Lisbon is a very special capital city with a poignant charm and a heritage full of wonderful attractions and museums. If you want to visit Lisbon, you have to choose carefully the best area to stay in. First, you have to consider well what your needs are and what you are looking for. In all respects. The city is quite inexpensive, so with the exception of high season periods (summer, Christmas/New Year, Easter and various holidays) you will not find it difficult to get great value for money.
Here, then, is a handy guide on where to sleep in Lisbon and the best neighbourhoods to base yourself in the Portuguese capital, as well as some useful tips for your stay in Lisbon: the best areas, neighbourhoods and accommodation for different types of travellers.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
Chiado, Baixa, Bairro Alto, Avenida da Liberdade and Alfama are the best areas if you want to stay in the centre of Lisbon and within walking distance of the most important attractions, shops and restaurants. For a quieter stay, it is better to opt for the residential area of Belem.
Recommended areas tosave money: Alfama, the most local neighbourhood
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Baixa central district, Chiado, Avenida da Libertade, Belem residential area
Recommended areas foryoung people: Bairro Alto, the upper part of the city, the hub of nightlife
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Lisbon. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
Lisbon Area Guide
Lisbon is a city of a thousand faces, each neighbourhood has its own characteristics, you can find romantic districts, nightlife areas and places to relax. Being a very intimate city, whichever area you decide to stay in, you will have no problem reaching the centre or the main attractions, thanks to the excellent public transport.
Areas to avoid: districts that are too peripheral, as they have few attractions and require several trips to reach the centre. Also, at night watch out for the Rossio area as some streets become places of drug dealing and prostitution (e.g. Martin Moniz Street, Avenida Reis and Praca da Alegria)
Baixa
The recommended neighbourhood, especially if it is your first time in Lisbon. It is in fact a central neighbourhood, close to the main attractions and full of historic houses, some of which are now used as tourist accommodation.
Within easy walking distance are the Elevador de Santa Justa, the Praça do Comercio, Rossio Square and Rua da Augusta, the locals' favourite shopping street. Most bus and tram lines pass through here. In the evenings there is little life, but moving towards the Tagus river you will find many clubs, bars and restaurants.
Average prices in the district range from around €26.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Very simple and basic accommodation with a communal kitchen. Not all rooms have a bathroom | |
Accommodation with fully equipped kitchenette, private bathroom with shower and Wifi Coverage. Maximum capacity 4 people | |
Right in the centre, in a historic building without lift. Rooms with private bathroom and free WiFi. Breakfast in a partner restaurant | |
Elegant and luxurious studios and flats with fully equipped kitchenettes |
Chiado
Photos by Lucag. The shopping district par excellence, where high-fashion shops but also theatres and museums teem. Adjacent to the Baixa, it provides easy access to the most interesting attractions.
Stylish and trendy, at night it turns into a fairly quiet area, perfect if you are travelling with children in tow. It is an excellent starting point for exploring other parts of the city as it is well served by public transport from the world-famous tram 28 to the metro with its blue and green lines.
Average prices in the district range from around €26.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Simple rooms with private bathroom with bath or shower and hairdryer | |
Medium-high standard establishment housed in a 19th century building. Daily maid service. Possibility of suites and deluxe rooms | |
Modern, fully equipped accommodation with city views. Car rental service available | |
Elegant and design establishment. Air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom. Wine bar open until late |
Bairro Alto
Photos by Daniel VILLAFRUELA. The upper part of the city. A neighbourhood characterised by narrow alleys and steep climbs. A little sleepy by day, this area with its bohemian charm is at its best when the sun goes down.
It is also quite central, as it is only 1.2 km from Praca do Commercio, the central square by the sea! It also borders the neighbourhoods of Baixo and Chiado, among the most central! It is also home to the famous Ascensor Glória, one of the most famous and most photographed trams in Lisbon!
Bairro Alto is recommended for young people, for those who like to stay up late at night, as it is the hub of nightlife. Discos and clubs for the late hours are not lacking! It is also the area of the tascas, small taverns where you can taste the city's typical cuisine.
Average prices in the district range from around €28.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Simple, air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV. Shared bathroom and kitchen. 24-hour reception. Luggage storage. | |
Fully equipped flats and studios all with living area with sofas, flat screen cable TV and iPod docking station | |
Residence with very sophisticated and well-kept lofts. A la carte breakfast with also vegan products. 24-hour reception, parking and free Wifi | |
Boutique hotel in historic 18th-century building. Exclusive access to in-house restaurant run by award-winning chef |
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, unique and charming, characterised by winding alleys, quaint houses and the traditional miradouro, the famous panoramic terraces.
