- Hosts -
First of all, thank you very much, Elsa and Rui, for being kind and supportive hosts. Even if we didn't see you personally, we always felt good about being backed up by you. Thank you also for the option to check in earlier - this was very important to us. You provided us with valuable and handpicked tips and hints to explore Lisboa and Alfama in specific. You also stayed in touch with us and asked if everything was going well. Excellent service; keep it on :)
- Apartment -
The apartment was clean and pretty spacious. Especially the master bedroom has pretty much space. Each bedroom has a closet, where all your clothes should fit in. So there is no need to live out of the backpack. The living and dining room could be a bit brighter, but this is just maculature. The kitchen is well equipped, and one will find enough tableware, cutlery, and a lovely stove. Be aware of low doorframes - I hit my head a couple of times (1,90m) ;)
There is also a washing machine and an outside clothesline, which was very useful and saved us from carrying loads of dirty laundry back home. The bathroom is fine, too. Quite a big shower, though. Both of our kids could use it at the same time, which saved us some. As written in other reviews, the sewers are smelling at random. Sometimes really bad and sometimes not at all. I guess we had the smell most of our time there. I am not sure if it is fixable. As the apt is on the 4th floor, you don't have access to the patio, and there is also no balcony. No worries bout that - if you want to sit outside - just go downstairs and have a seat on a nearby bench.
- Location -
For exploring Alfama, the apartment is just perfect. Stations for famous Linie 28 is within close walking distance (5mins). The metro, train, and bus station are just down the hill, and you will be there in approx 7 mins so you can explore the other districts of Lisbon pretty quickly from there (or use Line 28 from Alfama). You are also close to the Cruise lines dock - so you can see some big ones over there if you like.
- Neighborhood -
Alfama is awesome at diversity. Old and young and people from all over the world do visit or live there. You also have all these small bars, restaurants, and shops just downstairs. Go out and enjoy it. The building is home to other travelers (AirBnB) as well, and some "locals" do also live there (same building other apt/floor).
As also mentioned in other reviews, this apartment is not a silent one. You will recognize if someone is going up/down the stairs or is talking in the staircase. If the second apt (same floor) is booked/occupied, you will recognize the guests.
There is one thing regarding noise you need to know before booking: As the streets are narrow in Alfama and bars and restaurants are using them for their guest, the whole street turns into a single bar at night, making it a bar next to your bedroom. Narrow alleys and four-story buildings act as a speaker to the bars. And as you are on top (4th floor) of it, you receive all the bar and restaurant sounds directly and amplified into your bedroom until about 2:00 am. Not every day, though, and, funny enough, in our case, not at the weekend but two days straight in a row. So if you don't want to be part of the nightlife or go to bed early, having a silent and peaceful sleep, you may get disappointed.