Olaria

Give studio living a try at this stylish apartment in the heart of the old-town Alfama district. Unlike other studio arrangements, Olaria has a well-separated dining area and kitchen, which creates a much more pleasant experience for an adventurous duo of travellers. Knock up a Piri Piri chicken to go with your glass of Lisbon wine over lunch, devour your morning pastel de nata around the dining table or map out the day's adventure while sipping on an espresso. And as far as bedroom/living spaces go, this one is right up there. We love the swallow-themed decoration above the bed, eclectic prints gallery wall and streams of natural light coming in through the balcony doors. You'll be staying in one of Lisbon's most authentic neighbourhoods, with easy access to the Sé de Lisboa (a sixteen-minute stroll) and numerous Fado houses in the area – we should mention that the Moorish Quarter (a five-minute walk) is superbly photogenic. Soak up the atmosphere as you pass idiosyncratic boutiques and sip homemade coffees along windy cobbled streets. It's a lovely spot to see Lisbon from, whether you're a first-timer or back for seconds, thirds (fourths?).

Home truths:
*As this is a studio apartment, the bedroom is shared with the living space
*The balcony is a Juliet-style, so there's no space to sit
*You will need to climb a total of twenty-four stairs to reach the apartment, which may not be suitable for those with limited mobility – the stairs are narrow and cracked in parts
*The kitchen countertop is due for a replacement – the host is aware
*There's no air conditioning at this home
*Your host provides a travel cot on request
*It's a sixteen-minute drive from Lisbon Portela Airport
*There's free on-street parking outside
*Quiet hours after 9pm