Why a Lisbon Design Guide

One of the most surprising things about my travel in Portugal was to discover the city of Lisbon.

|| read more about our two weeks tour of Portugal here

Lisbon is the perfect city for all design enthusiasts because it features many interesting contemporary architectures and interiors, design shops, cool restaurants, in addiction to its strong tradition and history.

I can say now that Lisbon is one of my favourite European capitals and it was really a beautiful discovery. Indeed, while looking for information before leaving I was not able to find any Lisbon Design Guide, just a few articles talking about Lisbon design. I had to cross many different paper and web sources when planning my trip and I created my own list of design hotspots in Lisbon. I think this city deserves more popularity and I’m sure that soon it will become one of the trendiest European capitals.

What is this Lisbon Design Guide

I already talked a lot about Lisbon decadent charm and about its must-sees, with the things to do in Lisbon in my post here.

In this post/guide I’ve collected all those cool places in Lisbon that I’ve visited in person and that I recommend to all design enthusiasts. This is the right article for you if you are looking for cool restaurants, for nice design shops, for cute boutique hotels in Lisbon, or also for contemporary architecture in Lisbon. With a very personal and original point of view, far from touristic guides.

PS: The list is long, take note. My favourite hotspot is at the end  ♥

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[ ITALIAN ]

Perché una Guida Design di Lisbona 

Una delle cose più belle del mio viaggio a Lisbona (prima tappa di un tour del Portogallo che trovate qui) è stata quella di ritrovarmi in una città incredibilmente vivace dal punto di vista del design ma in un contesto fortemente radicato alla storia e alla tradizione.

Ve lo posso dire, Lisbona è entrata a pieno titolo nelle mie capitali Europee preferite. Lisbona non gode della popolarità di tante altre città e questo la rende ancora più interessante, in quanto in un certo senso ancora tutta da scoprire. Io stessa per stilare la mia guida ho dovuto incrociare tante fonti diverse e ho trovato davvero pochi articoli in merito a Lisbona e il design.

Cosa troverete in questa Guida Design di Lisbona 

Del fascino decadente di Lisbona e dei must-see, ovvero dei classici posti da vedere assolutamente, ve ne ho già parlato in questo post. In questo lungo articolo invece vi riporto una serie eterogenea di luoghi, da musei, a negozi, a ristoranti, che ho visitato di persona e che vi suggerisco se come me amate il design. E’ la lista perfetta anche per chi vuole vedere una Lisbona diversa da quella delle solite guide turistiche, con un occhio attento allo stile e all’originalità.

PS La lista è lunga e troverete il mio posto preferito alla fine  ♥

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Lisbon Design Guide | Contemporary architecture and museums

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MUDE DESIGN MUSEUM

MUDE DESIGN MUSEUM | R. Augusta 24, Lisboa

Did you know that Lisbon has a whole museum dedicated to design?

MUDE Design Museum is an amazing design museum located in a very central area (in the Baixa, just close Rua Augusta arch). The museum features a collection of more than 2500 design pieces, by Portoguese designers and temporary exhibitions. However, the real surprise is its interior architecture. Indeed, MUDE Design Museum was designed by Portoguese architects Carvalho e Vilhena, in a raw industrial building where everything, from ceiling to flooring, was left unfinished and raw

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MUSEU COLECAO BERARDO

MUSEU COLECAO BERARDO | Praça do Império, Lisboa

Located in the fascinating area of Belem, the Museu Coleçao Berardo offers an amazing selection of contemporary art from XX and XXI centuries.

The museum entrance is completely free entry: don’t miss the stunning Pano de Cena para A Flauta Mágica de Mozart , the colourful massive paint by Marc Chagall.

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MUSEU NACIONAL DO AZULEJO

MUSEU NACIONAL DO AZULEJO | R. Me. Deus 4, Lisboa

If you love architecture you just can’t miss this museum entirely dedicated to azulejos. Besides a wide historical collections of azulejos, the museum features also one part about azulejos and tiling in modern architecture and art.

|| Read here 10 things about azulejos tiles you didn’t know

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PARQUE DAS NACOES

Expo ’98 site is today one of the main attraction of the city. Parque das Naçoes is still one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe and contains several interesting architecural sites to be visited. If you love contemporary architecture you can’t miss:

• the stunning Oriente Station by Santiago Calatrava
• Vasco da Gama bridge, one of the longest bridges in Europe
• The BIG Oceanarium
• The amazing panorama from the top of the Teleferico
  

|| Find more about Parques dos Naçoes contemporary architecture on Lisbon Lux

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BAIXA-CHIADO METRO STATION

BAIXA-CHIADO METRO STATION

Designed by Alvaro Siza Vieira in 1998, this is one of the most impressive metro stations I’ve ever seen. The underground station is entrirely covered with white tiled vaults, covering the big climb from the underground level to the Chiado one (which is located in an upper area, because Lisbon is all made of up&downs). Don’t miss it.

|| Find more about contemporary architecture in Lisbon on Archdaily

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Lisbon Design Guide | Cool restaurants and café in Lisbon

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PORTAS DO SOL restaurant in Lisbon

PORTAS DO SOL | R. São Tomé 84A, Lisboa

This super nice design restaurant is located very close to the famous Miradouro of Alfama, in Largo das Portas do Sol.  The bar is located in a building designed by the  Aires Mateus, with a clean contemporary style, in a good contrast with the historical surroundings of the Alfama.

