Bica Studio

Ascensor da Bica Apartments: waking up inside a movie

Rua de São Paulo, 236 – 1200-430 Lisboa

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Have you ever spent the night in a building classified as a National Monument? Have you ever had the privilege of being able to watch the spectacular up-and-down of a funicular that has become the symbol of a city from the comfort of your home? The probability of having answered no to both of those questions is high. Perhaps, then, it is time to collect a unique memory. Ascensor da Bica apartments offer you a unique and truly unforgettable experience, in one of the most picturesque areas of Lisbon.

This very special building, the starting point of the famous vehicle that connects downtown Lisbon to Bairro Alto, has been completely rehabilitated to welcome you with all the comfort that you deserve. Come and live an unrepeatable experience in a truly cinematic setting.

Ascensor da Bica apartments allow you to immerse yourself in an environment worthy of a movie. This 18^th-century building, which houses its accommodation and serves as the terminal station for the funicular that runs through the bica neighbourhood, was the movie setting for renowned international filmmakers such as Wim Wenders. All of this is combined with the charm and warmth that characterize the Lisbon Serviced Apartments accommodation.

We are proud to have rehabilitated this space with meticulous care. Although this is an authentic piece of history of the city – classified, together with the Lift, as a National Monument – you will find here all the elegance, modernity and functionality you need to enjoy your stay with autonomy and comfort.

Ascensor da Bica apartments have an access code system and automatic check-in, which offer greater independence, as well as an elevator, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, living room, dining area, safe, iron and daily cleaning services. If you need to store your luggage outside your stay-time, you can use our lockers, which are located on the 2^nd floor of the building.

Ascensor da Bica apartments, from Lisbon Serviced Apartments, await your visit. Come and live an unrepeatable experience in one of the most special buildings in the world!

What will you find in the Ascensor da Bica apartments?

So that we can better serve your needs, the 25 Ascensor da Bica apartments are divided into three types: studios, with 22 m² and capacity for up to two people; Superior studios, of 34 m², where up to three guests can stay; and finally, Deluxe studios, with 46 m², which can accommodate up to four people.

All accommodation has a kitchenette equipped with a fridge, electric hob, extractor fan, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, kettle and utensils for preparing light meals. Likewise, the Ascensor da Bica apartments have a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and toiletries.

Ascensor da Bica: memories on rails

Rua de São Paulo and Largo do Calhariz are separated by one of the steepest slopes in the city of Lisbon. It is almost 300 meters of breathtaking views. Now, to answer this problem, the project to build a lift here was handed over to the engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who also designed the remaining Lisbon counterparts. In 1892, the famous Bica Lift was inaugurated.

In its first phase, it was powered by steam. Electrification arrived in 1914 and it was classified as a National Monument in the new millennium, in 2002. Counting on several decades of presence in the lives of residents, this became one of the main tourist attractions in the city. Today, it is an authentic magnet of photographs, almost always framed with the beautiful Tagus River in the background.

Due to its picturesque surroundings, marked by colourful houses and balconies full of flowering vases, it has become one of the main postcards of Lisbon. It is, without a doubt, the most typical of the metropolis lifts. So, when you visit the Ascensor da Bica apartments, you can’t leave this iconic trip for later. Just leave your studio, go to the ground floor and enjoy the experience!

Bairro da Bica: home to beauty and tradition

It was in 2017 when the MSN website elected Rua da Bica as one of the most beautiful in the world. Based on tourist votes, in a group of North American sites, this street shared a table with very famous streets such as 5^th Avenue in New York, or the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Deservedly!

After all, this neighbourhood, with more than 500 years of history, preserves what is most genuine in the Lisbon spirit. Once home to people linked to working at sea, here you can still find the typical taverns and grocery stores of past times, but new and modern businesses have also occupied and rejuvenated this very special space, where tradition meets beauty.

This is one of the city’s nightlife points. Starting at the lively Cais do Sodré, the “dance” extends to Bairro Alto, passing here. A tip: during the Popular Saints’ celebrations, in June, Bica dresses up with colourful ribbons, party music and big smiles. Believe me, it is an unforgettable experience!

A gastronomic journey at the Time Out Market

The Ascensor da Bica apartments are very close to some of the most visited spots in the city. This is, for example, the case of Chiado, a five-minute walk, or Praça do Comércio, ten minutes away. However, you will find, right here at the door, one of the best places in Lisbon to comfort your stomach. We speak, of course, about the Time Out Market.

Occupying the historic Mercado da Ribeira, the Portuguese magazine Time Out decided to create a gastronomic space where quality and diversity are the watchwords. Twenty-six renowned restaurants, eight bars and a concert hall: more than enough ingredients for a pleasant (and delicious) evening.

Being in an apartment does not mean being without service!

The apartments were designed and equipped for short and medium-term stays in Lisbon, so that you can feel as if you were in your own home.

We have a permanent support service for everything you need, from questions related to the apartment, with your stay, to clarify any doubts, to requests for information about the city, to advise on a restaurant, shopping center or museum!

For any service you may need or have any questions you may have, use our permanent contact. 

Front desk All our apartments have service and help-desk open 24/7. Our buildings have a team that is present in the building 365 days a year, who in addition to the daily maintenance of your apartment will be available to help you (these services are included in the daily rate).	Cleaning The apartments are fully furnished with bed and bath linen, as well as appliances and kitchen utensils. All apartments benefit from a daily cleaning service that includes the change of bed and bath linen after 3 nights, or when necessary. The daily cleaning service does not include cleaning the kitchen, washing the dishes or treating clothes. If the kitchen needs to be cleaned, this service will be charged for an additional cost of € 25.00 /day. We have an optional laundry service.	Equipment The apartments are equipped with all the amenities for a pleasant stay. Everything is strictly inventoried. Nothing may be removed from the apartment. Any missing or damaged items will be charged to the client at market price plus a fee of € 30.00/item to cover replacement costs.
TV Channels The apartments have dozens of cable channels (varies depending on location). If your apartment has a box, you must tune the HDMI on the TV and then turn on the receiver and choose the desired channel. If your apartment does not have a box, just choose the channels using your own command.	Shopping In addition to traditional commerce, there are always supermarkets very close to the buildings. It is also possible to get a home delivery service by choosing from a menu from an endless list of restaurants. Optionally, you can also request purchases for your stay, even being possible to have all your purchases done when you arrive at the apartment!	Check-in & Check-out Check-in is done from 14:00h, and Check-out must be until 12:00h. During the booking period, you can enter the apartment at any time. Arrivals before 14:00 (‘early check-in’), or departures after 12:00 (‘late checkout’), are possible subject to availability at an additional cost of 40% on the published daily rate for the apartment.
Internet The building has several Wi-Fi hotspots. Access is free. The access code can be found at the entrance to the apartment.	Parking On-street parking is normally paid for and is usually secure. However, we suggest the usual care in this type of situation. Please be advised that certain areas have parking meters and are for limited duration parking. Check the map for the nearest covered car parks	Smokers All our apartments are non-smoking. If you do not comply with the smoking ban, a €100.00 cleaning and odor removal fee will be charged.

More information here:

• Frequent Asked Questions
• Reservation terms