Lisbon - Good Neighborhood for Rental

Old Sep 30th, 2011, 11:11 AM
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Lisbon - Good Neighborhood for Rental

Hello. I will be traveling to Lisbon next June/July and I am looking for recommendations for a neighborhood to stay in. We will most likely rent an apartment for our stay. We are well traveled and have two teens 14 & 16. Looking for accessible and safe. Thanks for any recommendations.

Laura
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Old Oct 2nd, 2011, 12:44 AM
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There are many great apartments on home away holiday rentals and ownersdirect.com. I have used both of these websites successfully in Lisbon. As for areas, you'll find Chiado, Baixa and Barrio Alto centrally located and clean/safe. The teens would be able to walk around easily without you having to worry and then when you want to join them, stop at one of the outdoor cafes for a glass of wine to people watch. Have fun planning your trip.

Also before your trip, do some searches here on additional Lisbon topics so that you can learn all about being there. There are some things to watch out for (pickpockets on Tram 28) that you and the teens might otherwise not anticipate.
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Old Oct 7th, 2011, 05:08 PM
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I started looking in the CHiado & Baixa area. Will look into the Barrio Alto. Thanks so much!
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Old Oct 7th, 2011, 06:46 PM
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laura95. Depending on your tolerance for heat, I would suggest you start with apartments with air conditioning. Lisbon can be quite hot in the Summer months.
Good luck.
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Old Oct 24th, 2011, 10:23 AM
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You might want to check out staying in Cascais instead of Lisbon itself, and take the commuter train into Lisbon when you want, especially since you have teens. Cascais is on the Atlantic, a short train ride away (tickets are cheap). It's going to be hot in June and July and Cascais is on the ocean with beaches and plenty to do after a day of touring.

The Chiado, Baixa and Barrio Alto districts are gritty and filled with "urban art".
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Old Oct 24th, 2011, 12:32 PM
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I vote for the Santa Catarina neighborhood! I rented an apartment there for a week last February and I absolutely loved that area.

I stayed on Rua does Poiais de Sao Bento, right on the tram line for the famous #28 tram. Very picturesque! I could walk to Baixa and also to the weekend craziness you find there in Bairro Alto. (Let me tell you it gets CRAZY there on a Saturday night, so glad I didn't stay in Bairro Alto proper, I have a 16 year-old and I wouldn't want him down in that. I wasn't scared or anything when I walked through, it was quite entertaining, I'd just be a little hesitant to let young ones loose in it, and also I can't imagine trying to get any sleep around that area!)

And then of course where I stayed I had access to tram 28, which was a fun little ride over to Alfama. I loved riding those trams!

Plus the neighborhood itself is great just to hang out in, there's the bica and the Miradoura de Santa Catarina, which is a fabulous place to watch the sunset over the Rio Tejo. Santa Catarina is a little rough around the edges to look at, but in a gritty, charming kind of way. As a single woman I didn't ever feel afraid walking in the early night.

Also this area is close to Lapa, which felt a little more upscale, and provides a good walk on your way to Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (which is lovely!), as well as good access to the tram that takes you to Belem.

Hope this helps. Have fun in Portugal!
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Old Oct 24th, 2011, 12:41 PM
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Oh I should also add that I rented my apartment through the Travelling to Lisbon site and they were really great to work with. Everything went very smoothly and I loved the apartment I rented! (Although it wouldn't be big enough for a family of 4 so I won't add any specifics there.) However I can give a really good review to Travelling to Lisbon! Here's their website: http://www.travelingtolisbon.com/
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Old Oct 26th, 2011, 04:25 PM
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I believe we probabloy rented the same apt on Sao Beneto and it was teriffic as was the owner.
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 05:06 AM
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I am glad to know that you are going to Lisbon for your vacations. Last year I also went there along with my family. There are lots of short term rental apartments available in Lisbon so it becomes very hard to choose the best one. But you can search on internet to know about the good apartment service providers in Lisbon.


http://www.lisbonapartments.pt/en/es...erta-de-lisboa
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 06:15 AM
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We enjoyed renting an apartment in Baixa for ten days. A/C is a must. Lisbon is a wonderful city to explore, good public transportarion, and the kindest people we have ever met in our travels. Easy day trips to Sintra and Caiscais.
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Old Sep 21st, 2012, 09:03 AM
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Just following up on this thread. Considering a week in Lisbon in March. I guess one would like central heating at that time of year?

