Michaela and Emanuel's place is phenomenal. It is true to pictures, but the 360 views from the apartment are something you'll have to see yourself. You could see the castle from the balcony! This apartment is right in Rossio Square - super close/walking distance to everything: gourmet market, Ramiro (best seafood) and Ginjiha - amazing cherry liqueur brewed in the square.

While I didn't meet the hosts personally, they were super responsive, and we arranged a meeting time with their manager. The manager who greeted us was amazing: she gave us a quick history lesson, outline of the city, best spots to go, and left her number/What's App in case we wanted suggestions along the way. She was very friendly and you could tell she really loved greeting us, and telling us about her city. Everything you need to know is in this heavenly binder the hosts provide - from apartment maintenance to restaurants and tours in the city.

The home is modern and arranged for optimal comfort. I stayed in the upstairs loft which was spacious and the bed was really comfortable. I loved waking up each morning to the views of the city and watching things unfold in the square. My best friend stayed in the downstairs bedroom which was great for her because she could draw the curtains and it was dark and quiet. The apartment has surround sound, so we were able to jam from our iPhones in the mornings while making breakfast or catching up on work from the States. Plenty of dishes, glasses, utensils... we love to cook so we did so comfortably each day. The aesthetic is great - beautiful hardwood floors and light, airy decor. Perfect place to recharge after a day trip to Sintra or a night in Bairro Alto ;) The apartment is in a non-touristy part where real people live, play and work (think: coming to NYC and staying in Brooklyn or Queens vs. Manhattan). The alley was loud some nights with groups of young people hanging out & having conversations - but the apartment was completely sound-proof, so you could just close the windows and it was literally like a vacuum. We stayed for a week, but I would rent this place longer if I were there for a longer period.

Tourists and elderly be forewarned: Lisbon is a city of hills/mountains. Vila Santana is no exception, and to get the penthouse views this place offers, it requires a penthouse climb. While the square is a stone's throw away, you do have to climb one steep alley, and then a sharp turn up another steep hill with steps. Then when you get to the apartment, it's three flights up some steep stairs. But all that, to me, just meant I worked enough to enjoy some cold vinho verde or Sagres waiting in the fridge ;) If you want a place in the heart of Lisbon that feels like home without all the tourists, this is it.