The famous 28

One of Lisbon's iconic transports is the Tramway, and Tram 28 is the most famous due to its route. These trams have been around since the early 1900's and still maintain the same charm of the beginning, inspite of the new and modern ticket system.

28 is part of Lisbon's Tram route, and it is mostly used by tourists who wish to experience Lisbon in the most traditional and historical way. It cruises the city throughout narrow streets that are difficult to reach, even by car. It touches a couple of landmarks of Lisbon's history, places such as St. George's Castle, Sé Cathedral and Estrela Church.

The route goes between Prazeres and Martim Moniz and here is where we start our ride. This stop is not far from our Hotel, just a few walking minutes, very easy to get to.

The first meaningful and historical stop is the Church São Vicente de Fora, designed by Fillipo Terzi, its construction started in 1582 and finished in 1627. Then Feira da Ladra where you can find antiques and second hand items.

The Tram keeps rolling down the narrow Calçada de São Vicente until it reaches the Portas do Sol and the belvedere Santa Luzia which enjoys the beautiful sights of the Tejo river and from where you can simply get to  St. George's Castle.

The next stop is Sé Cathedral a landmark of Lisbon's foundation after the conquest to the Moorish. Downhill and pass St. Antonio's Church and through Downtown Lisbon rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1755.

Now, it will start climbing another hill to the Chiado District where you can find Café Brasileira and S. Carlos Theatre continuing through Camões Square and then Calçada do Combro, where you will find the access to the Bica lift.

The ride continues through narrow streets of simple houses until it reaches the National Parliament in São Bento. Now, it is time to climb the Calçada da Estrela and on the top you may see Basílica da Estrela a landmark built in the XVIII century.

The route is now near its end, through the fancy district of Campo de Ourique until the last stop in front of Prazeres Cemetery.

As you can see a ride that you can't miss, with a piece of advice: watch out for pickpockets. Unfortunately, they exist and are present on this Tram. Don't let them ruin a perfect ride.

Lisbon Zoo

With 135 years, Lisbon’s Zoo was the first park in the Iberian Peninsula to have fauna and flora. Hosting two thousand animals from 300 different species, Lisbon’s “Noah’s Ark” plays an important role in the protection of endangered species and their habitats.

Lisbon’s Zoo is one of the world’s most important parks with one of the largest animal collections and it centers most of its activity in animal protection and reproduction.

Thru daily presentations, visitors can watch, from a short distance, species from all over the world and be amazed by its curiosities.

A visit to the Zoo offers an unforgettable experience: a ride in the cable car; a visit to the “Quintinha” (a small farm dedicated mainly for children) where you can find domestic animals; a surprising passage thru the Reptile House and finishing with a Dolphins’ presentation.

By visiting Lisbon’s Zoo you’re contributing to its mission to develop and promote a zoological and botanical park, as preservation, reproduction, and reintroduction of endangered species center, through scientific studies and environmental enrichment programs.

Ginjinha

Ginjinha is one of the most Portuguese typical drinks and today, we’ll introduce you to it. Present in every market or any typical tavern, it has its “hotspots” in Rossio Square.

The morello (or sour) cherry is the fruit of the morello tree (Prunus cerasus L.), which belongs to the same species of the cherry tree (Prunus avium L.). Although from distinct species, the fruit of both trees have great similarities, the morello cherry is more acidic than the cherry which is sweeter.

The morello tree had its origin in the Southwest Asia but was brought by the Romans to various places of their empire.

In Portugal, there are written references to its presence since, at least, the 1st century A.D.. In the 15th century, the use of the morello cherries was already very common in our country, either for fresh consumption or for medicinal applications. In the 18th century, due to conventual recipes, a handmade drink of morello cherries dipped into brandy started to be marketed. This experiment recipe later evolved into the well-known ginjinha (little morello, in Portuguese).

Nowadays, ginjinha is a liqueur obtained through the maceration of the morello (sour) cherries with sugar and aguardente (a Portuguese brandy), without preservatives. But still, it is frequently flavored
with other ingredients such as cinnamon stick or vanilla. It has a red or ruby color, it is fruit-scented, with velvety and sweet or bittersweet intense flavor.

With an alcohol content of around 20%, it ought to be savored at a temperature of about 10°C, as a digestive, or simply whenever you feel like it.


The ritual of drinking this liqueur is very simple as you can either have it without the morello cherries, "ginjinha sem elas” (ginjinha without them) or with the morello cherries, "ginjinha com elas” (ginjinha with them).

Like other fado singers, the eternal Amália Rodrigues dedicated a fado song to ginjinha, praising it. It is a typical product of some Portuguese regions such as Serra da Estrela and Algarve, with a higher reputation in the regions of Óbidos and Alcobaça. In Lisbon, ginjinha is especially popular and it is one of the capital’s ex-libris.

Lisbon’s Viewpoints

Bathed by the Tejo River, Lisbon was built on hills during 2000 years and on top of each hill a different perspective of the city.

On each hill, you will find a viewpoint with its own history but with the same finale... our beautiful city: Lisbon!

