The Tejo mirror


Night and day…always by the Tejo river. Here one finds some of the finest esplanades of Lisboa. We start with Spazio Evazione, next to the Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum), which is open from midday to one in the morning. It is three metres away from the river, and houses a restaurant and newspaper stand. There are many tables of different colours, sun umbrellas, fresh drinks and cool ice-creams. But there is more. Next door, is Café In and in front Vela Latina, where the esplanade is overrun by young people, while the restaurant indoors parties to a more elitist flavour. Almost ahead, a view of Jeronimos. Tradition coupled with modernity, perfectly exemplified with the Centro Cultural de Belém. There at the Cafetaria Quadrante one finds the highest density per square metre of students. With the Padrão dos Descobrimentos in front and the Tejo shining forth, there is a large esplanade, which draws large crowds at the weekend, very pleasant it is. And since we are here, it would be strange not to mention the Docas, where the night sings its special note. However, afternoons are spent very pleasantly at one of the restaurants. One can have lunch, and stay on in sublime happiness holding a fresh drink and enjoying one’s company. Start with Docas, at the fore, the first warehouse re-conquered by the lisboetas. It has excellent tapas and is open until four in the morning. The volume of the music increases as the sun stretches towards the horizon. Along the passageway, you will find cafes, restaurants and discotheques on the right side, esplanades on your left and the Tejo bridge above. There are many places from which to choose from: Zeno, Sete Mares, Doca 6, Havana and others. During the day, the Docas de Santo Amaro are full of Portuguese and foreign tourists, enjoying one of Lisboa’s most important feats: which the city and river together. Heading along the long riverside corridor, one finally gets to Parque das Nações, where one finds large, diversified esplanades. But in the Parque, one must stop by Peter’s. There sitting at a large esplanade overlooking at the Mar da Palha, if hunger awakes don’t refrain from requesting a toasted sandwich or fantastic country bread sandwiches. With variety not amiss in Lisboa, the hardest part is choosing.