Where to Stay in Lisbon: A Complete Guide for First Timers

Lisbon was both our first stop in Portugal, and was also our last stop in Europe a couple of months later when our 89 days in Europe were up (that’s just shy of the 90 day maximum we can spend in the E.U. on a tourist visa).

We really enjoyed Lisbon, and spent the better part of a week wandering the streets of Libson’s neighborhoods, stopping here and there for a cup of coffee (if you love coffee, make sure to read our guide to the best coffee in Lisbon ) or a glass of Portuguese wine, which is both cheap and delicious – the two best wine tasting notes, in our opinion.

Lisbon is a city not unlike San Francisco, our former home, in that each neighborhood has a distinct look, style, and overall vibe. As you walk from the cosmopolitan grid that is Baixa, Lisbon’s downtown, towards the narrow, winding cobblestone streets in Alfama, the oldest-feeling part of the city, you’ll understand what we mean.

The areas are a few short blocks apart, but couldn’t look and feel more different. 

Once you begin to understand the history of Lisbon, you’ll start to understand why. We’re obviously not Lisbon history experts, but we did a couple of walking tours and connected with locals who are.

Our Drunk History (if you’re not familiar, it’s a tv show where they film someone simultaneously telling a story about a historical event and getting wasted at the same time – it’s really fun!) take on the reason that Lisbon’s neighborhoods look and feel so different is that, after the earthquake in the 18th Century, the city brought in various architects from different places around the world to help rebuild and replan the city.

As a result, you have parts of the city that look like Paris, with grand boulevards lined with four story apartment buildings, and parts of the city that feel like Ancient Rome, with cobblestone streets and castles.

We recognize that our idea of the best place to stay in Lisbon might not be the same as yours, so we set out to write a comprehensive guide that takes you through a few of our top picks and helps you figure out whether or not each area is right for you.

In this guide to figuring out where to stay in Lisbon for your particular style and budget, we’ll go through our favorite neighborhoods, along with the pros and cons of staying there, some highlights that you probably shouldn’t miss (whether or not you choose to stay there), and some recommended hotels, apartments, and hostels to get you started on your search. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

A Quick Primer on Lisbon’s Geography

The easiest place to start in terms of discussing the layout of Lisbon is the Tagus River. Which looks like the ocean, and is close to the ocean, but is not actually the ocean. In general, the closer you are to the river, the more tourists you’ll find. 

The second thing we should talk about when it comes to Lisbon’s layout is the hills. Coming from San Francisco, we’re not too concerned with hills. Lisbon might even be more hilly than San Francisco.

Over the course of your trip to Lisbon, you’re going to have to climb some hills. There’s really no way around it. 

From the river, Lisbon heads straight up the hills to the north, which is where you’ll find neighborhoods like Chiado, Alfama, and Bairro Alto, which are great places to stay that are packed with bars, restaurants, shops, and hidden (and not-so-hidden) treasures. 

Where We Stayed in Lisbon

The best place to start this guide is our own personal experience. We found ourselves in Lisbon twice in the span of a couple of months, and stayed in slightly different areas on each stay. 

I should note that I, Matt, have Celiac Disease, which means we need to eat strictly gluten free. A place to stay with access to a kitchen is essentially a must-have for us, so we tend to gravitate towards apartments.

After a conversation with a local tour guide, Nuno, who led one of the great walking tours we did in Lisbon, we can’t recommend Airbnb in good faith. 

Locals have seen Airbnb change the fabric of Lisbon over the past decade as Lisbon has risen in popularity. At one point on our tour, he pointed to nearly every building on the square we were standing in and said that each of them had units that were being rented on Airbnb. 

Locals are being pushed further and further outside the city center so that apartments can be converted into short term rentals catering to tourists, and we believe that is a bad thing for the city overall. 

Instead, we’ll be focusing on hotels and “aparthotels” or “serviced apartments,” which are a cross between a hotel and an apartment complex.  

First, we stayed in Baixa near the water at Porta Do Mar Apartments, which we really enjoyed.

