Estúdio

Some of the furniture (TV, beds, closets) is very old and about to break down. In winter it gets really cold because it is badly isolated. Fortunately there are heaters in the apartment but you will need to pay a big sum in electricity to use them. However, the cleanliness and location make up for part of it and all the utilities you need are available as well.

This studio is one of the best places you can stay in during your time abroad. It might look a bit pricey, but the appliances, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, location and friendly landlord fully make up for that. It even has a balcony which you can use to work on your tan if you like enjoying the warm Portuguese sun. Apart from enough towels, the apartment even has 4 beds in total (2 normal beds, 2 chairs that can be used as beds which are comfortable enough) which really comes in handy when your family/friends want to visit you. It saves them money and makes it a lot nicer when you've got visitors. The only thing that can be seen as a disadvantage is the absence of a laundry machine, but the landlord will happily show you the nearest laundromat which washes and dries your laundry for a small fee. The electricity is also exclusive, but if you just wear an extra sweater during cold times, use an extra blanket and refrain from wasting too much energy it will be fine. It can also become a little bit humid because of the stone wall which can make your clothes smell a teeny bit like stone, but if you regularly open a door it will be fine. If you're not convinced enough by this point, then consider the fact that this studio is situated in the old part of the center, from your balcony you can see the many Port houses situated on the other side of the Duoro river. There are a lot of restaurants, cute cafes, museums, ice cream bars and (small) supermarkets close. And if you feel really alone, there's a hostel next to the place if you want to meet some new people. The bus line to the beach is also a five minute stroll along the boulevard away, so if you want to get your surfing on, you totally can. The nearest subway station is a 5-10 minute walk uphill, you might need to get used to the steepness of the walk, but consider it as a daily leg workout, your calves will thank you later. I've stayed here for four months and it was fully worth the money. I've had one of the best times in Porto, and the quality of this studio is really one of the reasons that I did.

Great place, located in the heart of Ribeira (20 seconds to Praça da Ribeira). Clean, cosy and well equipped flat.