Where To Stay In Lisbon Portugal (COOLEST Areas In 2025)
Are you wondering what are all of the best areas to stay in Lisbon? You’ve come to the right article.
Lisbon is the vibrant cultural hub and capital city of Portugal, and due to its sheer size, it can be intimidating when choosing where to stay. I traveled solo to Lisbon, and spent nearly half of my weeklong trip exploring all of the city’s different attractions.
To help you book your stay with confidence, this article will cover all of the best areas to stay, and top–rated hotel options for every type of traveler. From budget bed and breakfasts to charming boutique hotels, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Ready to discover all of the best places to stay in Lisbon? Let’s dive in!
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Where To Stay In Lisbon For First Timers
If it’s your first time visiting Lisbon, the best areas to stay are downtown (Baixa/Chiado), Barrio Alto, Alfama, or Principe Real.
Baixa, Chiado, and Barrio Alto are lively areas in downtown, Alfama is the charming hilly historic district, and Principe Real is a beautiful upscale neighborhood a few miles north of downtown. Here’s a quick overview of each.
- Baixa and Chiado: Bustling downtown area near Rossio square, shops, and restaurants
- Barrio Alto: Hilly historic district just north of downtown with art galleries and museums
- Alfama: Charming historic district on a steep incline with beautiful city viewpoints
- Principe Real: Quiet upscale area with cafes, boutiques, and outdoor parks and gardens
Downtown (Baixa/Chiado)
Baixa and Chiado are in the heart of downtown, and the liveliest area of the city. Here you’ll be within walking distance to a variety of restaurants, the Rossio train station, and attractions like the Rua Augusta Arch.
Baixa is the flat area of downtown, whereas Chiado is the hilly area, and they’re within a 5 minute walk of another. If you want to be in the most convenient area, downtown is the place to stay.
You’ll be near dozens of cafes and restaurants, a metro station, and the train station in Rossio square if you plan on going on a day trip to Sintra.
Scroll to some of the best hotel options in downtown.
- Chiado Arty Flats
- Palacio das Especiarias (Chiado)
- Monte Belvedere Hotel (Chiado)
- The Visionaire Apartments (Baixa)
- Rossio Hostel (Baixa)
Barrio Alto
Barrio Alto is a hilly historic district just north of downtown that has cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and the Carmo Archaeological Museum.
It’s one of the liveliest areas I visited while in Lisbon, and home to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, where you can watch the sunset in the evening. Here you’ll be within a 5 minute walk from downtown, and near a variety of cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Scroll to some of the best hotel options in Barrio Alto.
Alfama
Alfama is the charming historic district of Lisbon, and one of the most beautiful areas of the city. It’s home to the Sao Jorge castle, Lisbon cathedral, and a variety of gorgeous viewpoints overlooking the city’s red rooftops.
It has no shortage of cafes and restaurant options, but it’s the hilliest area of Lisbon, so getting to your destination often requires a steep uphill hike. If you don’t mind an occasional strenuous hike, however, it’s worth staying at for the views.
Scroll to some of the best hotel options in Alfama.
Principe Real
Principe Real is one of Lisbon’s most affluent neighborhoods, and home to cafes, boutiques, and outdoor parks and gardens.
If you’re traveling with family and looking for a quiet neighborhood, it’s the ideal place to stay. There are a variety of good hotel options in Principe Real, and near Lisbon’s large park (Parque Eduardo VII).
Here you’ll be within walking distance to restaurants, grocery stores, and only a few metro stops from downtown.
Scroll to some of the best hotel options in Principe Real, and near Avenida de Liberdade.
- Maxime Hotel Lisbon (Principe Real)
- Holiday Inn Express Lisbon (Parque Eduardo VII)
- Intercontinental Lisbon (Parque Eduardo VII)
- Feeling Eduardo VII (Parque Eduardo VII)
Lisbon Neighborhoods Map
Best Hotels For Couples & Solo Travelers
These are some of Lisbon’s top-rated hotel options, whether you’re traveling solo or on a romantic vacation.
Lisboa Pessoa Hotel
- Highlight: Spa resort with an indoor pool, gym, and onsite restaurant near Rossio square
- Location: Barrio Alto
- Price: ~$200/night
Located in the lively Barrio Alto district, the Lisboa Pessoa Hotel is an upscale hotel with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
The hotel boasts an indoor pool, spa, gym, spacious suites equipped with coffee makers, and an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast. Here you’ll be within a 5 minute walk from Rossio square, and near a variety of cafes and restaurants.
