6 Moments in Lisbon staying at As Janelas Verdes Hotel
A stay in an 18th century palace in the heart of Portugal’s capital offers a truly unique insight into the historic capital city Lisbon. The boutique As Janelas Verdes Hotel combines 29 individually designed bedrooms and suites and a living room and library bar and terrace with uninterrupted views of the river. The hotel has its own garden where guests can enjoy breakfast which is served until midday daily. The hotel’s terrace and garden are also ideal for afternoon and evening drinks and light snacks.
Filled with historic furniture, pieces of art and paintings, this unique hotel maintains the atmosphere of a Portuguese historic home. Located at number 47, Rua das Janelas Verdes, it is said to have been home and the inspiration for the famous «Ramalhete» from the literary work «Os Maias» written by Eça de Queiróz who is said to have lived there. The hotel is located high over the river and the docks and is today an area showcasing history with churches and convents converted and studios and restaurants. The hotel is next door to the National Museum of Ancient Art located at Palácio Condes de Alvor, dating from the 17th century, home to some of the most important works of art in Portugal. Hotel guests have free entrance to this museum.
Take several walks (or a short train ride) to explore the following six locations:
The Church – Basilica da Estrela
Built in the second half of the 18th century, this church has a huge rococo dome and a façade with twin bell towers decorated with an array of statues of saints and figures. It is also possible to go up to the dome for fantastic city views. Take the tram 28 which stops right in front and after take a walk in the garden with the same name Jardim da Estrela.
The Park – Jardim da Estrela
This centrally located park fills with picnics and has a specific programme designed to suit everyone: from film festivals to open-air jazz, antiques fairs and Christmas markets. There are
people playing sports, tourists looking for a place to sit on a sunny day, kids learning to ride and a happy atmosphere. It was built in the mid-19th century and was one of the spots where Queen Maria II liked to take her children. See the iron bandstand, playgrounds, ponds with ducks, swans, geese and carp, peacocks showing off and parakeets. There are many special plant species, some of the most showy being the jacarandas, dragon trees and araucarias.
The Local Neighbourhood – Lapa
Old aristocratic district with small restaurants high over the river Tejo is today a residential district with small restaurants and local shops and boutiques. This is the area of the city preferred by the Embassies. It is surrounded by the popular neighbourhood of Madragoa and Santos (now designated as the Design District).
The Docks – Santo Amaro Docks
Former warehouses overlooking an attractive yachting marina have been transformed into many modern restaurants and bars for all tastes serving lunch, drinks and dinner. From here walk by the river to the historic area of Belém.
The Historic Neighbourhood – Belém
Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Tower of Belém is an icon of Portugal’s cultural heritage spread across the world. It is one of the architectural elements punctuating the cityscape of Lisbon’s monumental riverside area of Ajuda-Belém. The area offers various gardens, museums, galleries and restaurants and bars to explore.
The Beaches – Linha de Cascais
In a city where the sun can shine 290 days per year, it is no surprise that there are so many beaches close to the capital city. The many urban beaches along the train line to Cascais are ideal for short periods of time on the sand. These include beaches at Praia da Torre. and Carcavelos and further along the line in São Pedro, Parede and Cascais.
The hotel is part of Lisbon Heritage Hotels, a small collection of boutique privately owned hotels located in the historic centre of Lisbon. Lisbon Heritage Hotels guarantee complimentary entry to up to several museums and galleries in Lisbon. These include the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which is located in the heart of the city and housed in a modernist architectural complex. Guests can explore a museum with two collections, an art library, a state of the art auditorium and is surrounded by one of the most emblematic modern gardens of Portugal.
B&B is priced from €135 per room per night
https://lisbonheritagehotels.com/as-janelas- verdes/
Rua das Janelas Verdes, 47, 1200-690 Lisboa
