Neighborhood hero
Experienced host
Renovated flat in the ❤️ of Lisbon (incl. AC)
Rated on: 13.09.2026 Length of stay: month
Arturo F.
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.
3.5
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.
200/200 Mbps