Hotel Convento do Salvador
- Highlight: Charming convent turned hotel in Alfama with a courtyard & restaurant
- Location: Alfama
- Price: ~$150/night
If you want to be near everything in Alfama, opt for the Hotel Convento do Salvador.
This is a charming convent turned hotel with a large inner courtyard, and onsite restaurant that serves breakfast. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but in a convenient location, near Sao Jorge castle, and a variety of cafes and restaurants.
Palácio das Especiarias
- Highlight: Charming boutique hotel built into a 16th century palace with free breakfast
- Location: Chiado (downtown)
- Price: ~$300/night
Just steps away from downtown, Palácio das Especiarias is a charming boutique hotel built into a former palace.
It has free breakfast with live music, a spa, and beautifully decorated suites equipped with balconies. It’s located in Chiado, down the street from the world’s oldest operating bookstore (Livraria Bertrand), and a variety of great cafes and restaurants.
Chiado Arty Flats
- Highlight: Trendy boutique hotel with kitchenettes and free breakfast
- Location: Chiado (downtown)
- Price: ~$270/night
If you’re looking for a spacious hotel with a kitchenette, opt for the Chiado Arty Flats.
This is a trendy boutique hotel nestled in the Barrio Alto neighborhood, less than a 5 minute walk from Rossio Square. Each room is equipped with a kitchenette, coffee makers, and guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast.
Vincci Alfama
- Highlight: Stylish boutique hotel in Alfama with free breakfast
- Location: Alfama
- Price: ~$370/night
Vincci Alfama is a stylish boutique hotel located in the historic Alfama district. If you want to stay in an affordable hotel where you can wander the charming streets of Alfama, this is the place to go.
The suites are equipped with coffee makers, and guests are provided with a complimentary buffet breakfast. It’s located near the Sao Jorge castle, and beautiful miradouros (city viewpoints) in the Alfama district. Note: Alfama is a hilly neighborhood so it may not be ideal for those with mobility issues.
Lisboa Carmo Hotel
- Highlight: Luxurious boutique hotel with spacious rooms near downtown
- Location: Barrio Alto
- Price: ~$270/night
If you want a mix of comfort and convenience, opt for the Lisboa Carmo Hotel. This is a luxurious boutique hotel with spacious rooms in the Barrio Alto district.
It’s near cafes, restaurants, museums, and only a 5 minute walk to Rossio Square. The rooms are equipped with coffee makers, and they offer a daily buffet breakfast.
Maxime Hotel Lisbon
- Highlight: Former cabaret club turned boutique hotel with free breakfast and entertainment
- Location: Principe Real
- Price: ~$200/night
If you’re looking for somewhere unique, book a stay at the Maxime Hotel in Principe Real. This is a stylish boutique hotel built into a former cabaret club, that hosts cabaret shows for guests on Fridays and Saturdays.
Rooms are beautifully decorated with a burlesque theme, equipped with coffee makers, and guests can enjoy a daily buffet breakfast. It’s in an idyllic location, near parks, gardens, and a variety of good cafe and restaurant options.
Monte Belvedere Hotel
- Highlight: Boutique hilltop hotel near downtown with free breakfast
- Location: Chiado (downtown)
- Price: ~$300/night
Overlooking the Tagus River, Monte Belvedere is a beautiful boutique hotel perched on a hill in Chiado.
It’s in a central location, located right next to Lisbon’s Time Out Market, and the Cais do Sodre metro, which you can hop on to get to downtown in one stop. The rooms come with coffee makers, and guests can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels
If you’re traveling with family, one of the nicest areas to stay in is Parque Eduardo VII. Here you’ll be right next to a large grassy park, botanical gardens, kid-friendly museums, and dozens of restaurant options.
Holiday Inn Express (Plaza Saldanha)
- Highlight: Quiet affordable hotel near Parque Eduardo VII with free breakfast
- Location: Parque Eduardo VII
- Price: ~$130/night
If you’re looking for a comfortable and affordable family-friendly hotel, opt for the Holiday Inn Express. This is a quiet hotel just steps away from Parque Eduardo VII, with free breakfast, an outdoor garden, and onsite bar.
It’s under a 5 minute walk from a metro stop, and within walking distance to a variety of restaurants and grocery stores.
Intercontinental Lisbon
- Highlight: Spacious upscale hotel overlooking Parque Eduardo VII with an onsite restaurant
- Location: Parque Eduardo VII
- Price: ~$370/night
If you’re looking for a spacious hotel in a quiet area, opt for the Intercontinental Lisbon. This is a luxurious hotel located steps away from Lisbon’s large park (Parque Eduardo VII), with a sweeping view of the city.
Rooms are equipped with coffee makers, balconies, and the hotel has an onsite restaurant that serves a daily buffet breakfast.
