Pedra Real resides in the beautifully restored ruins of the old Santo André church in Alfama. After undergoing a huge renovation, the building is now home to characterful apartments dripping in history, yet designed to contrast modern and minimalist furnishings. The original walls are featured in most rooms, with exposed stone, odd shapes and sloping ceilings. With architectural features this diverse, there is little need for overcrowding art pieces. Instead, you'll see a kitschy design aesthetic – a direction the host has diligently taken to create a beautiful hybrid. If you are looking to learn about the local art, a precious tile panel was found during the home's reconstruction, which can now be seen in the National Tile Museum – a scenic twenty-minute bus journey away along the waterfront. At the end of a day out exploring Lisbon's sights, come home and gather around the kitchen table for an evening aperitif before heading out to explore the local cuisine at dinner time. Brimming with character, wander the winding alleyways, narrow streets and stone cobbles that pave the way to an atmospheric experience in one of Lisbon's most authentic areas.

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