An emblematic Cigar stop in Lisbon

Here I am, on my terrace in the blazing sun of mid-August, struck by a good feeling of gratification when looking back on this past summer. This moment screams for a good habanos while I share with you an emblematic stop on my recent trip to Portugal. As for what I decided to smoke while writing these words, for the curious of course, it is an OH so delicious San Cristobal de la Habana from the latest 20^th Habanos Festival.

Like in some past articles, I love to share some of my cigar traveling experiences with you. I always feel like sharing these moments with you because of the passion we all share for cigars and to give you some must hit spots if you are traveling through that area. My latest discovery was Portugal, a destination that seems on a rise of popularity in the past two to three years. It seems like there is always a friend of mine that is going or has just came back…felt like I had an inception to go there in some way. And what better occasion to visit than a friend’s wedding!

First and foremost, Portugal is still among those smoker friendly countries. So right off the bat you know you will enjoy some good smokes either on a café terrace or on a late night hang out on a nice restaurant terrace… and you won’t get bothered or looked at like you are a dinosaur.

As always, my game plan was conceived before leaving to Lisbon. I had made some research and knew I had two spots to hit for some cigars. Out of the two, one really sticks out…the famous and historical CASA HAVANEZA.

CASA HAVANEZA is located in the heart of old Lisbon in the district named Chiado. That area is a historic neighborhood well known for its old and modern commercial businesses but also its cultural scene with museums and theaters. It is really a tourist filled area and the streets are always vibrating with people.  For example, when we made it to the shop there was a jazz band playing some beautiful bossa nova music…. what better way to sink in my vacation mood while cruising the streets of Lisbon…

Quick history on CASA HAVANEZA. The tobacconist is the oldest one in Portugal, I mean seriously old! They celebrated their 155^th anniversary this year and Habanos SA commemorated the celebration with a special dinner party. Portuguese businessman, Henry Burnay, created the store in 1864 and it is still located in its original emplacement. Today the business has expanded to three other locations (check bottom of the article for the addresses). 

You get an immediate historical feeling when you walk in, like this place has been through so much of our modern history and changes but yet it is still there selling some premium Cubans as they did in 1864. It kind of gave me the same vibe I get when I walk in parts of old Havana, you feel like the walls of the shop have a lot of stories to tell. The décor is timeless and gives you the feeling you are walking into a submarine of Jules Verne’s Vingt mille lieues sous les mers book. They carry a wide variety of cigar accessories (humidors, lighters, cutters, etc.…) that can accommodate any type of budget and a wide variety of spirits, wines and ports. As you make your way to the back of the store you pass walls filled with memorabilia of Casa Havaneza’s history only to find yourself in a superb tasting room with a large centered table.  There they host monthly events with wine, spirit or port tastings…so if you are lucky and well timed you might be able to join in on one of those evenings during your trip.

“…they only sell cigars by the box or in aluminum

tubes….in all of Portugal.”

They have a beautiful walk in humidor that is very well stocked and maintained. I would qualify the selection they have as a very good but there is one downside, they only sell cigars by the box or in aluminum tubes. Meaning that there are no open boxes for you to choose from, you can only get classic cigars that are available in tubes (that’s the case in all the tobacconists I visited in Portugal). But besides that you are sure to find what you are looking for and for those who like to collect regional editions, the most recent Portugal Edition was available when I visited; the 2017 Bolivar Lusiadas a 48 X 137 perfecto shaped cigar.

All in all if you love cigars and are in Lisbon you have to stop by this store, I don’t see how you would want to miss out on such a history filled tobacconist located in one of the most historical areas of the city. Go buy yourself some nice cigars and accessories, walk out the shop and make your way to the neighboring Café A Brasileira. There you can sit, order a nice espresso, light up a Cuban and enjoy the Chiado scene as Casa Havaneza has been doing for the past 155 years.

Casa Havaneza Four Locations:

Casa Havaneza Chiado:

Largo do Chiado,
N.º 25 1200-108 Lisboa

Casa Havaneza Amoreiras:

Amoreiras
Shopping Center, Piso 0, Loja 1.117, 1070-103 Lisboa

Casa Havaneza Colombo:

Colombo Shopping
Center, Piso 0, Av. dos Descobrimentos, Loja 0.028, 1500-392 Lisboa

Casa Havaneza Porto:

Rua Arq. Cassiano
Barbosa, 40, 4100-009 Porto