Apartment Connie Portugal

Three floors up, above the bustle of downtown Lisbon, this bright, airy modern apartment is the perfect base for couples, friends or family looking to discover the many facets of Portugal’s dazzling coastal capital.
Apartment Connie is a charming open plan property that occupies a corner position in a typical Pombaline building, the 18th century style in which buildings were constructed after the Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 (and the first to incorporate anti-seismic design features!)
The apartment, served by stairs and an elevator, sleeps up to six (two doubles plus a sofa bed) and combines high ceilings, clean lines, and contemporary style and facilities with traditional touches, such as interior wooden shutters and windows that open wide to let the light in and the breeze flow through on warm days (there is air conditioning, too)
Connie offers a neutral canvas of light walls and wooden floors which contrast with highlights of vibrant colour, from the yellow kitchen tiles to the tasteful textiles and modern art dotted throughout, making it a pleasant, comfortable, and relaxing space after a day exploring.
The apartment’s hall leads past the two double rooms (one ensuite) to the open plan living area with windows on two sides, sofa/sofa bed, TV, dining area and fully equipped contemporary kitchen. A second bathroom is accessed from the living area.
Meals and memories of the day can be shared around the elegant dining table in the living area as the buzz of the city hums on in the distance. This is a perfect city break base that can easily be combined with trips further afield or to the beach.
You will really be in the heart of things when you stay at Apartment Connie. Just beyond your doorstep there are wide avenues – many pedestrianised – lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants. You will be just a short walk from lively and lovely Praça do Rossio (Rossio Square) and from the large waterfront square of Praça do Comércio, with its triumphal arch and statue of King José I.
There are innumerable museums to explore, the closest being the Carmo Convent Archaeological Museum, and Lisbon’s last remaining vertical elevator is just a short walk away and will take you 45m up to Largo do Carmo for fine views and a different neighbourhood.
To explore other areas and attractions, Baixa is well served by public transport (closest metro Rossio) and a trip on historic Tram 28 (ideally starting at Martim Moniz, about a ten-minute walk away) is highly recommended as it follows a wonderfully scenic route, passing many of Lisbon’s historic landmarks in the districts of Alfama, Baixa and Estrela.Apartment Connie is in a prime location for enjoying all that Portugal’s timeless capital has to offer, and it makes an excellent base for exploring further afield or for beach trips.
Whatever you love in a city you will find here, and the compact nature of Lisbon makes it easy to get about. You can walk and explore to your heart’s content, but public transport is plentiful should you need a ride.
For breath-taking views, head up the winding medieval streets of Alfama to the city’s Moorish pinnacle, Castelo São Jorge. It dates back to the ninth century and from here you’ll have an intriguing view of Lisbon below. Or why not ride the Santa Justa Lift from near your apartment and enjoy the views of the city from the platform up there?
Lisbon and history go hand in hand. You can see it in the architecture, memorials, and museums throughout the city. Compare and contrast the Old Quarter with the orderly grid plan and wide avenues of Baixa. There are literally dozens of museums to satisfy a broad range of interests, from Asian art and culture to puppets and horse-drawn carriages, from the Museu de Lisboa charting Lisbon’s history to the Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia.
Food. You could be forgiven for thinking that it’s all about those little custard tarts, pastéis de nata, but you’d be wrong. Generations of Lisboan families have been salting cod, and chicken piri piri prepared over a charcoal pit is pure delight. Lisbon’s 19th century domed market hall became the Time Out Market in 2014. It is a buzzing food hall and not to be missed but there are also many good neighbourhood restaurants and some superb Michelin starred restaurants, including Cura and Loco.
As for drink, don’t leave without trying ginjinha, a sweet liqueur made from Morello cherries, Vinho Verde and, of course, Port.
Beyond the city, popular destinations include the hill town of Sintra (you can get there direct from Rossio station near the apartment), the seaside town of Cascais, Estoril (as seen in Casino Royale), the medieval village of Obidos and the beaches of Peniche or Nazaré.
Finally, Lisbon is well known for its lively nightlife, so why not dip into that if you have energy left at the end of the day?