View over Alfama, Lisbon's ancient district, from the Memmo Alfama Hotel.
The Best Luxury Hotels in Lisbon are: MYRIAD by SANA Hotels, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa, Pestana Palace, Pousada de Lisboa, Palácio do Governador
The Best Boutique Hotels in Lisbon are: Bairro Alto Hotel, Santiago de Alfama Boutique Hotel, Valverde Hotel, Portugal Boutique Hotel
The Best Design Hotels in Lisbon are: Altis Belém Hotel, Memmo Alfama, Memmo Príncipe Real, Internacional Design Hotel
The Best Budget Hotels in Lisbon are: Hotel Gat Rossio, Hotel Portuense Lisboa, Hotel Convento do Salvador
The Most Romantic Hotels in Lisbon are: Verride Palácio Santa Catarina, Olissippo Lapa Palace, The One Palácio da Anunciada, Torel Palace Lisbon, Casa do Barão, Casa Balthazar, Palacete Chafariz Del Rei, Solar do Castelo
The Best Hotels for Families in Lisbon are: Martinhal Lisbon Chiado, Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel, Corinthia Lisbon
The Best Apartments in Lisbon are: Residentas Aurea, Patio São Vicente, Unique Design Apartments, Tandem Palacio Alfama Suites, Flora Chiado Apartments, Chiado Camões Apartments
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in LisbonMuch of the accommodation in Lisbon is found between the waterfront and Edward VII Park, and that central area is where most tourists want to stay. There are different neighborhoods, each with its unique feel:
Avenida da LiberdadeThe city’s central boulevard is the luxury shopping street, so its hotels are of the 4- and 5-star categories. If you’re looking for high-end accommodation, willing to splurge, or are lucky to find a deal, this is the best area to stay (check out the prices of the Altis Avenida, Sofitel Lisbon, and the PortoBay Liberdade). It’s within walking distance of the entire center, and has good links to the airport (the AeroBus and the metro).
See the recommended hotels on Avenida da Liberdade.
BaixaThe downtown area, with a grid of flat streets connecting the city’s grandest squares (Rossio and Praça do Comércio), is home to the largest number of hostels and boutique hotels. They’re all in renovated buildings from the late 1700s, so rooms vary in size, but are usually well decorated, often with Lisbon-related themes (check out the prices of the My Story Hotel Rossio, the Hotel Santa Justa, the AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado, and the Browns Central Hotel). From here, you can walk to many of the sights, and can reach other parts of the city and beyond on all kinds of public transportation (metro, buses, trams, funiculars, and trains).
See the recommended hotels in Baixa.
ChiadoRising up the hill from Baixa, this is Lisbon’s most elegant district, with historic cafés, theaters, some of the most sophisticated restaurants and the best shops. It’s also close to the nightlife districts of Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré (but far enough from the noise), and has good transportation links. Nearly all accommodation is boutique hotels in renovated buildings, and many of them he rooftop bars (like the Hotel do Chiado, the Lisboa Pessoa Hotel, and the 9Hotel Mercy).
See the recommended hotels in Chiado.
AlfamaOn the opposite hill from Chiado, to the east of Baixa, is Lisbon’s oldest and quietest neighborhood. Its ancient maze of streets has few hotels, but the upper area closer to the castle has some of the most unique and memorable places to stay. Some are converted palaces or centuries-old buildings that he been carefully and tastefully restored (like the Casa dell'Arte Club House, Solar dos Mouros, and São Vicente Alfama Hotel). A beautiful viewpoint is always around the corner, and downtown can be reached by walking down the hill or taking the tram. If you’re on a romantic holiday, this is the neighborhood for you.
See the recommended hotels in Alfama.
Parque das NaçõesIt’s outside the center, but well connected by public transportation, and is the district closest to the airport (just three metro stops away). Its Oriente Station is used for trains to Porto and Faro (Algarve). While it caters mostly to business trelers, its chain hotels with spacious rooms (check out the Tivoli Oriente Hotel, Melia Lisboa Oriente Hotel, the Olissippo Oriente, and the very popular Hotel Ibis Lisboa Parque das Nações) can also be good choices for families. This waterfront district is Lisbon’s most recent, with no buildings predating the late 1990s, when the city hosted the World Fair. The main attraction is the Oceanarium, but it also has a wonderful promenade, traffic-free streets and green spaces. It’s also home to one of the city’s landmark hotels, the Myriad, in the Dubai-like Vasco da Gama Tower.
See the Parque das Nações guide with recommended hotels.
Avenidas NovasIt’s mostly a residential and business district, and only has one major tourist attraction (the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum), but there are many popular hotels, mostly of national and international chains (check out the Sheraton Lisboa, the Olissippo Saldanha, the Evolution Lisboa Hotel, the H10 Duque de Loulé, and the Jupiter Lisboa Hotel). All of them are in late 20th century and contemporary buildings, often in high rises, and there are options for every budget. It’s between the center and the airport, and you’re never too far from a Metro station or bus stop that links you to just about anywhere in the city.
See the recommended hotels in Avenidas Novas.
Booking Lisbon HotelsWhen booking a hotel, remember that rates usually depend on the season, the size of the room, and the view. Most include breakfast, but always check that when booking. The most expensive rooms in Lisbon cost over €250 per night, but the standard 4- or 5-star rooms can be anywhere between €150 and €250. Mid-range hotels offer rooms for about €75 to €150, while budget properties never charge over €100, and there can be rates as low as €30 (usually in dorms or in tiny private rooms with shared bathrooms). Authorities are strict, so even budget accommodation is clean and with modern facilities.
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