It is here that many of Lisbon's most important attractions can be found: the Sé and the Castle, from which one can enjoy spectacular views of the entire city. Other must-sees in the Portuguese capital, the Pantheon and the enchanting cloisters of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, are located in la Graça, adjacent to the Alfama. There are numerous small restaurants and venues where you can enjoy a Fado show.
In the Alfama district there are the cheapest accommodations with a romantic atmosphere. Due to its conformation and historical heritage, the predominant accommodation in this district are flats.
Average prices in the district range from around €54.00 for low-cost accommodation to €290.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Fully equipped flats with fully equipped kitchenette and private bathroom, some with Tagus view. Free WiFi connection. Ideal for families and couples | |
Private double rooms decorated with different Portuguese themes and equipped with TV, private bathroom with shower. Complimentary toiletries and free WiFi | |
Spacious flat completely renovated. Full kitchen with fridge, oven and dining area | |
Flats and studios with city views. All flats have a fully equipped kitchenette, dining area, rpivate bathroom and free WiFi. |
Avenida da Liberdade
Photo by Alexander Svensson. Lisbon's chic district: a long avenue lined with large palm trees, fashionable shops and luxury hotels.
Not far from the Baixa, it is therefore close to many of the city's important attractions within walking distance. Alternatively, the area is well connected by public transport. Quiet especially in the evenings, this area is highly recommended for families with children or for those who do not like the liveliness and chaos of the centre.
Average prices in the district range from around €20.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Private rooms or dormitories. Lounge area with flat-screen TV, laundry service, luggage storage, 24-hour reception. Milkshake Monday, offered on Mondays | |
Period furnishings and marble bathrooms. View of the Castelo de São Jorge. Free parking and valet service | |
Flats with a well-equipped kitchenette and complimentary breakfast basket. Refined furnishings and soft beds | |
Themed, spacious rooms with marble and wood furnishings. Choice of pillows and luxurious toiletries. Fitness centre and sauna |
Belem
Quiet neighbourhood outside the centre of Lisbon, reachable in about 50 min by tram. It is an ideal neighbourhood for families, given its tranquillity, many green areas and services. It is also well connected to the centre.
The area is, however, very crowded during the day as it is home to important attractions such as the famous Tower of Belem, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Last but not least, it is here that you will find the oldest and most renowned patisserie in the city where you can delight in the best pastel de nata.
Average prices in the district range from around €21.00 for low-cost accommodation to €245.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Dormitories with bunk beds or double and twin rooms. Common bathroom, lounge and kitchen. Ideal for young people. Free WiFi in all areas | |
Luxurious 5-star hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and a top-floor sun terrace | |
70sqm flat with one bedroom, a living room, rpivate bathroom and fully equipped kitchen. Parking and free Wifi. Ideal for 4 people | |
Hotel with wellness centre and spa, outdoor pool and indoor pool private parking. Fully equipped rooms. Ideal for couples |
Countries near Lisbon where to stay
Sleeping in Lisbon is definitely the best choice if you are planning a trip entirely dedicated to discovering the Portuguese capital, or if you have little time, such as a weekend. In fact, moving around does not guarantee savings; on the contrary, the capital offers solutions for all budgets and needs, from hotels to hostels and flats.
If, on the other hand, you have more time on your hands or perhaps prefer to spend more time in the coastal area, then you might consider one of the countries listed below.
Cascais (34 km / 36 min): a quaint fishing village that boasts the most popular beaches for surfers. Ideal as a base as it is linked to Lisbon by direct train (line 19000, 40 min) and allows you to enjoy a more seaside-oriented holiday - Accommodation from €38 per room - see offers
Sintra (29 km / 30 min): renowned for its concentration of ancient palaces of the Portuguese nobility, in particular the Palacio de Pena is a must-see. An ideal place to base yourself as it is linked to Lisbon by direct bus (Vimeca Transportes company, 27 min) and allows you to discover the entire west coast - Accommodation from €28.00 per room - see offers
Peniche (102 km / 1 h 20 min): a renowned seaside resort, a meeting place for surfers. It is an excellent base for visiting the entire west coast and reaching Nazarè, a place with some of the highest waves in the world, and the Reserva Natural das Berlengas - Accommodation from €20.00 per room
Ericeira (49 km / 45 min): Another popular beach resort for surfing enthusiasts, as there are several surf schools here. Ideal for a holiday of sea and relaxation. You can reach Lisbon in just 45 min by car - Accommodation from €35.00 per room
If you are in Lisbon on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com
