Colour Cartwheel

Check into this sleek studio bolthole, perched along an oh-so-Portuguese cobbled street with the views to match, right in the beating heart of downtown Porto.

With the wide avenue of Avenida dos Aliados just an eight-minute stroll away, it won't take long to soak up the buzzy atmosphere and enjoy a spot of shopping. Then lose yourself to Riberia's maze of medieval alleys, zigzagging down to the Douro River (sixteen minutes away on foot) – or a smidge longer with pitstops at the hole-in-the-wall tascas for tasty local fare and cold beers along the way.

Back at home, prepare for an entrance at this period property. Behind its wrought-iron exteriors, you'll find the most magnificent staircase spiralling up to your door. Inside, everywhere feels light-filled and inviting, thanks to those floor-to-ceiling Juliet balcony doors. And though this is studio living, there are all your creature comforts.

Crash out with drinks and a good book in the living space as you soak in the views of Porto's rooftops. Get together at the bistro table in the kitchen nook for lazy breakfasts – the dangerously close bakery on the corner can help with that, or order breakfast to be delivered to your room. But whatever you do, you must have those balcony doors wide open to let the soft patter of street life drift up from below – that's a memory right there.

Home truths:
*Paid parking is located in the streets surrounding this home
*This home sleeps two guests but there is an option of using the sofa bed if you'd rather not share the double – just request with your host in advance
*You'll share an entrance to this apartment building
*There is no lift at this apartment so be prepared to tackle some stairs
*At the time of writing, there were some building works taking place next to the apartment annex, which may cause noise between 8am and 7pm – check with your host directly regarding the status on these works
*There's no air-conditioning at this home but thanks to it's setting along a quiet street, you can easily sleep with the French doors open here