The interiors were designed by Stefano Riva, an Italian passionated about Lisbon. The interior style is contemporary  with a vintage touch, featurings raw materials, black and white and some original details in art deco styles (as the statement chandeliers in crystal).

Don’t miss it if you are looking for the best view of the Alfama.

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PHARMACIA restaurant in Lisbon

PHARMACIA | R. Mal. Saldanha 1, Lisboa

Pharmacia is a very cool design restaurant located close to another famous miradouro, the Miradouro de Santa Caterina,

If you are looking for something original to do in Lisbon you may enjoy a dinner here. The restaurant indeed is located in a former pharmacy (part of Lisbon’s Museum of Pharmacology) and the interior design concept entirely works around the pharmacy theme. Members of the staff wear the white uniform of clinicians, the interiors are furnished with 19th century glass cabinets filled up with bottles, pill jars and pharmaceutical jugs. Everything in a beautiful vintage mood in pastel tones. (have you seen the table setting?).

I recommend you also to enjoy a drink in the garden terrace at sunset time. Pharmacia garden is furnished with design pieces and has an amazing view over the Miradouro de Santa Caterina ♥

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FABULAS restaurant in Lisbon

FABULAS | Calçada Nova de São Francisco, Lisboa

In English, Fabulas means “fairy tale”. This is a really lovely restaurant/café located in Lisbon’s Chiado district.

Fabulas was opened by a Polish-Portuguese couple who decorated its interior is vintage and cosy mood. Old furnishings, wooden bookshelves, vintage pieces and different small rooms, to enjoy the meal or a drink in a very cosy setting. The café has two entrances, one through a courtyard in Rua Garrett, the other near the steps ascending from Rua Nova do Almada, but it’s really tricky to find it.

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PASTEIS DE BELEM

PASTEIS DE BELEM | R. Belém 84-92, Lisboa

You will find this patisserie in every Lisbon guides, so it is not such an original tip. However, Pasteis de Belem is a must both for its pasteis de nata (everybody says they are the best in town) and for its interior. Indeed, it is furnished in an original Portoguese style.

I confess you this: I just entered, took pictures and run out without de famous pastel, because it was really too crowd with tourists.

 || Yoou can find other stylish restaurants in Lisbon in this post and in the top 10 on Culture Trip

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Lisbon Design Guide | Best design shops in Lisbon

LOJA DAS CONSERVAS | Rua do Arsenal 130, Lisboa

Sardinhas everywhere and in every shape, that’s what you will find in Lisbon. Especially in this nice design shop, specialized in sardinhas. Loja das Conservas indeed is a colourful shop selling over 300 types of canned fish, coming from all over Portugal, in a nice design setting.

BY THE WINE | Rua das Flores 41, Lisboa

A VIDA PORTUGUESA | R. Anchieta 11,  Lisboa

A Vida Portuguesa is a design shop in Lisbon selling traditional Portoguese products but evived in a cool contemporary yet retro style. On sale you can find soaps and sardinhas in beautiful packaging, vintage furniture pieces like oak shelves and old style big tables, together with many gift ideas and home accessories. In addition to this, a wide range of Portoguese style stationery. This lovely concept store was created by journalist Catarina Portas and you can find her blog here

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FEIRA DA LADRA flea market in Lisbon

Campo de Santa Clara, Lisboa – every Tuesday & Saturday

Feira da Ladra is the flea market of Lisbon. Actually, it is also the most ancient one, because in this area there was a flea market since back in 12th century. However, the first times the name Feira da Ladra was mentioned in historical documents was in the 17th Century.

This flea market is located in the super beautiful neighborhood of Alfama. Enjoy your walk, get lost in the alleys and go for some shopping through the market stalls. But, as the name of this market says, be aware of pickpockets!

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PRINCIPE REAL, Lisbon trendiest neighborough 

Principe Real is currently the hippest neighborhood in Lisbon. Indeed, more and more independent boutiques are now opening in this area, together with nice places for a drink or a coffee and new concept stores. Know more about Principe Real here

> This is another nice shop I listed but missed in my visit!

|| You can find more cool design shops of Lisbon here

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Lisbon Design Guide | Design and boutique hotels in Lisbon

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LISBON SHORT STAY boutique hotel in Lisbon

Rua dos Sapateiros 158, Lisboa

Lisbon Short Stay is the perfect hotel of you are looking for a very original place where to stay in Lisbon, in the heart of historical centre. The hotel features eclectic style interiors, decorated with art, colours and very original settings. This cool design hotel is located in the Baixa area.

|| Read my full review about Lisbon Short Stay design hotel in Lisbon here

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INSPIRA SANTA MARTA Boutique hotel in Lisbon

Rua de Santa Marta 48, Lisboa

Inspira Santa Marta is the perfect hotel of you are looking for a comfortable and quiet design stay in Lisbon. In fact, this hotel is a feng-shui urban oasis located in central Lisbon, close to Avenida de Libertade shopping area.

|| Read my full review about Inpira Santa Marta boutique hotel in Lisbon here

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Lisbon Design Guide | Lisbon’s main hipster hotspot

LX Factory is the hipster hotspot in Lisbon. 

Read more about LX Factory Lisbon in this post

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