The Blue Pier

Alcântara is a neighbourhood where you can enjoy delightful contrasts. Take a morning to visit the 16th-century Torre de Belém, just a ten-minute drive from this duplex apartment. Or nine minutes away, spend the afternoon at the hip LX Factory – a former fabric warehouse now brimming with independent shops, cafés, and street art. And with the Monsanto Hills to the north, nature is yet another facet of this exciting area.

After a diverse day out, head back to the duplex, housed in a protected building which was renovated in 2018. But if you’d lived here a while back, you’d have some rather well-known neighbours – you're right next to the former Royal Palace. As for the interiors, history is also on the cards.

The owner's choice of decor is inspired in honour of his ancestor – 19th-century Portuguese explorer Roberto Ivens. With this in mind, you’ll find old maps, leather suitcases, and a fantastic array of books to bring this imaginative theme to life. Mid-century furnishings are the order of the day in the lounge, with its centrepiece being a grand Chesterfield sofa. While you get comfortable here with a glass of douro, the little ones can follow in the adventurer’s footsteps. Games, toys, a console, and a reading nook will keep active minds busy.

Home truths:
*The building entrance is not private to your apartment
*As this home allows for self check-in, you might not meet your host
*There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots
*Your host can provide a cot, high chair, baby bath, and more childcare facilities – let them know what you might need
*There's no air conditioning, but the rooms have ceiling fans instead
*Private parking is available on-site, but the Alcantara-Terra station is just a six-minute walk
*The main bedroom's storage is outside in the hallway
*You'll need to be able to climb a short staircase to get to the first floor (as this is a duplex, there's also a stair inside the house)