We continue our journey through the parishes of Lisbon and we will talk about the last three, the furthest from the tourist centre, the parishes of Carnide, Lumiar and Santa Clara. Over the last few weeks we have been on a tour of all the parishes of Lisbon and some of the points of interest in each of them. Now we will talk about the last three and we will start with Carnide. This is an essentially residential parish so from a tourist point of view there is little to see in terms of monuments and architecture, so I will highlight here something completely different but which is also part of a good itinerary when visiting a city: shopping!
Everything in one place
Whenever I visit a city, of course I (mainly) contemplate the monuments, churches, restaurants, views and everything that is normally part of any tourist itinerary. But I also like to look at the shops because there is always something different from what we have at home and what we are used to buying. Even the same brand is presented in different ways depending on the country, especially if we go to a place where there is not just one brand but many, many brands, many, many shops. There are three floors of shops, in a modern shopping centre, well located and very well served by public transport, with the metro at the door and plenty of options for those who have euros to spend.
But even for those who don't want to spend a lot, it's worth visiting Colombo Shopping Center. A shopping mall that knew how to reinvent itself with the arrival of many other malls and continues, in my opinion, to be the mecca of shopping. Of course, El Corte Inglés came to shake things up with a more high-end offering and the Amoreiras Shopping, which was the first large shopping mall in Lisbon, still attracts a different clientele given its geographical position, but the Columbus It really stands out from the other shopping malls in the same chain. Not only is it big and full of well-known brands, but there always seems to be something different going on inside. If you’re looking for an afternoon of shopping and want to get away from the designer brands of Avenida da Liberdade and Chiado, then take the metro and get off at Colégio Militar station.
Carnide can be divided into two large areas and in simple terms it goes like this: the closer to Colombo the more expensive it becomes (not necessarily better houses, but more expensive!). I foresee some excitement in the area when the new one opens. Lisbon Popular Fair, an amusement park and carousels that was located in Entrecampos and was put on hold for years, and which will now finally move to Carnide. There is no specific opening date yet, but I assume that this new attraction in Lisbon will revitalize this area a little.
Museums and football
Continuing from the parish of Carnide, we now enter Lumiar, which is the largest of the three parishes we are talking about today. It is essentially residential and has three more expensive areas that all have a metro and local shops. They are Telheiras, Quinta das Conchas and Lumiar. In this parish I would like to highlight the José Alvalade Stadium, which stands out for its green tones and where the home team plays: Sporting Club of Portugal. It is a very well located and impressive stadium, with transport links and close to the Jardim do Campo Grande that we mentioned earlier.
I would also like to take this opportunity to talk about two museums that are very close to each other and that are located in this parish. I am talking about National Costume Museum and of the National Museum of Theatre and Dance. There is bus 703 that stops right outside the door, but I prefer to take the metro because it is faster. The closest station is Lumiar and getting here is not that straightforward as you have to cross a busy avenue, but it is not difficult, nor is it very far from the station.
If you want to avoid the museums in the city center, you have two interesting options here. The first is the National Costume Museum and is installed in the Angeja-Palmela Palace. Here you will find collections of civil, national and international costumes, as well as their accessories. A testament to the production of textiles, costumes and accessories over time.
The second museum, right next door, is the Museum of Theatre and Dance and is installed in the Monteiro-Mor Palace, an 18th century building that has been restored and adapted for this purpose. This museum aims to develop knowledge of the performing arts.
The last parish
Santa Clara is the last parish we will talk about in this round of parishes. It is all residential and has no notable monuments. The Ameixoeira area is the best part to live in, as it has a metro station, is close to major highways and has an interesting and well-kept green area – the Garden of the Santa Clara Estate and adjacent to it has the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation (not to be confused with the other church with the same name located in Chiado Square).
Over the course of thirteen articles, I have made a tour of all the parishes of Lisbon. We started near the airport and went around, crossed the city centre, passed through Belém, went around Benfica and finally arrived right on the other side of the airport. I am sure there is much more to say. Lisbon is always reinventing itself and there is always more and more to say about the bridges, the squares, the views, the special light, the cafés and the trendy places, the coming and going of people going to see one or another show that takes place here and there. There are museums for all tastes, you can eat very cheaply and you can have a royal meal, you can date by the sea and watch the sunset and you can be enchanted in any palace when you are looking for inspiration and splendour. Lisbon has all this and much more. She is the girl that is sung about in fado and comes in all shapes and sizes. Today, it is more modern, more cosmopolitan, full of people who come from all corners of the world to experience something different: the Portuguese spirit, our way of life, our monuments, our things and our food.
Wherever you are in the world, Lisbon, this city by the sea, is here to welcome you. With open arms because it is in this sincerity and simplicity that life makes more sense and tastes better.