Bifana

If you came to Portugal and you ask people about food you will most certainly get a conversation that will last for hours. Some will tell you that we have the best fish in the world (it seems like a hotshot international cook said it about our fish and seaffod) and of course, proud has we are, we just can´t stop repeating it. Some will tell you about the simplicity but unique aromatic food of Alentejo; others will not stop until they have explained you the historical theories about “cod fish” and “Oportostile tripe”. The “bôlas” from the North, cod fish pasties, sardine patés, an enormous variety of smoked sausages, salted ham, and an endless list of others“petiscos”.
Conventual pastries, “doce de ovos” “pastel de Belém”, “Pastel de Nata”, “Bolas de Berlim”, “Pastel de feijão”, “Bolo de arroz”, “Jesuítas”, “Traveceiros”, the classic almond cakes from Algarve.
And so and so and so….

So the next question is “WHERE TO EAT ALL THIS THINGS and be quite sure they are prepared the way they should?”.
As far as I´m concerned there is one thing, a really simple thing that allow me to immediately understand If the the place is god or not. BIFANA. Them I go to a place I ask for a Bifana, wish is a simple sandwich with a pork steak. It can be grill (it this case it only depends on the quality of the meat, you will find it mainly in the south of Portugal) or it can be cooked in a spicy tomato sauce (mostly in the north). If these are good you can be sure that the place will have great food.

Feira da Ladra

Feira da Ladra is Lisbon's flea market where you can find everything you need and things that you didn't know you needed them but that you can't just resist. Either because it's something that reminds you of your childhood, something that your grandmother had at home, or because it's so kitsch that you just have to have it.

Even if you're not a big fan of flea markets you should visit Feira da Ladra: the recently renovated Botto Machado garden offers you a spectacular view to the Tajus River. So why not have a drink at Clara Clara kiosk-esplanade?

Feira da Ladra occurs every Tuesdays and Saturdays from 09h00 to 18h00 (although most vendors aren't there till 18h00).

Bike ride

Lisbon is not known as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities like Amsterdam. In fact a couple of years ago a lot of people would laugh at you if you said you were going for a bicycle ride or used your bicycle as a means of transportation in Lisbon. You see, Lisbon is known as the City of the Seven Hills. But, as a lot of things in Lisbon, these feelings are changing. Lisbon now has aBicycle Film Festival, a free bicycle newspaper, a bookstore with a special section for bicycle travelers, bike buddys, bicycle critical mass and a lot of blogs telling us how easy, eco-friendly, joyful and cool bicycling is. And believe me, its all true.

But if you're not ready to use one everyday or if you're in Lisbon just for a few days why not just try it for a ride to the beach? That's what I did the other day and would like to share with you. A bicycle ride to Costa da Caparica, easy peasy! You just have to cycle to Belém (cycle route), catch the ferry to Trafaria (free transportation of bicycles) and from there cycle to the beach (5 Km to Costa da Caparica on a cycle route). A beautiful sunset awaits you and the view of Lisbon from the other side of the river is something you will never forget.

Crossing to the ather side II

Casa da Cerca.

A Cultural Centre, a small Botanic Garden, one of the best views of Lisbon.

You just have to take the boat from "Cais do Sodré", cross the river, and follow the river side (check the post "crossing the river I) to the west. Find the elevator and it´s just there.

Enjoy.

Crossing to the other side I

Almada. The river side.

Beautiful, even if it´s abandoned.

LISBON WIDE-ANGLE

Want to see something not that comun?

Belém Tower with a MIST