It’s not often you can stumble out of bed and be at a major medieval site in less than a minute. But that’s completely possible when staying at Casa Saint Jorge. You’re right in the thick of it here: the entrance to the castle, which dates back to at least the 8th Century BC, is just one narrow cobblestone street away, in the perfectly preserved medieval quarter that overlooks the city and the Alfama neighbourhood. It's the picture-perfect Lisbon you’ve seen on postcards, where the iconic yellow Tram 28 rattles by, and where people gather at the Santa Luzia mirador at sunset to soak up River Tagus views.
Casa Saint Jorge sits atop a hill in a historic – yet recently renovated – whitewashed building, its borders painted blue in traditional Portuguese style. Once inside (via a digital key accessed on your smart phone), a wooden staircase leads to the seven fully-serviced one-bedroom apartments. Each is decorated in a classic contemporary style in a palette of creams. Designed for maximum comfort, they are kitted out with fully-equipped kitchens and living rooms with sofabeds for kids. Outside the windows, the Tagus glistens in the distance.
Highs
- You’re right in the medieval quarter, above the famous Alfama district, Lisbon’s most visited neighbourhood
- These are fully-equipped apartments: you have everything you need for a comfortable stay (including kitchen, dishwasher and washing machine)
- If you're feeling lazy, book a B&B rate and breakfast boxes will magically appear at your door each morning - a real indulgence!
- All but two apartments have glorious River Tagus views; one has a private patio
- Great value for money, considering the central location
Lows
- There’s no parking on the historic streets by the apartments, though there is a car park 10 minutes away, or you can request an airport transfer service
- Because of its landmark location, there are lots of tourists around, but the apartments are set in a quiet spot a few steps away from the bustle
- There’s no on-site restaurant for dinner, but Ludo's next door will satisfy lunch and early evening cravings, plus there are plenty of places to eat nearby
Best time to go
We love Lisbon all year round, but particularly in September, when nearby beaches are less crowded and the weather is still warm. Mid-June is another great time to visit: this is when Lisbon hosts a city-wide festival in honour of patron Saint Anthony – locals of all ages take to the streets to celebrate, eat barbecued sardines and dance.
Our top tips
Don't miss the stunning vista from the Miradouro do Recolhimento, located next to the apartments. There's arguably no better view of Lisbon and the River Tagus.
- Boutique Apartments
- 7 apartments for 2-4
- 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
Casa Saint Jorge is made up of seven apartments. Each has one bedroom with a double bed, plus a fully-equipped kitchen and a living area - all except the Deluxe Suite also have sofabeds so they can accommodate four people in total. Most have River Tagus views; one has a small patio, another a large terrace. Cots can be provided free of charge.
Décor wise, the apartments keep things fresh, with a palette of creams and pops of colour from artwork or cushions. Marble surfaces in the bathroom exude a classic style. A few Architectural Digest magazines and classic novels line the bookshelves, and on the walls are framed photos of the iconic neighbourhood and recent building refurbishment.
This being a historic building, the layout is full of nooks and crannies: in our Deluxe Apartment, a small office space was tucked away in the corner, and the compact kitchen was up a few steps. We loved how natural light flowed in from morning until night; our windows opened onto views of terracotta-tiled rooftops and the shimmering River Tagus beyond, especially stunning when lit up by Lisbon’s hot pink sunsets.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
All apartments feature a compact but fully-equipped kitchen: microwave, coffee machine and dishwasher included. If you choose the B&B rate you also get breakfast 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’s an espresso machine with a full supply of coffee capsules in every apartment.
Cooking here is convenient, you have everything you need – and a huge supermarket (Pingo Doce) is a 10-minute walk away, below the nearest big car park. Set above the famous Alfama and Baixa neighbourhoods, the apartments are within walking distance of countless restaurants, both traditional and trendy. Pop next door to Ludo's, a nice spot for all day brunches, light bites and cocktails to see in the evening. The Graça neighbourhood is a short cab ride away: we recommend heading here for hipster wine bars and restaurants serving up timeless Portuguese classics – pica pau beef, bacalao and garlic shrimps.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- St George’s Castle is literally on your doorstep; other cultural must-visits within easy walking distance are Lisbon Cathedral, St Anthony’s Church, the Fado Museum and the Roman Theatre Museum
- Take a ride on the iconic Tram 28 down to the centre of the city; the ride itself is an (Instagram-worthy) experience
- Check out the LX Factory, the hippest creative hub in town. Cafes, shops and bars line the graffitied, cobblestone streets of this cool converted warehouse in the Alcantara neighbourhood
- Visit Belém for the Gothic-style Jerónimos Monastery, the striking Vasco da Gama monument, and the fresh-out-the-oven pastéis de nata (custard tarts) at Pasteleria de Belém
- In warmer months, hop on a train and head out of town to Cascais or Estoril for a sunny beach day
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children are welcome at Casa Saint Jorge. Cots are provided free of charge, and six out of seven apartments have decadently comfortable double sofabeds. Fully-equipped kitchens mean preparing food for the little ones at any hour of the day is easy and stress-free, and our child was delighted with his breakfast in a box every morning.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Any apartment except the Deluxe Suite with Patio is suitable for small families (of up to 4).
Distances:
- Airport: 25 minutes by car
- Hospital: 15 minutes by car
- Supermarket: 10 minutes walking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Casa Saint Jorge is located on top of a hill within the citadel of Saint George's Castle, which overlooks Lisbon's historic Alfama district. Many major sights are within walking distance.
By Air:
Lisbon Airport (25 minutes by car) is served by plenty of flights from the UK, elsewhere in Europe, and further afield.
By Car:
We don’t recommend having a car - the city is easily navigated on foot and by public transport, and access to the apartments is restricted for most private vehicles. The best option is to book an airport transfer service, or you can take an official taxi.
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 paid parking nearby.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Lisbon Airport 8.0 km LIS
Other:
- Beach 11.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 7 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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