Porto, Porto, Portugal

REFNO:519819. They say good things come in small packages and this practical apartment lives up to the saying. As central as Porto bases get, you’ll be close to a host of cultural and historic must-sees, including Clérigos Tower, Porto Cathedral and the bustling Cais da Ribeira district. The many nearby restaurants make up for the pocket-sized kitchenette, and while the decor isn’t the most inspiring here, beamed ceilings and a sleek en-suite are nice touches we appreciate. Just be aware you’ll need to climb the stairs up to the entrance – but as another saying goes, all good things require effort. Home truths: *Your host operates several apartments here, so the exact view, layout and furnishings might differ slightly from the photos. However, the overall quality should remain the same. *There's no lift here. You'll need to be able to climb stairs to reach the entrance of the home. *You won't find an oven here – though there is a hob. We think the kitchen is better suited to prepping lighter bites than large meals. *This is a compact apartment and it's short on wardrobe space, so we'd recommend packing light. *If you're travelling for work, you won't find a dedicated desk here. However, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace. *We recommend skipping the car here and exploring Porto on foot or by public transport instead.