Maria Isabel Ferreira’s Lisbon

Your name: Maria Isabel Ferreira

Your role: Librarian (UDC Area) in the National Library of Portugal

What is your favorite cultural institution to visit in Lisbon? 

I have three! Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the National Museum of Ancient Art and MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology.  

What’s your favourite restaurant in Lisbon?

For Portuguese food I recommend: Solar dos Presuntos, Dom Feijão, Os Courenses, Salsa and Coentros, Floresta do Salitre, Adega Tia Matilde.

I love the Chinese Food at Dinastia Tang and at The Old House.

For views and food try Rio Maravilha, it has great views of the bridge and river.

Best place for a drink?

My favourite spots for a drink are: 

Príncipe Real - Gin Lovers: As the name suggests — this is the place to go for gin lovers.

Sky Bar - Tivoli  Liberdade Hotel: There are fantastic views from this rooftop bar.

São Jorge Restaurante: Another place with great views — near the São Jorge castle.

Cafe Le Chat: With views across the river this place is great for a cocktail after visiting the  National Museum of Ancient Art.

Park: This place is on the rooftop of an old car park and is one of the coolest bars in the city with views to match. 

Favourite coffee spot?

There are three places I think you shouldn’t miss. The Confeitaria Nacional in Praça da Figueira, Pastelaria Versailles, Av. Da República, and for a slice of Lisbon history check out "Brasileira" in the Chiado district.

What is the coolest neighbourhood in Lisbon?

For me, it’s a choice between Campo de Ourique, Alfama and Príncipe Real.

What is your favourite neighbourhood in Lisbon? 

Príncipe Real.

What is your ‘foodies’ tip for Lisbon? 

Codfish, fresh fish — for this go to Último Porto, Óbidos Alcântara.

For a unique and traditional take on Pastel de Nata check out Pasteis de Belém.

What activity/place should all visitors to Lisbon do/visit?

It’s hard to recommend just one! See my recommendations below for a more detailed itinerary, but I’d also recommend taking a ride through the Old Lisbon on eléctrico tram 28. 

If you only had 2 hours in Lisbon, what would you do? 

I’d take the following tour: Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, Terreiro do Paço, Rossio, Avenida da Liberdade, Alfama, Sé Cathedral, and finally Castelo de S. Jorge.