My Studio Apartment In Lisbon

While in Lisbon, Portugal, I stayed bang in the heart of Alfama, one of the oldest districts of Lisbon. As probably obvious from the name, it has Moorish roots and the charm is evident with the very narrow streets and alleys. Many of the tourist sites people go to see in Lisbon are also in Alfama, including São Jorge Castle, Lisbon Cathedral, Feira da Ladra and so on. It meant I didn't need to go far to see them. I basically walked a few minutes from my accommodation to these historical places. It was the perfect spot.

Normally a place as cheap as I got it, in that location, would have been relatively low quality. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very cosy and modern studio apartment tucked away in the very narrow street and even narrower stairway to the fourth floor.

The view outside the window wasn't much - it was pretty much straight into other people's apartments haha. I wasn't a big fan of that. It seems, though, that everyone was used to it. Everyone was in everyone's business. I had to type in a code to get the keys out of the safe, but had to cover it with my palm because of all the onlookers staring at me. To be fair, they were just sitting outside their homes and places of business.

I was pleased to see a coffee machine there, of course, in addition to a kettle. I took some Nespresso pods because I was expecting a Nespresso machine, but it was a local brand called Delta Q - a made in Portugal espresso machine. Luckily the convenience store right opposite my accommodation had pods so a grabbed a pack.

I really loved the decor. The two hanging lamps either side of the bed particularly grabbed my interest. I may have a look around to buy them for my home in London. It's like how I was inspired to a Nespresso Inissia after seeing it in my hotel room in Fureteventura.

It was ironically cool to see some tropical insects like the ubiquitous mosquito. Unlike in the tropics, though, these ones were definitely not Anopheles - the ones that carry the malaria parasite.

Peace & Love,

Adé