LISBON TRAVEL GUIDE WITH VOGUE
A big thank you to Vogue for featuring my comprehensive guide to the stunning city of Lisbon, Portugal!
I hadn't been back to Lisbon since backpacking around in my early twenties, so I was thrilled to see how the city has evolved. It's now a cosmopolitan hub that still brims with rich history and endless discoveries.
Discover my handpicked recommendations for the best places to stay, dine, and explore.
To read the full travel diary, click the link.
STAY
Hotel Das Amoreiras
This hotel was kindly recommended to me by Luis De Oliveira, the founder of De La Espada.
Arriving at the Praca das Amoreiras felt magical. The magnificent mulberry trees surrounding the park were breathtaking, and my preference for local boutique hotels made me fall in love with the city instantly.
EAT
ROCCO
Experiencing Rocco in Lisbon was the perfect antidote to jetlag, and I was immersed in its unapologetically theatrical atmosphere.
This bold and intimate establishment exudes captivating opulence, whether you enter from the hotel lobby or directly from the street.
PICA PAU
This restaurant prides itself on
embodying the essence of traditional Portuguese cuisine, offering dishes that evoke the comforts and flavours of childhood and home.
The restaurant invites you to experience the familiarity of Portuguese dining, where every meal feels like a visit to a welcoming household.
BAIRRO DO AVILLEZ
Nestled in Lisbon, Bairro do Avillez is a place of distinction, enchanting visitors with its eclectic decor and artistic flair.
Helmed by chef José Avillez, who runs several other restaurants in Lisbon, like the Michelin-starred Belcanto and Encanto, the venue offers a delightful array of culinary options spread across its charming terrace and four distinct restaurants.
A CEVICHERIA
After feasting my eyes on the Pisco Sours being poured in the sun and being drawn to the giant octopus hanging within a crisp white interior, I knew I couldn't resist indulging in a Peruvian meal at A Cevicheria in the heart of Lisbon.
SEE
ATELIER DACIANO DA COSTA
Ines Cottinelli warmly opened the gallery to meet with me on a Saturday morning.
She has created this space to honour her late father's legacy, Daciano da Costa, and ensure his work endures. Her mission focuses on communicating, preserving, and globalizing his life's work. Daciano da Costa's designs convey a unique worldview and a design philosophy worth sharing. Ines' passion is contagious.
She keeps her father’s memory alive by meticulously documenting his life. She mentioned that she feels she has learned more about him since his passing than she remembers from her childhood.
She is committed to promoting and disseminating his legacy. They have reissued selected lines of objects from Daciano da Costa's collections, aiming to introduce his designs into new environments, both as standalone pieces and integrated into projects by other designers, including private settings.
BARROS & BERNARD
A showroom/gallery by creative duo, Brazilian Euclides de Barros and Belgian Christophe Bernardby that blends vintage with contemporary pieces.
Christophe's dedication and two decades of experience were evident as he walked me through Barros & Bernard, his distinguished furniture gallery, renowned for its dedication to showcasing the creations of both local and international artists, designers, and artisans.
GALERIA DA ESTRELA
Stumbling across an amazing gallery is a dream come true. This brand-new gallery became one of my Lisbon highlights. A space filled with unique one-offs, characterised by a striking use of colour and thoughtful placement throughout the Galeria da Estrela.
GALLERY BESSA PEREIRA
From modern design to Roman archaeology, Galeria Bessa Pereira showcases the incredible eye of a gallerist whose curated sense of blending old and new is immediately apparent upon entry and excitingly changes monthly.
DE LA ESPADA
This was a mission I had been excited about for years: visiting the factory of one of my most respected brands that I closely work with in Australia.
The team graciously gave up their Friday to walk me through the stages of the factory, from selecting the timbers to finishing and assembling the final product.
What made it so special was the palpable happiness among the workers and their belief in the craftsmanship and final outcome. The joy they felt working on a craft they loved was truly infectious.