Turquoise Walls

Turquoise Walls: Lisbon

Only a few minutes from Lisbon's buzzing downtown lies Santos, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Close to all the must-see landmarks yet tucked away from the more tourist-heavy spots, it's no wonder this is a favourite area for locals and college students – plus, excellent public transport links make this a prime place for exploring. Enjoy walks along the riverfront, discover the city's old churches or browse the ancient art in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. Later on, head to the famous Pink Street for a night on the town – it's a hub of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Afterwards, make your way home to this cosy apartment and kick off your shoes. Situated in a restored building with a tiled-covered facade and oodles of Juliet balconies, it's quintessentially Portuguese on the outside. One step inside, however, and you'll find contemporary design in spades.

Sunlight streams through the French windows, creating a bright and inviting space to relax, while aquamarine-coloured tiles in the kitchen and bathroom mimic the exterior. We can easily imagine sharing bottles of Vinho Verde around the dining table, reading a guidebook on the butterfly chair and cooking in the kitchen while fado music plays on the Marshall speaker – there's even a glass desk that's ideal for remote working. It's the perfect pad for a few friends or a couple to call home, with more than enough room to spread out and get comfortable.

Home truths:
*At full capacity, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed *This apartment is in a residential building with a shared entrance – upon arrival, you'll be able to check yourself in with a smart-lock *Please respect the neighbours and adhere to the quiet hours between 10pm and 8am *The apartment is on a busy street, so noise is to be expected *The balconies are Juliet-style, so there's nowhere to sit *You won't need a car in Lisbon – instead of driving, explore the city on foot or take advantage of the public transportation