Pillar of Strength

When your apartment is under ten minutes from Alfama, you might think it would be hard to compete with such striking surroundings. Speaking of which, it’s a four-minute wander to the Sé de Lisboa, six to the waterfront restaurants of Praça do Comércio, and only ten to the hilltop vantage point of the Castelo de S. Jorge. While iconic sights are all around, the historic features of this home also make a lasting impression. In this restored Pombaline building, its stone nooks and wooden earthquake supports date back to the 1755 reparations. As a reminder of the area’s fascinating history, the interiors still display some of these original elements. Despite this, you’ll find fresh, sophisticated, and modern updates to the decor. Painting the gaiola pombalina timber in a bright white is a touch of genius, plus we love the sleek, matte-charcoal kitchen and the lemon-yellow sofa in the lounge. With contemporary art pieces adorning the walls, this creative home has been kitted out for the 21st century. But when you’re not busy admiring what’s on offer inside, we recommend heading to the windows with a chilled glass of vinho verde. From up here on the sixth floor, the views are simply astounding.

Home truths:
*Even though there's a lift, you'll need to climb some stairs for access
*There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots like the dining table
*Paid, public parking is available 300 metres away, and the Maria Madalena tram stop is just 54 metres from home
*As this home allows for self check-in with a keypad, you won't meet your host
*There's no washing machine, but there's a coin-operated laundrette nearby
*The twin beds in the second bedroom can be put together to make a double bed
*Your host can provide daily housekeeping for an extra fee
*The main building entrance is shared, not private to your home
*Some guests felt the air conditioning was a little loud