Five places providing a serene, holistic experience in the Portuguese capital

The oceanfront walk along the marina from Praça do Comércio to the Ponte 25 de Abril is like a dose of euphoria in the morning, passing runners, leisurely strollers and small fisherman boats jetting out early. Lisbon is dynamic and besides offering the regular, renowned tourist sites, it provides pathways into the slower, Portuguese pace of life. From waking up with a soothing view of the Tejo river to taking a vinyasa flow to kickstart your day, or brunch in a bookstore and dining at a zero waste restaurant, here are five things to do in Lisbon for those seeking a serene, holistic experience.

Santa Clara 1728

Santa Clara 1728 is the only city property of Silent Living, a collection of family homes lovingly restored and opened to guests by João Rodrigues. He, together with architect Manuel Aires Mateus, created five sanctuaries, each with their own stories and memories, where guests can live in sublime simplicity within a familiar environment. This particular property, which overlooks the Tejo River and the Santa Engrácia church, is located within an elegant 18th century mansion converted into a six-room guesthouse that breathes quietude. Inside, the design is centered around the use of natural materials such as wood, stone and linen, and highlights the savoir-faire of local artisans, such as the sleek cream colored bathtubs made with limestone from Sintra. The ground floor houses the newly launched Ceia, a convivial dining concept where the chef curates a daily menu with the seasonal fruits and vegetables picked at the sister property Casa no Tiempo in the outskirts of Lisbon. 

Restaurant Sem

Lara and George met while working at East London’s Silo, the first zero-waste restaurant in the world. When the pandemic hit, the couple moved to Lisbon with a clear objective in mind: use their background in sustainable development, inspiration from their recent work experience and passion for the culinary arts to open Restaurant Sem. Here, zero waste and regenerative agriculture are the core pillars of this conscious-dining model which, in turn, creates an interesting culinary experience. The menu, drawn up by George, is dependent upon their local producer’s availability as well as use of waste ingredients from past menus that have either been fermented or preserved in some interesting way. This attention to reuse has been implemented across the design of the restaurant as well—floors are made by Portuguese company Goma, which produces tiles made from recycled rubber from tennis shoes; the light shades are created by artist Salvador Salazar, who used excess paper from fast food industries.

Fable

One of the city’s most recent additions, Fable is more than just a cafe; it’s a sociable space where you can taste healthy, nourishing meals among the comforting scent of well-loved books. It was opened by Melyssa Griffin with the intent to bring something new to the table. Come along for a freshly brewed coffee and a slice of plant-based sticky toffee banana bread or stay for a lengthy lunch, selecting from a wide range of nutritious, wholesome savory bowls surrounded by like-minded, friendly humans. 

Little Yoga Space

For all the yogis out there, Little Yoga Space is within a traditional Lisbon palaço in the heart of the city center, with gracious windows and the curtains flowing away in the breeze. The studio was set up back in 2012 by Arina Holm Joensen as a safe space in which she could share her yoga teachings with her community; a few years later she was joined by Katrin who helped to evolve the studio and open an additional space dedicated to therapies and treatments. The Little Yoga Space continues to thrive, offering yoga (yin/vinyasa/hatha and power flows), breath work and meditation classes as well as sound healing workshops on a daily basis, all in English. You can book a single class, week pass, collective class passes as well as monthly memberships.

Amplify

The ultimate sports club in Lisbon situated in two parts of the city: Santos and Marques de Pombal. Amplify offers four classes—indoor-cycling, bootcamp, yoga and barre—and provides a mix and match of exercises to suit many. The studio is very modern, with spacious changing rooms featuring electronic lockers as well as all your post-shower amenities: GHDs, deodorant and cosmetic products. After class you can refuel with juice or a protein shake at the Boost Bar before setting out for the day on a high.