Campo de Ourique has that rare balance between the energy of a Lisbon neighbourhood and the tranquillity of a place where everyone seems to know each other. I like exploring it slowly, moving between cafés, shops, gardens and restaurants, letting each stop become part of the experience.

I start the morning at Campo de Ourique Market, at Gleba. It’s 8:30 a.m. and breakfast includes a croissant, a pão de queijo and a chocolate cookie, as well as the inevitable coffee. Before leaving, I take the time to walk around the market and browse the stalls because, when you’re here, it’s impossible not to have a look around.

With the morning still getting started, Jardim da Parada is the next stop. I enjoy this quieter moment before stepping back into the rhythm of the streets. From here, I continue to Torres Novas, at Rua Tomás da Anunciação, 38A. With pieces rooted in Portuguese tradition and a very contemporary aesthetic, it’s one of those shops where I always find a reason to stay a few minutes longer.

My visit to Casa Fernando Pessoa, at 11:00 a.m., changes the pace of the day. It’s special to discover the house where the poet lived, in a neighbourhood that remains so closely connected to the city’s cultural and creative life.

After a morning like this, it’s time to think about lunch. At 1:30 p.m., Teimar is the choice for a long, leisurely meal. It’s also a good opportunity to recharge before heading back out to explore the neighbourhood.

And because not every good discovery has to be enjoyed on the spot, I take the opportunity to stop at Dez Prá Uma. I pick up a few ready-made meals to take home. These are the kind of solutions that taste even better when they’re already waiting for you in the fridge.

From 3:30 p.m. onwards, I give myself over to the streets of Campo de Ourique. Ferreira Borges, Coelho da Rocha and Saraiva de Carvalho are the perfect setting for an afternoon of shopping and discoveries. Between fashion stores, homeware shops, independent brands and little details that catch my eye, I gradually leave the itinerary behind and simply follow whatever sparks my curiosity.

As the afternoon draws to a close, there’s one last stop I never skip: an ice cream at Santini, around 5:30 p.m. The neighbourhood is beginning to take on a different light, and this is the perfect time to simply enjoy the moment.

For dinner, I save Hikidashi At 8:00 p.m., I finally sit down to end the day with the best sushi. After such a full day, this is exactly the kind of ending I look for: good food, a relaxed atmosphere and time to let the conversation continue.

Campo de Ourique has a way of filling an entire day without ever making it feel as though you’re following an itinerary. There is always another street to explore, another shop to discover or another table to sit at. And that is where its charm lies.