Our Neighborhood - Lisbon Neighborhood Intro & Maps

CASA VILLA SERRA
3 Bedroom
Luxury Lisbon Townhome
180º views over Lisbon
(sleeps 2-6)
Lisbon Vacation Home
from €240/nite
CASA PÁTRIA
2 Bedroom
Historic Lisbon Townhome
Private Garden Terrace
(sleeps 2-5)
Lisbon Vacation Home
from €170/nite
CASA SANTANA
1 Bedroom
Lisbon View Apartment
Views over Rossio
(sleeps 2-4)
Holiday Apartment
from €120/nite
CASA TRAVESSA
1 Bedroom
Lisbon Apartment
Private Entrance
(sleeps 2-4)
Holiday Apartment
from €90/nite
CASA ARMONA
2 Bedroom
Algarve Beach Cottage
50 Steps from the Beach
(sleeps 2-5)
Algarve Beach Cottage
from €800/week
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Neighborhood Introduction - Pena, Rossio, Lisboa

MAPS

Our parish, Pena, begins at the north-east corner of the Rossio and arches up past the large tree-covered park known as "Campo dos Mártires da Pátria." Map of Pena & Rossio.

From Google Earth: Satellite Photo of VisitingPortugal Holiday Rentals

lisbon city breaks

WEATHER

Our guests tend to over-estimate Lisbon's climate, so it's probably not going to be as hot as you imagine.

All year long, our hill receives cool breezes straight off the River Tejo such that the average August high is just 82F/28C. This means many summer days will be cooler than this. On the other hand, yes, it will occasionally be in the 90s, but never for very long. (For these days, we installed AC!)

That said, if you live or are "sight-seeing" somewhere that doesn't receive these unobstructed Atlantic breezes, the heat can build up and be oppressive.

Evenings: Even in August, the evening temps can be chilly. (Average August low is 63F/16C; expect lower temps at our places, because of those cool breezes.)

No matter when you visit: pack a sweater or light jacket.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Pena is a family neighborhood, home to the Italian Embassy, German Embassy, grassy parks and ponds... and the birthplace of Amália Rodrigues.

It's a non-touristy, quintessentially Portuguese residential area: no hotels, no all-night clubs, no panhandlers. Per the recommendation in "Junior Jetsetter's" guide book:

"This experience is for those wanting to chat up old neighbours and dive into Lisbon's rhythm."

For more photos of our parish, view our Christmas in Lisbon Photo-Tour. (Photos courtesy of professional photographer, M. Achterman.)

EATING WELL

Pena also hosts Lisbon's open-air Restaurant Row, Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, a pedestrian-only boulevard devoted to gastronomical indulgence. Popular favorites include the Michelin-rated Gambrinus, Solar dos Presuntos and Bom Jardim.

Here is a link to an interactive googlemap of our favorite local restaurants and cafés: Local Restaurants and Cafés

Rua das Portas de Santo Antão

GETTING AROUND

Our neighborhood funicular (trolley), 120-year old Elevador do Lavra, is one of the most charming amenities offered by Casa Villa Serra and Casa Pátria. (Casa Santana and Casa Travessa are too close to the Rossio to justify walking over to the funicular stop.)

The first funicular in Lisbon, Elevador do Lavra rattles up and down the hillside every 15 minutes, every day. Soon you'll be riding like a local, cheerfully showing the tourists how and where to punch their tickets. In the picture, below, Elevador do Lavra is at its lower stop on the end of Rua das Portas de Santo Antão.
Elevador da Lavra

This meandering 14th-century stairway -- with its famous 186 steps -- is another favorite way to bop down from Casa Villa Serra and Casa Pátria to the Rossio. Lisbon is criss-crossed with these medieval thoroughfares: we encourage our guests to spend an enjoyable day wandering the city along these lanes, accompanied by the beat of Lisbon's ever-flapping laundry.

Lisbon Stairways

And here we have Lisbon's Rossio square, with the imposing, white Dona Maria National Theatre guarding the entrance to Restaurant Row. Our neighborhood, Pena, is in the background.

Rossio

Come and see!

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Image © 2003 M. Achterman