Summer in the City with Lisbon Heritage Hotels

• Combine time in Portugal’s historic capital city and also on the beaches nearby
• Lisbon Heritage Hotels propose 10 experiences this summer for their guests 

Lisbon is famously one of Europe’s sunniest cities and it offers the ideal backdrop for summer breaks combining time exploring the city and relaxing on golden sand. But beyond the beach there are many other outdoor experiences to enjoy in this charming historic city.  

10 experiences and activities this summer in Lisbon:

• Beach

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.

• Museum

Lisbon Heritage Hotels have developed unique relationships with the city’s leading museums for complimentary entry for hotel guests. 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, all surrounded by one of the most emblematic modern gardens of Portugal. Guests staying at As Janelas Verdes Hotel are next door to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. Created in 1884, and housed in the Palácio Alvor for almost 130 years, the MNAA-Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is home to over 40,000 items, the MNAA collection has the largest number of works from Painting, Sculpture and Decorative Arts, classified by the State as “national treasures”. 

• Botanical Garden 

A short walk from the Avenida da Liberdade in Princípe Real is Lisbon’s botanical garden. The Botanical Garden of the Lisbon Faculty of Sciences was created in 1837. It is home to notable rare species and a unique butterfly house. Lisbon’s climate certainly helps maintain the various tropical plants. Some collections deserve special mention. The remarkable diversity of palm trees, coming from all continents, gives an unexpected tropical feel to several locations in the garden. From here, visitors can walk down to the Lisboa Plaza Hotel. 

• Park

The Jardim da Estrela in the heart of Lisbon is centrally located and 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. 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.

• Shop

Portugal is currently enjoying a design-focused period celebrating local designers offering innovative, sought after products. This should come as no surprise as Portugal has a long history in successful textile and clothing manufacturing. Today, visitors to Portugal’s capital city will uncover many independent designer shops including some familiar Portuguese brands. Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel is located on the Avenida da Liberdade, one of Europe’s finest boulevards lined with trees and the finest boutiques from leading International and national brands. 

• Viewpoint

Lisbon is a hilly city meaning there are many wonderful viewpoints (miradouro). Stroll to a Miradouro and enjoy a sunset view. Lisbon is full of view points across its hills and one of the most famous is Miradouro de S. Pedro de Alcântara, an ideal point of discovery of the city facing the castle and looking down on the famous Avenida da Liberdade. 

• Surf 

Lisbon is surrounded by water and the sea is close. From surfing schools to sailing, canoeing and rowing clubs, Lisbon and its outskirts provide marinas and perfect beaches for water sports. With west- and south-facing coasts, you’ll find great waves for surfing under any weather conditions.

• River 

The river Tejo is visible from across the city and a wonderful way to explore the city is from the water. A refurbished art deco boat terminal opened last year and from here a variety of boat trips are available. The Estação Sul Sueste / Doca da Marinha is worth a visit and from here visitors can embark on river tours. Twenty-three traditional boats of different types, like “Catraios”, “Varinos” or “Muletas”, among other, will be able to take visitors along the Tejo for a unique journey.

• Music 

Fado is Portugal’s traditional music and the city is full of restaurants which feature live fado performances. Fado incorporates music and poetry and songs are usually performed by a solo singer accompanied by a Portuguese guitar (guitarra) and other guitars. A museum dedicated to Fado is also located in the oldest part of Lisbon. 

• Art Class 

You will notice tiles (azulejos) all around Lisbon. Lisboa Social Press have taken this Portuguese craft and curated a printmaking workshop that focuses on the creation of these seemingly complex geometric patterns, to give guests at workshops, an insight as to how they’ve been designed for hundreds of years. At Lisboa Social Press’ historic downtown Atelier, guests on workshops will work with an artist who will assist them with one on one tuition in the making of their very own Azulejos. 

The five Lisbon Heritage Hotels are centrally located and perfect locations for a break: 

As Janelas Verdes is an 18th century townhouse and was once the home of famous writer Eça de Queiróz. This 29 bedroom boutique hotel is located in- between the chic neighbourhood of Lapa and the design district of Santos on the banks of the River Tagus. Spend time outdoors at the hotel enjoying a drink in the private garden or relaxing in the library with views of the river. 

Hidden gem – the terrace with uninterrupted views of Lisbon is open throughout the day with an honesty bar and snacks. 

Solar do Castelo is the only hotel located within the walls of Lisbon’s São Jorge Castle, on the top of Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood. This 18th century small palace has been transformed into an intimate 20 bedroom hotel home to a small garden for guests only. 

Hidden gem – descend the almost secret staircase in the hotel to explore a hidden museum with historic items found at the time of the restoration surrounded by the same castle walls. 

Heritage Avenida Liberdade is located on Lisbon’s main boulevard, in the historic heart of the city leading to the city’s most beautiful park. This 18th century building is home to 42 bedrooms, a library, lobby bar, fitness room, jet pool and gym. The hotel retains its 18th century façade and original iron work throughout and Pombaline tiles in the interior. 

Hidden gem – located on one of Lisbon’s chicest avenues, this hotel offers tranquility and an excellent location. 

Just off this tree-lined boulevard on Rua Rodrigues Sampaio sits Hotel Britania. This 1940s Art Deco building was part of a project by illustrious Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco. The unique and impressive door is like nowhere else and opens to an equally unique interior. Guests will encounter marble columns, vaults and frescoes all in the striking lobby. The 33 bedroom hotel is also home to a library and bar. This is Portugal’s original and only art deco hotel. 

Hidden gem – this is a genuine Art Deco boutique hotel, Portugal’s only Art Deco hotel. 

Hotel Lisboa Plaza is also situated just off the Avenida da Liberdade. Inaugurated in 1954 and fully refurbished in 2015, this 94 bedroom hotel was designed to be a place of tradition in the heart of Lisbon. The hotel is home to a bar, terrace and cafe serving snacks throughout the day. It is the largest of the Lisbon Heritage Hotels. 

Hidden gem – it remains in the same family since the 50s and retains an old school charm with many public rooms for lounging and refreshments.

lisbonheritagehotels.com
Notes to editors: Lisbon Heritage Hotels are a small collection of boutique privately owned hotels located in the historic centre of Lisbon. 

Rates: As Janelas Verdes B&B priced from €115 / Solar Do Castelo B&B priced from €210
Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel B&B priced from €151 / Hotel Britania B&B priced from €135
Hotel Lisboa Plaza B&B priced from €99 

Flights: BA, easyJet, Ryanair, TAP Air Portugal and WIZZ all serve Lisbon from across the UK