Posts

July 2025

Image
Trams - same as in June, the roadworks in Rua do Forno do Tijolo continue, so the 28 cannot run its usual route between Martim Moniz and Graça. But one big change - the viewing platform atop the Elevador de Santa Justa has reopened. A new and higher guardrail has been installed, but a maximum of just 20 people is allowed up there at one time. ALSO, it will cost you €5 per person to access. That’s in addition to all other transport costs. AND the payment can only be made by bank card. View from the top of the Elevador de Santa Justa Access to the viewing deck is via a spiral staircase, and not for the faint hearted. The staircase is on the same side of the lift as the cabin exit. When I visited, both lift cabins were operating, and the queue (line if you like) to go up was not so long. Maybe not for long. SCAMS 1: anyone offering what they claim are drugs out there on the street is almost certainly not offering drugs. Don’t fall for it: it’s just bags of mixed herbs. Maybe some punters ...
Post a Comment
Read more

6.1.9 Castro

Image
Rua Garrett 38 Location HERE . Open Every Day. There are also branches on Rua Áurea, and Praça da Figueira. Small but very well presented shop and café; so small you might miss it - it’s in the heart of Chiado, opposite the north end of Rua Ivens. Only three tables for those “ eating-in ”, although you can stand at the counter further back in the shop and watch the pastéis de nata being brought out of the oven. Why is it included, and, indeed, recommended? The coffee is good, the service is good, and those pastéis de nata are simply excellent. On a par with those served at Pastéis de Belém, and it’s highly possible that those raving about other outlets haven’t been to either. Metro Baixa-Chiado; Tram 24 and 28 nearby, also Buses 22B and 758. [ HOME ]
Post a Comment
Read more

4.5.13 MUDE - Museu do Design

Image
Rua Augusta 24 Location HERE . Closed Mondays. Website HERE . The Design Museum is housed in a former bank building, occupying a prime location at the south end of the Rua Augusta. This occupies the block bordered by Rua da Prata to the east side, Rua de São Julião to the north, and Rua do Comércio to the south. The way in CAUTION two shallow steps down to the reception, information, and ticket sales counter. The lifts that take you up to the terrace are behind reception, or you can access them from the third floor exhibition space. The lift to the south side of reception (to the right as you enter) does not serve the sixth floor. The vault It’s very much a work in progress, but with a permanent exhibition, backed up by long-term additions, the downstairs vault, and sixth floor terrace now welcoming visitors, it’s at the point that it can be recommended, especially if you’re a design junkie and want to see the recent history of design from a Portuguese perspective, including the politi...
Post a Comment
Read more

5.4.8 Forno d’Oro

Image
Rua Artilharia 1 16b Location HERE . Closed Sundays, and Monday lunchtime. A pizza restaurant away from the old downtown, not quite up at Amoreiras, close but not so close to Rato, and a trek uphill from Marquês de Pombal? Why include it and, indeed, recommend it? Quite simply, because it’s worth it. Forno d’Oro is one of Europe’s ten highest-rated pizzerias. The bonus is that it’s not so expensive, either, although if you have a couple of beers, or glasses of wine, that will make the bill that bit larger. Whole olives. Anchovies, too From the discreet street-level entrance (CAUTION three steps up into the restaurant), you enter a space with an understated white decor, and if your group is more than two people, you’ll have already made a reservation. If not, you might get lucky, but more often, you’ll have to wait. What makes this restaurant that bit more special? Have a look at the menu ( HERE ). Added to the offering is the service. Which is very good indeed. You’ll be offered antipa...
Post a Comment
Read more

7.2.7 June 2025

Trams almost back to normal … HOWEVER. The 15 is now back to its full route, using the stop at the north end of Rua da Prata as its terminus. The shuttle bus (“naveta”) running between Praça da Figueira, Cais do Sodré and Alcântara has been withdrawn. Route 25 now has its town terminus at the north end of the Rua da Prata, and the 18 now turns back at Cais do Sodré, meaning no service trams are turning at Corpo Santo. And so to the 28. It’s a long-ish one, folks. The 28 is running normally all the way to Estrela and Prazeres. But, in the opposite direction, is turning back at Graça because of roadworks in the Rua do Forno do Tijolo (between Graça and Martim Moniz). After turning back at Graça, the 28 returns to the Baixa district, but then turns right up Rua da Prata, continuing via Praça da Figueira to Martim Moniz, following the route of the 12 up to São Tomé, back to its usual route, then straight on along the Rua Conceição and as normal to Chiado, Camões and so on. The Martim Moni...
Post a Comment
Read more

7.2.6 May 2025

Image
Padrão dos Descobrimentos , on the Belém waterfront, has reopened! Works on the “ water mirror ” fountain in Parque Recreativo Alto da Serafina have been completed, and the result is worth a visit on its own. The 770 bus from the north side of Sete Rios will take you there - an ideal place to chill for an hour or two, especially in the summer heat. Water Mirror at Alto da Serafina Next Sunday, May 18th, is International Museums Day, and Museu da Carris - the bus and tram museum - is offering free admission. Link HERE . For beer lovers, there is a craft beer festival on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th May, called Ponte & Pints, at Escala 25, below the Ponte 25 de Abril, on the north side of the Avenida da India, and close to the LX Factory. 14 craft brewers from across Portugal will be represented. There will also be food trucks, and what is called a “sustainable market”. Link HERE . On the subject of craft beer outlets, Crafty Corner , situated on the south side of the Cathedral, h...
Post a Comment
Read more

7.2.5 April 2025

Image
Easter (Páscoa) is almost upon us. Which, for Getting Around, means a few early morning and rush hour buses, trams and Metro services may not be running during the holiday period. If the route has a separate section for “ Dias Úteis - Férias Escolares ”, this will be the one used for weekdays. There should be no change to weekend services. A Tuk-Tuk at the LX Factory Good Friday and Easter Sunday are national holidays, but Easter Monday is not - it’s a normal working day. The Friday after the Easter weekend, 25th April, is Freedom Day; there may be road closures, and locations relevant to the Carnation Revolution will be busy. The first of May is Labour Day. But the big news for getting around the city this month is the latest restrictions on the Tuk-Tuk infestation. The number of streets from which these, and similar vehicles, are banned has risen to 337. Most of the new restrictions cover the Old Downtown, the area around the Castle, and locations like Nossa Senhora do Monte. In add...
Post a Comment
Read more