Lisbon, Portugal isn’t just a big city. It’s a big city that is famously spread across seven hills, which means that visitors need to choose their accommodation carefully. The best area to stay in Lisbon depends on what you want to do in the city: experience authentic local culture, see the most famous landmarks, explore Portuguese history, enjoy late nights out or relax on a white-sand beach.
On my recent trip to Portugal I spent more than ten days in Lisbon, dividing my stay across three different areas of the city to get a better sense of what Lisbon’s different neighborhoods have to offer. The area that I loved the most doesn’t seem to make it onto many other bloggers’ recommendation lists, which I think is absolutely crazy! Keep reading to see where I loved staying, where I would recommend you stay, and lots of tips for choosing the perfect place to stay in Lisbon.
Note: Like always, I paid in full for all of the hotels I stayed at in Lisbon and did not disclose to the staff that I am a blogger, so these are my authentic experiences at each property.
Santos – The Overall Best Area to Stay in Lisbon
Santos was the second area where I stayed in Lisbon (after Saldanha but before Bairro Alto – read more about both below) and it ended up being my favorite – by far. In my opinion, this is easily the best area to stay in Lisbon.
If you consider yourself a slow traveler who likes authentic experiences, if you enjoy getting around by foot and by public transportation, and if you want a huge range of restaurants, shops and attractions (but not a lot of noise!) at your doorstep, you’ll want to stay in Santos too.
Santos is an easy, flat seven-walk from the more famous Cais do Sodre neighborhood, which serves as one of the city’s major local and regional transportation hubs. From here it’s easy to get around the entire city, and to head to nearby suburbs like Belem, Cascais and Almada.
Lisbon Wine & Cheese Suites
In Santos, I stayed at Lisbon Wine & Cheese Suites. Honestly, as soon as I saw their name I clicked the “reserve” button! 🥂 Fortunately it turned out to be great and I can highly recommend it!
This is an upscale property in a converted historical apartment building that straddles the line between a hotel and a guesthouse.
During the day there is a staffed reception desk where you can pick up their own branded maps featuring recommended sightseeing routes and local attractions. In the morning there is an expansive breakfast buffet (shown above) that you can eat inside or on the outdoor terrace, and there are themed treats on your arrival and departure evenings (the property name should give you a hint as to what you can expect!).
My room at Lisbon Wine & Cheese Suites was spacious, with a king-sized bed, a comfortable desk, large windows looking into the interior courtyard and a modern bathroom. I love staying in historical buildings but they do tend to carry sound more than newer properties, so the only thing I’d warn you about is that if you’re a light sleeper you’ll probably want earplugs (here and at any other Lisbon hotels in historic buildings).
The Felix 10
This hotel on the edge of Santos is located on a street that was recently voted The Best Street to Live on in Portugal. In other words, if you want to live like a very lucky local in Lisbon, you should definitely look into this boutique property. The Felix 10 has beautiful twin, double and family rooms, along with amenities like an inviting common living room, a fitness center and a rooftop terrace garden with beautiful views.
JAM Lisbon
A chain of sustainable-chic hotels with locations in Brussels, Lisbon and (soon!) Ghent, JAM Lisbon is the Insta-worthy hotel in Santos. Seriously, just click through and check out the photos! The interior has serious industrial vibes, but the rooftop pool, bar and terrace could be straight out of Tulum. I’d recommend booking one of the room rates that includes breakfast, which gets rave reviews from other travelers.
York House Lisboa
In case I haven’t made it clear, Santos has got to be the coolest district in Lisbon. At York House Lisboa you can actually stay in a converted 17th-century Carmelite Convent, built around a stunning courtyard garden. The thoughtful antique decorations and authentic Portuguese touches make this a hotel you won’t forget when you return home.
Baixa – The Best Area to Stay in Lisbon for Whirlwind Sightseeing
If you’re in Lisbon for a weekend or a short city break, Baixa is the best area to stay for rapid-fire sightseeing. Many of the city’s most iconic landmarks are at your doorstop (like the Elevador de Santa Justa, shown above) and the iconic yellow Tram #28 cuts right through the neighborhood as well. The district is a little bit hilly, but nothing compared to Alfama and Bairro Alto (see below for more about those two Lisbon neighborhoods!).
Rossio Plaza Hotel
Just around the corner from the Santa Justa Lift, this popular Lisbon hotel has double, twin and attic rooms with updated finishings. I’m obsessed with the attic rooms, some of which have views of the São Jorge Castle. The staff at Rossio Plaza Hotel love to help tourists explore Lisbon and may even offer you a taste of a typical Portuguese delicacy (or two) when you arrive.