The only man-made viewpoint is the Santa Justa lift, which was built by a student of Gustave Eiffel and offers views of St. George's Castle and the "Baixa Pombalina".

St. George Castle's viewpoint is probably the best sight of the city: you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Tejo River all the way to the bridge and, on the opposite side, a beautiful view of the downtown area up to the Parque Eduardo VII.

Another famous viewpoint is the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with a perfect view of the river and harbor.

Moving up in the city you will find São Pedro de Alcântara, which you can reach by taking the Glória lift, and that allows you to enjoy views of St. George's Castle and of the Avenida da Liberdade.

On the opposite side, it is possible to find the Senhora do Monte and Graça's viewpoints, hidden behind the castle and from where you can see the Bairro Alto district and Martim Moniz.

These are only some of the options. There are other wonderful places to visit such as Penha de França, Monte Agudo and Parque Eduardo VII.

On our App, you will find a Route that will help on your visit

Lisbon Leading Golf Destination

The Sun is shining, the sky is light blue and you have green trees shaken by a small breeze but not enough to spoil your stroke, this is just the right scenario for a perfect Tee.

At the end of the day, you return to the hotel and guess what? You are in downtown Lisbon, surrounded by history and culture, just a few walking minutes away from a couple of the most well-known Cafés and Restaurants. Impossible, you may say! Not really, let me tell you why:

Lisbon is not known as a primary Golf destination, but according to a survey made in 2018 by the Lisbon Tourism Council, for 49,3% of the enquired, Golf is the reason they’ve decided to visit Lisbon.

There are several courses available in Lisbon or in the surrounding areas, with easy and quick access by car. This way, instead of staying confined to the resort facilities you can have the best of two worlds and enjoy the pleasure of golfing and still feel the bubbling of a cosmopolitan city.

Here are a few examples of Golf Courses, just at hand:

Quinta da Marinha

The Golf Course at Quinta da Marinha has 18 holes with 5.870 meters of unadulterated nature surroundings and major challenges. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Senior, this par 71 has great views to the Atlantic Ocean and Sintra Mountains. The area, Lisbon Golf Coast, won the IAGTO Award in 2007 - Best Established Golfing Destination Europe.

Paço do Lumiar 

Designed by an American architect, Gary Grandstaff, Paço do Lumiar is a 9 holes Golf Course designed as a challenge for the better player while remaining great fun for all the family. Huge U.S.G.A. tees allowing for constant repair on our 7 par three and 2 par four. Greens designed for any top-rated golf course, and all of this right in the middle of Lisbon!

Aroeira

At only 30 minutes’ drive from the Lisbon center, located on the other margin of the Tagus River, with an extremely mild climate, allowing to play golf along all the year, is Aroeira Country Club with 2 fields with 18 holes which is considered by experts, as one of the best Golf Complexes of Europe. Aroeira "I" was designed by Frank Pennick one of the most well-known and famous Golf fields architects, who achieved here a real masterpiece, to reach, in an exemplary way the requisites of a championship golf with the spontaneous and savage nature harmony which shelters and surrounds it.
This is just a small hint of what Lisbon has to offer.

The Land: Joaquín Sorolla’s Spain

Until March 31st the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga presents the exhibition “The Land: Joaquín Sorolla’s Spain”.

Born in February 1863, Joaquín Sorolla was a Spanish painter that shined in the painting of portraits, landscapes, and monumental works of social and historical themes. His most typical works are categorized by a dexterous representation of the people and landscape under the bright sunlight of his native land and sunlit water.

In the late 19th century, artistic landscapes painting became a requisite practice rather than a minor genre, Sorolla’s “inland” landscapes reflect artistic trends of the time which involved both experimentations with outdoor painting and significant ideological element.

In a partnership between Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga and the Sorolla Museum in Madrid, this exhibition, curated by Carmen Pena, brings together 118 paintings by Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida from the museum and from Spanish private collections.

The exhibition shows how Sorolla, the master of the "open air" and the "intense light", unveiled new versions of the various Spanish landscapes, at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, giving them new meanings and participating in a cultural movement that sought another image of the country.

The selection of pieces also includes some paintings representing scenes on the seashore and the work of fishermen on the coasts of Valence, some of Sorolla’s most typical themes.

Travellers’ Choice 2019

TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2019 were just disclosed and the Hotel Avenida Palace has been elected in 4 different categories.

The Travellers' Choice Awards are the highest honor given by TripAdvisor, based on reviews and opinions from millions of travelers.

This is a recognition that occurs for the 6th time and places the Hotel Avenida Palace among the top 1% hotels around the world that, according to the travellers’ opinion, are truly exceptional.

These are the rankings for the Hotel Avenida Palace:

6th - Top 25 Hotels - Portugal
10th - Top 25 Hotels for Romance – Portugal
10th - Top 25 Luxury Hotels – Portugal
7th - Top 25 for Service – Portugal

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our Dear Guests who took the time to share their experience at the Hotel Avenida Palace.

Here's the complete list of Travellers' Choice Winners.