The location is great – right near the Metro, within walking distance to Chiado and Alfama – though the area was packed with tourists and felt a little more lifeless than other areas we explored. The apartments themselves are also nice, with modern appliances and plenty of space to spread out. 

On our return trip, we stayed on the border of Baixa and Chiado a block away from Rossio Station. In our opinion, this is one of the best areas to stay in Lisbon, especially up the hill on the Chiado side.

This time, we stayed at Stay&Co Rossio, another serviced apartment that had plenty of space, a flood of natural light, and a nice view out over Lisbon.

Chiado: Central and Bustling (Overall Best Location)

Chiado is about as central as you can get in Lisbon. It’s on the hill, which means you won’t have to walk UP the hill anytime you want to go anywhere (though you will if you head down the hill – what goes down must come back up in Lisbon).

The neighborhood itself is packed full of shopping, places to eat and drink, and historical sights like the Convento do Carmo, which is a former convent destroyed in the 1755 earthquake that is now a museum.

In many ways, Chiado is at the center of Lisbon’s history. The earthquake in 1755, which has shaped Lisbon as we know it today, and the Carnation Revolution in 1974 that ended the dictatorship in Portugal both took place in Chiado (although obviously the earthquake took place all around the city). 

The architecture in Chiado is a mix of old and new, mostly due to the fire in 1988 that burned through the main shopping area around the mall. The facades remained intact (thanks to being built out of stone), but the insides were gutted and replaced.

There are a couple of ways to get up (or down) the hill from Chiado to places like Baixa or Rossio Station (which is where you catch the train to take a day trip to Sintra). You can walk, of course, which is our preferred way of getting around Lisbon.

You can take the metro. Or you can take the Elevador de Santa Justa, which was built in the early 1900’s to connect Chiado to Baixa.

Lines for the elevator are long, and it costs money. We’d recommend walking through the mall to get down (though you should definitely go to the viewing platform on top of the elevator to check out the view!).  

Pros and Cons of Chiado

Pros: It’s central, squished between Bairro Alto and Principe Real to the west, Alfama and Mouraria to the east, and Baixa towards the river. There’s a metro station – Baixa-Chiado – right in the heart of the neighborhood, which makes it easy to access other parts of the city. It’s more charming than adjacent Baixa, with its narrow alleys and serpentine streets providing a stark contrast to Lisbon’s downtown area, which is on a grid. 

Cons: The hills, which you’ll have to walk up and down at some point, and the price are the main cons. It’s central and a very desirable area, and prices reflect that. 

Chiado Highlights

Here are some of our favorite discoveries in Chiado. 

• Grom Gelato: Our favorite gelato shop in Lisbon, and quite possibly the world. Everything is gluten free, including the cones! And my brothers – who aren’t gluten free – and Alysha all confirmed that it was the best gelato in Lisbon after trying it alongside other options. 
  
  
• Convento do Carmo: A convent that was gutted by the earthquake and subsequent fires. The façade is (mostly) still standing, towering over the square that it stands on.  Today, it’s a museum.  
  
  
• The view from the Santa Justa elevator platform: Is stellar. The end. You can get to it by walking past the Convent and heading up the stairs straight ahead (rather than going down the stairs). We’d recommend skipping the elevator ride though, which is expensive and involves a long line, and instead walk down the hill. 
  
  
• Fábrica Coffee Roasters: Near the top of our list of the best coffee in Lisbon – great selection of espresso drinks and filter coffee made with house-roasted beans. 
  
  
• Pastéis de Nata: Two of the three best places to try a pastel de nata are in Chiado right across the street from each other (according to Alysha and my brothers – I have Celiac Disease and need to eat gluten free, so none for me!). Aloma and Manteigaria are both worth a stop to try the custard-y tart. 

The Best Places to Stay in Chiado

Here are some of the best places to stay in Chiado, whether you’re looking for a charming hotel or a spacious apartment where you have a bit more room to spread out and relax. 

