Apartment Efigenia Portugal

Situated in the centre of one of the most premium areas of Lisbon, Apartment Efigenia is an ideal base to explore Portugal’s vibrant capital city. Just five minutes’ walk from the Marques de Pombal Square, the apartment is moments from the hustle and bustle of the city whilst offering a calm and restful space to relax after a day’s sightseeing. Newly renovated, the space is bright and modern; a functional and open plan living area gives way to an impressive terrace nestled within the city’s terracotta rooftops, the perfect spot to enjoy the evening sunset. Inspired by a typical Portuguese home, the apartment balances design and functionality. Furnished with modern décor, it is fully equipped to host up to 6 people. Using a muted palette of natural tones, the interior is unfussy, with large windows and sliding doors that allow ample daylight to fill the apartment from both sides.
Upon entering there is an open-plan living space, a central dining table follows through to the main sitting area complete with a cable TV. Tucked away, the kitchen has all the essentials, perfect for preparing an evening meal or aperitif. There is also a coffee machine for breakfast, the perfect pairing to a couple of Pastéis de Nata from the local bakery. There is a roof terrace on both sides to enjoy the sunshine, enough space for lounging in the sun or sitting around the dining table to enjoy a home cooked dinner on the barbeque.
The two bedrooms are nestled up on the second level, accessed by a discreet concrete staircase off the main living space. Adopting the charming character of the eaves, with views across Lisbon’s rooftops, the main room has a double bed, whilst the other offers two single beds that are perfect for friends or families. In addition, there is a sofa bed on the lower floor that affords capacity for 6 people.
The main bathroom boasts a bath and stand over shower, whilst the second shower room provides additional privacy for multiple guests. Both bathrooms are elegantly finished, echoing the low-key colour palette of the rest of the space.
The apartment is fully equipped with all the amenities you may need. There is WiFi throughout; linen and towels provided and the apartment block has an elevator for ease of access. Additionally, there is air conditioning and central heating to accommodate all times of year, as well as a dishwasher, washing machine and iron.Less than five minutes from the city’s main avenue, Avenue Liberdade, the apartment enjoys prime location. Just a few blocks away is the well-known Parque Eduardo VII, the city’s largest park. Complete with vibrant lawns and neatly clipped hedges, the park ascends to an expansive view down over the city until the river. This is just one of Lisbon’s delightful viewpoints, but why not explore the network of historic streets to discover the picturesque gardens and sun-lit terraces, such as the quieter Torel Garden located near the top of the Lavra lift.
Public transport is accessed just half a kilometre away connecting you to the city’s key sites by Metro or enjoy the above ground experience and take one of the famous trams to help navigate the hilly streets. This colourful city is rich in history, take a walk and meander through the streets of Chiado and Baixa to see the 18th-century dwellings that had to be rebuilt after being destroyed during the 1755 earthquake.
Whilst famed for its Pastéis de Nata, Portuguese cuisine is lesser known than its European counterparts. Seek out local eateries or stop for a mid-morning sweet treat at one of the many pastelarias. Being so close to the sea, there arecountless opportunities to enjoy fresh fish and seafood, perhaps visit Último Porto, a charming restaurant at the end of the pier in Alcântara. An absolute essential stop for food lovers is the Mercado de Ribeira. Converted in 2014 into the Time Out Market, this domed 19th-century market hall houses numerous stalls serving up a huge variety of snacks, platters and drinks, making the perfect stop for lunch or a lively evening.
For a longer evening, seek of Lisbon’s unique party scene. Start with dinner and then hop between the tiny bars of Bairro Alto, before descending on Cais do Sodré, once considered a shabby haunt for sailors, and now the city’s most popular nightlife neighbourhood. If summer is in full swing and the sun is making the city a bit too much, why not take a trip out to one of the slower neighbourhoods. Be inspired by the newly finished MAAT art museum on the riverbanks or check out the slightly hippy LX-Factory (look out for specialist market days when you can find vintage clothes, books and arts and crafts from local artisans!) Slightly further, just 5km from the centre, you could visit the Torre de Belem, a 16th century waterside fortress or swing by the historic pastelaria, that claims its famed recipe has been going since it was established in 1837!
A little further afield is Cacais, a buzzing seaside resort just an hour up the Atlantic Coast. A perfect place to soak up the sea air and enjoy an ice cream whilst watching the locals cycling and rollerblading along the coast, or an alternative and peaceful option is the Parque Natural da Arrabida with its pristine beaches and sloping landscape. The park is free to access and offers stunning views from the shore, as well as the option to take a boat trip out and visit other areas of this coastline.