Where to stay in Lisbon, Portugal
Before I even mention where my favorite place to stay in Lisbon is, I need to preface this article by mentioning the hills in Lisbon. The city is, what feels like, all uphill. Obviously, that’s not possible in the literal sense but your legs will protest and create their own facts. Don’t let this dissuade you from staying in today’s featured neighborhood: the Graça neighborhood.
If you have researched Lisbon neighborhoods, you might already know that Graça is located at the top of Lisbon’s highest hill and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. It is centrally located and offers fantastic views of the city. All of the popular sites are easily accessible from Graça and what I love about this neighborhood is that you are just outside of the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas. The neighborhood is one of the stops on the Tram 28 route (the vintage tram from the 1930s which has become a popular experience for tourists. I skipped this though because I know it can be very crowded).
Dona Graça Apartments
For the Lisbon leg of my Summer 2023 Trip, I chose to stay at the amazing Dona Graça Apartments. And when I say amazing, I mean AMAZING! I know a thing or two about hospitality and this gem is hands-down, the best place I have ever stayed. Anywhere.
The Dona Graça Apartments seem rather incognito from the street but once you enter their threshold, it is anything but average. Upon entering, the first two things you notice are the gorgeous, original, Moorish floor tiles and the amazing scent they’ve chosen for the establishment ( Zara Home’s Basilicum reed Diffusers, which much to my extreme sadness cannot be purchased in the USA but follow this link to view the product. They do have a candle line available in the US.). There’s nothing worse than staying somewhere that is odorous but the Dona Graça covers all of your senses in delight.
The check-in process is quick and efficient and you receive a warm welcome. Most of the apartments are upstairs (no elevator) so if you have any issues with mobility, I suggest requesting one of the downstairs, garden apartments. The building was remodeled and is over 100 years old. Each apartment is equipped with a small kitchenette, private bathroom, living space, dining table, and sleeping quarters.
The interior design is light, fresh, and stunning. If this description has not talked you into staying here yet… the Dona Graça has thought of everything you may need during your stay. The fridge is stocked with sliced deli meats, cheeses, yogurt, jam, butter and water. Each morning they deliver fresh bread and breakfast pastry. All of this is complimented by fresh squeezed orange juice which is quite refreshing. They equip the kitchen with a coffeemaker and provide you with their specially-made coffee pods. The coffee machine is already filled with water (when I say they think of everything, I truly mean it). A microwave is also included in the kitchenette.
The cleanliness of my apartment was 5-star. I have a weird thing about feeling even one tiny crumb or speck of dirt on the floors when I am barefoot and my apartment was so clean, it actually stood out to me that I could walk barefoot and never once felt any dirt on the floors (this has never happened, even in very clean establishments I’ve stayed in so they are automatically apex cleaners in my book).
As a carry-on-only traveler, I pack light and really appreciate it when my accommodation provides lotion and bath products. The Dona Graça provides all of this and their selection smells lovely and is of high quality.
Views and a pool!
The view from my apartment was beautiful. This is one of many benefits of staying in the Graça neighborhood. The upstairs apartments do have a balcony but the balcony is about a foot and a half wide, as you would expect in older European buildings of this sort. While not enough room for a table and chairs, you can still step out and enjoy the fresh air.
The crown jewel of the property is the serene garden and pool. Tucked behind the building, enclosed by whitewashed walls., Dona Graça invites you to enjoy the shade of the orange trees in the garden. The pristine condition of the pool with loungers for languishing poolside offers a perfect reprieve from touring Lisbon. It is easy to forget to pause when traveling as we feel we need to see all and do all, but I highly recommend taking a few hours off and this is the perfect place to do so.
Murals nearby
There are many sights to see near the apartments and one highlight for me was the quick walk to the famous OBEY Giant and "Tropical Fado in RGB Tones" a work by street artist, Ozearv. These murals are across the street from one another, only a few short blocks away (and not all uphill!). Lisbon has quite a few murals and I recommend booking a sightseeing tour through Viator. This tour looks promising.
I enjoyed my stay at Dona Graça Apartments to such a degree that for the remainder of my trip, I compared all other accommodations to The Dona. None were as exemplary and I know I will likely have a hard time finding such a perfect match for my traveling style again.
You can book your stay directly through their site or here, at Booking.com. This link will take you directly to their reservation page.
Enjoy your stay and you’re welcome, in advance. 😊
Next time I’m taking you to Sintra! The perfect day trip from Lisbon.
Ciao, for now!
*please note: I have a few affiliate links in this article. When you click on the link and book or purchase through the affilate company, I get a tiny little commission. Teeny tiny … like Tea-Cup Chihuahua tiny but I sure do appreciate your support! There is no extra cost for you! Affiliate links help to keep this blog up and running! I ONLY include links to products or services that I believe in.
