Príncipe Real

Part film archive, part museum, and part movie theater, Cinemateca Portuguesa is the kind of place where you can wander in and watch an Ernst Lubitsch silent film accompanied by live piano. They screen a variety of classics; and there's a convenient restaurant and quiet patio in the back, too.

With its white stools, white walls, and decidedly minimalist interiors, this coffee shop is what you might expect from Danish owners. Pleasant and unassuming, you’ll find some serious coffee nerds behind the bar, where you can get your fix by V60, Chemex, aeropress, or French press. Good music, decadent cake, various pastries, and a nearby outdoor square make this a great stop—whether you’re in it for the excellent coffee, or not.

Filled with small gadgets, figurines, and toys from the early twentieth century, this five-room bar is the perfect setting for a conversation over a drink or two. The vibe is super relaxed—not at all scene-y—with lots of comfortable seating. Even if you're not in the mood for a drink, it's worth it to at least go inside and take a peek at it unique décor.

To get to this quirky terrace bar and café, you'll first navigate a maze-like Indian clothing store via the back door before being met with its stunning rooftop view. Comfortable outdoor seating, shaded by colorful umbrellas, makes for a tranquil environment perfect for an afternoon drink or a light meal.

A Cevicheria is known for putting a Portuguese spin on Peruvian ceviches (and also for its rather dramatic decór element, a large octopus sculpture that looms over the bar). The rest of the space is white-washed and light-filled, making it a clean slate for the order of choice here—ceviches made with fresh fish that chef Kiko Martins hand-selects from Portuguese markets each morning. And if ceviches are the signature dish here, the pisco sours are the signature cocktail—make sure to get at least one for the table.

This adorable shop in Príncipe Real is a go-to for European (and often handmade) kids' brands, featuring everything from beautifully painted wooden blocks, to sleekly designed teething toys, to the teeniest little espadrilles. The buyers also have a few beachy homewares around for mom—baskets, oversized totes, and Turkish towels are scattered throughout the space.

This shop is decorated from floor to ceiling in stunning, intricate, and mostly blue-and-white antique tiles from every era of Portuguese history. Collectors who know what they're looking for will have a field day here, but it's just as pleasurable an outing for naive tourists (some small tiles come in at a price range that's reasonable enough for a souvenir).

One of Lisbon's most impressive developments, Embaixada is a series of shops that form a gallery inside a neo-Moorish palace. All of the vendors are local, so the entire shopping experience feels like a celebration of Portuguese design and craftsmanship. The range of shops is huge—come here for everything from swimsuits to antique clothing to gifts and accessories.

Hotelier Rodrigo Machaz's third property is set on the top of a hill in the decidedly cool Príncipe Real neighborhood, giving it both a full-circle view of the city (best viewed from the open-air patio of their rooftop bar) and incredible access to some of Lisbon's best shopping and restaurants. Machaz's style is laid back, intimate—only 41 rooms here—and experience-focused, but that doesn't mean his properties skimp on luxury. In addition to the stunning rooftop pool, the hotel is known for high-touch, attentive service, including a concierge with the best recommendations we've come across. Room décor is minimalist but textured, with fur throws at the foot of the bed, floor-to-ceiling paneled headboards, and sleek limestone bathrooms. Leave time for drinks and cocktails at the excellent on-site bar and restaurant.

This laid-back bar occupies a tiny space that's made to feel more spacious with the liberal use of mirrors on each wall and emerald subway tiling that approximates a wainscoting along the walls and the bar. During the week when it's a little sleepy in here, set up at one of the bar chairs or one of a few small tables in the front for bar snacks, sandwiches, and a menu that shows the breadth of Portugal's growing craft beer movement. On Friday and Saturday nights, the space fills up with locals, who you'll find lingering out in the street when the bar itself gets too crowded.