MUST READ: Where to Stay in Lisbon

A trip to sunny Lisboa is on many travelers’ bucket lists! Just one photo of Lisbon with its stunning colorful apartments overlooking the Atlantic Ocean will be enough to understand the reason. Imagine yourself strolling on cobbled streets, smelling pastel de nata, and when it gets dark, having delicious Portuguese food followed by some bar hopping. Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in Europe and I am sure you will have so much fun in Lisbon too! 

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. It is a city that has cultural, historical, and contemporary sides where you will find many great museums, art galleries, unique restaurants, and bars that offer mouthwatering tastes. Party lovers will love the famous nightlife scene of Lisbon and I don’t know a person who won’t find something to enjoy in Lisbon!

Lisbon has many beautiful districts that might get a bit confusing for a first-time visitor. In this article, I will answer your question about where to stay in Lisbon and talk about the 5 best areas from budget to luxury. I want to let you know that Lisbon is one of the most visited cities in Europe and the hotels might fill up quicker than you think and prices go up. That’s why you need to make sure to book your place in advance. Most of the hotels have a free cancellation policy, so do not worry if you change your mind! 

Are you ready to walk along the picturesque streets of Lisbon? Let’s get started!

If you are in a hurry

Here are some amazing hotels in the city center sorted by prices (all of them have fabulous reviews, too!):

Here is a Lisbon map with all the 5 areas I will be talking about in this post, so you can easily visualize them:

1. Chiado – where to stay in Lisbon for the first time

If you are visiting Lisbon for the first time you should definitely stay in Chiado to be at the heart of the city. Chiado is an adorable neighborhood where you will find many museums, elegant shops in narrow streets, the world’s oldest bookshop, Michelin-starred restaurants, and very nice cafes and bars. So whether you are a foodie, shopping lover, museum enthusiast, or city gazer, Chiado will fulfill your taste!

In Chiado, many of the city’s major attractions are within walking distance and easy to discover. You can start your sightseeing from Lisbon’s amazing main boulevard – Avenida da Liberdade, then I also highly recommend you to take one of the famous Lisbon trams which are the cheapest and most fun way of sightseeing in Lisbon!

The only downside of Chiado is, thanks to its popularity, it is a very desired area to stay in Lisbon. Whilst there are many hotels, they fill up very quickly. That’s why I highly recommend you make your booking months in advance. That being said, let’s check out the best places to stay in Chiado.

UPDATE: We actually have a special article dedicated only to the best hotels in Lisbon City center – be sure to check it out if you want more options (all with great reviews and sorted by price as usual!). 

Other accommodation options in Chiado

Things to do in Chiado

2. Baixa – where to stay in Lisbon for sightseeing

Baixa is located just next to Chiado and they share the same metro line called Baixa Chiado. 

Even though Baixa and Chiado are very close neighborhoods, the Baixa district has a bit of a different pattern due to its history. In the 18th century, Baxia was affected very severely by an earthquake and then the whole area was rebuilt according to European city planning trends. Now you will see unique neoclassical architecture in the Baixa district.

In Lisbon, many areas are inland, but in Baxia, you can stroll by the bay and watch quirky street performers on the streets. To start your sightseeing in Lisbon, Baixa is a great location. You can reach many of the main sightseeing areas such as the Castelo, the Alfama, and Bairro Alto by foot. 

Start your stroll from Praça do Comércio and just spontaneously walk along with the apartments with stunning architecture, have a coffee in one of the elegant cafes, and try amazing Portuguese savors in the nice restaurants and bars that line the streets. If you are planning to continue your holiday in Portugal you should definitely check out these fun things to do in Porto!

Baxia and Chiado are the most demanded areas by tourists. Before jumping to the best places to stay in Baixa I would like to remind you of the importance of making a booking in advance. Many hotels have free cancellations so it is better to be safe than sorry!

