A Sunny Apartment in Lisbon
Jeremy's Rating: ★★★★☆
The apartment in Arroios offers a perfect location for those who want to stay closer to the airport or the aquarium. The area immediately around the apartment is significantly less touristy than other parts of Lisbon, but it also offers a chance to have a more authentic city experience — which is still great.
Jen's Rating: ★★★★☆
Enough natural light and unique furniture selections (hammock, please) to please anyone who browses Pinterest like it's their job. While it's a bit of a trek by foot to the city center, Uber rides average around only €5 and there's a metro station only 2 blocks away.
Our time in Lisbon was split in two, sandwiching our excursion to the Azores, and we decided to take advantage of this and have two different Lisbon experiences. Our second Airbnb was at Sunny Apartment in the neighborhood of Arroios.
Arroios is a heavily residential, working class neighborhood sprinkled with restaurants, cafés, and shops. The area is growing in popularity for families since the homes tend to be larger and it features great hospitals and schools.
The most even, natural, white light you will ever find. The perfect place for that perfect, top-down, breakfast shot.
The living room space featured a 1,000 piece puzzle. We gave up after 30 seconds.
The bathroom was spectacularly lit and, like most Lisbon apartments, featured a badet.
Our host, Pedro, met us in person to let us into the 4th floor walk-up apartment. He apologized for the lack of elevator, but this was a breeze for us since, little did he know, our apartment in Astoria is also a 4th floor walk-up. Stairs ain't got nothing on us.
Right when he turned the key and opened the front door, I had to use up all my energy to contain my intense urge to Instagram all of the things, sit on every armchair, and immediately kick-off my shoes and pretend like this was my permanent home. So instead, I just smiled and nodded and pretended like the beauty of the space was really no big deal. The photos really speak for themselves.
Once we were alone, I immediately ran to the hammock and just sprawled out (or as much sprawling as you can do in a hammock) and soaked in all the good feels.
Helpful guidebooks and a map with our host, Pedro's, recommendations. Note the pinned concert ticket for only €8.
The view from our 4th floor balcony boasted sights of the Rio Tajo.
Even more windows, out to the balcony, letting in beautiful lighting and views. How many more times can I mention the NATURAL LIGHT.
With only a little over 24 hours left in Lisbon, Jeremy and I spent most of our time picking up last minute gifts for friends and family; however, we still made plenty of time to dive into the Arroios neighborhood the best way we knew how ... through our stomachs.
Jeremy knew I was getting a little tired of seafood - I didn't know this was possible - and was dying to satisfy my undying love for rotisserie chicken. So, off we went to Restaurante Primavera, known for their rotisserie and barbecue chicken (just look at the pictures, I'm drooling already) and boy, it did not disappoint. Our waiter did not have the best understanding of the English language and Jeremy only knew a handful of Portuguese phrases, but he was so kind and eager to help that language no longer felt like a barrier. The entire restaurant was also full of locals and families which made the experience feel more authentic; we must have been the only tourists to show up the entire day.
We woke up the next morning with full bellies but hungry eyes, and made the short walk to A Padaria Portuguesa for breakfast (resist the Pastel de Nata and grab yourself a "bola de Berlim" - trust me).
And of course we had to squeeze in one last meal with a quick pizza pie to share at Italy Caffe Ristorante. A little disappointed we weren't able to try the pasta that they cook right next to you in a giant wheel of cheese, but we had to scurry off to the airport to make our way back home.
Enjoying some cheap wine on our balcony in preparation for our flight home later that afternoon.
Despite it being winter, and the temperatures averaging in the high-50's, the sun was so strong we were able to shed off our heavier layers. Bless you, sun.
But like, seriously ... bless you, sun.