Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Lisbon, Portugal
Tv. Salitre 7 / Av. da Liberdade, Lisbon, Portugal, 1269-066
Original Property Opened in 1954
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2022
Situated alongside one of the most exclusive shopping boulevards in Europe, Hotel Lisboa Plaza materializes as a haven of tradition in the historic center of Lisbon. Managed by the same family since its inauguration in 1954, the hospitality is truly inspiring, provided by the long-serving staff who treat each guest like family. Reflecting the nostalgic energy of 1950s Lisbon, the atmosphere throughout the hotel is both consistently charming and relaxed with an emphasis on Portuguese heritage in each of the guestrooms. The fifth-floor terrace of the hotel boasts sweeping views across Lisbon where guests can enjoy an evening under the stars and the freedom of an honesty bar. Now managed through a partnership with Lisbon Heritage Hotels, the Hotel Lisboa Plaza continues to maintain its prestigious status as one of city’s finest hotels.
Discover
- Discover the eclectic interiors inspired by the vibrant energies of Lisbon during the 1950s. Inaugurated in 1954, Hotel Lisboa Plaza was designed by local architect Lucínio Cruz. Immediately upon opening, the hotel received great acclaim for its inventive mix of modernity and tradition. Following a dedicated restoration process in 2015, the hotel has been restored to its former glory with its original parquet flooring and several antique furnishings. The introduction of a lighter color palette with pops of vibrant color creates a cozy yet exciting atmosphere for guests to relax and explore.
- Peruse the hotel’s artfully displayed library. Portugal has a reputation as a bibliophile’s dream and it is home to many literary treasures, including the oldest bookstore in the world, Bertrand bookshop, which dates to 1732. Hotel Lisboa Plaza pays homage to Portugal’s literary heritage with its own curated collection of books. The library is guarded by two life-size brass sculptures of leopards and there are numerous spaces throughout the hotel for guests to sit and read.
- Enjoy the warm Lisbon sun on the hotel’s spacious outdoor terrace. Carefully arranged shrubs and trees conceal the space, providing privacy without obstructing the wonderful views of Lisbon’s vibrant city center. Located on the fifth floor, the terrace is furnished with modern patio furniture including cushioned sofas, lounge chairs, and chaise lounges. There are also several high-top bar tables decorated with blue, white, and teal Portuguese tiles.
Explore
- Explore Avenida da Liberdade, one of Europe’s most exclusive shopping boulevards. Originally built as a public park in 1764, it was converted in the late-19th century into an extravagant thoroughfare in the style of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Avenida da Liberdade offers 1,273 meters of mesmerizing and lavish shop windows and several of Lisbon’s cultural and historical highlights. Explore the floral pedestrian walkways decorated with the traditional Portuguese tile and relax in the shade at one of the numerous kiosk cafes lining the boulevard.
- Visit the Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by King Manuel I in 1502 to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s voyage, this Manueline-style monastery exemplifies Portugal’s power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. In 1880, da Gama's remains and those of the poet Luís de Camões (who celebrated da Gama's first voyage in his 1572 epic poem, Os Lusíadas) were re-interred in newly carved tombs in the nave of the monastery's church.
- Tour Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortress that once served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers. Constructed between 1515 and 1519 during the reign of King Manuel I, the fortress would become the ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and a prime example of Manueline architecture. In 1983, Belém Tower became a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Jeronimos Monastery.
Experience
- Experience breathtaking views of Lisbon from atop the Basilica da Estrela. Built in the second half of the 18th century, the basilica has a huge rococo dome where visitors can look out on the sprawling city. Queen Maria I constructed the basilica to give thanks to God for the birth of her son. The interior is covered in polychrome marble and paintings. Queen Maria’s elaborate Empire-style tomb is also inside and decorated with a remarkable baroque nativity scene with over 500 terracotta and cork images. It is Portugal's largest nativity scene and was created by Portuguese sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro.
- Enjoy a ride through the hills of Lisbon on the Bica Funicular. Sprawling up out of the Tagus riverbed, Lisbon is a notoriously hilly city. The Bica Funicular was built in June 1892 to help residents conquer one of the steeper hills in the city that led up to the popular Bairro Alto district. The funicular originally operated using a water counterbalancing system, where water would be loaded into the car at the top of the hill until it was heavy enough to descend and pull up the other car at the bottom of the hill. Guests at Hotel Lisboa Plaza can also hop on the nearby Glória Funicular and the Lavra Funicular to explore other parts of the city.
- Explore the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) in the historic Lapa neighborhood. The museum is located within the 17th-century Palácio Condes de Alvor and houses some of the most important works of art by artists from the Portuguese school. There are also collections of religious sculptures and Portuguese gold and silverware from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period.
Taste
- Taste the famous Pastel de Belém, a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry celebrated as one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy. The first recipe of the Pastel de Belém was created in 1837 by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery. Today, the pastry is made at the Fábrica Pastéis de Belém, a family-run bakery that has been specializing in the pastry for more than 100 years. To date, their recipe is kept secret and the name is even patented meaning the only place to try the original Pastéis de Belém is at the Fábrica Pastéis de Belém. However, these sweet treats can also be found in other patisseries in Lisbon under the name Pastel de Nata. In fact, guests at Hotel Lisboa Plaza can enjoy this delicacy every morning at the hotel’s breakfast.
- Taste all seven wonders of Portuguese gastronomy. Sete maravilhas da gastronomia is part of the larger organization Sete Maravilhas de Portugal which was founded in 2011 by the Ministry of Culture to celebrate the country’s cultural heritage. Portuguese citizens voting in the gastronomy category had to consider the following criteria: the dish would need to have a documented history of at least 50 years, be traditionally made within Portugal with locally available ingredients, and represent the diversity and culinary culture of Portugal. The aforementioned Pastel de Belém made the list, as well as Alheiras de Mirandela, Queijo Serra da Estrela, Caldo Verde, Sardinha Assada, Arroz de Marisco, and Leitão da Bairrada.
- Enjoy some Ginjinha, Lisbon’s local liqueur. Made by soaking sour morello cherries in brandy, this tart liqueur is served in small shot glasses or sometimes even edible chocolate cups. Ginjinha is best experienced within a traditional ginjinha bar, often a tiny tavern with room for no more than four patrons. One of the most popular ginjinha bars is the A Ginjinha bar. Dating back to 1840, the bar has been run by the same family for five generations.