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18th century
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisbon, Portugal
Av. da Liberdade 28, Lisbon, Portugal, 1240-145
Original Property Opened in 18th century
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2022
Located on Lisbon’s main thoroughfare, Heritage Avenida Liberdade seamlessly bridges the gap between history and contemporary comfort. From its powder-blue, 18th-century façade to its original shutters and delicate iron balconies, this historic hotel stands out for its meticulous preservation. Inside, acclaimed international architect, Miguel Câncio Martins, has designed inventive interiors drawing on Lisbon’s rich heritage and history. Original blue and white Pombaline tiles cover the public areas and an 18th-century herbalist counter, framed by apothecary bottles, serves as the reception desk in the lobby. Guests have access to a cozy library, a relaxing lounge, and a sleek indoor swimming pool. With its spectacular location, spacious accommodations, and welcoming service, Heritage Avenida Liberdade offers a luxurious escape in the heart of Portugal’s cosmopolitan capital.
Discover
- Discover the distinctive blue façade of Heritage Avenida Liberdade. Reflecting the Moorish influences of Lisbon's medieval heritage, the stunning exterior is only a hint of the magic awaiting inside. The hotel’s façade boasts many of its 18th-century features including the original ashlar, the veranda railings, the wooden main door, and the shutters with their original ironwork.
- Take a dip in the hotel’s sleek indoor pool and then lounge in the library with a good book. Located in the basement, the small pool is surrounded by a sepia-toned mural of beachgoers from the 1920s. The elevators, with their stone mosaic flooring reminiscent of Avenida da Liberdade, take guests up to the charming mezzanine library overlooking the lobby where they can peruse the hotel’s multilingual selection of books.
- Admire the interiors designed by internationally acclaimed Portuguese architect, Miguel Câncio Martins. Photos of old Lisbon and quotes from Portuguese poets like Fernando Pessoa and António Gedeão celebrate Portugal’s past. Original blue and white Pombaline tiles, named after the 18th-century Marques de Pombal, decorate the public areas. The lobby maintains the 18th-century herbalist counter of Ervanária Hermética, a shop that existed on the ground floor of the building, and now, in place of the apothecary’s ointments, medicinal herbs, and elixirs, the friendly staff provides delicious tea blends for guests to enjoy.
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. Her 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.
- Listen to a Fado performance in one of Lisbon’s many Fado houses. Much more than just a song, Fado is the purest expression of Portugal’s spirit, always accompanied by the solemn and melancholy chords of the Portuguese guitar. It can be heard in many restaurants and “Tascas” of the old districts of Lisbon. In 2011, Fado was dubbed an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. To learn more about this unique tradition, visit the Fado Museum which covers the history of Fado from its 19th-century origins to the present day.
- Enjoy a ride through the hills of Lisbon on the Glória Funicular. Sprawling up out of the Tagus riverbed, Lisbon is a notoriously hilly city. The Glória Funicular was built in October 1885 to help residents conquer the steep hills of the ancient Bairro Alto district. It is especially famous for being the first funicular to provide an optional ride on the roof, which the locals dubbed ‘imperial class’. Passengers with a more adventurous spirit traveled upstairs sitting back-to-back on a long wooden bench, with access to the upper floor via a winding and slightly precarious staircase.
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 Heritage Avenida Liberdade can enjoy this delicacy every morning at the hotel’s breakfast.
- Taste all seven wonders of Portuguese gastronomy. Sete maravilhas da gastronomia (seven wonders of gastronomy) is part of the larger organization Sete Maravilhas de Portugal (Seven Wonders of 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.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Flexible Rate
This rate includes complimentary breakfast served until noon daily.
Romantic Lisbon Package
Enjoy a romantic getaway to Lisbon with this package which includes private airport transfers, complimentary breakfast served until noon, and free entrance into 20 Lisbon Museums.
Golden Age Offer
For guests 50 years of age or older, this offer includes free breakfast and free entrance into 20 Lisbon Museums and two Botanical Gardens. Please inquire upon arrival for more information.
Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.