Santa Clara 1728

WHERE: ALFAMA / CAMPO DE SANTA CLARA, LISBON
WHAT: PRIVATE DESIGN GUESTHOUSE
WHO: SEEKERS OF SILENCE, ARCHITECTURE LOVERS, SLOW-LIVING TRAVELLERS

If Lisbon had a sanctuary, this would be it. Santa Clara 1728 transforms a centuries-old mansion overlooking the Tejo river into a temple of calm: limestone, light, and long, quiet shadows drifting across perfectly spare spaces.

BOOK DISCOVER
Santa Clara 1728
A HOUSE OF SILENCE & LIGHT

In Lisbon’s ancient Alfama district, Santa Clara 1728 redefines luxury through slow living

Santa Clara 1728 is the Lisbon chapter of Silent Living, João Rodrigues’s poetic collection of restored family homes that celebrate life’s quieter rhythms. In collaboration with architect Manuel Aires Mateus, Rodrigues has created spaces that feel more like sanctuaries than hotels—places where time slows, light softens, and simplicity becomes a kind of luxury. Set within an elegant 18th-century mansion in Lisbon’s Alfama district, overlooking the Tejo River and the dome of Santa Engrácia, the six-room guesthouse feels suspended between history and serenity. Each detail whispers of craftsmanship and calm: smooth limestone bathtubs carved from Sintra stone, pale timber floors that catch the morning light, and linens that move softly with the breeze. The palette is subdued, but never austere; it’s a space designed for presence, not performance. Outside, Alfama’s tiled façades and miradouros call for wandering, but inside, time loosens its grip. Afternoons unfold in stillness: a book by the window, sunlight across limestone floors, a glass of vinho verde on the terrace as the Tejo glimmers below.

LISBON BEHIND THE SCENES

Le Voyage Hotel Journal

THE DESIGN

Aires Mateus’ intervention honours the 18th-century structure while distilling it into quiet geometry. Arched thresholds, sculptural staircases, and monolithic limestone volumes create a sense of weight and calm. Natural light is the true protagonist — pouring through tall windows, softening the stone, illuminating the absence of ornament. Every detail breathes Portuguese craft: linen, oak, artisanal ceramics, and the gentle imperfections that make a space feel alive.

THE ROOMS

Just six expansive suites — a rarity in a house of this scale. Each room feels like a private apartment: oversized bathtubs carved in stone, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the river or the rooftops of Alfama, beds dressed in cloud-soft linens. Neutral tones encourage rest; the architecture itself becomes the decoration.

EATS & SIPS

Meals are given their full moment here: daytime is quiet, easy, home-table style; evenings shift into something more ritual. The house’s supersized communal table plays host at lunch to thoughtfully curated dishes sourced almost entirely from their own farm at Herdade no Tempo. For dinner, the experience is elevated at Ceia, a fine-dining tasting menu designed for up to 14 guests, anchored in regenerative agriculture and seasonal, soil-forward ingredients, bringing the feeling of a private dining experience among friends.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

The sense of absolute peace, rare in a capital city; the meditative design; the monumental stone tubs; the views over the river from the upper floors; and the feeling of living inside an architectural poem.

WHY WE’LL RETURN

Because few places in the world manage to be this serene, this intentional, and this beautiful — a refuge for the soul in the heart of Lisbon.

Neighbourhood Pocket Guide

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The Cafe

The Folks Alfama — a warm, design-forward café just a few steps away, known for excellent specialty coffee, homemade pastries, and a calm neighbourhood rhythm. The perfect slow start before wandering the maze of Alfama.

The Walk

Feira da Ladra — Lisbon’s oldest and most iconic flea market, unfolding every Tuesday and Saturday right in Campo de Santa Clara. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s a vibrant tapestry of antiques, vintage treasures, ceramics, books, vinyl, and quirky collectibles. Arrive early, go with curiosity, and bring cash — it’s a treasure hunt with a heartbeat.

The Boutique

Campo de Santa Clara – Cerâmicas — a small local ceramic shop, showcasing hand-painted tiles, traditional pottery, and contemporary pieces.

The Sweet Treat

Casa São Miguel – Doçaria Regional Portuguesa — a beloved family-run bakery where pastéis de nata come straight from the oven. An authentic alternative to the city’s more crowded pastry institutions.THE DRINK: Tejo Bar — an intimate, bohemian bar where locals gather for wine, conversation, and spontaneous music.

The Golden Hour Spot

Miradouro de Santa Luzia — bougainvillea, azulejo murals, and one of Lisbon’s most cinematic sunsets. Watch Alfama’s rooftops glow gold as the Tagus mirrors the evening light.

The Dinner Table

Agulha no Palheiro — a small, unpretentious Alfama gem serving beautifully executed Portuguese dishes with a contemporary twist. Intimate, welcoming, and beloved by locals for its seasonal plates and soulful cooking.

Coming Soon | The printed and Digital collection

Lisboa

Forget the Lisbon of postcards. Lisbon reveals itself differently when you experience it from those who truly belong to it.
Thoughtfully designed and built with local voices, the Lisbon Edition is created as a keepsake for the curious, design-led traveller. Beyond the classic lookout points and tiled façades, this guide reveals the city’s creative undercurrent — neighbourhood characters, artisan studios, hidden taverns, independent boutiques, contemporary spaces, and everyday rituals that define life across Lisbon’s hills.

A book for lovers of beauty, craftsmanship, architecture, food, culture, and meaningful discovery.
Explore a more intimate Lisbon with our travel guide in your preferred format.

Bem-vindo

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