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Before a recent solo trip through Europe, I somehow had never been to Portugal, let alone Lisbon. I don’t know how—as a professional travel writer who pens city guides and hotel reviews, I’m pushing fifty countries visited. So after a short business trip to Madrid, I decided to extend my stay in Europe and finally tick the Portuguese capital off my travel bucket list.
I began looking for accommodations that wouldn’t completely eat up my entire budget but would still be cozy and comfortable.
Even when I’m traveling abroad, I like to have a high-vibe space to retreat to for a mid-afternoon apéro or takeout meal away from the bustle of the city. As a solo female traveler, I also usually prefer a hotel or a building with security measures, like a doorman, but I had been told time and time again by fellow solo travelers that Lisbon is one of the safest and most friendly cities, so in the end, I was comfortable opting for an artsy loft in the center of town. I liked that it was in the middle of the action; it would be easy for me to emerge and enjoy the sights and sounds without having to navigate public transit late at night or spend a lot on cabs.
After a quick flight from Madrid, I arrived in the decidedly cool Chiado neighborhood and checked into my Airbnb with no issues whatsoever. My host, Pedro, and his team made sure a co-host would be available to help me check in in-person so that I wouldn’t have to fiddle with a lock box or run into one of the potential mishaps that often occur when checking into an Airbnb.
