The Yellow Airbnb with the Orange Trees
The Short Version
One of the most beautiful Airbnbs I've ever stayed in, with original worn wood floors, carefully collected vintage furnishings, and two balconies overlooking Lisbon. My favorite was the balcony above a garden of orange trees, where I spent my mornings drinking coffee and watching the city wake up. I'd happily stay here again.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Sleeps: Up to 5
Layout: Two bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a large living area with sofa bed, kitchen and two balconies.
Perfect for: Couples, families, friends traveling together, or anyone who appreciates historic architecture and vintage furnishings.
Highlights: Ornate plaster moldings, Portuguese wool blankets, incredible views, and a walkable location near Praça Martim Moniz.
After a four-hour bus ride from Lagos to Lisbon, there were three things I wanted: a bathroom, a snack, and somewhere to sit down.
My Airbnb was located in a historic yellow building near Praça Martim Moniz, where a neighbor named Paula was waiting to let me in. She greeted me with a warm smile and took me up to the second-floor apartment, where I walked into what I still consider one of the most beautiful Airbnbs I’ve ever stayed in.
Original Architecture and Carefully Collected Furnishings
The first things I noticed were the creaky original wooden floors, tall ceilings with delicate plaster moldings, and thick drapery framing the windows. The furniture was an eclectic collection of vintage pieces that looked as though someone had spent years gathering their favorite finds from Lisbon’s flea markets.
The apartment was enormous, with two bedrooms, a separate living room, one full bathroom, one half bathroom, and a large kitchen and dining area. From the entrance, a long hallway opened into the main living space, where natural light poured through two sets of floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading onto a balcony overlooking the city.
The kitchen occupied one corner of the room, with modern cabinetry and appliances incorporated around a large stone feature that appeared to be original to the building. I loved that the renovation had preserved some of the home’s character instead of replacing everything with new finishes.
A smaller living room could be closed off from the main space with a sliding door. It had a pullout sofa, television, books, and games, although I hardly spent any time in there. I was in Lisbon, after all. When I wasn’t out exploring, I was enjoying the balconies.
Two Bedrooms and a Lesson in Booking for One
Because I was traveling alone, the host had only prepared one of the two bedrooms, which made perfect sense until I realized they’d chosen the one I didn’t want. The smaller bedroom was lovely, with a pretty blue color scheme, but the second bedroom was almost twice the size. It had a separate sitting area with a desk, a clothing rack, and access to a balcony. I’d brought my journal with me and wanted somewhere to sit and write, so I asked Paula if I could switch. She was happy to accommodate me, and I offered to make the other bed myself and leave the first one untouched.
It had never occurred to me that an Airbnb host might prepare only one bedroom when a single person was staying in a larger apartment. So, if you’re booking a multi-bedroom property for yourself or as a couple, it’s worth mentioning which bedroom you’d prefer before arriving.
Both rooms were beautifully furnished, with luxurious linens, heavy drapes, and thick wool blankets made in Portugal. I loved the blankets so much that I tracked down the shop where they’d come from, intending to buy one for myself. Unfortunately, they were so thick that bringing one home would have required sacrificing about half my suitcase.
The apartment also had air conditioning, a washing machine, and a fully equipped kitchen. Although you could hear church bells ringing during the day, closing the balcony doors kept the apartment quiet.
The Balcony Overlooking the Orange Trees
Once Paula had finished showing me around, I headed straight for the balcony outside the kitchen. The sun was beginning to set over Lisbon, and beyond Praça Martim Moniz, colorful buildings covered the hills surrounding the city. Directly below the balcony was a garden filled with orange trees, their branches heavy with fruit. There was still laundry hanging on the line, blowing gently in the breeze, and it was one of the prettiest views I’d ever had from an apartment.
The second balcony faced the opposite direction, overlooking a narrow street lined with historic buildings covered in colorful Portuguese tiles. I’ve always loved old architecture, particularly buildings with colorful details, and Lisbon had plenty of both. I spent hours wandering around photographing tile-covered facades and eventually brought four antique tiles home from a flea market, so I loved having some of the same tile right outside my window.
In the mornings, I’d wake up early, make coffee, and take it outside on the balcony while the city was still quiet. It was April, so the mornings were a little chilly, but I loved sitting there listening to the birds and looking across the rooftops before heading out for the day.
That balcony became my favorite part of the apartment, and I probably spent more time there than anywhere else.
Staying in Lisbon’s Moorish Quarter
The apartment was located in Mouraria, near Praça Martim Moniz and below the hill topped by Castelo de São Jorge. For someone like me, who prefers exploring a city on foot, it was a great location.
On my first evening, I walked toward Bairro Alto in search of A Nossa Casa, a restaurant I’d been determined to visit. After climbing what felt like a thousand stairs, I arrived to find it completely packed. I eventually secured a reservation for later in the trip, and it turned out to be one of my favorite meals in Portugal.
Over the following days, I wandered through Alfama, visited flea markets, photographed historic buildings, and spent more time climbing Lisbon’s hills than I’d anticipated. I could return to the apartment between outings to drop off my purchases, change clothes, or take a break before heading out again.
I appreciated being close enough to explore much of the city on foot while having such a spacious apartment to return to, particularly after long days of walking.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Yes, and I’d bring a friend to enjoy it with.
The apartment had the kind of original architecture and carefully collected furnishings I always gravitate toward, but it also had the space and conveniences that make a vacation rental comfortable. With two bedrooms, a separate living room with a sofa bed, and one and a half bathrooms, I’d recommend it for couples, families, or friends traveling together.
I’d happily book it again. And I already know where I’d spend my mornings: on the balcony with a cup of coffee, listening to the birds and looking out over the orange trees.