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7.2.21 May 2026

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Still no sign of the final report into the accident on the Elevador da Glória, and so we start, once more, with the alternatives to using funiculars. Don’t slog up those hills just because the funiculars have been suspended. Minibus 51E gives an alternative to the Santa Justa lift, and an alternative to the Glória funicular; Bairrobus 19B gives an alternative to the Lavra funicular; Bairrobus 22B gives an alternative to the Bica funicular. HOWEVER there is one piece of good news on funiculars: the new funicular from Rua dos Lagares to the Miradouro da Graça has now reopened after being inspected and passed safe for travel. TRAM 28 NEWS Once again, the 28 tram is turning back at Camões due to work in Calçada da Estrela. Substitute minibus operating between Camões and Prazeres, and the usual reminder that, on Monday to Friday (but not public holidays) you can get to Prazeres by tram on the 25 from Praça da Figueira, Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré. The works are estimated to last ...
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6.2.38 Pravda Craft Mission (Parede)

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Rua Miguel Bombarda 344 Location HERE . Third outlet for the beer from Lviv, this one a little out of town, and outside Zone L, but an option if you got a day ticket that includes trains out to Cascais. A short walk from Parede station on the Linha de Cascais. From the Cascais-bound platform there is an underpass from the east end (CAUTION: steps). From the Cais do Sodré bound platform, just walk off the east end of the platform face and follow the road alongside the railway. In either case, where the underpass comes out is just opposite the bar. And the bonus this outlet has over the ones at Marvila and Estefânia is Plenty Of Outside Seating. A full list of Pravda beers is offered on tap; there are also plenty of bottle and can choices. Good place to chill when the weather is good. Rail services at Parede station. [ HOME ]
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5.1.19 A Tasca Do Chico

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Rua do Diário de Notícias 39 Location HERE . You want Fado? Here it is. THIS OUTLET IS CASH ONLY In the middle of the Bairro Alto, this small and intimate space presents Fado more or less every evening. You’re a couple? You’re sharing that table with two other people, who may be a couple, or two solo visitors. Wooden tables, wooden benches, no seats-with-backrests. If you wanted something comfier, you came to the wrong place. Around 30 punters (at most) accommodated. The food is fairly basic, with few changes to the menu over time. Flaming sausage, chick pea and bacalhau salad, Caldo Verde, breaded chicken pieces, Pasteis de Bacalhau, olives, bread basket, all washed down (mainly) with house wine. You can have the menu brought to you in English, but don’t think that this is a tourist only place. Because it isn’t. Prices are not bargain basement cheap, but that isn’t the point: Fado is what you come here to experience, and no Fado experience is free. Get there at or before 1900 hours an...
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6.1.13 Copenhagen Coffee Lab And Bakery

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Rua Nova da Piedade 10 Location HERE . CHAIN OUTLET with several (non-bakery) shops across Lisbon. But this one has the bakery, and is ideally suited to the area. Why so? It’s just below Praça Flores, on a street that leads down to the area around the Palacio São Bento, the Parliament building. There are buses, but only small ones, and lots of passing Smart fortwos. It’s got a seriously artisan vibe, before you throw in an upmarket, but not outrageously expensive, café. CAUTION Portuguese focused coffee people, you can’t get a Galão, but a Latté is similar. The staff are welcoming, offering to bring your order over to the table once you’ve got seated, and it’s ready. ALSO if you’re walking down from Principe Real, the first door you come to is not the one currently in use. Some punters visit just to get take-away; others sit outside at the back. As you might expect from the name, there are Danish-style pastries on offer, and very enjoyable they are too. Buses 19B, 22B and 773. [ HOME ]
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4.7.5 Cacilhas and Cristo Rei

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Across the river from Cais do Sodré, via the shortest ferry crossing in town, Cacilhas is a ferry terminal, part of the city of Almada, with a tram and bus station next to the ferry berth. There are cafés and restaurants just back from the waterfront, plus a small maritime museum which houses the sailing ship Dom Fernando II e Glória, and submarine S164 (these are pay attractions). But the main attraction for those making the ferry trip over from Cais do Sodré is to visit Santuário de Cristo Rei (Sanctuary of Christ the King), located on a nearby hilltop. View from the terrace This is outside Zone L, so best bet for those using public transport is to get a separate cardboard Navegante ticket, load it with credit, and use it in Zapping mode. CAUTION if you’re on a Lisboa Card, I’m not sure if it includes the ferry, but it certainly doesn’t include the bus from Cacilhas to Cristo Rei. Ferry schedule HERE . Bus 3001 schedule HERE . The bus terminus at Cacilhas is on the east side of the ...
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7.2.20 April 2026

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Still no sign of the final report into the accident on the Elevador da Glória, and so we start with the alternatives to using funiculars. Don’t slog up those hills just because the funiculars have been suspended. Minibus 51E gives an alternative to the Santa Justa lift, and an alternative to the Glória funicular; Bairrobus 19B gives an alternative to the Lavra funicular; Bairrobus 22B gives an alternative to the Bica funicular. Gare Oriente MUSEUM REMINDER 1 The Tile Museum is still closed for repairs. Expect re-opening around June. No word of confirmation yet. BELÉM REMINDER Torre de Belém still closed for repairs. Re-opening date uncertain. Yes, much of the scaffolding has been taken away, but it’s still closed. WEATHER: good news at last. There has been a warm spell, and though that is due to end, temperatures should remain mild. More sunny days to come, but be prepared when the rain makes a visit. Cos it can be heavy. Jardim Sá da Bandeira - the green space on the west side of t...
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4.7.4 Cascais

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The beach resort at the end of the line (location HERE ). This is a dry weather day out. Ideal for summer, and the parts of spring and autumn when the sun shines. Get there by suburban train from Estação Cais do Sodré (timetable HERE ). Train travel has no additional cost if you have a valid Lisboa Card. Otherwise, get a cardboard Navegante card loaded with credit, and use it in Zapping mode. Validate the ticket at the boarding station, and arrival station, by using the validation machines provided, or passing through the automatic barriers. As a last resort, visit the ticket office at Cais do Sodré, and buy a ticket from there on the day. Best to board the train at Cais do Sodré outbound, and at Cascais inbound. Get on the platform in good time and secure your seats. The trains load heavily throughout the day, and there will often be standing loads. Leaving the station at Cascais, bear left after the ticket barriers, and exit onto the roundabout. From there, it’s more or less straight...
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