Before even getting to the review, I’d highly recommend getting a local SIM card at the airport when you land. There are two Vodafone locations in the arrivals hall of terminal 1.
Lisbon is extremely hilly. Be prepared to walk up and down steep inclines and cobbled and narrow sidewalks. They’re barely sidewalks.
The apartment is everything you’d expect from such a great host. Very clean, spacious, and with a great view of the castelo san jorge.
Let’s get right into it:
Getting there from the airport: here you will most likely encounter issues as the uber maps isn’t accurate. It routes to a different address nearby. However, Joanna provided contact details where I called and was told exactly where to go once the uber driver dropped me off. It’s about 5-10 min walk up the hill and down the steep incline. Unless the uber/taxi driver knows where they are going it’s tough to find. If you take subway, good luck. The location is tough to walk up a steep incline with luggage.
If you’re driving, plug in g spot party hostel in waze or google maps. The apartment is a 10 second drive past the hostel to the right.
Check-in: very smooth and easy. We met Filipa (one of Joanna’s colleagues) and she let us in, explained all the details, provided some excellent (and local) recommendations. Thanks filipa!!!!
Bedrooms: The two bedrooms on the main floor were great. No issues or complaints. However, the loft bedroom isn’t private, nor is there a washroom there. So if you’re staying in the loft space, going to the bathroom at night is a challenge. Also, it gets very hot up in the loft and there isn’t any a/c unit. I would recommend the hosts install an ac up there.
Bathroom: large and spacious and includes a washing machine. The drainage in the shower is a little slow. They were out of toilet paper so we had to buy some at the grocery store.
Kitchen: all supplies included and ready to cook if you’re making breakfast.
Location: other than being hard to find, this apartment in Bairro Alto was close to great bars and restaurants. Mercado across the Main Street has good food and coffee.
If you go up the funicular track to the top of the hill, there’s a look out point offering fantastic views, live music, and some food/drink.
There is a subway/metro stop down the funicular hill towards avenue liberdade.
There’s a supermarket called pingo doce within 10-15 min walk. However, there are little mini mercados closer but they look run down.
The apartment is very central to Chiado and baixa so it’s a great walk down the main road towards the river and up the main square.