Any apartment recommendations would be welcome--either companies that are reliable, or specific apartments. We've been to Lisbon, but just for a day. So I know Baixa, Bairro Alto, Rossio. I see one over near Alfama, near Castle Sao Jorge, but I would imagine this might involve lots of walking up and down hills.

I know Lisbon is hilly, but would like something that at least has access to a funicular or tram, since mobilit is a slight issue. An elevator would be nice too.
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Old Sep 21st, 2012, 09:16 AM
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We rented from US-expats who own several properties..www.visitingportugal.com. Our Baixa apt, Casa Santana,had great views, came with everything we could ever need, was quiet, and had a laptop connected to the internet for our use. The owners were very responsive and helpful. There is a funicular nearby.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 07:59 AM
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Thanks, that's a good lead, although the prices seem high.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 09:23 AM
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Hi, I rented last month from Rent4Days and had a great experience with them. They have lots of apartments with elevators, and if you explain to them that you need to be both near the 28 tram and a good metro stop, they can help get the right location.

Also, we were flabbergasted at how cheap taxis are in Lisbon, and they are plentiful, so that will be another option for you,

I agree, however, that Alfama would be the most problematic. Lapa or Estrella might be too hilly too. Some areas right around Chiado metro stop or Rossio or Restaudores might be perfect.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 10:08 AM
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We have rented from VRBO and Rent4Days with good luck.

We have been able to find apartments with elevators and air conditioning. One of the apartments had the units on the walls above the doors which were heat and air. So both were readily available.

If mobility is even a slight issue I would not look in Alfama. Baixa would be the most flat with Chiado next of my suggested neighborhoods close to most tourist sights with lots of people and safe even late at night. Chiado is jumping all of the time. Recently, when we were through there at midnight, people were still seated at outdoor cafes and lots of activity, not so much in Baixa.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 01:58 PM
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I've been here since mid-July and not having air conditioning hasn't been a problem. In my previous life in a sub-tropical climate, however, I couldn't have survived without it.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 02:21 PM
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I was there in the first part of September, and for reasons of street noise, I would not have wanted to rely on leaving the windows open at night to keep the apartment cool enough for sleep. Just because the weather was warm, lots of people stayed out in the evenings on the sidewalks of nearby bars -- the above mentioned "jumping" Chiado - plus garbage pick up starts at the crack of dawn in Lisbon.

My particular apartment both faced the direction of the afternoon sun and the windows of the apartment across the street reflected the sunlight off my windows back into my apartment! I really loved everything about the apartment I rented for its interior, but I would not have enjoyed it as much had I not been able to cool it down. Air con is standard in many Lisbon rentals.

Although I liked my apartment, I didn't really care for the Chiado district for my purposes. It was too touristy, in a shallow way, and the bars are filled mainly with tourists. I preferred walking around other neighborhoods at night, less crowded and where I heard more Portuguese.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 02:24 PM
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Since the OP is going in March, air con is not really the issue. The question was about central heating. I'd be surprised if any rental available in that time period doesn't have it -- although perhaps the very antique apartments in the super-hilly Alfama don't.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2012, 04:59 PM
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Ah, I was only thinking of the weather (it really has been relatively cool at night here,even when the days are scorching), but yes, I agree, street noise can be a real issue and I can see how people would want the windows shut.
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Old Sep 24th, 2012, 06:34 AM
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Would Chiado really be too touristy in March? I really would like a more "authentic" area, but one that's fun, walkable, with restaurants, bars and cafes readily available. We strolled around a bit of Bairro Alto when were there for the day, taking the Elevador de Santa Justa, and just walking around that area, and then down through the back streets towards Rossio. It all seemed very nice to us.

I think we'll just exclude Alfama. We're in our 60's and like to walk, but sometimes have issues. I'm glad the cabs are good and cheap!
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