This is one of the most interesting Airbnbs we have ever stayed in. Rui has restored a decaying 130 year old stone row house into a functional family home. Much of the building’s history has been preserved and the home is furnished with vintage appliances and antique furniture. While it is small, there is a lovely dining room and kitchen on the ground floor and an open area on the 2nd floor as well. Both bedrooms are decent sized. Having two separate bathrooms was wonderful with 4 adults.
The rear courtyard and garden are part outdoor living space and part archeological dig. If we hadn’t been so busy sightseeing, we definitely would have spent more time out there. Thanks to the season and Rui’s thoughtfulness, fresh flowers and lavender from the garden filled vases in the house.
Rui also left us some lovely welcoming gifts - wine from his family’s vineyard, preserves made by his mother, fresh cherries and amazing sausage bread.
The location does require that guests have decent mobility. There are 145 steps between the house and the riverfront below. There are also a fair number of steps between the house and the end of Avenida de Vímara Peres above. Cars cannot get any closer so luggage must wheeled or carried. The advantage of the location though is that you are just beyond the throngs of tourists, in what feels like Porto from another time.