There's plenty to see and do on a trip to Lisbon. Here are some of my favorite places to visit!
Mercado da Ribeira (Farmers market)
Downtown Lisbon’s largest farmers market is set under a massive pavilion where you can watch fresh seafood from the Azores Islands to Norway being snatched up by locals and restaurateurs haggling for the best price. This is a great place to plan a picnic for those who are romantic, or budget minded travelers. With a bag off fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, olives, bread and some cured meats you are ready to find a shady spot atop Castle St. Jorge for a lunchtime feast with views. The market is closed on Sundays when the upper mezzanine becomes a trading post for local philatelists and numismatists, (stamp and coin collectors).
Location: Rua da Ribeira Nova, 18
Open Mon. to Fri. 6.00 to 14.00, then 15.00 -19.00 and on Sat: 6.00 to 14.00, (Closed on Sundays)
Avenida da liberdade (Antiques market)
On the second Sunday of each month some of the city’s finest antique sellers set up tables in the west promenade of Avenida da Liberdade, near the Avenida metro station. This is not a crafts fair nor a place for knock-off’s, but some of the more authentic items available from Lisbon’s most well known antique sellers.
Location: Avenida da Liberdade Open year round on the second Sunday of each month, 9.00 to 14.00
Luvaria Ulisses (Rua do Carmo 87)
In the Baixa-Chiado area, this century old store has been making hand made gloves in every color and pattern. In fact they measure your hand to make sure it well...fits like a glove. If someone is looking for driving gloves or just warm leather or lambskin ones, this is the place.
Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian
A funky museum Art Nouveau collection, started by an Armenian oil czar, who donated his collection as gratitude for Portugal offering him asylum during WWII. It houses a magnificent collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Asian, and European art, including a gold Egyptian mummy mask. More traditional are can be found in the huge European section; many of the works were bought from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, including Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck.
National Tile Museum
A little off the beaten path, but well worth a visit. Visitors will see five centuries of decorative ceramic tiles or azulejos, tracing the history and production of the art form. Museum free on Sunday until 2pm.
Bus 794 from Commercio Square
Tramway 28
A vintage tram that takes you through narrow streets up the hills towards St George castle, go early or in the evening to avoid the hordes of tourists.
If you're still trying to figure out the perfect location to stay in Lisbon, check out our last post, WYNTK: The Neighborhoods of Lisbon, to learn the ins-and-outs of Lisbon's neighborhoods.