Renovated flat in the ❤️ of Lisbon (incl. AC)

Overall, I enjoyed my stay at Beco das Flores and really liked being in the beautiful and historic neighborhood of Alfama. That said, there are several important things I think future guests should know so they can decide whether the apartment is a good fit for them.

First, keep in mind that historic buildings in Alfama generally do not have elevators. Expect narrow, shoulder-to-shoulder staircases that can also be quite steep, and of course, the neighborhood itself is very hilly.

Maurice, the host, was attentive and helpful whenever we needed something. Response times were sometimes a couple of hours, but his replies were always useful and courteous.

The apartment itself is generally consistent with the listing, although there are a few details I found misleading or worth clarifying. Flatio lists the apartment as being on the second floor, but in practice it felt more like the third floor. The stairs also lead almost directly to the apartment door, so be careful with your footing when entering or leaving.

When we arrived, the apartment appeared to have received a basic surface cleaning, but in my opinion it needed a much more thorough deep clean. Several dishes were dusty or dirty, and there was noticeable dust and some cobwebs behind and around furniture. The refrigerator also contained a considerable amount of older food and items that appeared to have accumulated from previous stays. We ended up cleaning quite a bit during our stay and hopefully left it in better condition for the next guests.

There were also many leftover items, decorations, and personal belongings throughout the apartment. For a short stay this may not matter much, but for a longer stay it can reduce the amount of usable storage and living space. Things such as workout equipment, a basketball, and miscellaneous items were placed around the apartment, which made the space feel more cluttered than necessary.

The apartment is otherwise very well equipped. We did not really need to purchase household or kitchen items during our stay. Hot water was also excellent and lasted long enough to comfortably enjoy long showers.

One item I do think should be replaced is the couch, which seems to be reaching the end of its useful life.

The bedroom setup is probably the most important thing to understand before booking. It is located upstairs in a loft-like space with low clearance and somewhat awkward steps to climb. The carpet upstairs is also quite hard and uncomfortable on the knees when moving around the lower areas of the space.

There is an air-conditioning unit upstairs. It works, although on particularly hot days it can struggle to keep the space very cool. More importantly, the AC mainly cools the upstairs sleeping area, while the downstairs portion of the apartment is much more dependent on the outside temperature.

The host provided two fans, but neither was particularly effective during our stay. One did not have a proper base and had to be leaned against something to stay upright, while the smaller fan moved very little air. We eventually purchased our own fan to make the warmer days downstairs more comfortable. Some aspects of the temperature and apartment layout are mentioned in the listing, so I would recommend reading the description carefully before booking.

Access to the apartment can also be a little complicated if you have a lot of luggage. The main street nearby is narrow and one-way, but it gets surprisingly busy with both vehicles and pedestrians. If you arrive by Uber or rental car, you may only have a short window to unload before traffic starts building behind you. Parking immediately around the apartment is also very limited, so you may need to walk some distance from your car.

There is a smaller street behind the property that can make things easier if you have a compact car and arrive early enough. There is also a lovely small park nearby that was convenient for taking our dogs out. However, rideshare drivers generally will not pick you up from that side, and a nearby restaurant can make access more difficult later in the day.

The location also has some very good advantages. There are several bars nearby and a small market on the main street that stays open late. The evening atmosphere is lively and enjoyable without being excessively loud inside the apartment. The market was especially useful for grabbing snacks, drinks, or basic groceries later at night.

The building itself was peaceful during our stay. There appeared to be another short-term rental on the first floor, and an older local resident lives on the floor below the apartment. She was extremely kind and helpful whenever we crossed paths. She does not speak much English, but she was always welcoming. I would encourage future guests to be especially respectful about noise and keeping the shared areas clean, as this is still a residential building with local residents.

In the end, I would recommend this apartment most strongly for shorter stays, travelers with lighter luggage, and people who mainly want a comfortable place to return to after exploring Lisbon. For longer stays, the limited storage, loft-style bedroom, temperature control downstairs, stairs, and overall layout are things I would seriously consider before booking.

Neighborhood
Historic, with a lot of hills but expect older infrastructure with it.

Recommended places nearby
Check out the Crow 🐦‍⬛ it has delicious food at a reasonable price.

I had the opportunity to stay in this beautiful flat for a month and was completely satisfied with my experience. It is well appointed, has A/C (important in the summer) and is very conveniently located in a part of Lisbon that is close to everything you might want, grocery store, restaurants, Metro stations, entertainment, etc. Although the queen mattress is very comfortable, the loft bedroom may not be suitable for those with mobility issues but the downstairs couch easily folds out into a bed. When I return to Lisbon, I hope to take advantage of these accommodations again.

Neighborhood
Active neighborhood with stores and restaurants a couple of minute's walk away. It is active at both day and night and always felt safe. Still the sounds do not intrude into the flat, making for a peaceful stay.