There’s a lot of options in Chiado, so we’ve gone ahead and combed through hundreds of places to stay to narrow the list down to a few options that we’re excited about based on style, reviews, and location. All you have to do is choose one of them and you’re ready to head to Lisbon!

Feeling Chiado 15: A Boutique Hotel in an Amazing Location

This charming hotel is right on the square where you’ll find the Convento do Carmo, which might be one of Lisbon’s single best locations. From there, you’ll be a block away from the heart of Chiado, and within walking distance of Barrio Alto, Principe Real, and Baixa. 

Comfortable, spacious rooms are the name of the game here. Even the standard suites are larger than most hotel rooms you’ll find, but the deluxe suites are even bigger, some of which have a nice terrace with spectacular views of the city.  

Chiado 44: A Mid-Range Guesthouse

This lovely guesthouse is a few blocks from the Baixa-Chiado metro station, which means you’ll be well-connected to the rest of the city if you decide to stay here. 

The building itself dates back to the 19th Century, but the interior has been fully renovated with beautiful, stylish rooms and common spaces. 

Once again, this isn’t your average mega-hotel chain. There are only 12 rooms here, which means you’re going to get personalized service. 

Half of the rooms have river views and balconies, while the other half face the property’s garden (and two of those have balconies). Rooms are relatively small, but plenty comfortable if you’re planning on spending most of your time out and about exploring Lisbon. 

Lost Lisbon – Chiado House: A Nice Budget-Friendly Option

This guesthouse was on our list, but the timing and dates didn’t quite work out. This is another intimate place to stay in Lisbon, with just a few rooms, exceptionally friendly service, and a beautifully decorated interior. 

Your room comes with a continental breakfast, and you’ll have access to the shared kitchen to cook lunch or dinner, if you wish to. Which makes this a cross between a hostel and a hotel. They have smaller rooms outfitted with a pair of twin beds, and larger rooms that have a comfy  double bed. 

The decor is impeccably stylish – we love the blue tile accents throughout – and it’s worth noting that some of the rooms have private external bathrooms (rather than bathrooms inside the rooms). 
The same company also has a location on Avenida da Liberdade (see it here), which is also a nice location (though not quite as central to Lisbon’s major sights).

Casa do Barao: A Nice Boutique Hotel with a Pool 

A note at the top: the hotel is closed for renovations until fall of 2022. There are some other amazing places below if you’re traveling in the spring/summer. 

I mean, this boutique hotel is in a 19th Century building that oozes charm, has a library room, and has a great outdoor pool. Plus, it’s in one of the best areas in our favorite district in Lisbon, just a short walk away from all of the action. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t know about this place on our first trip, and when we went to try to book it for our return trip, they were renovating the building. So staying here didn’t quite work out for us, but that shouldn’t stop you!

It’s a hotel with just 12 rooms, so it’s more of a bed & breakfast when it comes to the service you’ll get (versus the mega hotels with 100+ rooms). The idea of a smaller, intimate hotel as a contrast to the massive hotel chains is exactly what got the owners into the hotel business in the first place. 

As far as rooms go, they have a range for different budgets, from their smaller (but still pretty spacious) standard rooms, to their huge premium rooms with terraces. Breakfast is served on their lovely garden patio. And did we mention the pool? 

Baixa: As Central as it Gets in Lisbon

The Baixa neighborhood in Lisbon is nestled along the Tagus River between Alfama and Chiado up the hill, and the nightlife hub that is Cais de Sodre further north. It’s one of the most central – and thus “touristy” – areas in Lisbon.

After the earthquake in 1755 that led to the shaping of modern Lisbon, Baixa was rebuilt by Marquês de Pombal, who had dreams of a grid layout in downtown Lisbon.

For the most part, Baixa follows that grid layout from Praça do Comércio all the way to Rossio Train Station at it’s northern edge. It’s a stark contrast when compared to other neighborhoods in Lisbon, which generally feature narrow, winding streets and unexpected plazas.

We stayed in Baixa for our first stint in Lisbon, and it really is a perfect location for exploring the city. It’s well connected to public transportation – both via Tram 28, which basically takes you to 95% of the attractions in central Lisbon, and the metro stations along the river.