Other accommodation options in Baixa

Things to do in Baixa

• Step into one of the ginjinha bars and taste Lisbon’s traditional sour-cherry liqueur
• Visit the interactive museum Lisbon Story Center and learn about Lisbon’s history
• See the incredible architecture of Rua Augusta Arch and Praça do Comércio
• Take the historic elevator Santa Justa up to Largo do Carmo
• Discover Portuguese traditional street food at Mercado da Baixa
• Visit MUDE fashion and design museum

3. Alfama – a historic neighborhood to travel back in time

Located just on the east of the downtown, Alfama is the most romantic and historic part of the city. The best way to enjoy Alfama is by foot, simply get lost in the labyrinth of cobbled streets, check out amazing the Portugues style colorful apartments decorated with incredible tiles, and stop at viewpoints to enjoy the beautiful city views with a glass of local wine along the way.

Alfama is the neighborhood where you will feel the historic essence of Lisbon. Thanks to its picturesque architecture it is also the most Instagrammable area in the city! The nice thing about Alfama is even though it is a very popular tourist area, all hotels are adapted in line with the texture of the area’s soul. Many apartments in Alfama are transformed into boutique hotels and homestays. That’s why by staying in this area you will feel like you are traveling back to the olden days. 

If you want to feel like the locals on your Lisbon trip, my recommendation is 100% to stay in Alfama. Here are the best places to stay in these lovely parts of the city:

Other accommodation options in Alfama

Things to do in Alfama

• Visit Museu do Fado and the Museu do Aljube Resistência e Liberdade to learn about Portuguese culture
• Check out the foods at one of the traditional tascas in the area where fado singers perform
• Get lost in Alfama streets and find famous view spots Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol to watch amazing city views
• Visit the tremendous castle – Castelo de São Jorge and enjoy the stunning views 
• Have a nice dinner at modern Portuguese restaurant Chapitô à Mesa
• Discover the medieval streets of Alfama on foot 

4. Bairro Alto – neighborhood with the best night scene

Yes, Lisbon has amazing architecture and culture, the foods are amazing but… It also has great nightlife! Bairro Alto is the party district of Lisbon, so it is not a surprise to find many nice restaurants, bars, and clubs here. The main bar street, Cais do Sodré, is not only busy on the weekends but also very much alive every single day! You will certainly witness a very colorful night scene here!

During the daytime in Bairro Alto, you can discover quirky shops in Parque das Nacoes, visit museums and explore Portuguese snacks and desserts. This area is located just 2km (1mi) north of the city center and has easy access to other areas of Lisbon. The only downside of Bairro Alto is, it is a hilly area. Even though some areas can be reached on foot you might need to use public transport here.

But hey, picture opportunities are amazing from there too! 🙂 

Also, if you are into nightlife and want to experience Lisbon’s famous night scene, this area is where you should stay for sure. 

Other accommodation options in Bairro Alto

Things to do in Bairro Alto

• Check out the street art of Bairro Alto at Travessa dos Fiéis de Deus
• Admire interior design of Museu Sao Roque Church
• Go parting in the bars at Cais do Sodré
• Have a day trip to Parque das Nações and discover Lisbon’s contemporary side
• Eat a delicious Portugues tart – pastéis de nata at the historic Pastéis de Belém
• Have dinner with an amazing atmosphere at Kais Restaurante
• Spend a day wandering around the coolest neighbourhood in Lisbon, Principe Real

5. Príncipe Real – the coolest neighborhood of Lisbon

Principe Real is located north of Bairro Alto and a 10 minutes metro ride from the city centre. It is a modern and residential area with cool coffee shops, unique restaurants, funky bars, and nice shopping areas. Principe Real is also great to escape from tourist crowds and discover new places rather than the popular sites of Lisbon. But don’t worry, you can also easily access downtown when you want to by following the gorgeous Avenida da Liberdade.

Strolling through Principe Real’s streets you will see many gardens, nice terrace views, and creatively designed places. If you want to stay in an alternative and quieter area, Príncipe Real is a very great option. Also here you will get better prices on hotels and be able to find more budget accommodation options. 

