I should clarify that after spending three weeks in Portugal, in a variety of Airbnb accommodations, we spent our final two nights in this North Lisbon apartment. We’d already done the tourist activities, had a great time and were ready to go home, just sleeping in and unwinding before our international flight.
Our goal was to find an Airbnb located near the Gulbenkian Museum and Gardens, and a short ride to Lisbon airport.
And it worked. I did not meet my host, Anne-Lise, but she always responded kindly to questions in a helpful manner.
This is not the historic Baixa full of tourists, where we spent a week; it’s a residential area with wide tree lined avenues, just a few blocks from cafes and a variety of restaurants with many cuisines. The glorious Gulbenkian Museum is a 5 minute walk, there’s a fruit market across the street that sells basic groceries, and the airport is 10 minutes away by car.
The building is quiet, it’s self check in, there are two elevators, and the apartment is 2 flights up.
My first impression was a cozy bohemian apartment, with colorful throw rugs, futon and dinette table/chairs in the living room, also a TV. The overhead lights are hung inside inverted wicker baskets.
The star of the apartment is a long balcony with a bistro set (small black metal table and two chairs) to sit outside with your coffee or a glass of wine.
The kitchen is the quirkiest I’ve seen - hard to describe, odd appliances, strange placements, hot water heater on the wall, even a Maytag washer (no dryer, no dishwasher). Also: toaster, Nepresso machine (traditional pods) and an electric kettle.
The bedroom is your basic college years: low platform bed, a child’s chair on each side as nightstands, with the smallest lamps on the seats, two metal suit stands for hanging your clothes. Very minimal.
Inverted wicker basket on a basic overhead bulb.
Basic linens and towels.
We rested, we walked, we ate out, we visited the Museum and then we headed home, rested and refreshed.