This apartment in the Chiado neighbourhood of Lisbon sure does tick a lot of our boxes. For a start, it's generously sized considering it's only for one or two guests — that's even with the mirrored wall in the main living space cleverly adding the illusion of extra space.

It's also plain to see that a great deal of thought and effort has gone into the design, which is a striking mixture of contemporary aspects such as the sleek kitchen with more traditional flourishes, particularly the vintage furnishings and rug. Add to that a Juliet balcony from which you can get a burst of fresh air at any point and you've got a really rather pleasant space in which to relax.

Saying that, the central location means that there are plenty of attractions that are almost certain to tempt you outside. Both Carmo Covent and Museu de São Roque can be reached in under five minutes on foot and will teach you about Portuguese history. The National Museum of Contemporary Art is only a six-minute walk if you have more modern tastes.



Home truths:
*There's a lift in the building to reach this single-level apartment
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*The building has no private parking available, but there are tram stops on the street outside and Baixa-Chiado underground station is only three minutes' walk away
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace