). The DOC category counts every year new elected, among which we find the Porto, the Barraida, the Pico or Madeira among other famous bottles. The IPR classified wines (which can be translated as "Regulated Provenance Indication") wait for their DOC designation, and observed in this respect for five years in order to obtain it. So to speak, these IPRs are the casting candidates for "The New Star" of Portuguese wine. The "Vinhos Regionais", of good quality, fulfill the condition of a determined regional origin, but do not meet all the rules imposed by the DOC name. The Algarve, Alentejano, Estremadura, are part of it. Portuguese table wines can have some good surprises, but most have nothing of the quality of their neighbors under controlled appellations Good addresses to enjoy wine in Lisbon Now that we know everything about the wine heritage of Portugal, all that is left is to find good places to enjoy these good wines in Lisbon. The capital has no shortage of places dedicated to the pleasures of oenology, and lovers of good wines will find a wide choice of bistros, restaurants with good wine waiters, or beautiful cellars to visit. We have selected four places to be discover for wine lovers in Lisbon. The Old Pharmacy, for example, is a must wine bar located in the Bairro Alto district. The attentive service welcomes a large audience in its former pharmacy decor, to provide its best "therapeutic" advice ... Right in the city center, the Sommelier Lisbon restaurant is, as its name indicates, a gourmet table of choice, ideal to accompany your meal with the best bottles. Its wine list includes more than 80 selections! But the “must” to devote a moment entirely dedicated to tasting wines from all over the country, is the vaulted room of ViniPortugal, enthroned on the Praça da Commercio. For the price of a package of your choice, you can taste different wines by the glass, and discover all the variety of terroirs and vintages of Portugal. Here, we do not just toast, or even "drink a drink" in a friendly place, we explore. Wine events and thematic tastings are also offered among many activities. Then go, do not sulk our pleasure, at the turn of a paved alley, to lean on the counter of a typical ginjhana. Lisbon abounds of it, and it is easy to spot them especially in the neighborhood of Rossio, with cherry stones thrown on the sidewalk. The historic spot remains A Ginjinha Espinheira, where for the modest sum of 1.10 €, the boss will send you the delicious cherry liqueur so beloved of Lisbon (and nothing else, we are there only for that!). The Old Pharmacy: 83, R. do Diario de Notícias 73 – Lisbon Opening hours: daily from 17h30 to 00h00 Sommelier Lisbon: Rua do Telhal, 57 – Lisbon Opening hours: every day from 18:30 to 00:45 ViniPortugal Sala Ogival: Terreiro do Paco, Ala Poente – Lisbon Opening hours: from 11h to 18h30 In Ginjinha Espinheira: Largo de São Domingos, 8 – Lisbon Opening hours: daily from 9h to 22h Discover the Portuguese wine culture… and bring back home some aromas You have become an expert in Portuguese wines, you have tasted the ones you liked and now know which are your favorite. Impossible to go home without bringing back at least a good bottle, and why not, the memory of a real tour on the wine route in the region! All you need to do is get off the tram nº28 near the cathedral. Behind the new shop Cellar GN, we find the famous Garrafeira Nacional. The wine shop offers the full range of Portuguese wines, from the finest DOC table wine, from the greenest vinho to the oldest vintages. To go further in the oenological exploration of the region, why not try an organized day on the wine roads. Many tours offer for example, a private driver who picks you up to guide you a whole day between tastings in the most beautiful cellars of the region, visits in the most prestigious vineyards, and stops in charming villages. A complete sensory experience that allows you to fully enjoy the character of local wines ... with moderation, but also enjoyment! GN Cellar - Rua da Conceição, 20/26 - Lisbonne Opening hours: everyday from 10h à 21h
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How and where to taste good portuguese wines in Lisbon