São Vicente de Fora, chasing Lisbon's history

Would you like to get to know the historical events of Lisbon since its origins, with us?

The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora is considered perhaps one of the most beautiful religious buildings of the city of Lisbon and certainly one of the most underrated. Sure there are other important places to visit, but for those who have already been to Lisbon or for those who want to see something different, and very significant, this place cannot be missed!

The Monastery has arisen in one of the first inhabited areas of Lisbon, situated between the traditional and ancient neighborhoods of Alfama and Graça. Its foundations are age-old and immersed in the cold waters of a natural water source from which the main columns of the structure emerge!

It is possible to visit the interior gardens of the building, its huge rooms filled with Portuguese history, the silence of its cloister, and also have access to the exciting view you can enjoy from the Monastery’s terrace. 

All of this defines this building as a beautiful architectural work to be found, and confirms it’s history as part of the history of Lisbon itself.

Discover the traditional neighborhoods of the city, and their magnificent religious monuments, choose off-mainstream sites, get to know the city from its heart and refuse to be a part of the masses, 
be yourself!

João's bar

Bairro Alto is one of the old inhabited parts of the city and also its nightlife district by excellence. Bairro of restaurants, clubs, bars, discos and pubs. The active nightlife of Lisbon runs through its labyrinthine network of streets filled with multiple places. 

The best here is you don’t need to choose where to go in advance: this is the place where you can just to go into a bar, have a drink, leave and go to the next.

However, you have to pay attention because, some locals take advantage of the situation, false free drinks, "surprise" prices, higher than the normal, and so on. For this reason it's useful to have some spots as "reference points", where you can be sure to have good drink, for a fair price in a nice atmosphere. 

João's bar is one of this places.

The real name of the place is irrelevant, everyone calls it João's bar. The bar is has been open for one year now, and manages to survive despite the economic crisis and the competitive conditions of other clubs nearby, how?

At the first sight the bar hasn't got anything special or amazingly different, but that is maybe what makes it special ... this feeling of simplicity and familiarity we get when we are inside. Of course, all of this has to do with the owner, João who is also the barman, besides being a very friendly and interesting person, he is always available to exchange a few words, suggest some particular drinks, or prepare original and personalized cocktails and shots.

The most famous are his fire shots, they are shots that have a fire trick associated, absolutely innocuous and certainly very funny. 

Near closure time, instead of sending you out, João allows you to stay inside and finish your drink without any stress or hurry.

There is no payment at the entrance, and consumption is not mandatory, the prices are below average, the atmosphere is very pleasant, and if you get to know João, he always offers you a drink.

At the anniversary of the bar's opening... desserts and drinks are free for all ... Also for those who enter for the first time!

Choose to visit the spots that you like, get the feeling of the "movida lisboeta", discover the nightlife of the capital and have fun, be youself!

The district

Martim Moniz is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon. The huge square in the center of the district is the crucial place between the districts situated on the top of the hills (Graça and Mouraria) and the plain areas of the center (Rossio, Restauradores Baixa). The square is the symbol of the neighborhood itself, its strengths and weaknesses. The name of the district comes from an important historical event, in fact, during the taking of Lisbon by the Christian troops (during the Christian reconquest of the Iberian lands), the knight Martim Moniz sacrificed his life to prevent that the More troops closed the castle's gate. Martim Moniz decided to sacrifice his life, keeping the door open with his body, so the Christian knights were able to get into the walls and then win the battle.

Today the old city walls, called walls Moura, no longer exists (or almost) in its place there is a rich Mundial hotel, with its magnificent disco / bar located on the rooftop overlooking the poor neighborhoods. Across the square the shopping center “Mouraria” and "Avenida Almirante Reis" inaugurate the green metro line (the one that goes to the poorest neighborhoods of the center). So, here we are, in Martim Moniz square, a place of transition between the center and the old poor neighborhoods, history, music, colors and multiculturalism, but also of degradation. However, these districts are in the recovery phase, the municipality of Lisbon is renovating them one by one with a large and ambitious reconstruction project. Martim Moniz square, and its surrounding buildings, was the first step of this phase of "reconstruction", but unfinished... In fact, the modern buildings haven’t yet been completed and the work has been slow due to lack of funds.

In conclusion Martim Moniz is a historic district, ancient and modern, degraded and renovated, alive, charming and with many, many things to see and stories to hear.

The Martim Moniz Tour is recommended especially for young people, but also to families, of course accompanied by a guide, because this district is a labyrinth waiting to be discovered! Let us show the adventure and the mysteries of Martim Moniz.

The pool of pillows

 

 

In Lisbon there is a hidden place with a swimming pool cushions inside.  One day, walking casually through the streets of Bairro Alto, I found an open door that led to a secret garden ... attracted by the noise coming from the inside i decided to go in. And so I found a beautiful garden with pillows, deck chairs and sun loungers surrounding a swimming pool filled with big white pillows. At the bar you could drink and eat something and then ... enjoy Lisbon from this garden / terrace that overlooked the city.

Choose what you want to visit, in which local hang out, where you want rest, create your own personal tour, be yourself!

Assembleia da República

 

The Assembleia da República is the seat of the Portuguese Parliament, this martial palace is the place where all the politicians and the most important members of the government meet together. The impressive construction of white marble, renovated during the Salazar dictatorship, symbolizes power, a strong power anchored in the Lusitanian history. The structure is impressive and huge, with large gardens inside and temporary residences of various politicians and important people. 

Do you want to know the modern portuguese history? The transition from salazarismo to democracy? The current policies and the Portuguese system?

Then come with us, choose to include the Assembleia da República in your tour and contact us, be yourself!