Plus, Rossio Station and Santa Apolónia Station – the two main train stations in Lisbon – are both within walking distance. 

It has plenty of places to eat and drink – including the home of the best pastel de nata in Lisbon according to our unofficial taste test and the perspective of our guide on our private walking tour (we highly recommend it – it’s this tour, and you should choose Isabel as your guide if you can).

Overall, it’s a great place to stay, though we would recommend that you spend most of your day outside of Baixa exploring the less touristy and, frankly, more interesting parts of Lisbon.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Baixa

Pros: It doesn’t get much more central. It’s well connected to public transportation. It’s flat. And you’ll be able to walk to the train station for either heading to Porto (or other parts of Portugal) and to take a day trip to Sintra, which we definitely recommend.

Cons: It’s not the most authentic area in the city, but you can just plan on spending most of your time exploring the more interesting parts of Lisbon. It’s a great location, which means it’s going to be relatively expensive compared to some of the less central neighborhoods below. It’s at the bottom of the hill, which means you’ll be heading uphill to go basically anywhere else in Lisbon. And I’d probably plan on eating elsewhere – the restaurants, particularly on Praça do Comércio, are classic tourist traps.

Baixa Highlights

Here are some of our favorite spots in Baixa.

• Wines of Portugal: Located right on Praça do Comércio (which is usually a bad sign, to be honest), we really enjoyed trying some Portuguese wines while relaxing in the sun on their terrace. It’s the kind of place where you load up a card with money, and swipe the card to get 1.5oz pours of different wines they have on offer. We had a lovely rose (among other things) that the friendly bartender heard us talking about and eventually gave us the rest of the bottle when he had to replace it. They also do more formal guided tastings, if you want more background on the wines.
  
  
• Pastel de Nata at Manteigaria: Through a super unscientific method that basically just involved trying a pastel de nata at three different places – including pastel de Belem, which is said to be both the original and the best (and is thus the most famous) – my brothers and Alysha decided that this is the best pastel de nata in Lisbon. Or, at the very least, their favorite. The crispy texture of the crust puts it at the top of the list, and the creamy custard has a perfect flavor. Oh, and the guide for our walking tour, Isabel, took us here on our tour because it’s also her favorite. So that’s four votes for Manteigaria.
  
  
• Zarzuela: I, of course, have Celiac Disease, so I couldn’t partake in the great pastel de nata shootout we did in Lisbon. But fear not! You can get a gluten free pastel de nata over at Zarzuela, which is also in Baixa. The crust is noticeably less good, which makes sense given what I know about baking with gluten free flour, but the custard taste and texture is pretty good! I have an entire gluten free guide to Lisbon, if you also need to eat gluten free.
  
  
• Time Out Market: Technically, I’m not quite sure if this counts as Baixa. But it’s on the border of the neighborhood if it’s not. It’s a collection of some of the best food that Lisbon has to offer (though it’s definitely not the only place you can find good food), and is essentially a classy food court. It’s a good option for groups because every person can get something different, or you can share a variety of dishes from different stalls. There’s a bar in the center of the hall serving drinks, and a good wine shop. There’s also a produce market next door with fantastic fruit that is almost like a farmers market.
  
  
• Rossio Square: There’s not really an attraction here, per say, but the square itself is gorgeous, with waves of tiles and fountains. The Rossio Train Station at the far end of the square is where you catch the train for a day trip to Sintra.

The Best Places to Stay in Baixa

Baixa has a nice mix of places to stay, mostly hotels and apartments, with a few hostels thrown in, which are perfect if you’re heading to Lisbon on a tight budget. 

We went through the choices and narrowed it down to these five, which we really like.

My Story Hotel Figueira: A Stylish Boutique Hotel on a Nice Square 

We walked by this charming hotel a couple of times over the course of our time in Lisbon, and every time I turned to Alysha and said something to the effect of “I need to check that place out.”

