Because summer in Lisbon lasts until October, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy some of the best spots of the season. Of the many terraces in the city (from outdoor cafés to riverfront restaurants), the ones to seek this summer are high up on the rooftops, offering views, cooler air, drinks, and relaxation after a day of sightseeing, meetings, or work:

SKY BAR

It was one of the most talked-about bars last summer and it’s back this year. The views alone are worth a visit, but then there is also a good variety of cocktails (including a couple of non-alcoholic choices), soups, salads, wraps and noodles. It’s found at the top of the Tivoli Lisboa Hotel and it’s especially recommended late in the afternoon, staying for a light dinner as the sun sets followed by late-night cocktails.

BRASSERIE ROSSIO

It’s one of Lisbon’s newest restaurants in one of the city’s newest hotels (Altis Avenida). So not too many people know that from here there are beautiful views of downtown all the way to the river, standing above Rossio Station and Restauradores Square. Although the dining area is indoors (but still offering views through its glassed walls), tables and chairs have been placed on the terrace so you can enjoy a light meal or simply a drink at any time of the day. And that’s open to everyone, including non-hotel guests.

NH LIBERDADE

Right in the center of Lisbon’s busiest avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, is one of the city’s top secrets. It’s on the top floor of the NH Liberdade Hotel, a terrace with a pool open to non-hotel guests. For 20 euros (quite reasonable for a hotel pool in the city center), you can spend the day diving and swimming surrounded by city views. When you need to regain some energy, there are salads, sandwiches, juices and beer to enjoy poolside until the sun sets.

TERRACE

It’s quite small and all the seats are usually taken when you get there, but it’s worth waiting for a spot at this rooftop bar in the Bairro Alto Hotel. Recommended for the afternoon, the drink to get on the hottest days is the “granizado,” a crushed ice and fruit blend.

ENTRETANTO

Perhaps the best-known of all Lisbon’s rooftop terraces, “Entretanto” of the Hotel do Chiado is nontheless looking to surprise its guests. It’s offering a “happy hour” late in the afternoon which actually lasts for more than 60 minutes, allowing you to enjoy special drinks and snacks at more reasonable prices. To accompany them are fantastic city views, from the castle to the top of the triumphal arch of Comercio Square.

Lisbon’s Comércio Square, under construction

It seems that over the past 10 years, Praça do Comércio (Lisbon’s monumental riverfront square) has never been without any construction work. First it was the opening of a tunnel for a new subway station, then works on the area’s sewage system, and then a brand new pavement and the closing to traffic of two of its sides. But finally this Saturday it will be completely open for everyone to sit and admire the surroundings. From the square you can gaze at the immensity of the river, admire the monumental architecture of the triumphal arch, and relax as you watch the ferries cross the Tagus.
For now, what’s new is a pavement that covers the square from East to West, removing traffic on two sides and providing space for café tables (cars and the city’s emblematic trams still circulate on the north and south sides of the square). Later this year the surrounding arcaded buildings will have new shops and a new restaurant is scheduled to open in October.
The first major event to take place in the renovated Praça do Comércio is an outdoor mass by Pope Benedict XVI this May 11th (a day to avoid this part of town for the non-devout). Activities from then until October will be the cleaning of the buildings’ façades and the addition of seats for tourists and locals to enjoy one of Lisbon’s grandest spaces.

Lisbon is already known for its natural and man-made viewpoints from where you can admire the beauty of the city, but starting this May there will be yet another place from where you can get bird’s-eye views. That will be from the top of the city’s triumphal arch that links the riverfront Comercio Square to the popular Rua Augusta.
From the top of the arch you’ll be standing above the monumental square that is undergoing renovation to also be completed in May, and will be able to see Lisbon from every angle, from downtown to Alfama and across the river. To reach the top you’ll have to climb 80 steep steps, although there have been reports of a future elevator.
On the side of the arch that faces Rua Augusta, there is a large clock that was literally stopped in time until a renovation a couple of years ago. However, it’s still showing its age (it ‘s almost 140 years old), and is once again not willing to work properly. That should be fixed this week, although as you may know, in Lisbon time runs at a very different pace, which is actually refreshing, especially when it stands still from one of its many viewpoints.

Downtown Lisbon has a new café. While most of the ones you see in the neighborhood are the classic Lisbon cafés for coffee and the traditional local pastries, this one is a contemporary café with more than just pastries and drinks. “Quente e Bom” also serves light meals together with the sweet creations by an award-winning team, and has plenty of space outside to place tables when the sun is out. It’s open throughout the week until 8PM and opens at 8AM on weekdays and 9AM on weekends. If you’re staying at one of the apartments in Baixa, this is therefore a great place for breakfast or to grab something to have in the comfort of your Lisbon home.
You’ll find it on number 46 of Rua da Vitória, just about one block away from the bustling Rua Augusta.

