For many traveler’s convenience is key. Knowing which neighborhoods in the city will best accommodate your stay will help in planning the perfect vacation in Lisbon.
Portugal’s capital is relatively small compared to other European cities but a benefit is that most of the neighborhoods that are preferred by tourists are naturally in the center. Based on guest reviews from the top travel and booking sites, we have compiled a list of the most popular hotels in the central areas. Below is a brief description of each as well as what you can expect from where it’s located.
Let’s find the perfect accommodation for your visit to Lisbon!
Read also: Where to Stay in Lisbon: 5 Neighbourhoods to Know
1. Hotel Convento do Salvador in Alfama
Quaint Alfama feels as if you're in a village within a city. It's the perfect neighborhood for those looking to immerse themselves in the oldest area of Lisbon. From the Hotel Convento do Salvador guests are within walking distance to major attractions and the São Jorge Castle and Lisbon Cathedral.
The eco-friendly hotel is designed with a contemporary minimalist touch that allows guests to focus on what's truly spectacular about the location- the views!
The hotel offers multiple different room options with bigger spaces available for families and rooms that have been adjusted to be comfortable for those traveling with disabilities. There is a pool and an on-site bar and restaurant which makes it easy to spend all day here. However, we encourage you to explore Alfama either with the audio-guide tour, Taste of Alfama, or by reading the one day guide to Alfama.
2. Varandas de Lisboa in Alfama
The Varandas de Lisboa Tejo River apartments offer guests a comfortable private stay in a personal apartment, just beside the waterfront. They are only a few minutes walk from the central Praça do Comércio and the main shopping district, Baixa. Next door you will find the famous Casa dos Bicos and a handful of popular seafood restaurants just below your window!
The apartments are located in a renovated historic building that charms with wood paneled ceilings, murals of Lisbon skylines, viewpoints and architecture. Varying room and apartment sizes are available, some with complete kitchens and common spaces. The hosts are attentive, welcoming and happy to assist in any travel needs or questions.
3. Hotel Lisboa Plaza in Avenida da Liberdade
A booking at the Hotel Lisboa Plaza means that guests are just steps away from Rossio Square, the Baixa district and Park Eduardo VII. Avenida de Liberdade is lined with trees, dotted with adorable kiosks and is a pleasant place to stroll whether you’re walking to the waterfront or the top of the city.
The Hotel Lisboa Plaza has been awarded heritage status and has gone to great lengths to maintain a feeling of coziness. Guests continue to return to enjoy the romantic atmosphere which is modest and humble and makes visitors feel at home. Its proximity to all forms of transportation, city highlights and the river make it a win-win with travelers.
The on-site gym and rooftop terrace are great to hang out in when you’re not touring Lisbon. There is even a library where guests can grab a book and snuggle up next to the fire when Lisbon nights cool down. With almost a hundred rooms, this hotel is ideal for booking larger events.
4. Hotel da Baixa in Baixa
It's hard to find accommodation more central than the Hotel da Baixa. Step out onto your terrace and you literally are floors above one of the main streets that runs through the city center. If you want ease, book a room here and know with certainty that within five minutes walking you can be in any of the most central neighborhoods.
The Hotel da Baixa prides itself on offering larger than normal rooms and family suites where up to five people can stay together. They have an onsite library where you can explore translated Portuguese literature by the fireside or listen to music from their vinyl record collection.
The boutique hotel offers incredible views of some of the city’s most iconic attractions, such as the São Jorge Castle and Praça da Figueira. Many guests have agreed that a stay here feels as if you’ve booked a five star hotel.
→ Baixa is the most central neighborhood in Lisbon and YourMobileGuide has created an audio-guide tour of Lisbon's Highlights where visitors can discover the must-see attractions and get access to insider tips and stories.
5. Portugal Boutique Hotel in Baixa
This humble but well-located hotel offers a comfortable stay for those who are ok with skipping the five-star experience. With practically a perfect review score on multiple accommodation sites, guests are more than happy with all that the Portugal Boutique Hotel does to please their customers.
Just outside the front door you have Rossio Square in one direction, upscale Chiado in another and colorful Alfama in the next. Deciding where to go first is the only difficulty you’ll have when staying here. Baixa is the perfect district for those who want large, flat streets, well-paved sidewalks and grand Pombaline style plazas.
With 24 hour room service available, head out and enjoy the city, knowing that a fresh meal can be provided at any time of your return. Portugal Boutique Hotel serves a phenomenal breakfast and can accommodate specific requests for dietary needs.
6. Home Lisbon Hostel in Baixa
If you're traveling on a budget and are interested in meeting others, Home Lisbon Hostel is your place. Located dab smack in the center of Lisbon, the atmosphere of the 200 year-old building is warm and inviting.
The hostel consistently receives the highest ratings from guests who are pleased with the community centered energy the staff creates. The employees arrange gatherings so that travelers can meet with others and have the opportunity for friendships and new networks abroad.
Home Lisbon organizes daily activities and excursions for exploring top attractions in the city, Sintra and even bar hopping parties at night. Once a week they host “Mammas Dinner,” where everyone joins in a meal together, potluck style.