Pestana Rua Augusta Lisbon
If you prefer a more upscale hotel, Pestana Rua Augusta would be perfect for your luxury trip to Lisbon. This hotel is situated at the waterfront end of Baixa, near the iconic archway entrance to Praça do Comércio. It opened about one month ago (at publication time) so you’re really getting the best of a brand-new, contemporary interior inside a striking historic building.
Hotel Lis Baixa
I wanted to include Hotel Lis Baixa on the list because they have one of the most affordable double rooms in Baixa: a “mini double room”. If you’re on a tight budget but really want to stay in Baixa, you can sacrifice a little space for a lot of savings here. You can also save money by skipping their optional breakfast and grabbing a coffee and pastry at one of the many nearby cafes instead.
Alfama – The Best Area to Stay in Lisbon for History Lovers
Alfama is the best area to stay in Lisbon if you want to experience the city’s history and culture by strolling through Lisbon’s oldest streets by day and sipping port while listening to mournful fado music in the evening. This is the only area of the city that wasn’t destroyed in the colossal 1755 earthquake, and there’s a sense of resilience here.
Although too many of the local homes have been converted into short-term vacation rentals, there are still ceramic plaques on the streets telling the stories of the aging locals who refuse to leave their family homes. In fact, keep your eyes peeled and you might actually meet one of the locals from these signs – don’t be afraid to say “Bom dia!”.
Alfama is not a good area to stay in Lisbon if you have any mobility limitations, as the entire district is very hilly, with slippery stone staircases connecting narrow pedestrian alleys. Many streets in this area aren’t wide enough for cars, so you may have to carry your own luggage up and down to your accommodation. Similarly, most properties in Alfama don’t have elevators, so you’ll probably have to carry your own bags up the stairs to your room.
Hotel Convento do Salvador
The best value hotel in Alfama, Hotel Convento do Salvador is, as its name suggests, located in a restored convent (one of the oldest in the city). Solo travelers, single rooms are available here! When you stay here you are actually supporting the local community, as the hotel also runs programs for youth in the Alfama neighborhood and showcases art by local Portuguese artists. Reserve early here as it often sells out well in advance.
Pousada Alfama
I’m obsessed with the river views at this local hotel in Alfama. It is actually located right between two of the city’s most famous miradouros, or lookout points, which are only a few steps away. The rooms at Pousada Alfama are spread across four floors that are connected by an elevator (a rarity in Alfama!) and feature colorful, modern designs.
Palacete Chafariz D’el Rei – by Unlock Hotels
“Palacete” is Portguese for “mansion”, and there’s no doubt that Palacete Chafariz d’el Rei delivers on its name. This opulent boutique hotel in Alfama was carefully restored in 2007, preserving the original Moorish architectural influences while adding contemporary features. There are only six suites in this intimate property, making it ideal for special-occasion travelers desiring personalized service.
Bairro Alto – The Best Area to Stay in Lisbon for Nightlife & Partying
I ended my trip in Lisbon by spending four nights in the Bairro Alto district. Bairro Alto is located north (and uphill) from Baixa, and is known as the city’s nightlife hub. Since the 1980s, people have been flocking from all over the city to the steep streets of Bairro Alto, which are sleepy during the day but come alive as the sun sets. This is the best area to stay in Lisbon if you are here to party with friends.
The Bica Funicular connects Bairro Alto to Cais do Sodre and the Tagus riverfront, but it has become a tourist attraction and the lines are often very long. You can also get up and down the hill via bus or using the hidden escalators inside the Baixa/Chiado metro station (if they’re working!).
Anjo Azul
I stayed at Anjo Azul in the Bairro Alto. This is a no-frills budget hotel that was significantly less expensive than nearby properties. My ground-floor single room was basic but it actually opened onto a cool private patio area, and surprisingly I didn’t hear any noise from the nearby bars in the night. If you won’t be spending much time in your room, this is a popular budget hotel for a reason.
Solar dos Poetas
Some people might say this isn’t technically in the Bairro Alto, but I would say it is. It’s situated right on Praça Luis de Camões, the main square at the lowest point in this “alto” area. At Solar dos Poetas you get the benefits of being in the nightlife district without having to walk up a giant hill to your hotel every time you want to go back to your room. Plus, there’s an adorable little kiosk on the square where you can have a glass of port (or an Aperol Spritz!) each evening before you head out for dinner – those are the moments that I travel to Europe to experience!
