The Fashion Design Museum looks tempting... Credit: Sivan Askayo
A previous nominee for Blogger of the Month, Sivan Askayo is back to offer readers her take on Lisbon and what not to miss when you explore there.
The Portuguese love to travel; therefore it’s no surprise that Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is a sophisticated, global city with endless opportunities to offer visitors and its native residents.
With a comfortable Mediterranean climate, Lisbon is perfect for visiting throughout the year. Recently the city has started to wake up to tourism and become more alive, more tourist-friendly and a desired destination among the younger crowds.
A new generation of venues has popped up in the last couple of years, upgrading the night life and dining scene to be found on a city break to Lisbon. More chef-oriented restaurants are being opened, more bars and clubs pay attention to the design scene and more trendy fashion boutiques are spreading around. Combine this with the history, the architecture, the beaches, and the fact it is a compact city and relatively easy to navigate, and you have a great destination to visit.
Here are some of the highlights of Lisbon and recommended things to see and do.
For Design Fans: Mude, The new Fashion and Design Museum
The new Fashion and Design museum is located in a pedestrian area at the heart of the historical district of Lisbon, between Rossio Square and Terreiro do Paco, and it is definitely giving a cultural boost to the downtown Baixa area.
It is housed in a building that used to be the main office of a Portuguese financial institution (hence the impressive green marble interior) and its facade is all decorated with colourful sticky notes that mark the name of the museum whilst revealing its exceptional quality.
Mude focuses on contemporary activity within art, design and fashion and its mission is to make Lisbon an important design city. Besides exhibition halls, the museum has a rehearsal area for stylists and designers to develop and present their projects, a book store and an educational area for workshops.
For the Family: A Vida Portuguesa Concept Store
The purpose of A Vida Portuguesa concept store is to rediscover and promote local Portuguese brands, which are part of the Portuguese way of life and culture. From kitchenware, bathroom accessories and decorative products, , canned Azorean fresh fish, kids toys, ceramic, embroidery, you name it.
It is a combination of iconic symbols of Portugal with avant-garde and modern products, mixing nostalgia and the future. Look out for Couto medicinal toothpaste, Benamor hand cream or Ach Brito soaps.
Some Portuguese children's toys on display. Credit: Sivan Askayo
A Vida Portuguesa has one location in Lisbon and one in Porto, both with friendly staff, and it has a great website and an online catalogue too. The shop in Lisbon is great for finding original gifts to bring home.
For Adults: Pensao Amor
One of the hottest and trendiest spots in the city, this is the combination of a bar, restaurant and art space. The interior design follows a chic boudoir style, decorated with frescos and endless images. The restaurant offers mostly Peruvian and Portuguese food, and reservations are recommended because the place is getting crowded quite fast.
The amazing decor at Pensao Amor. Credit: Sivan Askayo
There is a small bookstore with adult books and literature and even a pole dance room decorated with leopard and gold. On the other floors you can find a boutique that sells sexy lingerie and some vintage clothing and a trendy hair salon.
For Food Lovers: Petiscaria Ideal
This restaurant, in Santos-o-Velho, is a cosy place with simple decoration, serving only Portuguese dishes but with a twist: the chef insists on using only Portuguese products and wine. The atmosphere is young and hip and it is always crowded during dinners and weekends.
Sivan's photos give a sense of the restaurant's contemporary cool.
The owner of the restaurant and the staff are helpful and easy-going, as I found when I met them. Make sure you spend at least one meal there when you are visiting Santos-o-Velho, which is a lively neighbourhood.
Address Book
- Mude, Rua Augusta 24, 110-053 Lisboa
- A Vida Portuguesa, Rua Anchieta, 1200-023 Chiado, Lisboa
- Pensão Amor, Rua do Alecrim 19, 1200-292 Lisboa
- Petiscaria Ideal, Rua da Esperanca 100, Lisboa
About the Author:
Sivan Askayo is a photographer who loves to travel and blogs about her experiences. She's currently in New York but has been all over the world in search of the perfect shot. Read all about her Polaroids project here.
