The picturesque Portuguese capital is one of my favorite cities in the world and I always have a great time there, whether it’s wandering its labyrinthine streets, taking in the stunning sea views or sipping wine.
Located at the southern tip of the country’s west coast, Lisbon (or Lisboa as locals call it) is a city that offers a wonderful mix of museums, historical architecture, a diverse music scene, vibrant nightlife, charming squares and cozy cafes. I fell in love with this city from the moment I arrived.
Lisbon has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its low cost of living and pleasant year-round weather. It also has a large expat and remote worker community and is one of the best cities in the world for digital nomads (and one of my favourites).
With so many tourists, it’s no surprise that Lisbon has a lot of hotels to choose from (though not all of them are great). To help you decide where to stay, here is a list of the best Lisbon hotels:
1. Portugal Boutique Hotel
We love that this 4-star hotel perfectly blends old-world elegance with modern flair. The minimalist furnishings contrast with the building’s historic architectural elements, such as arched stone doorways, traditional Portuguese tiles, and hardwood floors. We especially love the wood-paneled breakfast room, where a complimentary breakfast made with fresh, seasonal ingredients is served every morning. Be sure to check out the wine cellar (with tastings available), and there’s 24-hour room service for those midnight munchies. The staff is incredibly helpful, providing a personalized experience that makes you feel like you’re in a 5-star hotel.
The rooms are all different but all are sophisticated and demure and feature a pillow menu (choosing how firm your pillow is), double glazing (ensures a quiet night), in-room safe and minibar. The rooms are high tech with smart TVs built into the mirror (which I think is a really nice touch). The bathrooms are large, bright and new with tiled showers, complimentary toiletries and luxurious bathrobes and slippers. This is a great place to stay in Mouraria, one of the oldest districts of Lisbon.
Book here!
2. Casa das Janelas com Vista
The name of this cozy bed & breakfast, which translates to “house with a window with a view,” isn’t a lie: most of the windows here have amazing views. The design is very homey, with personal touches like unique artwork, fresh flowers, and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture. I love that breakfast, which is included in the rate, is served at a communal table, making it easy to get to know other travelers (it’s also delicious, with homemade cakes, fresh bread, croissants, and Portuguese dishes changing daily).
This B&B is in the busy Bairro Alto, but its location on a quiet street means you’ll get a good night’s sleep. The rooms are on the small side but have all the basic amenities you need, including an in-room safe, air conditioning, and a TV (on request). The large windows let in plenty of natural light, and some rooms even have a small balcony. The private bathrooms are quite spacious, with a rain shower and really nice free toiletries. If you’re on a budget but want something more private than a hostel, this is a great central place to stay.
Book here!
3. Bairro Alto Hotel
Located in the Chiado district and housed in an 18th-century building, this 5-star hotel blends sophisticated design with Lisbon’s traditional spirit. Think sleek, contemporary lines mixed with traditional azulejos (ceramic tiles) and rich wooden accents. The hotel’s excellent breakfast buffet includes local pastries, fresh fruit, and artisan cheeses, as well as a variety of hot dishes like eggs Benedict. We think the rooftop bar is one of the coolest hotel bars in the city, and the hotel also has a fitness center with a sauna.
The comfortable rooms feature plush bedding, stylish furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. Each room is equipped with a desk, Nespresso machine, fresh bottled water, pillow menu, Bluetooth speaker, safe, minibar and flat-screen TV. The spacious bathrooms are equally impressive and elegantly appointed with luxurious amenities such as tiled floors, marble vanities, oversized walk-in showers, premium toiletries and plush bathrobes. This is the perfect place to stay for those looking to pamper themselves.
Book here!
