Enigma

It's hard to believe this home is in such a handy, central location. A few minutes from the heart of historic Sintra, it's a simple and sophisticated studio apartment with incredible views across leafy gardens to the surrounding hills. Open the doors to the balcony and just listen to the sound of the birds.

Part of a smartly converted period building, here you'll have all the modern comforts, along with touches of timeless character. We love the main room – an open, bright space with double French doors to the balcony, high ceilings, shutters and wood floors. With one of the biggest, comfiest beds we've ever seen, it's a serene place just right for a couple. And while the kitchenette is far from huge, it's perfectly practical for whipping up light meals at home – and it's not far from local eateries.

Just a few minutes from the famous Quinta da Regaleira estate and the train station, it's a great base for exploring this UNESCO-protected area, with great hiking and loads of historic buildings to visit.

Home truths:
*There's no lift here so you'll have to take the stairs up to the second floor
*As a studio apartment, there's no separation between the living and sleeping areas
*There's free on-street parking just outside, on a first-come-first-served basis
*The building has a shared entrance
*Local laws mean there's a quiet time within the building between 10pm and 8am
*It's recommended that you get around Sintra on foot or by tuk-tuk – and be careful not to take a wrong turn on these narrow hillside roads as you could end up having to go some way before you can turn around
*Please note the kitchen is quite basic here – you're a short walk from restaurants to make up for it
*You may hear the sound of the neighbours' hens during your stay