Diana’s home is beautiful, very clean, and the location is absolutely perfect. It is in the center of the bustling neighborhood of Chiado, which is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Lisbon. It is just a short walk from the Rossio train station and metro. Restaurants with outdoor seating are right out the door yet the insulated windows keep the unit nice and quiet. The nightlife of Barrio Alto is just a 5 minute walk to the west and great shopping is all around. Entrance to the building depends on an electronic code that you will be given and also a key to the apartment itself. Note that the “street” it is on is actually a beautiful stair that spans several blocks but the unit is located near the top (west side) so if you have a lot to carry, approach it from the west (Just near the Igreja de São Roque).

We encountered one issue during our 15-day stay. We came back to the building one night to find that there was a power outage on the entire block. This kept us from getting into the building since the front door code relies on power. We had to wait until 5 AM for the power to return so we could get in. In the meantime, Diana, her coordinator (Jorge) and her housekeeper (São & husband) stayed up with us to try to get us in. Unfortunately, none of them had a key to the front door but they kept contact with the city and with us. Sao and her husband even trekked to an all-night pastry shop and got us croissants, fruit, and juice to ease the frustration. We have heard that such power outages are rare in Lisbon (and this occurred during a heat wave) so we chalk it up as a mini-adventure but if this sort of thing bothers you, be sure to secure a key to the front door from Diana for the duration of your stay.

The beautiful place, the vibrant neighborhood, and the pleasant staff definitely contribute to the quality