The Little Bastu

With unobstructed views of Alfama, Lisbon's charismatic medieval neighbourhood, this apartment will place you in the best location to explore the city's rich history. It's next to the Sé de Lisboa cathedral, so you won't have to walk far to see your first attraction. You're also no more than a five-minute walk to Baixa – the historical and geographical heart of the city – where you'll discover magnificent plazas, grand avenues and impressive Pombaline architecture. A timeless, rustic home with original azulejo tilework, antique wood-panelled walls, a standalone bath, and two reading nooks in the living room. There's hardly a corner in this home that couldn't feature in an interiors magazine as a prime example of rustic chic. The classical decor immediately had us in the mood to seek out another must-see/hear Lisbon experience, fado. You've got a few choices within a ten-minute walk, but the elegant Casa da Linhares stood out to us. Where better to listen to this mysterious and melancholic music while you dine on typically Portuguese dishes than in the foundation of an earthquake-ruined palace?

Home truths:
* There's no oven in the kitchen, only a microwave
* As is common in Alfama, the wi-fi is quite patchy – worth considering if you're planning on getting some work done during your stay
* There's an ever-present woody scent in the home courtesy of the panelling