7. Hotel Santa Justa in Baixa
Wake up and greet the morning view of blue skies, Lisbon sunshine and the gothic Santa Justa Lift. The iron elevator is one of the biggest attractions and the Hotel Santa Justa is just beside it. The Baixa district is Lisbon’s heart, and the Hotel Santa Justa has found the perfect address here.
At Santa Justa Hotel you can expect sparkling clean rooms, large bathrooms and staff which help with booking restaurants, providing directions or arranging tours. The hotel has been known to frequently give welcome and departure gifts, such as a bottle of wine or champagne, adding to one of the many factors which have earned the hotel a superb rating.
8. The Lisboans in Baixa
Immerse yourself in the true feeling of Baixa lifestyle when you book a stay at the Lisboans. The luxury apartments are airy, light and tastefully decorated.
The interior design is chic and minimal, with muted colors and authentic items made by Portuguese craftsmen. Handpicked vintage furniture and overgrown plants find their place in each room. The apartments have private kitchens, so if you’re in the mood to cook, run downstairs and grab something from the on-site market and enjoy an intimate night in.
A serviced breakfast is provided, just hang the canvas bag on your door and the host will fill it with fresh juice and warm bread in the morning. Take the bag with you, step out the front door and discover you’re only moments away from most of Lisbon's most sought out locations.
- To truly explore the best of Baixa and central Lisbon, using an audio guide tour of Lisbon's highlights is the way to go.
9. Lumiares in Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is a neighborhood for fun and excitement. With a long list of fantastic eateries, from fusion favorites to traditional Portuguese, boutique shopping and an unstoppable nightlife, Lumiares has found its perfect home here. The 5-star hotel ranks top on most travel sites and blogs and is a consistent pick for those looking for an unforgettable stay.
Lumiares is located in a renovated 17th century palace and it's easy to feel like royalty when you book a stay here. Tastefully decorated in bold colors and handcrafted furniture, it features the elegant work of Portuguese artists and craftsmen. The rooms vary from single studios, mezzanine rooms and panoramic penthouses. There is a spa on site for those in need of self care recovery after a wild night out.
- Check out the top rated bars and cocktail lounges in Lisbon when planning for your trip!
10. Lost Lisbon, Chiado House
Lost Lisbon Chiado House offers a unique stay as it is both central yet intimate and Chiado is constantly voted as the favorite area of the city for travelers. A small skip puts you at the entrance to the metro, the riverside is just a few blocks down hill and the train to Lisbon’s best beaches is almost within eyesight. Chiado is notorious for upscale shopping, designer stores and a long list of great restaurants. The popular shopping center, Armazéns do Chiado is two minutes away.
Lost Lisbon has a fun-loving ambiance, as colors pop from tiles, artwork and furniture. The high-end guest house features numerous bedrooms designed with bold personality. The bathrooms are designed with so much flair that it will make you want to head home and start a renovation project! The hotel is artistic, trendy and stylish and it's apparent that the decorator had a blast!
Each morning the host of Lost Lisbon arranges a beautiful breakfast buffet where guests can help themselves in the kitchen, preparing a healthy meal before stepping out into the city center.
11. Corpo Santo Lisbon in Cais do Sodré
The Corpo Santo Lisbon Hotel is located in the historic neighborhood of Cais do Sodré in a modern facility. A simple stroll from the coastal train station, the popular food hall, Time Out Market and the vibrant nightlife area Pink Street, Corpo Santo is in the perfect location for enjoying Lisbon.
The hotel is elegant and simple with details which reflect Portuguese culture. One of the most unique features is the Fernandina Room, where guests can come to unwind as if it's their intimate living room, as they sit beside a section of wall from the 14th century.
Here you won’t find the traditional breakfast buffet, but rather à la carte, with all dishes personally served to your table. Corpo Santo organizes free walking tours for those looking to get out and discover Lisbon, so there is no excuse not to discover how much farther back the history dates than the fourteenth century.
- If you'd like to explore at your own pace we suggest a walking self-guided audio tour from YourMobileGuide. The app provides multiple tour options in Lisbon where users visit the top sights and attractions and get access to insider tips and discounts.
12. Internacional Design Hotel in Rossio
Located beside Rossio Square, the sophisticated Internacional Design Hotel is at the doorstep to one of the most popular gathering areas in Lisbon. Rossio attracts visitors who come to admire the wavelike black and white cobblestone designs, the grand fountains, obelisk and the enchanting Rossio train station. Design Hotel is close to all transportation lines for Lisbon and countrywide destinations.
Internacional Design Hotel may have the oldest facade in the city but let this fool you. While the outside may appear vintage, the inside is renovated with an artsy twist and themes of “feeling, urban, pop or zen.'' The hallways are painted with statement colors and are scattered with eye-catching photographs of famous personalities. With only fifty-five rooms it maintains intimacy for guests. The in-house Bastardo Bar and Restaurant serves delicious Portuguese food that often features a slight Asian influence and great cocktails.