Lisbon Cleans Up Its Public Spaces
Lisbon has been cleaning up some of its long-neglected public spaces. It’s an election year so many see this as the current mayor’s hope to the be re-elected this October, but truth is, many of these places were desperate for a paint job. The most visible due to its central location is Largo Trindade Coelho, a small square faced by the recently reopened São Roque Museum and the city’s plainest church that hides an incredibly rich interior. Cars are no longer allowed to park around the square, and its kiosk cafe has become more attractive, although we rather go for the courtyard cafe of the São Roque Museum, especially for a weekend brunch.
Not far down the hill is Praça da Alegria, a square which is essentially a garden with a fountain in the center. It leads to Lisbon’s main avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, and you’ll pass by if you choose to dine at what in our opinion is the city’s best vegetarian restaurant nearby, Jardim dos Sentidos.
Farther away from the beaten path are the viewpoints of Monte Agudo and Penha de França. These two are very-little known spots found up such a steep hill, that we’re not even going to recommend you look for them when there are so many more beautiful viewpoints of easier access to discover. Still, if you live in Lisbon and in the neighborhood, you may want to take a look. That of Penha de Fraça is basically just a couple of seats looking over the rooftops of uptown’s office and apartment blocks, while at Monte Agudo you get a broader view that goes all the way to the river. Behind the benches available for contemplation is a bunch of pine trees, giving off a fresh smell that would make you feel you were not in a major city if you didn’t have the view below you.