Downtown Lisbon has a new hotel. It’s the third to open in the past year, after Vincci Baixa and Gat Rossio. This one is called Altis Avenida and is also a 4-star boutique-style hotel. It has one of the best locations in the city, facing Restauradores Square and therefore also just around the corner from the bustling Rossio, with most of the rooms offering beautiful views. Some of them face Restauradores, while others look over Rossio all the way to the river.
The building was built in the 1940s and has been fully renovated. While the interior is contemporary, it is slightly inspired by 1940s glamour when Lisbon was a neutral safe haven for exiled nobility during WWII.
In total there are 72 rooms, with the top floor reserved for a restaurant and a terrace bar overlooking all of downtown.
The hotel is perfect for both leisure and business travelers, with a meeting room, business center, and free wifi throughout the building.
You may get more information and book it here: Altis Avenida Hotel

“Confeitaria Nacional” is the oldest pastry shop/confectionery in downtown Lisbon. It opened in 1829 and became popular especially during Christmas time when it sells the specialty “Bolo Rei.” “Bolo Rei” (literally “King Cake”) is known as Portugal’s traditional Christmas cake, but its origins are actually in France. That’s where the recipe was brought from in the mid-19th century, by the Castanheiro family which is still behind the now-classic shop in Praça da Figueira. It’s been copied all over Portugal but the original, and many swear the best, is still in Lisbon’s Confeitaria Nacional. The secret is strictly following the original recipe which has stayed with the family for almost two centuries.
Over the years the shop has won international prizes in cities like Vienna and Paris, and its reputation led to the Portuguese royal family to make it their official baker.
For this year’s 180th anniversary, there is no special celebration going on, but the exterior of the shop is decorated in the Christmas spirit, and Lisboetas and tourists are lining up at the counter to get their own “Bolo Rei” or to try one of the sweet pastries. Upstairs is a tea room, and a separate section serving a daily special menu of traditional Portuguese dishes at lunch time.

Lisbon’s sweetest new shop just opened last week in Baixa, just around the corner from the pedestrian Rua Augusta and the Design and Fashion Museum. Follow the tram 28 tracks down Rua da Conceição and you’ll see the renovated façade of a centuries-old shop now showcasing all kinds of colorful candy. It’s called “Papabubble,” a new shop that’s also opened in Barcelona, New York, Amsterdam, and Tokyo. Everything is chemical-free and handmade on the premises, offering over thirty fruity flavors. They come in a variety of shapes, and can be molded into anything that the client wishes. All it takes is water, glucose, sugar, and some flavors, and you can have personalized candy to enjoy yourself or to share at a party. Prices range from 2.50 to 30 euros depending on the size.
The shop is open every day except Sundays, from 10:30AM to 7:30PM. The exact address is Rua da Conceição, 117-119.

On your way to the Castle of St. George from downtown Lisbon, you’ll pass by Rua da Madalena whether you’re doing it on tram 28 or walking. If you pay attention to the shops on that street along the way, you’ll find Amatudo, a gift shop selling unique Portuguese products that are alternatives to the kitschy souvenirs at most of the other gift shops in the city. Many of those other shops sell exactly the same items you’ll find in any other city except that instead of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben you’ll see the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, or the Discoveries Monument pictured on them.
So for something more truly unique to Lisbon you’ll have to look for those shops offering more authentic local products. An already hugely popular shop is A Vida Portuguesa in Chiado, but there are now others worth being discovered.
At Amatudo you’ll also love practically everything you see, from the attractive packagings to the distinctive designs. Everything is Portuguese-made, straight out of the hands of Portuguese designers and artisans, and ranges from the increasingly-famous Portuguese soaps to Ginjinha bottles to traditional Portuguese jams and honey. There is also space for jewelry and ceramics, including images of local icons such as Saint Anthony and poet Fernano Pessoa with alternative looks and made of different materials, often to humorous effect.
This is therefore a shop that appeals not just to tourists, but also to locals or any Lisbonphile. Check it out.

Address: Rua da Madalena 76/78
Phone: 218 862 631

It was closed for eight long months for the renovation of its surrounding buildings, but Lisbon’s oldest funicular has just reopened. Although tourists prefer the two other historical elevators when curious about a ride on these charming vehicles (that of Bica down one of the most picturesque streets in the city, and that of Gloria from downtown to Bairro Alto), Elevador do Lavra is also found in a central location and it’s just as fun. It goes up the hill around the corner from the pedestrian Rua das Portas de Santo Antão and takes you to a small neighborhood park at the top.
That park too has just reopened after a clean-up and is one more viewpoint overlooking the city. It’s called Jardim do Torel and looks out to Baixa towards the river, as well as over the high rises uptown. There are now new benches shaded by the trees, and it’s a romantic, uncrowded spot for couples. For tourists it’s discovering an authentic Lisbon experience that very few others know about and that rarely comes mentioned in guidebooks.

Since last March there is a new shop in downtown Lisbon offering only the most special products “made in Portugal.” Meio da Praça is found on Rua da Prata and has everything from quirky souvenirs to special gourmet products. You’ll see tshirts saying “Portugal is a country right next to Spain!” or the best of all Portuguese olive oils, and you’ll likely stay at the shop browsing for a while. Best of all is that everything is really inexpensive and you can find some traditional products that are disappearing from most other shops.
For some ideas of what you’ll find at “Meio da Praça,” see the shop’s website: meiodapraca.blogspot.com