Birchwood Heights

It doesn't get much better than this Alfama apartment for a first-time visitor to the city. Located a five-minute walk from São Jorge Castle and ten minutes to Sé Cathedral – both excellent starting points for a day of sightseeing – it's the perfect choice for a romantic weekend getaway or a convenient base for a solo traveller who wants to be within walking distance of the action.

Climb up the stairs and enter this bright and comfortable apartment, decorated with stylish simplicity in mind. Up here on the second floor, the open-plan kitchen/dining/living room is the undoubted heart of the home.

We particularly enjoyed the treetop views that will accompany your culinary efforts in the kitchenette prior to sitting down to dine around the table. After dinner, feel free to unwind on the sofa or head to bed and watch TV in supreme comfort.

Home truths:
* There is no elevator to this second-floor home – those with limited mobility or heavy suitcases beware as there are twenty-five steps to climb
* As with most homes in Alfama, the internet is too slow for uninterrupted video streaming and other data-heavy tasks
*Check yourself in on arrival with the keypad
*Child-friendly amenities such as a cot are available on request