Other accommodation options in Príncipe Real 

Things to do in Príncipe Real 

• Check out Portuguese designer boutiques at Embaixada Mall
• Go to São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint for spectacular Lisbon views
• Have a coffee at one of the local Principe Real cafes at Praça das Flores 
• Discover designer boutiques and upscale restaurants in Avenida da Liberdade 
• Visit the Botanical Garden of Lisbon and enjoy the nature
• Have a fancy dinner at 100 Maneiras
• Spend some time in the amazing public park Parque Eduardo VII located at Praça Marquês de Pombal Square.

BONUS: Top 3 day trips from Lisbon

If you have more time or if you would like to extend your Lisbon trip, you should definitely check out these 3 day trips. Even though you don’t need a car in the city center in Lisbon you might want to rent a car for these locations as it is also so much fun to drive along the Atlantic Coast!

1. Belém 
Belém, also called the museum district, is 7 km (5 miles) away from the city center and can be easily reached by a 20 minutes tram ride. Although it is technically in the city, this area in itself deserves an entire day. 

In Belém, you will find spacious gardens, incredible monuments, and amazing river views. Being called a museum district, there are many things to keep you busy in Belém. Some of the main attractions you will find here are, Belém Tower, the Ajuda Palace, the Monument of Discoveries, the National Coach Museum, and Jerónimos Monastery. Also, the famous Pasteis de Belém pastry shop known to be the original makers of the egg custard tarts are here. You should definitely stop there to eat delicious tarts and you will see that even for that Belém is worth a visit. 

As it is a bit far from downtown I don’t recommend you to stay in this district unless the museums are the main thing you want to see, but either way, I highly recommend you to make a day trip!

2. Sintra
Located northwest of Lisbon, Sintra is the most popular day trip route from Lisbon and you will understand its fame once you arrive at the medieval castle – Castelo dos Mouros and the amazing park – Palácio Nacional de Sintra. It is like a fairy tale town and you will be amazed to discover the colorful castles. Since Sintra has so much amazing history, I highly recommend taking a guided tour to hear all of this town’s incredible stories. 

Sintra takes 30 minutes from Lisbon by train and 30 minutes by car. Trains depart every 15–20 minutes on weekdays and every half-hour on weekends. You can check out the train prices and timetables here. If you want to drive, make sure you arrive early and leave your car at the parking lots at the edge of the town, before the entrance to the historic site.

3. Peniche 
Peniche is a great beach destination in summer and also a great surfing spot all year round which neighbors the world-famous big wave spot, Nazaré. Whether you surf or not you can still enjoy the nice shore and amazing views and although the beaches are the main attractions in Peniche, there is also a nice historic center with a background of the Atlantic Ocean that can be easily explored on foot. 

You can reach Peniche by taking a bus from Lisbon’s Sete Rio bus station, tickets are available at Rede Expressos. For those who want to drive a car for more flexibility, Peniche is 100km (60 miles) north of Lisbon.

Frequently asked questions about Lisbon

Conclusion

I hope that this post has already helped you in finding where to stay in Lisbon and you enjoy Lisboa as much as I did!

In this blog post, I covered the best areas to stay in Lisbon, with the nicest hotels and Airbnbs in each district. As the districts are very close to each other in Lisbon, even if you found a great hotel in a place other than your favorite area, I suggest you book it now so it doesn’t get away from you! You can always enjoy a walk to tourist attractions and public transport is very good as well in the city.

To sum up, here are the best 2 resorts to stay in Tenerife where I would definitely recommend you to stay. They both have good locations and great reviews too!

Lisbon is one of the most famous holiday destinations in Europe, so, if you don’t want to miss your perfect place or the great prices, make a reservation now!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions or questions about Lisbon, where to stay, or Portugal in general! I’ll be happy to reply to them!

Enjoy your time in Portugal, 

Eylul