If you want to experience the Alfama district, stay here. It is very well situated, close to the Ste. Apolonia train and Metro station. That was the landmark for me when travelling the public transit system, as the streets are so convoluted ( even google maps gets it wrong), that knowing a way home, if only one way, is very helpful. Granted you do have to walk up hill but that seems to be everywhere in Lisbon. On a very quiet street, 20 meters to the historic Alfama street car ( 28E) you will find a door...it will lead to an oasis. The unit is small, but fine for 1-2 people ( who really like each other). It doesn't have full cooking capacity as there is a microwave oven and a toaster over, and cook top. It has limited pots, pans and utensils, so cooking in would be challenging. You are so close to restaurants/bars/tavernas that really who wants to cook. The coffee machine was a french press, and it had a kettle and toaster. This space is cool both in decor and in temperature, it has a great breeze blowing through it, there is no AC, but I didn't miss that at all. There is a washing machine with a clothes line to dry your laundry. There is a unit below you, but I never heard my neighbors. I may have if they were partiers. You can walk to St. Jorges Castle and St. Vincent Church. There is a flea market behind St. Vincent every Tuesday and Sunday, it was cool but still a flea market. I used transit to get to Cascais, I also used the metro to get within the city when I was tired of walking up hill, and getting lost. The train tickets are purchased through machines at the train stations, and in the metro. I recommend getting to St. Apolonia station and buying both types there as the line at the other stations are huge. They are green Viagem tickets that look the same and can be loaded with money to get you to your designated areas. Cascais is 4 zones, and you have to buy a return ticket, as is Sintra. The metro ticket also works on the bus and the historic tram, and it is 1-2 zones, depending where you want to go. Don't go to the Monastery in Belem on Monday as it is closed, but do go get the famous pastries that day, as the line is practically negligible. There are a lot of really great spots in Lisbon, but if you want the real feel of the old city Alfama is the place to be.