Located at the foot of the São Jorge Castle, Bicicleta Rápida is a culture vulture's dream. We love homes in Alfama, and we especially love modern conversions in the neighbourhood that's so famous for keeping it original. This home was built with an industrial flair, our favourite being the bathroom skylight that creates a jungle-like experience. Plus, the WiFi is great, which is a rarity in Alfama. The only shortcoming we spotted was the frequent passers-by on their way to the castle, but otherwise, this is a great holiday lair.

Home truths:
* Although the darkness and silence help a good night's sleep, we missed the natural light in the bedroom
* You'll have to walk a bit to get to the nearest supermarket and public transport
* Although the kitchen is well-equipped with appliances, it doesn't have the basic cooking ingredients