
The neighborhood of Santos became part of the parish of Estrela. It used to be part of the parish of Santos-O-Velho.
Known as the Design District due to its proximity to IADE (Faculty of Design, Technology and Communication), Santos has seen better days when it comes to nightlife.
Gone are the nights when the streets of Santos, from the marginal to Madragoa, were filled with night owls, eager to finish another night out among students from various universities in these parts.
We remember the great nights of live music at Refúgio das Freiras, with the night ending just above, at Álcool Puro or at Luís Represas’ bar, Xafarix, which also had music nights with him or with friends.
Nowadays, much quieter and further away from the epicenter of Lisbon’s nightlife, the Santos district continues to receive many visitors, who go there to discover some of Lisbon’s best spots.
From bars and restaurants to cultural venues, there are many places you can visit in this typically Lisbon neighborhood. And we’ve been to see some of them.
1 – Ippolito & Maciste, Wine Bar
When we were told about this place, we never thought that the Ippolito & Maciste wine bar would become one of our “special places” in the city.
Hidden away in the Santos neighborhood, it’s so refurbished that we’d never heard of it, and it opened in November 2021 to highlight small local producers in order to promote little-known wines.
Address: Rua da Esperança 72
2 – National Museum of Ancient Art
The Museum of Ancient Art, located in the Alvor Palace at the top of the famous Rua das Janelas Verdes, is one of the museums with the most national treasures.
Here you’ll find a vast array of more than 40,000 works of art from the 12th to the 19th centuries, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, furniture and more.
Among the highlights, don’t miss the opportunity to admire the Namban Biombos, the Temptations of St. Anthony by Jheronymus Bosch or the Panels of St. Vincent by Nuno Gonçalves.
Address: Rua das Janelas Verdes
3 – Santos Garden
Also known as Jardim Nuno Álvares, this is one of Lisbon’s public gardens closest to the waterfront and is subject to opening and closing hours: it is open from 8am to 8pm.
Located in Largo de Santos, it has a total area of 3,900 square meters and stands out for offering plenty of shade to all its visitors.
It is precisely here that you will also find a magnificent example of Bela-Sombra and a bronze statue of Ramalho Ortigão, a famous Portuguese writer.
Address: Largo Santos
4 – A Barraca Theater
Founded in March 1976, A Barraca is one of Lisbon’s oldest and best-known independent theater companies, with plays of great importance in the capital.
At A Barraca you can see a wide range of theatrical genres, for more mature audiences or even for children.
It also has a café-concert hall, a bar and serves as a center for book presentations and other culture-related initiatives.
Address: Largo Santos 2A
5 – Santos-O-Velho Church
The church of Santos-O-Velho is dedicated to the martyred saints Veríssimo, Máxima and Júlia and was built in 1147.
However, it was restoration work in 1861 and 1876 on the bell towers, frontispiece and pulpits that gave it its current appearance.
The interior of the church, covered by a false barrel vault in painted and gilded wood, has a single nave open to six side chapels (three on each side), the Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception on the right side of the triumphal arch and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
Address: Rua Santos-O-Velho 15
6 – O Soajeiro Restaurant
If you like traditional Madeira kebabs on a laurel stick, or a nice fresh poncha, then the Soajeiro restaurant is where you’ll find the best specialties in Lisbon.
Back in the kitchen, the best meat from the region is grilled on a laurel stick, as is traditional on the island of Madeira, in a family-run restaurant that will welcome you with open arms, both inside and on the small patio with a terrace facing the street.
Oh, and don’t forget to order a dose of Lisbon’s best poncha, prepared and served by Michael, one of the owners’ sons.
Address: Rua do Merca-Tudo 16
7 – Geographia Restaurant
The Geographia restaurant serves “food that speaks Portuguese”, with a Lusophone-inspired menu full of dishes and ingredients from Portuguese-speaking countries: Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Goa, Macau, Mozambique, São Tomé and East Timor.
Address: Rua do Conde 1
The Janelas Verdes Fountain is right in front of one of the entrances to the National Museum of Ancient Art, in Largo Dr. José de Figueiredo.
It was one of the fountains connected to the Águas Livres Aqueduct and was built in 1755 in pink and white marble.
It features baroque architecture and several statues sculpted by António Machado. In the middle of the basin stands an urn supporting a statue of Venus and Adonis with a dolphin.
Address: Largo Dr. José Figueiredo
11 – Mila Lisboa
Mila turned out to be an incredible brunch experience, with staff always attentive to our needs, be they comfort or taste.
The owner, Mila’s husband, after whom this friendly place is named, told us that it all started as a simple street grocery store selling vegetables and fruit.
Gradually, people living in the Santos neighborhood began to ask to sit down and eat there and, in no time, the green shelves gave way to tables, an open kitchen and a counter, culminating in a beautifully decorated and comfortable space where you really feel like being.
Address: Rua Santos-o-Velho 38
12 – Boca Linda
At the table, Boca Linda’s menu is a tribute to Mexican ingredients and gastronomy reincarnated in contemporary cuisine, made up of the most typical dishes that could be found in the best cantinas in the various regions of Mexico.
Address: Calçada Marquês Abrantes 92 (Santos)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays from 12 noon to 2 a.m.; Sundays and public holidays, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reservations: by phone or WhatsApp to +351 93 704 19 18
13 – C.O.W Beef & Cocktails
The C.O.W Beef & Cocktails restaurant is right there in Largo de Santos, facing the Tagus River, which can be seen from its terrace.
Here you’ll eat some of the best cuts of matured meat in Lisbon, from Black Angus sirloin to entrecôte, noble picanha or matured maminha.
And there are two menus for two people that are to die for. Are you going to try them?
Address: Largo de Santos 9A
14 – A Merendeira
In this guide to the Santos neighborhood we’ve talked a lot about nightlife, some of the best Lisbon has ever had.
So it’s not surprising that we end up at A Merendeira, where almost every hungry night owl ends a good night of fun.
Bread with chorizo and the famous caldo verde must be part of your order if you want to go to bed cozy and warm.
Address: Avenida 24 de Julho 54G