Feeling Eduardo VII
- Highlight: Affordable bed and breakfast near Parque Eduardo VII with free breakfast and coffee
- Location: Parque Eduardo VII
- Price: ~$140/night
If you’re looking for an affordable family-friendly hotel, opt for Feeling Eduardo VII. This is a charming bed and breakfast overlooking Parque Eduardo VII, just steps away from a metro station.
Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, and access to a lounge with coffee makers and pastries. It’s located right next to a large shopping mall, and a variety of cafe, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Best Budget-Friendly Hotels
Here are some of the best budget hotels in the heart of downtown near the metro, Rossio train station, and the city’s bustling riverfront plaza (Praca do Comercio).
The Visionaire Apartments
- Highlight: Budget hotel with kitchenettes and coffee makers in the heart of downtown
- Location: Baixa
- Price: $140/night
Just steps away from Rossio square, the Visionaire Apartments are one of the most convenient and affordable places to stay. The hotel’s suites are equipped with kitchenettes, coffee makers, and windows with views of the downtown square.
Here you’ll be within walking distance to all of the popular restaurants, and a metro and train station to get wherever you need.
Rossio Hostel
- Highlight: Affordable hostel in Rossio Square with free breakfast and a shared kitchen
- Location: Baixa
- Price: $140/night (private room)
Overlooking Rossio square, the Rossio Hostel is a convenient place to stay for solo travelers. Guests can enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast, and access to a shared lounge with a kitchen.
It’s located in the heart of downtown, and just steps away from the metro, train station, and a variety of good hotel and restaurant options.
Lisbon Hotels Map
Other Places To Stay Near Lisbon
Belem is a relaxed riverfront district, only 6 miles west of downtown Lisbon, that’s home to the famous Belem Tower, Pastéis de Belém, and Jeronimos Monastery.
This is a nice place to stay for a night if you plan on doing a day trip to Belem. Just keep in mind that there’s no direct metro to Belem, and you’ll have to take the train from Cais do Sodre station to get there.
The train ride is only 15 minutes, and once you’re in Belem, it’s flat and everything is within walking distance.
Here are some of the best hotel options in Belem:
- Pestana Palace: Romantic 19th century palace turned resort with a spa, indoor pools, and free breakfast
- Wine & Books: Upscale hotel with a spa, gym, onsite restaurant, and free breakfast
- Altis Belem Hotel: Luxurious spa resort overlooking the Tagus river with free breakfast
Sintra and Cascais
If you have a longer stay in Lisbon, you may want to consider staying in Sintra or Cascais. Sintra is a charming fairytale town with medieval palaces, castles, museums, and beaches, only 40 minutes outside of Lisbon.
It’s easily accessible by a train from Rossio station, and it has a historic center with a variety of cute boutique hotels.
Cascais is a beautiful seaside village tucked along the coast, that has beaches, historic sites, and amazing seafood. It’s one of the best places to visit during the summer, and is easily accessible by a 30 minute train ride from Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon.
Staying in Lisbon FAQS
How do you get around Lisbon without a car?
Lisbon has a fantastic metro system that you can use to get within a 10 minute walk of everything.
Once you arrive in Lisbon, you can purchase a Navegante card, which is a reusable card that you’ll load money onto for each trip. You can use this card on the city’s metro, buses, and trams.
The Lisbon metro system only has four color-coded lines so it’s easy to navigate, and there’s a metro station in every neighborhood. The metro is connected to Lisbon’s airport, so you can use it to get to your accommodation on your first night.
What are the quietest neighborhoods in Lisbon?
The safest and quietest neighborhoods in Lisbon are Principe Real, Avenida de Liberdade (near Parque Eduardo VII), and Alfama.
Where’s the best area to stay for families?
The best areas to stay for families are in downtown (Baixa/Chiado), Principe Real, or near Parque Eduardo VII. If you want to be in a central location near everything, downtown is the most convenient place to stay.
However, it can be loud at night depending on where you stay so it’s important to check the hotel reviews before booking a stay.
Principe Real and Parque Eduardo VII are nice and quiet neighborhoods, with outdoor parks that are within walking distance to restaurants and grocery stores.
Where’s the best area to stay for couples?
The best areas to stay for couples are the charming historic Alfama, Barrio Alto, or Principe Real.
Alfama is by far the most scenic area of Lisbon, so you can enjoy amazing city views from a hotel balcony.
Barrio Alto is another charming historic district with cafes, art galleries, and beautiful city viewpoints. And if you prefer a quieter area, Principe Real is a nice upscale area with cafes, shops, and outdoor gardens.
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