I stayed here for eight days in October/November 2014. I enjoyed both the apartment and the neighborhood, and I particularly appreciated the time Cila spent to help me get to know Lisbon, her home town.

The apartment size is fine for a single person+child, or a couple. It's up one short flight of narrow stairs from the street, and has attractive and expansive views over the older part of Lisbon. It's quiet in the evenings (not true of all the neighborhoods in town).

The apartment is a 2014 remodel, so basically it's all new, apart from the old and original beams you see in the shots. It's well-equipped with an electric oven, a rather fancy cooktop (you put a pan on to get it to work), and a washer, which I didn't use. Drying is on a pull-line outside the window, the local way. The shower is on the small side but full and very hot. I experienced no plumbing problems. The decor is attractive, with a quirky sense of humor. The two neighbors on this floor are older and very friendly.

The neighborhood itself is just below the Castelo de São Jorge. It's Mouraria, the old Moorish quarter, where the Moors took refuge after the Siege Of Lisbon in 1147. Basically a functioning village within the city, it's a maze of cobbled streets and stairs, and not a tourist trap. You see a few Tuk-Tuk 3-wheelers and the odd party of bemused and breathless tourists consulting maps, that's about it.

There's a supermarket 10 minutes walk away, and many small local shops, restaurants and cafes close by. If you turn right out of the front door, a small steep cobbled street drops you into the center of Lisbon (the "flat bit") in a couple of minutes. The 28 tram is fairly close, and the famous Thieves' Market is about 15 minutes walk. A free elevator by the supermarket takes you up near the Castelo, saving a bit of a climb. The Castelo area is attractive and worth a visit for the views, but much more touristy.

Cila was responsive, helpful, and very generous with her time. I rented a scooter for a week, and one day she came by on her scooter to show me around the city. (A scooter is a great way to see Lisbon, but I would not recommend it without prior motorcycle or scooter experience. The cobbled streets make for rough riding, and there are lots of hazards like tram lines, potholes, raised manhole covers, etc.)

All in all, this was an excellent base to explore a grand and very old European city. I had a great time. Many thanks.