Close your eyes and picture Lisbon: quaint cobbled squares bustling with life, brightly-coloured buildings illuminated by the sun, and trees sweeping across roads that twist upwards into the hills. It’s in this scene, adjoining a marble baroque fountain so exquisite it was classified as a national monument, that you’ll find historic Casa Chafariz. This striking, sienna-red building sits majestically at the heart of Santos, Lisbon’s artsy design district, surrounded by buzzy bars and restaurants that make your taste buds tingle.
Inside, classic Portuguese perfection meets chic Nordic minimalism. Five apartments each fill you with a sense of tranquillity: expect gleaming tiles, exposed wood and shuttered windows. French-Nordic owners Antoine and Katarina, both artistic types, fell in love with the city after a weekend break and immediately started seeking somewhere they could transform. Casa Chafariz was a wreck when they found it, but they have since created a stylish haven in the heart of Lisbon. On arrival, we perched ourselves in the window to alternate between watching life pass in the square below, gazing over Lisbon’s spectacular uneven rooftops, and marvelling at the ornate oasis in which we found ourselves. This is a very special place indeed.
Highs
- We were blown away by the minimalist beauty of the apartments: a blend of Scandi-sleek, Parisian chic and Portuguese flair
- Santos is an ideal base located away from central Lisbon’s hustle and bustle but still within walking district of key attractions
- Colourful and quirky photos and artworks by the owners are dotted throughout, showcasing their favourite sights in Portugal
- If you opt for B&B, breakfast boxes are delivered to your door every morning – a rare treat for a self-catering property
- The Casa Chafariz team are incredibly warm, welcoming and full of insider tips
Lows
- We’d have loved a balcony on which we could sip wine and overlook the adjoining fountain, Chafariz da Esperança (a national monument)
- You have to ascend some steep steps on arrival, so don’t pack too heavily!
- While our stay was incredibly quiet and peaceful, our apartment door didn’t completely muffle the noise of other guests climbing the stairs
Best time to go
Lisbon is lovely all year round. We stayed in January and enjoyed bright blue skies and quiet streets. Early spring and late autumn are our favourite times of year, as the weather is warm enough to dine outside. Summer sees the city’s central streets swarming with tourists, but Santos still maintains some pockets of peace.
Our top tips
Head to Lisbon’s Oceanarium, the world’s largest saltwater aquarium. We spent an afternoon marvelling at the sharks, rays, octopuses, otters and penguins scattered between themed tanks (Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean), before strolling along the promenade by the Tagus river, marvelling at the Vasco da Gama Bridge.
- Boutique Apartments
- 5 apartments
- Self-catering; breakfast optional
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
Strikingly-beautiful Casa Chafariz houses two one-bedroom apartments (Estrela and Santos) and three two-bedroom apartments (Penthouse, Chafariz and Esperança). Most boast views over the historic square below, bustling with locals sipping coffee and playing board games, while Penthouse has a panoramic view over Chiado.
Artistic owners Antoine and Katarina have designed homely apartments they’d “want to live in for 10 years”, and no detail is overlooked. They have effortlessly blended historic Portuguese features with minimalist touches, and smart tech – you get access to the apartments via a digital key sent to your phone for example. We loved the dappled grey and black marble countertops, the Scandinavian-designed and Portuguese-made wooden chairs, and the carefully restored stucco ceilings.
We stayed in first-floor Santos, perfect for couples in search of romantic respite, and loved how bright and open the space was. We adored the original exposed wood in Estrela, Chafariz and Esperança, and liked how cosy Penthouse was nestled under the eaves of the building. Access is gained by a digital key via your smartphone.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Elegant kitchens open onto bright living rooms, and come fully equipped with everything required to prepare a light snack or a full gourmet feast. All essentials are provided (tea, coffee, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and milk). The two-bedroom apartments have dark-wood dining tables, while the one-bed apartments feature sleek marble breakfast bars.
As an added bonus, you have the option of getting breakfast delivered in a box every morning, which is discreetly left outside your door so as not to disturb. The box includes smoothies, fresh juices, croissants, homemade jams, granola and yoghurt, and ham and cheese sandwiches.
There are dozens of great eateries on your doorstep: the information pack in your apartment lists some firm favourites. For dinner, the simple but fresh food at Taberna da Rua das Flores is well worth the wait, while farm-to-table-style tapas restaurant Prado is worth the walk.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- Get lost in Santos, an impossibly charming district full of winding streets paved with Roman-inspired mosaics and bright, tiled buildings. On Sundays, head to the effortlessly cool and artsy market at LX Factory.
- You can’t come to Lisbon and not gorge yourself on sweet treats at Pastéis de Belém. The neighbouring Jerónimos Monastery is worth a visit, too.
- Lisbon boasts an exceptional number of high-quality museums. We love the Berardo Collection Museum, full of modern art greats, and the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology), whose architecture made our jaws drop.
- Head to the Castle of St George across town, which boasts stunning views. While there, meander through the district of Alfama where you’ll find cute boutiques, as well as the city’s cathedral.
- For a day trip, don't miss the Unesco town of Sintra, famous for its collection of palaces, each with sublime gardens.
- Alternatively, head to the river beaches at Cascais; we love Praia de Carcavelos.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Casa Chafariz works well for families. It's centrally located and houses a range of apartments that can sleep up to six guests. Penthouse has two kingsize beds, while Esperança and Chafariz each have a king and two twins (can be set up as a double on request).
Each of the apartments features a double sofabed, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen so you can easily whip up snacks and meals for your little ones. Do note that you must climb very steep steps to enter the apartments (though there is an elevator from the first floor upwards).
Best for:
All ages
Distances:
- Airport: 25 minutes
- Hospital: 10 minutes
- Supermarket: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Casa Chafariz is set in Santos, a vibrant artsy district in Lisbon. Many major sights are within walking distance.
By Air:
Lisbon Portela Airport (13km away) is served by plenty of flights from the UK, elsewhere in Europe and further afield. You can also take the metro from the airport to Baixa-Chiado station (changing once), which takes about 30 minutes. It’s an eight-minute walk from the station to the apartments.
By Car:
We don’t recommend having a car in Lisbon - the city is easily navigated on foot and by public transport, and the traffic can be tricky. However, if you do want to hire a car to explore the wider area, take a look at our car rental recommendations. There is no parking at the hotel but there is valet parking nearby.
Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm a booking through i-escape.
Airports:
- Lisbon Portela 13.0 km LIS
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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