From Seville to Lisbon

What to see · Baixa

Praça do Comércio

It is Lisbon's grand square and the best place to start: a huge plaza open directly to the Tagus and surrounded by yellow arcades, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. On one side you have the water and the Cais das Colunas quay; on the other, the Arco da Rua Augusta, the gateway to Baixa. In the center, the equestrian statue of King José I.

Our tip: return at sunset, when the sun hits the river and the stone turns golden.

Museum · Baixa

MUDE, the Museu do Design

A stone's throw from the arch, right on Rua Augusta, the Museu do Design occupies the former headquarters of the Banco Nacional Ultramarino. The renovation stripped the building back to its bare concrete, and the best part is that you can go down to the bank's old vault, with its original armoured doors. Upstairs, there are exhibitions on design, fashion and posters.

Breakfast · Baixa

Co-Op Layday

Our breakfast spot in Lisbon, on Rua do Crucifixo, just minutes from Praça do Comércio. Specialty coffee, all-day brunch (eggs Benedict, pancakes, avocado toast) and a bright, calm place where you’ll want to linger. Perfect for fueling up before exploring Baixa.

Experience · Alfama

The 28 tram

Electric 28 tram is Lisbon's most famous tram. It departs from Martim Moniz Square, climbs the slopes of Graça and Alfama, passes by the Sé, the cathedral, and descends toward Baixa and Chiado up to Campo de Ourique. From the higher part you can see a good part of the city.

Our tip: hop on at the first stop, Martim Moniz, to sit down; wake up early, because it fills up at noon, and watch your wallet.

Creative district · Alcântara

LX Factory

Under the 25 de Abril Bridge, in the Alcântara district, a 19th-century former factory complex has become Lisbon's most creative corner: design shops, studios, bookstores, restaurants, terraces and urban art on every wall. It's best explored on foot, at a relaxed pace, and there's always something new. We highly recommend it.

Bookshop · LX Factory

Ler Devagar

Ler devagar means “read slowly” in Portuguese, and that’s exactly what this place invites. It’s one of Europe’s most famous and photogenic bookstores: shelves to the ceiling inside an old LX Factory printing house, the machinery on display and a bicycle that seems to fly over the readers.

Cause-focused shopping · LX Factory

Ivory Therapy T-shirts

At LX Factory we found Ivory Therapy, a clothing brand with a wonderful idea: for every item you buy, they donate an online therapy session with licensed clinical psychologists. You can use it yourself or give it to someone in need: someone going through a tough time or, simply, someone who could benefit from talking to someone and getting some advice to feel more at ease.

Really cool T-shirts with messages and a good cause behind them. For us, the best keepsake you can take from Lisbon.

Experience · Belém · They invited us

Sunset cruise with Tagus Cruises

Two hours on a sailboat along the Tagus with Captain Manel, and it was spectacular. As the sun sets, you’ll see from the water the Torre de Belém, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the 25 de Abril Bridge, the Christ the King and Lisbon's coast up to Praça do Comércio. On board you're welcomed with a glass of wine and you can order more drinks during the trip.

Sets off from Doca do Bom Sucesso in Belém, between the Altis Belém hotel and the Belém Tower. For us, Lisbon's best cruise.

Tagus Cruises invited SevillaLover to experience this cruise. Our opinion is ours.

Where to stay · Alcântara

Docas Hotel Lisbon

A new four-star boutique hotel, housed in the former Santo Amaro Docks warehouses in Alcântara, between Belém and the city center and a short walk from LX Factory. Rooms with river views, views of the harbour ships, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Christ the King, and its own restaurant and bar, DOCKTAILS. We loved the friendly service, the team's professionalism, and its simple, unpretentious style. Highly recommended.