This is a Portuguese hotel chain with locations in Lisbon, Porto, and the Azores, and all of their hotels are gorgeous.  

The hotel is right on Figueira Square, which is basically adjacent to Rossio Square in the heart of Baixa, central to Alfama, Chiado, the Rossio Train Station, and more. 

The colorful rooms are relatively spacious (over 200 square feet!), and beds are rated as very comfortable. Some rooms have a view out onto the square (which we’d imagine comes with a little bit more noise). 

They have 24 hour reception who are happy to help you with whatever you might need, breakfast, and there’s an Italian restaurant on the ground floor. 

Be Poet Baixa: A Modern Mid-Range Hotel + Great Location

The location of this modern hotel is just about perfect, roughly equidistant between Alfama, Rossio Train Station, and Praça do Comércio. With that location, you’ll be able to walk or take public transportation to basically anywhere in Lisbon or beyond. 

Rooms here aren’t the biggest, but they’re going to be both comfortable and affordable, which is definitely a tradeoff we’re willing to make. Decor is very modern, lacking some of the charm of older buildings that we kind of like about Lisbon, but that’s just our opinion. 

Rooms are outfitted with coffee makers and reviews consistently call out the beds as super comfortable, which makes this place an excellent home base for exploring Lisbon. 

Porta Do Mar: Nice, Cozy Apartments (+ Where We Stayed)

We stayed at these cozy apartments on our first stint in Lisbon, and it was a great location for getting an introduction to the city. It’s walkable to both the metro, Rossio train station (where you grab the train for a day trip to Sintra), and the tram that takes you out to Belém. 

One thing you should know – the pictures look like there is a TON of natural light, and in some cases that’s probably true, but in our apartment there was only really natural light in the bedroom (which was great), while the kitchen area faced an internal courtyard with far less light going on. Not a deal breaker, just something to know. 

We had a group of three, so we stayed in a split-level apartment with my little brother sleeping upstairs, and us sleeping in the bedroom. It was perfect for our particular group. 

We used the kitchen to cook breakfasts, and it was stocked with everything we needed to do that. 

Casas da Baixa Jules & Madeleine: Spacious Serviced Apartments for Different Group Sizes

This collection of spacious apartments is right down the street from Porta Do Mar, which means we know firsthand that it’s a solid place to stay. 

The serviced apartments here – which are a cross between a hotel and an apartment building, giving you the best of both worlds – have a range of different sizes. Studios for traveling couples or pairs of friends, all the way up to two bedroom apartments with room for five. 

The building is a restored 18th Century building, and the interior of the apartments are a mix of that historic character and more modern design and appliances. Rooms have small, but totally functional, kitchens, if doing some cooking is something you’re into (we are!). 

They have another set of apartments – Casas da Baixa Lighthouse – just around the corner, if your dates don’t work for the other apartments. 

Home Lisbon Hostel: A Family-Run, Intimate Boutique Hostel

Home Lisbon Hostel is right in the heart of Baixa, a few blocks away from the Lisbon Cathedral and the path up to Alfama, and a few blocks away from the Elevador de Santa Justa, which takes you up to Chiado. 

It’s a family-run joint, which is part of the reason we picked it, which you know because they have something called “Mamma’s Dinner” where the mother of the hostel’s owner cooks a dinner full of Portuguese classics.

It’s small, at least relative to some of the other hostels in Lisbon, but we think that’s part of the charm and often leads to a better, more personal and intimate experience. 

They have both private rooms and dorms (max 8 people per room) available. The private rooms are cozy and well-decorated (I love the rooms with the rich green walls and dark brown furniture), and they’re basically hotel rooms. Some even have a balcony with city views!

Nicolau, a hipster brunch-y place is right on the ground floor.

Alfama: Cobblestone Streets & Amazing Views

Alfama is probably the sexiest neighborhood in Lisbon. It’s charming and romantic, with it’s serpentine streets cascading down the hill from Castelo de São Jorge, and its many plazas and corners, full of people dining al fresco in the evening and with the sad-sounding melodies of fado wafting through its streets.

