The Airbnb I Booked for My First Solo Trip
The Short Version
An affordable, comfortable two-bedroom apartment in Lagos Old Town that was exactly what I needed for my first solo trip. I especially appreciated the walkable location, responsive local host, and little terrace where I enjoyed my morning coffee.
Location: Lagos, Portugal
Sleeps: 4
Layout: Two bedrooms (one with two single beds and one with a full bed), one bathroom, a large living area, kitchen and furnished terrace.
Perfect for: Solo travelers, couples, families, or friends looking for an affordable, conveniently located stay.
Highlights: Old Town location, air conditioning, Nespresso machine, and comfortable sleeping arrangements. The sea view I enjoyed in 2024 appears to have since been obstructed by nearby construction.
In April 2024, I took my first solo trip to Europe. I'd been feeling burnt out and restless, and after failing to convince anyone to travel with me, I decided to go to Portugal by myself. I was equally nervous and excited, and Lagos was going to be my first stop.
Getting there was quite the journey. After a long day of flights, I landed in Lisbon and rushed to the bus station to catch my bus to Lagos. Unfortunately, I'd missed the first bus, but thankfully, I'd had the foresight to purchase a ticket for the next one, too. The journey took another four hours, winding through rolling green countryside toward the coast. As we started passing through little seaside towns with narrow streets and colorful stone buildings, I knew I was going to love it.
By the time I arrived at the Lagos bus station, I'd been traveling for approximately 24 hours and was very ready to put my suitcase down.
My Airbnb was in Old Town, across the little harbor from the bus station, so I ordered an Uber to take me to the apartment. It was early evening, and fortunately, I could check straight in. Or so I thought.
I arrived on this tiny little street lined with old buildings and found myself standing outside an apartment door, trying unsuccessfully to figure out how to get the key to work. I was messaging the host, who was trying to help me, but for whatever reason, I just couldn't get the door open. Eventually, two girls who were staying in another Airbnb in the building came along and offered to let me inside. They also helped me figure out the trick to the lock, as I had no intention of getting locked outside again later that evening. Finally, I was in.
I carried my suitcase upstairs and entered a little two-bedroom apartment with a living room, compact kitchen, and terrace. It was simple, comfortable, and had everything I needed. I'd booked it because it was incredibly affordable, I could add an extra night to allow my self a very late check out and with two bedrooms, I had far more space than I needed for just myself.
The first thing I did was put down my bags and go straight out onto the terrace. Through the neighboring buildings, I could see a little sliver of the sea.
After getting settled and making absolutely certain I'd figured out the front-door key, I headed out to find dinner. I found a cute little restaurant just down the street with an outdoor garden area. It was April, and I'd had no idea what kind of weather to expect in Portugal. The days were unexpectedly warm, but as soon as the sun went down, it got chilly. By the end of dinner, the restaurant staff had bundled me up in a blanket so I could finish eating outside. I was exhausted by that point, so I headed back to the apartment and went straight to bed.
A Morning on the Terrace
The next morning, I woke up feeling considerably more human. I made myself a Nespresso in the little kitchen and went outside to enjoy the sunrise. It was chilly, but I was happy sitting outside with my coffee, looking between the neighboring rooftops toward the sea.
Unfortunately, a group of birds had apparently decided that the terrace belonged to them. At first, I didn't think much of it, but they became increasingly aggressive and actually started diving toward me. I tried to ignore them, but they seemed pretty determined to get me out of there. Eventually, I surrendered and went back inside.
I spent the majority of the day exploring the coast, popping back into the apartment when it got too hot for my sweater then again when it go too cold for my bathing suite. That's one of the things I appreciated most about staying in this apartment. Everything was close enough that I could wander around, go to the beach, stop somewhere for coffee, and easily pop back home whenever I wanted.
I was traveling by myself, and having a comfortable place right in the middle of Old Town made everything incredibly easy.
Inside the Apartment
The apartment had two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living area, a compact kitchen, and an outdoor terrace.
Directly across from the front door was a bedroom with two single beds, which I never used. Farther down the hallway was the bedroom I slept in, with a larger bed. Having the bedrooms separated by the hallway was a nice feature, particularly if you're traveling with other people and want a little privacy.
The living room opened into the kitchen, which was fairly compact, but I wasn't planning to do any cooking. I primarily used it to make coffee, and I was very happy to have the Nespresso machine for my mornings on the terrace.
The bathroom was simple, with traditional Portuguese-style tiles and a shower. Nothing particularly fancy, but it was great after a morning when I got stuck paddleboarding in the cold rain. After spending a chilly morning on the water, I was especially grateful to have somewhere warm and comfortable to return to.
The apartment also had air conditioning, although I didn't need it during my April visit. There was some noise from the neighboring bars, which is something to keep in mind if you're a particularly light sleeper. Personally, I slept well and didn’t have any trouble with the noise once the windows were closed.
The Terrace and the Location
The terrace was probably my favorite part of the apartment. It had a little table and chairs with enough room for a couple of people to sit outside and enjoy coffee or a drink. During my visit, I could see the sea between the buildings, and I loved starting my mornings out there.
One thing worth mentioning is that since I stayed in April 2024, nearby construction appears to have obstructed the little view I enjoyed, so I'd refer to the property's current listing photographs rather than expecting the same view shown in my older pictures.
I would absolutely recommend staying in Old Town. I'd considered a few apartments outside the historic center when I was planning my trip, but I'm glad I chose one within walking distance of everything. I could easily reach the beach, restaurants, cafés, and shops without needing a rental car. Coffee & Waves was nearby, and I loved being able to spend the afternoon wandering through the little streets without worrying about transportation.
Lagos also had such a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere when I visited in April. It felt like a quaint little surf town, and because I was there before the busy summer season, it was relatively quiet. As a woman traveling alone, I felt very comfortable walking around Old Town and returning to the apartment on my own. I never encountered an area that made me feel unsafe during my visit, which was especially reassuring since this was my first big solo trip.
A Host Who Made My First Solo Trip Easier
One of the most important things to me when I booked this trip was finding accommodations with responsive, reliable hosts.
I'd stayed in Airbnbs before, but this was my first time traveling internationally by myself, and I wanted to know that if something went wrong, there was someone nearby who could help me. My host in Lagos was exactly that. She was local, responsive, and helpful from the beginning, including when I was struggling to get into the building on my first evening. I felt comfortable knowing she was nearby and that I could reach her if I needed anything.
This little place had everything I needed: plenty of space, a great location, a comfortable bed, a warm shower, and a wonderful local host.
When I think back on those few days, I remember the sunrise coffees, the birds trying to chase me off the terrace, and how easy it was to step outside and spend hours exploring without much of a plan. For my first solo trip, it was a lovely little place to call home.
Browse my Portugal Airbnb wishlist for this Airbnb and more.