Where to Stay in Lisbon: Best Areas & Accommodation
Not sure where to stay in Lisbon? This guide has got you covered with the best neighborhoods and hotels!
As the exciting capital of Portugal, Lisbon is one of the most visited cities in Southern Europe. If you visit this fantastic city and look for accommodation, you’re not alone. Finding the perfect place to stay in such a big and populated city can be hard.
That’s why I made this guide! Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for something simple or coming to Portugal for a special occasion and want something luxurious, this guide has all the details you need to know about where to stay in Lisbon.
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Best Lisbon Accommodation—Quick Guide
If you need help on the best area to stay in Lisbon, here are the three places to stay around the city to fit any budget and travel experience.
Budget—Lost Inn Lisbon: Located in the neighborhood of Cais do Sodre, this hostel has private rooms, mixed dorm rooms, and female-only dorm rooms. If you can, try to get a room with a balcony to see the Tagus River. There are many common rooms where you can socialize with other travelers and use the free Wi-Fi.
Mid-Range—Be Poet Baixa: For a hotel in a great location with an even better price, this is the best place to stay. It’s right between many different areas, including Alfama and the Rossio Train Station. The hotel is sleek and modern, with all the amenities you need.
Luxury—Santiago de Alfama: This luxury boutique hotel has five suites and 14 rooms. The views from every room are absolutely gorgeous, where you can see the city and the river in the distance. They have an on-site restaurant and bar, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.
Alfama
If you’re traveling to Lisbon with your significant other, Alfama is the best place to stay because it’s by far the most romantic and charming neighborhood in Lisbon. Almost all the restaurants have romantic outdoor dining where you can sit on the cobblestone streets and enjoy a few glasses of wine.
Alfama is a lot quieter and more sophisticated compared to other places in Lisbon so it’s a great place to be if you’re searching for where to stay in Lisbon with family.
The only drawback to this neighborhood is that there are a lot of hills, so walking around can get tiresome. Bring some comfy shoes, or make sure you have money to use the tram.
If you decide to stay here as a family with small children, you might also want to consider bringing along the stroller so they don’t have to overwork their legs.
Budget—Largo da Se Guest House: This guest house has double and twin rooms with shared bathrooms. There are also suite options with private bathrooms if you don’t like sharing the washroom facilities. Right outside the guesthouse door, you’ll find plenty of options for food, including international choices and tons of small local restaurants where you can sample famous Portuguese dishes and pastries.
Mid-Range—Sao Vincente Alfama Hotel: This mid-range hotel has all the amenities you need for a great stay in Lisbon. The breakfast is top-rated, with local options and English and American choices. The rooms are more like suites, with a little kitchen and seating areas. They have free Wi-Fi as well as free entertainment every evening.
Luxury—Hotel Convento Do Salvador: I put this hotel under luxury because everyone marvels at the amenities and luxurious feeling of the rooms despite the price being closer to mid-range. It’s on a quiet street with many small restaurants and cafes. If you have some wiggle room in your budget, you can upgrade to a room with views of the Tejo River. Tram 28 has a stop right outside the door, which can take you anywhere in the city.
Chiado
Chiado is by far the best neighborhood to stay in Lisbon as a first-time visitor. It’s centrally located and has all the shops, attractions, and food that you could ever want. Staying in Chiado is also the best way to explore the history of Lisbon since it has historical sites like the Convento de Carmo.
Chiado is also well connected to trams and metros, so you can easily access other parts of the city if you’d like.
Budget—Lost Lisbon: if you’re on a budget while in Lisbon, this place has everything you need for a basic and comfortable stay in the city. The price includes breakfast, and there is also a shared kitchen where you can cook lunch and dinner to save money. Lost Lisbon is also located on the same street as tons of cafes, eateries, and bars.
Mid-Range—Chiado 44: This small guesthouse only has 12 rooms, so make sure to book in advance if you’re coming to Lisbon during the busy season. Almost all the rooms have balconies, and you can choose a room with either river or garden views. The building is from the 19th century, but the inside has been completely renovated. The rooms are very modern and elegant.
Luxury—Casa do Barao: This charming bed & breakfast has all the amenities you could dream of right in the center of Chiado. The hotel is set in an 18th-century building that was renovated in 2014. The gardens on the property are stunning, so make sure to check them out. You can even have your free breakfast in the gardens every morning. A tram stop on the same street allows you to travel around Lisbon easily.
Bairro Alto
Lisbon has a huge nightlife and party scene all over the city, but the neighborhood of Bairro Alto is where most of the best nightlife goes on. It’s one of the best areas to stay in Lisbon for those who are ready to explore the city by night and experience some of the best bars and clubs in the city.
There are also plenty of things to do in the daytime, including seeing some stunning architecture and sampling famous wines. Food walking tours and pub crawl tours are also renowned in this area.
