Lisbon for under £100 a night!
Where to stay Casa Amora, Amoreiras What a lovely hideaway, beside a quiet square not far from the lively streets of the Bairro alto district. Rooms are in 19th-century buildings with facades clad in eye-catching, caramelcoloured tiles. the 11 tasteful rooms feature art nouveau furniture. B&B doubles from £80; 13 Rua de Joao Penha (casaamora.com) Casa do Barao, Bairro Alto this 18th-century townhouse, pictured, has had a snazzy revamp, with retro furniture and modern art. When warm, the highlight is a pool in the oasis-like back garden. B&B doubles from £97; 84 Rua da Emenda (casadobarao.com) The Independente Hostel Suites, Bairro Alto take Lisbon’s oldest privately owned lift to reach the eclectic rooms at this local institution, which used to be Lisbon’s socialist Party hQ. Modern art covers just about every wall. a visit to the hip rooftop bar/restaurant is a must. B&B doubles from £96, or with views from £106; 81 Rua se Sao Pedro de Alcantara (theindependente.pt) Hotel Marques de Pombal, St Antonio PRefeR to keep things businesslike? if so, make this ten-storey hotel by Marques de Pombal metro station your base. it’s convenient for the airport (about 25 minutes away) with designer furniture and a library-like bar. B&B doubles from £75; 243 Avenue da Liberdade (hotel-marquesdepombal.pt) ALL prices based on lowseason stays (October to March), but may fluctuate. Where to eat Loja das Conservas, Chiado this fun, tiny restaurant is connected to a shop selling colourful cans of tinned fish. the mackerel pie (£9) is especially popular and the hearty fish soup (£2.60) is excellent. Two courses with a glass of wine, from £12; 6-8 Travessa do Cotoveto (lojadasconservas.com). A Nossa Casa, Bairro Alto this brand-new eaterie is run by talented twentysomethings. the interior is quirky, with watering cans hanging above the bar and a bicycle ‘coat rack’. the food is a modern take on traditional alentejo dishes: mussels with lime and shallots and lovely salt-cod with egg yolk. Two courses & wine from £16; 31 Rua da Atalaia (00 351 21 342 0484). Leao d’Ouro, Bairro Alto DuRing World War ii, when Portugal was neutral, spies from both sides gathered at Leao d’Ouro (golden Lion). the bluetiled walls are beautiful. Cod, lobster, seabass and sardines are offered, but cut costs with fish soup and bread (£7). Two courses from the main menu from £17.50; 105 Rue 1 de Dezembro (restaurante leaodouro.com.pt) Mercado da Ribeira, Cais do Sodre this is also known as the time Out Market. shop for pastel de
nata (custard tarts) for less than £1, and sardinha fidalja (sardines on toast) and caldo verde (cabbage soup), both £2.60. 49 Avenue 24 de Julho (timeout. com/about/market) Adriano Restaurant, Bairro Alto taBeRna/cafes nestle behind estacio do Rossio, the main station. Beer and a salt-cod fritter is £3.50 at adriano Restaurant. Calcada Carmo 39. How to get there Wizz aiR flies daily to Lisbon from Luton from £51 return (wizz air.com).