Lisbon through the eyes of SOLO Brewing: that exclusive small tour that we love
Many of our customers here at SOLO Lisbon are tourists. And as a SOLO customer quickly becomes a friend, between one conversation and another with our owner Adroaldo, one question never fails: "What to see in Lisbon?" or "What can't be missed on our tour, Adroaldo?"
After so many tips and suggestions given about what to do in Lisbon, Adroaldo decided to sketch out a one-day guide to the city, including everything he thinks is unmissable, and this guide finally turned into a blog post. Check it out!
Exploring Lisbon in One Day: A Local Resident's Guide
Embark on a delightful journey through Lisbon, starting with a delicious brunch at Solo Brewing to kick off the day in the best possible way! From there, let's start our adventure:
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Praça Duque de Saldanha
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DgfKn1Yh6MjCQNUQ7
Located just a 4-minute walk from SOLO, in the heart of Saldanha, stands the monument to Duque de Saldanha, sculpted in bronze between 1904 and 1909. Admire the statue of the marshal, pointing with his right hand to the south.
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Marquês de Pombal Monument
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DU9vx1CdrNzzusz39
Walk down Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, a continuation of Avenida da República, until you reach the Marquês de Pombal monument, inaugurated in 1934. Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo (1699-1782), Marquês de Pombal, was a Portuguese diplomat and statesman. He was minister to King D. José and responsible for the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake.
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Parque Eduardo VII
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KfiVrYDNmfkW2w45A
The largest park in central Lisbon, it spans 25 hectares in a rectangular and ascending format, with the lower part facing the Marquês do Pombal square, the starting point for various hop-on hop-off buses in Lisbon.
The central strip of the park, covered in grass, is flanked by long sidewalks made of Portuguese pavement and wooded areas. Along its length, there is the Carlos Lopes Pavilion, a children's playground with the Beca a Beca kiosk - a good option for a strategic stop -, a large lake with carp, and the Estufa Fria, with a variety of exotic plants. If you have time, the walk is definitely worth it!
At the top of the park, there is a viewpoint with a beautiful view of the Tagus River and a large Portuguese flag hoisted.
Parque Eduardo VII hosts various events, such as the Lisbon Book Fair, Snowland, and in 2023, it was the stage for some of the religious moments of World Youth Day.
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Avenida da Liberdade
https://maps.app.goo.gl/S6jRhpJN9HvtZpr27
One of Lisbon's postcards, it connects Praça dos Restauradores to Praça Marquês de Pombal in just over a kilometer and is home to large hotels, luxury brands, and the prestigious São Jorge Cinema, inaugurated in 1950 and still in operation. Walk along the iconic Avenida da Liberdade and enjoy the shade of the trees on this beautiful green strip of the city, on your way to Praça do Rossio.
After crossing Praça dos Restauradores, pass by the National Theater Dona Maria II and head to Largo de São Domingos. Enjoy a shot of Ginjinha at the historic "A Ginjinha," which was the first establishment to sell the drink in Lisbon, in 1840. Lisboner's tip: Ask for your ginjinha "com elas" - the ginja cherry - and enjoy the original flavor of this Portuguese liqueur.
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Casa do Alentejo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RoKuS1Ciawipovgy6
If the Ginjinha has whetted your appetite, take the opportunity to have lunch at Casa do Alentejo. There, you will delight in an authentic Portuguese meal from the Alentejo region and marvel at its unique architecture.
Passing by its facade, on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, you can't even imagine what awaits you inside. The place is a cultural space that hosts a series of activities, in addition to offering the best of Alentejo gastronomy in the heart of Lisbon. The restaurant is set in two beautiful rooms adorned with tile panels from the 17th and 20th centuries, and the Tavern, where you can enjoy snacks in an open and relaxed atmosphere.
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Rua Augusta
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRmiTvq2xNfsUfRG9
After a lovely lunch, continue your journey along Rua Augusta, from Praça do Rossio to the famous Arco da Augusta, already facing Praça do Comércio. Rua Augusta is famous for its historic commerce and has been closed to vehicle traffic since the late 1980s. Extremely touristy, it's common to find various street artists, craftsmen, and street vendors there.
Make a stop at A Manteigaria to try delicious pastéis de nata, but only if there's a line (!!). It's rare, but if by chance there's no line, prefer to stop by on your way back, so you're guaranteed to get freshly baked pastries, to experience their unique texture and flavor. Once they cool down, they lose much of their charm, just like a good coffee.
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Praça do Comércio
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q7en5Er2vwo8iXgH7
Cross the Triumphal Arch of Rua Augusta until you reach Praça do Comércio, where you can admire the splendor of the Tagus River and take photos. The light in Lisbon is breathtaking, so don't miss the opportunity to capture beautiful pictures.
In the center of the square stands the equestrian statue of D. José I, from 1775. The statue was part of the plan to rebuild Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake, along with Praça do Comércio, which was previously known as Terreiro do Paço, part of the Paço da Ribeira.
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Miradouro da Graça
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bco47TLEesaZEbHt7
Our suggestion for watching a beautiful sunset is the Miradouro da Graça. Attached to the Church of Graça, in addition to enjoying a beautiful view, take the opportunity to relax at the tables while having a beer, a cider, or even a glass of wine.
To get there without the effort of climbing, take the Graça Funicular at Martim Moniz and arrive at your destination in about 5 minutes.
If you like craft beer, you can choose to watch the sunset at Taproom Oitava Colina, just over five minutes' walk from the Miradouro da Graça.
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Fado in Alfama or Mercado de Campo de Ourique
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End the day with a dinner accompanied by Fado at Fama de Alfama. It's essential to book a table in advance, as the place is highly contested.
Another option is to take the Elétrico 28 to Campo de Ourique and have dinner at Mercado de Campo de Ourique, founded in 1934 and remodeled in 1991 and 2013. Today it has a series of gourmet food stalls and live music in the evening (check the schedule). This is a hot spot for locals and has far less tourists than other markets in Lisbon.
Experience the essence of Lisbon in just one day, embracing its rich history, culinary delights, and stunning views. Don't forget to savor every moment and create unforgettable memories along the way. Then come back here to comment on how your experience in Lisbon was.