Budget—Lookout Lisbon: If you’re on a tight budget and want to stay in a more hostel vibe, Lookout Lisbon is the perfect place. They host social events almost every day of the week, giving you plenty of opportunities to meet other travelers. They have complimentary breakfast every morning and also organize pub and nightclub crawls.
Mid-Range—Dear Lisbon Charming House: Just like the name of this place, this little hotel is charming, with lovely outdoor gardens, a swimming pool, and a free breakfast buffet. All rooms have private bathrooms, and some even have little balconies to relax and enjoy your morning coffee.
Luxury—Bairro Alto Hotel: This fabulous hotel is right between Bairro Alto and Chiado, so you get the best of both worlds when booking a stay here. There is a rooftop bar where you can party the night away and have some of the best drinks in the city. The rooms are super big and have elegant decorations. You can also take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast.
Top Things to Do in Lisbon
Ready to hit the town and discover the best things to do in Lisbon?
I’ve listed the top few sites below. If you want to see a complete list of all the best things to do, you can check out my guide here.
- Tour St. George Castle. This castle is on the highest hill in Lisbon, so you get a gorgeous view of the city below. The royal family lived here between the 13th and 16th centuries, so it has tons of history to learn about.
- Have some drinks in Barrio Alto. This is known as the best neighborhood for nightlife. Even if you’re not into partying until the wee hours of the morning, you can still head here for some drinks and dinner in the evening.
- Visit the oldest bookshop in the world. Livraria Bertrand is the oldest bookshop in the world that is still in operation. It opened in 1732 and is a popular place in Lisbon for locals and tourists to read and buy books.
- Eat some pastries. Although places like France might come to mind when you think of the best pastries in Europe, Lisbon has some amazing pastries not to miss. Pasteis de Belem is known as the best pastry, so try it at least once before heading home.
- Ride the Santa Justa Lift. This famous lift goes halfway up the hill of Graca, where St. George’s Castle is located. The lift offers great city views and gets you halfway to the castle if you’re not interested in walking up the hill.
- Take a walking or history tour. One of my favorite things to do in a new city is take a walking tour. Since Lisbon has such a rich and intense history, consider taking a history tour where a guide will take you around and show you all the most historic parts of the city.
You can get more ideas of what to do in Lisbon here.
How to Get to Lisbon
Lisbon has a large airport (LIS) where you can fly from all over the world. You might have a couple of connections depending on where you’re coming from, but the airport is very easily accessible worldwide.
If you’re already in Europe, you can also take a bus or train to Lisbon. Many people do this if they travel to many different places in Europe because it lets you explore many places.
How to Get Around Lisbon
Like many European cities, Lisbon has an excellent public transportation system. You don’t need to rent a car unless you want to.
Depending on where you’re traveling around the city, you can take the bus, the tram, or the metro.
If you’re going further away or taking some Lisbon day trips, you can also take one of the trains as they go all over Portugal.
When to Visit Lisbon
Lisbon has great weather all year round so that you can visit the city anytime. July and August are the busiest months, so you will find large crowds at top attractions and higher hotel prices. It’s very humid at this time as well.
Try visiting Lisbon in late spring or early autumn to avoid the late summer and holiday crowds.
Which part of Lisbon is best to stay in?
For the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon that are centrally located, try booking a place in Biaxa, Chiado, or Biarro Alto.
Since these are the most common neighborhoods to stay in, they are also more expensive. This is why visiting during the shoulder season or booking very early is important.
What is the prettiest part of Lisbon?
Alfama is known as the prettiest neighborhood and the best place to stay in Lisbon for those who want fantastic views. While the entire neighborhood is stunning, Largo Portas do Sol is the most beautiful street in the area.
It’s one of the oldest streets in the city, so the architecture is stunning. You can also see the Tagus River and the Sao Jorge Castle from the street.
What areas to avoid staying in Lisbon?
Lisbon is generally a very safe city, so there are no areas you have to completely avoid. However, some areas are better than others. Petty crime is more common at night, especially in Anjos and Intendente.
Should I stay in Lisbon city center?
Staying in the city center has its pros and cons. It’s more expensive and crowded, which might not appeal to some people.
If it’s your first time in Lisbon, staying in the center gives you quick access to all the best attractions and some of the best restaurants and bars.
I also recommend staying in the city center if you’re limited on time as being in the center allows you to walk to most places rather than waiting for public transport.
Where to Stay in Lisbon: Book One of These Amazing Places!
After reading this guide, you know exactly where to stay in Lisbon. As one of the largest cities in Portugal, there are endless choices for where to rest your head at night after a long day of walking and exploring.
If you’re heading to Lisbon soon, which of these fantastic places will you book?
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