Location

The Old Town District Lapa

This fascinating area is known in Lisbon as The Special Quarter and Lisboetas regard it as one of the best areas to live. For 300 years, Lapa was a favourite summer holiday destination for the English aristocracy. Today the atmosphere of that bygone, elegant age is to be found in the streets and squares where there are some magnificent examples of various architectural styles. Our apartments are well placed for local shops with some excellent bakeries, a couple of small supermarkets and a very convenient wine merchant’s. Eating out is no problem as there are any number of cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets and all within easy walking distance. It’s not surprising that Lapa is also home to some of Lisbon’s finest museums, churches and public gardens. A short walk to the north of our apartment is the grandiose baroque Basilica Estrela and the famous Jardim da Estrela. A little way to the south is the Museum of Ancient Art with its fine view of the harbour and docks. A wander through the streets with their old villas and palaces interspersed with small, old established businesses and shops, many with their original décor and facades, is perfect for an evening stroll before dinner. If you prefer riding, a round-trip on the vintage No.28 tram (from outside the Basilica) is ideal for a wonderful (and cheap) tour of Lisbon. (top-up 7 Colinas travel cards are available from the ticket machines [there’s an English menu] in any Metro Station – these give you unlimited travel on the metro, trams, and Carris buses within central Lisbon and are good value – the transport system actually works and runs until 1.00 am! We recommend you put €10 credit on the card.

Wining & Dining
We recommend you delicious small restaurants on the Rua Lapa for a quick lunch. Further down the street to the south (towards the river), is A Guarda Mor is ideal for dinner. Clube das Journalistas, on the Rua das Trinas, is a little off the beaten track but has a wonderful garden bar – ideal for a good evening out. A great place to relax at any time of the day is the café in the Jardim da Estrela.

Transport from the Airport
By far and away the easiest way is to take a taxi which should cost around €15 but we recommend that you negotiate the fare before setting off. From the airport you can take the metro until Rato station. Alternatively, take the Aerobus direct to Praca do Comercio and then take the 28 tram (destination Prazeres) to Basilica Estrela. You can now buy the combined Carris bus, tram and metro tickets at the post office in the airport. - €10 credit on a 7 Colinas card will give unlimited travel for between 2 – 3 days or longer depending on how much you use it.