4. Hotel Alegria
This 3-star boutique hotel is located in a beautifully restored building built in 1865. We love that it retains a historic feel and is elegantly decorated with antique Portuguese furniture. The location is great, just a few blocks west of Avenida da Liberdade, a leafy boulevard known for shopping. The hotel has a small kiosk in the park across the street where we like to have a drink and take in the surrounding views. Breakfast is not included but is worth it as it is a lovely buffet with everything from fresh Portuguese pastries to omelettes. Breakfast is served in a cute little breakfast room.
The rooms are cozy and tasteful, with hardwood floors, unique artwork on the walls, antique furniture, and chandeliers. We especially love the Portuguese tile that surrounds the large windows and spacious bathrooms. Room amenities include air conditioning, cozy bathrobes and slippers, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, in-room safes, and minibars. We think this is a great deal, and while it’s in a quiet neighborhood, it’s within walking distance of many major attractions.
Book here!
5. San Vicente Alfama Hotel
This 4-star hotel is located in the hilly medieval town of Alfama, arguably one of the most charming neighborhoods in Europe. This smart and chic boutique hotel has just 22 rooms, so you’ll feel right at home. The complimentary breakfast is excellent, too, with Portuguese pastries, cold cuts, fresh fruit, omelettes, and French toast.
The rooms are bright and airy, with lots of light coming in through the windows that open onto small balconies. We also appreciated the fact that every room has a writing desk (so you can get some work done in your room before heading out). The rooms are also equipped with high-tech amenities, such as keyless electronic doors, USB ports, wireless phone chargers, a smart TV, and a Bluetooth integrated sound system. The bathrooms are also luxurious, with walk-in showers, high-quality toiletries, luxury cotton towels, and comfortable bathrobes and slippers. This is definitely the best place to stay in Alfama.
Book here!
6. Corpo Santo Hotel
This sleek 5-star hotel is set in a Pombal style (a style of Portuguese architecture from the 18th century) building in the Cais do Sodré district. Its extensive facilities include a spa with steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi. The breakfast is also excellent, with fresh pastries, eggs cooked to order, local cheeses, and a variety of fruit. There are also lots of great free perks, including daily wine tasting in the lobby, walking tours twice a day, snacks on every floor, and free ice cream in the lobby. You can also get a free 20-minute massage at the spa.
Although each room is different, they all have a bright, simple design and a full range of amenities. They come equipped with luxurious beds, 4K TVs, Nespresso machines, electric kettles, free minibars, digital safes, bathrobes and slippers. Air conditioning and soundproof windows ensure your comfort. The bathrooms are spacious and modern, with rain showers, premium amenities, heated floors and chromotherapy lighting (which can be adjusted to different colours to create different moods). If you want a truly luxurious stay, this is the place to stay.
Book here!
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I fell in love with Lisbon from my first visit, and I think you will too. This colorful city is filled with delicious food, soulful music and dancing, great weather, and one of the more affordable European capitals to stay in. Choose one of the hotels above and you’ll enjoy a great stay in Portugal’s vibrant capital.
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Booking a trip to Lisbon: tips and tricks for organising
Book a flight
To find cheap flights, use Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines all over the world so you’re always aware of all possibilities.
Book your accommodation
Hostelworld offers the largest inventory and the best prices so you can book your hostel with Hostelworld. Here is the full list of our favourite hostels in Lisbon.
If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, try Booking.com, which always shows the best prices for guesthouses and budget hotels.
Don’t forget your travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It gives you comprehensive protection in case of an emergency. I have used it many times in the past, so I always buy this insurance when I travel. Here are some of my favorite companies that offer the best service and value:
Are you looking for the best company to help you save money?
For more information on the best companies to use when traveling, check out my resources page. It lists all the companies I use to save money while traveling so you can save money while traveling too.
Need a guide?
There are some really interesting tours in Lisbon, my favorite company is Take Walks, they have expert guides who will take you behind the scenes of the city’s best attractions, and if you’re on a budget, the Lisbon 1 day tour is a great way to see a lot.
Want to know more about Lisbon?
For even more planning tips, be sure to check out our comprehensive destination guide to Lisbon.