We found ourselves in Alfama on multiple occasions during our time in Lisbon, and it reminds me a lot of Trastevere in Rome, which is our favorite place to stay in Rome, or Montmartre in Paris, one of the most romantic places to stay in Paris.

Whether or not you decide to stay in Alfama, an evening stroll through the neighborhood (and possibly a dinner and some fado) should absolutely be a part of your Lisbon itinerary.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Alfama

Pros: It’s sexy. There’s something about narrow alleyways masquerading as streets and walking on cobblestones that has a certain romance, and Alfama is chock full of it. There are several fantastic viewpoints where you can look out over Lisbon (views are particularly good in the evening). And there are plenty of great bars and restaurants to be had, particularly on the northeast side of the castle.

Cons: It’s pretty easily the hardest place to access in Lisbon. Wherever you’re going, you’re likely going to either have to walk up or down a hill, or hop on the Tram 28 which is notoriously packed with tourists between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm or so.

If you try to take a taxi or Uber, good luck having them navigate those narrow streets. Again, you’re going to be walking. If walking isn’t your thing, we’d look elsewhere and plan on visiting Alfama for an evening instead. It’s also going to be fairly expensive since it’s a desirable place to stay, and there aren’t a ton of options.

There’s another con that we think is worth touching on here, and that’s gentrification. As Alfama (and Lisbon as a whole) finds itself firmly on the tourist map, more and more of the historic buildings in the area are being bought up to turn into hotels and apartments catering to the tourist demand.

Which means less inventory for locals, and higher prices, pushing people out of their homes that they’ve lived in for decades.

We’re not going to solve that problem here, but it’s worth considering as a factor when you make your decision about about where to stay. Frankly, it’s a problem throughout the entirety of the city, but it’s most pronounced in Alfama.

Alfama Highlights

Here are some spots not to miss in Alfama.

• Miss Can: When in Portugal, you should probably try some canned fish. There’s no shortage of places to try it, including some pretty opulent shops in Baixa and Chiado, but we think you should opt for the more humble Miss Can. Focused on the quality of the product and the sustainability around the industry, Miss Can was started by a woman who came from multiple generations of fishermen. Tucked away on a residential street near the castle, you’ll find their storefront where you can grab some cans of sardines, bacalhau (cod), and squid, among other things, in different sauces. We really, really liked the bacalhau in garlic olive oil, which was easily our favorite (and the least fishy of the bunch, if you aren’t a huge fan of fish). You can grab a few to bring home as souvenirs, or get some to enjoy inside the small storefront with a glass of vinho verde.
  
  
• Castelo de São Jorge: Though the castle on the hill (cue the Ed Sheeran song) is a replica of the original, refurbished in the 20^th century to evoke a sense of pride in the city, it’s still a cool place to visit. The reason to visit is to climb the castle walls (which, again, are a replica) to get great views out over the city, including the bridge. It’s an important site because it symbolizes the conquest of Lisbon by the Portuguese in the 12^th Century, when the Second Crusade came to Lisbon and took it from the Moors. Soon after that, Lisbon became the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal, and since then it has served a couple of different purposes, including a royal palace and a prison. The earthquake severely damaged the castle, and it was in ruins until the 1930’s, when Salazar, the dictator who presided over the country for several decades, decided to have it spruced up a bit. 
  
  
• Sé de Lisboa: At the base of Alfama, this marks the border with Baixa and the start of the climb up the narrow alleyways to the castelo at the top of the hill. It was built way back in 1147, but like most old buildings in Lisbon, it has been rebuilt and tinkered with several times over the years. Down the street in front of the cathedral, you can get a nice view of the front with the Tram 28 in front (though you’ll have to wait for the tram to come by). 
  
  
• Miradouros: Because of its location perched on a hill, there are several great views to be had in Alfama. First is Miradouro das Portas do Sol, which is a great place to come to at sunset for a drink on the patio near the viewpoint. From here, you’ll be looking northeast up the coast, and you’ll be able to see the National Pantheon and the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora, which are two impressive buildings that dominate the skyline. There’s also a statue here of St. Vincent, Lisbon’s patron saint, who is holding what we learned is the symbol of Lisbon – a ship with two ravens. The other is Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which is just a block away (a three minute walk, if that) and has a similar view out over Libson’s north end. 

