The Philosopher's Stone

The Philosopher's Stone: Porto

There are several things we love about this home. First of all, it's housed in a gorgeous refurbished 19th-century building that used to belong to a commander from the 1800s. The second reason is for its Harry Potter connections – the house opposite is where JK Rowling lived during her time in Porto. It’s said she wrote the first three chapters of the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone there.

Third, but by no means least, is the sunny, large courtyard garden with its rocking chair, barbecue, sofa and dining table, which is the real highlight of this home. It's filled with roses, geraniums, and a lemon tree – it's the perfect place to gather with your family or friends.

Inside, there are plenty of character features such as exposed stone walls, beams, shutters and traditional tiles. Whip up some bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (cod casserole) in the kitchen and enjoy it at the huge wooden table.

Out and about, there's plenty to see in this enchanting city. Jardim de São Lázaro, Lisbon's oldest municipal park, is a four-minute stroll, while the Via Catarina Shopping Mall is eight minutes on foot. It's around the same distance to Bolhão Market or head to Batalha Square, with its cafes and theatres, a ten-minute saunter from this fantastic home.



Home truths:
*This home has a private entrance
*A travel cot and high chair is available upon request
*The full bathroom is on the second floor
*There are stairs at this home – something to bear in mind for those with limited mobility
*There are mattress heaters here
*The dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly space
*Guests are kindly asked to respect the quiet hours here, which are between 10pm and 8am
*Porto Airport is nineteen minutes in the car