Where to Stay in Lisbon

Where to Stay in Lisbon? The Best Neighborhoods & Hotels for First Timers

Roof terrace of The Felix 10 in Lisbon

In a nutshell

  • You are not sure where to stay in Lisbon? Then read on! In this article, we show you the best neighborhoods and hotels in Lisbon for every budget.
  • Our 3 favorite hotels in Lisbon are the Tempo FLH Hotel Lisboa in the city center, the boutique hotel The Felix 10 with rooftop terrace and the Hotel Convento do Salvador in the old town of Alfama.
  • We will now show you more about the hotels and other insider tips for places to stay in Lisbon – sorted by the most beautiful districts to stay in Lisbon and price categories.

What Does a Hotel in Lisbon Cost?

Lisbon is a very popular destination for a city trip in Europe. As a result, the costs of accommodation in Lisbon have risen significantly – but they are still cheaper than in Paris or London.

For a double room in a simple hotel in the center of Lisbon, you will pay around 100 euros in the low season between November and March. Prices are higher in the summer months – expect to pay at least 150 euros for two people.

If you stay in a district just outside the center of Lisbon, the hotels are cheaper than in the city center. You can also save a few euros if you book early.

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Lisbon

If you are traveling to Portugal’s capital for the first time, you should stay right in the city center of Lisbon. That’s why we would recommend booking your accommodation in one of these neighborhoods in Lisbon:

  • Baixa / Chiado – best area to stay in Lisbon for first timers.
  • Alfama – in the Old Town you can experience the flair of Lisbon.
  • Bairro Alto / Príncipe Real – great if you like going out in the evening.
  • Santos – Ideal if you want to experience authentic Lisbon life.

Map of Lisbon Neighborhoods

To help you find your way around, we have created a map with the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon.

There are also four selected sights marked on the map to help you find your way around.

Map of Lisbon neighborhoods
On the map you can see the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon

Baixa and Chiado

Rua Augusta Lisbon
The busy shopping street Rua Augusta is located in the middle of the Baixa district (© fotokon)

The neighborhoods Baixa and Chiado are the perfect areas to stay if you travel to Lisbon for the first time.

Baixa and Chiado are the touristic center of Lisbon – you are staying right in the middle of the city can quickly get to all the main attractions in Lisbon.

The top highlights in Baixa/Chiado are the Praça do Comércio, the Rua Augusta and the Elevador de Santa Justa, which connects the Baixa district with the higher Chiado district.

Also very practical: the two train stations Cais do Sodré and Rossio are nearby – from there you can make trips to Cascais or Sintra.

Many streets in Baixa/Chiado are pedestrian zones, which are not only teeming with tourists and street artists during the day, but also offer numerous cafés, restaurants and stores.

Pros of staying in Baixa/Chiado

  • You are right in the center
  • Many important sights of the city are within walking distance
  • Great public transport connections – also for day trips around Lisbon
  • Very well-connected to Lisbon airport

Cons of staying in Baixa/Chiado

  • Very touristy (especially Baixa)
  • Hotel prices are quite high
  • This area isn’t as charming as the other neighborhoods presented here

Where to stay in Baixa/Chiado?

Tempo FLH Hotel Lisboa is the perfect place to stay for your first trip to Lisbon. The price-performance ratio is excellent, the rooms are very comfortable and the breakfast is delicious. Please note that it is an adults-only hotel – you can’t stay here with children.

The Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel is also very centrally located and the rooms are nicely furnished with stylish designs.

Alfama

View of the medieval castle Castelo de São Jorge in the district of Alfama
View of the medieval castle Castelo de São Jorge in the district of Alfama

In Alfama, you stay in Lisbon’s typical old town district and close to many sights.

Alfama is the historic center of the city and one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon. The district is made up of narrow, pretty alleyways – it may be touristy, but it’s still totally authentic.

Walking up and down is the order of the day in Alfama. Unless a tram stops right outside your hotel door, you should be good on foot.

The highlight of the neighborhood is its charm itself and the Castelo de São Jorge in the castle area.

Pros of staying in Alfama

  • You are right in the historic city center
  • Many of the city’s major attractions are within walking distance
  • There are lots of lookout points that provide a great view of the whole city

Cons of staying in Alfama

  • Alfama consists of steep alleys and streets
  • The neighborhood isn’t that well-connected to the metro
  • Small choice of hotels

Where to stay in Alfama?

Our favorite hotel in Alfama is the Hotel Convento do Salvador, which is located directly at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Lisbon. It is very well-connected to public transport.

The rooms are simply furnished and the colors are bright and inviting. Eye catching is the cozy courtyard where you can have breakfast and relax.

Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real

Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is one of the coolest places to stay in Lisbon

Bairro Alto is ideal for you if you like going out in the evening. The Príncipe Real district is right next to it and is a quieter alternative.

The Bairro Alto district is located on one of Lisbon’s seven hills and borders Chiado. The neighborhood really comes to life in the evening. There are countless places to go out, including cool bars, pubs and restaurants.

But don’t worry: you can also find hotels in quiet locations in Bairro Alto. Always browse through the reviews of other hotel guests.

If you want to be on the safe side, stay in the adjacent Príncipe Real district. It’s a little outside the center, but very authentic – there are small boutiques, great restaurants and typical Lisbon park kiosks everywhere.

Pros of staying in Bairro Alto/Príncipe Real

  • Perfect if you want to go out a lot
  • Many of the city’s major sights are within walking distance
  • You can get around easily via public transport in Lisbon
  • You can find some affordable accommodation here

Cons of staying in Bairro Alto/Príncipe Real

  • The neighborhood is on a hill, the walk there can be exhausting
  • Bairro Alto is particularly noisy in the evening and at night
  • From some hotels in Príncipe Real it takes a little longer to get to the center

Where to stay in Bairro Alto/Príncipe Real?

Our personal tip for this neighborhood is the Dear Lisbon Charming House – which is really charming: you will experience extremely friendly staff, beautiful room decor, as well as delicious breakfast!

The Casa do Jasmim by Shiadu is worth it for the fantastic view from the terrace alone. The hotel is also pleasantly quiet and there are numerous restaurants and bars all around.

Santos

Street near Hotel Felix 10 in Lisbon
The tram 25E takes you from Santos to the center of Lisbon very quickly

The Santos district is our insider tip for staying overnight in Lisbon if you want to stay a little outside the tourist hustle and bustle but still close to the city center.

If you have planned more than just a few days in Lisbon, a hotel in Santos is a great option for exploring Lisbon off the beaten track. The district is also great if you are traveling to Lisbon with children.

You can walk to the famous Rua da Bica and Bairro Alto in around 20 minutes. The beautiful promenade along the Tagus River is only about 15 minutes away.

Pros of staying in Santos

  • You stay in a not so touristy area of Lisbon
  • Well-connected to the city center
  • You have great views from many places
  • Many hotels with a good price-performance ratio

Cons of staying in Santos

  • You are staying a little outside of Lisbon
  • The range of hotels is not that big

Where to stay in Santos?

A very personal hotel tip in Lisbon is The Felix 10. The small boutique hotel in Lisbon is very child-friendly and has a great roof terrace with a fantastic view – a real insider tip for accommodation in Lisbon!

What is your favorite place to stay in Lisbon?

Which is the best hotel in Lisbon for you? In which district was your hotel and would you stay there again? We look forward to hearing about your experiences and to your comments.