Patio do Tijolo
If you’re going to walk all the way the hill to your hotel room in Bairro Alto, you might want to consider staying somewhere where the hotel grounds are an attraction in themselves. Billing itself as a “secret treasure”, this Lisbon guesthouse has a shared kitchen, a lush patio garden and a cozy library. Patio do Tijolo is definitely a “home away from home” type of place if you want to balance big nights out with little mornings in.
Saldanha – The Best Area to Stay in Lisbon for Transportation Connections
My first stop in Lisbon was a short one: I was arriving in the afternoon and heading straight to Óbidos the next morning. I wanted to stay in an area where I could easily reach both the airport and the bus station by public transportation, so I chose Saldanha. From here, there was direct subway service to the airport (Red Line, 20 minutes) and the Campo Grande bus station (Yellow Line, 5 minutes).
I ended up being so glad that I stayed here because the airline lost my luggage and I arrived in Portugal with only the clothes on my back and the one emergency outfit I was carrying in my cabin baggage. Because I was staying in Saldanha I was able to quickly get around the city to shop for replacement clothing, shoes and toiletries that I could take to Obidos the next morning.
Saldanha is also an area of Lisbon that is worth considering for a longer stay. Saldanha is at the south end of busy Avenida de la Republica, a popular shopping street with lots of cafes and restaurants nearby. From here, it’s a 30-minute downhill walk into the historic center, so you can easily walk into town for your sightseeing and then return to your hotel via metro.
Hotel White Lisbon
This was the hotel that I stayed in Saldanha and I highly recommend it. It’s literally just steps away from the metro station – you come up the escalator to street level and the hotel is right there. I loved that it had a contemporary design (and a rooftop pool, shown above, where I could cool off in the summer heat). If you don’t want to be dragging your luggage around Lisbon, Hotel White is the place to stay!
Evolution Hotel Lisboa
If you’re into funky, ultra-modern design hotels, you’ll want to stay at Evolution Hotel Lisbon. The hotel doubles as a coworking space and features amenities like self-check kiosks, a relaxing spa open 24 hours a day, and “conceptual” room decor that stradles the line between hotel room and spaceship.
LUSTER Hotel
This new five-star hotel in Lisbon has a stunning, contemporary design and unparalleled amenities including two pools (indoor and outdoor), a hot tub and steam room, and a pretty outdoor terrace. LUSTER Hotel also gets rave reviews for its included breakfast buffet (a rarity in the area, and perfect if you need to fuel up before a bus or train journey).
Cascais – The Best Area to Stay Near Lisbon For Beaches
I had wanted to spend a few nights in Cascais when I was in Lisbon, but by the time I started booking accommodation (in March, for an August visit) there were no highly-rated, affordable hotels left. Instead, I ended up taking a day trip to Cascais using the convenient regional trains.
If you’re on a budget or picky about where you stay, definitely book your accommodation in Cascais well in advance. After all, as the best area to stay near Lisbon for beaches, Cascais books up quickly! If you’ll be arriving by train you’ll want to look for accommodation in the area between the train station and the citadel, while if you’re coming by car you’ll have more flexibility to book a hotel further west along the coast.
Westlight Cascais Chalet
If I was going back to Cascais, I would try to try to stay at Westlight Cascais Chalet. This adults-only property is located right across the street from the beach in downtown Cascais, within easy walking distance of all the best restaurants and attractions. The rooms with sea-view balconies are gorgeous and significantly less expensive than similar rooms at some other Cascais hotels. They serve a typical Portuguese continental breakfast as well.
Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa
I do love a good spa hotel, and this is a surprisingly affordable option for a spa hotel in Cascais. Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa is located about 200 meters east of the city center (back in the direction of Lisbon) and is right across the street from Cascais’ wonderful natural swimming pools (a protected swimming area carved right into the sea). This five-star property features an outdoor infinity pool, an indoor “water lounge” (with a sauna, steam room, whirlpool circuit, saltwater pool and more) and a fitness center. If you really want to relax, consider booking one of the full-board rates with both breakfast and dinner included.
Artsy Cascais
I actually walked past this unique building in Cascais without realizing it was a popular five-star hotel… I was just entranced by its creative facade! You can escape the crowds at the local beaches at the hotel’s rooftop pool and terrace, or relax with a cocktail in their library bar, both of which give off South of France vibes. Artsy Cascais is definitely on the pricey side, but if it fits your budget then you’ll love the personal attention you get in this small luxury hotel across from the Cascais citadel.
Planning a trip to Lisbon? Don’t miss my guide to walking in Lisbon, which will walk you through 😉 the city’s seven hills, slippery sidewalks and more!
Check out my curated list of the top excursions and tours across Portugal!
Looking for more Portugal travel tips? Check out all my Portugal travel guides – I’m constantly adding more!
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