Hotel Marquês de Pombal 5 Secret Places in Lisbon you can't skip
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5 Secret Places in Lisbon you can't skip
May 01 2022
Visit Lisbon 
They go unnoticed in tourist guides, but dazzle those who pass by for the 1st, and even the 2nd or 3rd, time. In the heart of Lisbon or in the surroundings, today we invite you to dress up as a tourist and accompany us to five of the most secret places in the capital. Camera ready?
House of Alentejo
Can you guess what hides behind this door? It's called Casa do Alentejo, but it transports us to an Arab courtyard of a Moroccan rihad, with vegetation inspired by a tropical country. This palace of 1001 nights, former Alverca Palace built in the 17th century, is located in the heart of Lisbon, close to the emblematic Coliseu dos Recreios. Inside, we find an imposing staircase and rooms whose decoration refers to the Palace of Versailles. This restaurant is inspired by the Alentejo tradition with its açorda where there is no lack of poached egg and the typical sericaia with Elvas plum.
Simão's Bookshop
One of the city's biggest secrets is hidden behind the number 18 of the St. Cristóvão stairs. It's called Livraria do Simão and is the most little one in Lisbon, maybe in the world! It was born from the passion of Simão Carneiro, a former professor of chemistry, for literature and has now been in existence for 14 years. If two people can't fit here at the same time, the same cannot be said of the 14,000 books that live here. With only 4m2, the bookstore has space for short stories, poetry, novels, among other genres, of the most varied languages and values. There is also plenty of space to listen to a good story, told by Simão.
Typical José Franco Village
Also known as Aldeia Típica do Sobreiro or Aldeia Saloia, this small enchanted village awaits us between Ericeira and Mafra. It came to life in the early 60s, at the hands (and talent) of the potter José Franco, who recreated the way of life of the people of his childhood in homage to his land. Dedicated to children and appealing to adults, this village welcomes us with miniatures of houses and inhabitants that portray the activities of the time. Between windmills, carpentries, chapels, grocery stores or schools, here there is always space to play and awaken the smiles of our inner child.
The oldest house in Lisbon
Located in Alfama, it is over 500 years old and withstood the Lisbon Earthquake. With a tile panel dating back to the 20th century, the quaint and small white house that stands out on Rua dos Cegos deserves a long look. If number 20 on its little door could talk, it would tell infinite stories that would certainly have the History of Lisbon as the protagonist. Currently in the company of Vhils wall in honor of Amália Rodrigues, in the square below, the oldest house in the city continues to attract the most curious eyes of the people from Lisbon and tourists who pass through here.
Should we visit it too?
Vila Berta
It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and classified as a property of public interest since 1996. The Vila Berta, in Graça, was the target of recent requalification works with the aim of gaining a new life. The balconies decorated with flowered vases and the tiles on the walls are currently the calling card of this beautiful village, designed to house the workers who migrated to Lisbon. Today it continues to go unnoticed by many locals and tourists.
Now that we have uncovered some of the most secret places in the capital, we invite you to enjoy the spring sun and get lost in the charms of Lisbon! Who knows, you might find new places that were once secret too…
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House of Alentejo
Can you guess what hides behind this door? It's called Casa do Alentejo, but it transports us to an Arab courtyard of a Moroccan rihad, with vegetation inspired by a tropical country. This palace of 1001 nights, former Alverca Palace built in the 17th century, is located in the heart of Lisbon, close to the emblematic Coliseu dos Recreios. Inside, we find an imposing staircase and rooms whose decoration refers to the Palace of Versailles. This restaurant is inspired by the Alentejo tradition with its açorda where there is no lack of poached egg and the typical sericaia with Elvas plum.
Simão's Bookshop
One of the city's biggest secrets is hidden behind the number 18 of the St. Cristóvão stairs. It's called Livraria do Simão and is the most little one in Lisbon, maybe in the world! It was born from the passion of Simão Carneiro, a former professor of chemistry, for literature and has now been in existence for 14 years. If two people can't fit here at the same time, the same cannot be said of the 14,000 books that live here. With only 4m2, the bookstore has space for short stories, poetry, novels, among other genres, of the most varied languages and values. There is also plenty of space to listen to a good story, told by Simão.
Typical José Franco Village
Also known as Aldeia Típica do Sobreiro or Aldeia Saloia, this small enchanted village awaits us between Ericeira and Mafra. It came to life in the early 60s, at the hands (and talent) of the potter José Franco, who recreated the way of life of the people of his childhood in homage to his land. Dedicated to children and appealing to adults, this village welcomes us with miniatures of houses and inhabitants that portray the activities of the time. Between windmills, carpentries, chapels, grocery stores or schools, here there is always space to play and awaken the smiles of our inner child.
The oldest house in Lisbon
Located in Alfama, it is over 500 years old and withstood the Lisbon Earthquake. With a tile panel dating back to the 20th century, the quaint and small white house that stands out on Rua dos Cegos deserves a long look. If number 20 on its little door could talk, it would tell infinite stories that would certainly have the History of Lisbon as the protagonist. Currently in the company of Vhils wall in honor of Amália Rodrigues, in the square below, the oldest house in the city continues to attract the most curious eyes of the people from Lisbon and tourists who pass through here.
Should we visit it too?
Vila Berta
It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and classified as a property of public interest since 1996. The Vila Berta, in Graça, was the target of recent requalification works with the aim of gaining a new life. The balconies decorated with flowered vases and the tiles on the walls are currently the calling card of this beautiful village, designed to house the workers who migrated to Lisbon. Today it continues to go unnoticed by many locals and tourists.
Now that we have uncovered some of the most secret places in the capital, we invite you to enjoy the spring sun and get lost in the charms of Lisbon! Who knows, you might find new places that were once secret too…