Recommended places nearby
I highly recommend "Manteigaria) for the essential experience of enjoying "Pastel de Nata" and "Amorino" for the best gelato. The MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology) was a wonderful experience and an incredible structure with a great restaurant overlooking the Targus River (great for lunch).

Lovely little flat in a beautiful area of Lisbon. Will forever remember it with fondness. Maurice was very helpful and responsive as well, and offered excellent guidance on the area.

Neighborhood
The flat is located on a Becos off of Rua Das Farinhas, a lively street with really good restaurants (which I frequented often), and only a short walk from the city centre.

Recommended places nearby
Pata and Tasca Baldracca!

I had a really good memory in Maurice’s flat. Thank you very much for the accommodation.

Neighborhood
Friendly and cozy

It’s an amazing, light and cozy place. I highly recommend. The location is superb. Maurice, the host was fantastic.

I had a brilliant stay in the apartment and didn’t want to leave. I’d definitely stay again if I was to come back to Lisbon.

I stayed September - mid-November. For me the fan was enough during the hotter days as there was also a lot of breeze that would come through the windows. I only used the heater once but it warmed the place up nicely.

I worked in the apartment every day and the wifi was fast and reliable.

I really appreciate that the kitchen was well equipped and had basics like salt, pepper and oil when I arrived.

It’s up a little street and the street stays well lit at night and I always felt safe, even at night. At night, I’d walk up R. São Cristóvão rather than the side streets as it’s also well lit and busy.

The bed upstairs was very comfy. You do have to duck down when you are upstairs but this wasn’t a problem for me. Another benefit of having the bed up there is it’s quiet at night.

Maurice was great at communication. I had one issue while I stayed and it was fixed very quickly and without any hassle.

It is on the top floor so be prepared to climb up some stairs but the climb is worth it for such a gem!

Neighborhood
The apartment is in Alfama, it’s the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon with lots of windy streets. It’s got great character and it does feel magical to walk around.

It’s sometimes best just to wander and see what you come across and get a bit lost in the windy streets - it’s all part of it!

Recommended places nearby
Along R. São Cristóvão there’s a real buzz and the locals hang out at Catedrais. They will welcome you in and get to know you and if you speak a bit of Portuguese they will really appreciate it!

Lisbon is know for its Miradouros and the closest one is Miradouro do Chão do Loureiro which doesn’t get too busy and has a great view of the city.

My favourite coffee spot is Santo António - get a pastel de nata here too! And you might spot a cello player at lunch time from the walk from the apartment.

Brunch at LUDO’s is a must with delicious food and incredibly friendly service.

My favourite nearby park is Jardim da Cerca da Graça. And if you are there near sunset I’d recommend the climb up to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

If you are an early riser, sunrise at Miradouro de Santa Luzia is magical! I went quite a few times. While you’re there you can also go to the history of Lisbon Mural and Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

If you’re a surfer or would like to try, I’d recommend Go Surf Lisboa Surf School. They are great teachers and offer collection from Lisbon.

Great location, great landlord and amazing flat

Neighborhood
Active and safe

Good apartment for short-term stay. Super warm even in cold stay. Very close to all amenities and tourist attractions.

The house is renovated and cozy. We stayed 40 days. We enjoyed this period.
It is a calm and silent neighborhood and very center. Going to Roxio is 10 min on foot.
It gets sunlight well, as a remote working person that was important to me. The heating is working well, we didn't feel any cold even in January.
If you are planning to spend more time in bed, upstairs is not a good option. The ceiling is too narrow, you cannot stand up there. We used that part just for sleeping.
Although the induction cooktop was heating water quickly, a water kettle would be nice. Also, there should be iron too. The kitchen stuff is not so much but we cooked at home and they were enough to manage. Didn't have trouble with that.
Maurice and his colleagues are so warm, kind, and quick-responsive people. We didn't face any problems. His colleague waited for me at the house to check in even though my flight was delayed. Also, I asked for a bit late check out they didn't make this a problem.

Neighborhood
Old town of the city and safe. Very close to touristic centers.

The apartment is sunny and cosy, Maurice did a great job in selecting both furniture and decorations. Kitchen appliances, utensils and dishes are of a good quality.

Maurice is an excellent host, he was always responsive and ready to help if there was any inconvenience.

Neighborhood
The apartment is located in a small alleyway of a "mostly pedestrian" street with a couple of tiny local bars and some cafes and restaurants with decent food. Fortunately, you won't hear the evening noise from it :) Metro is 5 minutes walk, which is very convenient. Pingo Doce is 2-3 minutes walk.

Excellent place. Very cute, clean newly equipped and super central in the heart of Lisbon. We had a great stay.