Lisbon is a city full of great energy and personality that gave birth to a poet who became the very symbol of Portuguese poetry worldwide: Fernando Pessoa. In this regard, it is possible to trace his footsteps with a one-day Lisbon tour focused precisely on Pessoa, his places, and the venues where the poet spent pleasant time.
Pessoa’s Birthplace
His birthplace is located in Largo de S. Carlos, where he spent his early years before leaving for Latin America and eventually returning to Lisbon permanently until his death.
The first place to consider and visit is the Fernando Pessoa House, a cultural center with free entry dedicated to the poet since 1993, located at Rua Coelho da Rocha 16.
The second stop will be refreshing: it is recommended to sip a good coffee at Café A Brasileira, a venue much loved by the poet and Portuguese intellectuals, a meeting place that has become an attraction itself, so much so that it was awarded the title “Portuguese Architectural Heritage” in 1997. Outside, you can notice a bronze statue of Pessoa, realistically seated at a small table.
The next stop will be Largo Raphael Bordalo Pinheiro: a photo of the orange-shaded building and an overall look at this place Pessoa frequented often.
Time permitting, there is still time to wander around the area, taking care to start heading towards Praça do Comércio 3, where the Café Martinho da Arcada is located: just as Pessoa often did, you could have lunch here, choosing typical dishes from Portuguese cuisine.
There is a fair stretch of road to cover before reaching the next stop of the Lisbon tour following Pessoa’s footsteps: the destination is Praça D. Pedro IV (Rossio).
Here you can spot an ancient tobacco shop, very well maintained with much of the internal decorations still intact. It is the Tabacaria Mónaco, dating back to 1893.
The afternoon can be dedicated to shopping or other visits; for dinner, there are two options, always staying with the “Pessoa” theme: if you want to dine inside a historic brewery frequented by the poet, then the Cervejaria Beira Gare is the right address. The fish specialties (seafood and especially grilled cod) are highly recommended.
Alternatively, if you want to dine in a proper restaurant, you cannot miss visiting Rua dos Douradores 190, at the Restaurante Pessoa which, as the name suggests, is dedicated precisely to him.
The evening can continue with watching a show or a concert: Pessoa regularly attended the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos. The building is located at Rua de Serpa Pinto 9.
A day full of places dear to Fernando Pessoa, for a Lisbon tour focused on his life and poetry.