The Best Places to Stay in Alfama

There are a bunch of places to stay in Alfama, from upscale hotels to cozy apartments.

Lucky for you, we’ve gone through and found (read: looked at all the pictures and read reviews until our eyes were glazed over) a collection of places with great reviews that we personally like and would recommend.

Alfama is full of winding, narrow streets, which can make getting to and from your hotel a little bit of a pain. However, what it may lack in convenience it more than makes up for in atmosphere. 

Here are three places to stay in Alfama that caught our eye. 

Hotel Convento do Salvador

Right around the corner from one of the best viewpoints in all of Lisbon – Miradouro das Portas do Sol – is this luxurious hotel with an excellent outdoor terrace and bar. Despite the luxurious feel, the prices are actually relatively affordable, which surprised us. 

The hotel itself is built into a former convent, and is located within walking distance of the castle, a couple of really nice viewpoints, and some great bars and restaurants (do not miss the canned fish at Miss Can!).

This is an eco-friendly hotel, and I particularly like that they bottle tap water into these fancy bottles to stop people buying tons of plastic water bottles over the course of their trip. DRINK THE TAP WATER, it’s totally safe (we drank gallons of it, and we’re still here). 

Rooms are relatively small, but well thought out with modern touches. You’ll have to pay a little extra for a view of the river Tejo from your room, but you can always just head out to the terrace if you’re craving a spectacular view.

Casas do Bairro Conqvistador: Nice Apartments in Alfama

If you’re looking for an apartment in Alfama with a little more space and access to a kitchen, this would be our choice. They have a large selection of one bedroom apartments, some with balconies, with all the bells and whistles you’ll want for your trip. Modern appliances, comfortable beds, a nice sitting area, and more. 

They only have one size of apartments – one bedroom with a sofa bed that can sleep two more – which might not work for bigger groups who want to stay in the same apartment. 

As we looked further into it, we realized that this complex is more than meets the eye. It’s actually a group of different businesses – the apartments, a wine shop, a coffee shop, etc – that are owned by a single Portuguese family. You get 20% off those other businesses when you stay here, which is kind of cool.

Archi-Pelago Alfama Design Suites: Gorgeous Boutique Guesthouse

Another Portuguese-owned hotel brand, we think this gorgeous guesthouse has done a great job blending modern, minimalist style with the historic charm that makes Alfama special and romantic. For example, the terraces that some of the rooms have has a little nook under a stone arch that looks like it was built hundreds of years ago. 

In particular, we love the look of the tilework in some of the rooms and common spaces. 

Rooms are minimalist in terms of design and space, but the point is that you’ll be either out exploring Lisbon, or hanging out in the common spaces rather than being locked in your room during the day. 

There’s also a shared kitchen, which we appreciate because we usually cook for ourselves, at least for some meals.

Bairro Alto: For Foodies and Nightlife

First of all, note the spelling (it’s “Bairro” not “Barrio”). Bairro Alto is immediately adjacent to Chiado, and has roots dating all the way back to the 16th Century, when the grid was first laid out and buildings started to be built.

This part of Lisbon saw fewer devastating effects from the earthquake than other parts of the city, but Pombal and the Portuguese government took the opportunity to strike when the iron was hot and modernize the infrastructure in Bairro Alto in the period where the rest of Lisbon was being rebuilt from the ground up. 

Today, Bairro Alto is a nightlife hub, and is full of bars, clubs, and restaurants of all kinds. We walked through it in the morning, when you wouldn’t know that it’s the most raucous part of the city (unless you count the broken glass bottles and the vague smell of beer).

But when you walk through after the sun sets, the area is transformed and you’ll do a double take and say to yourself “wait, is this the same street?” 

Packed nearly wall to wall with tourists and locals alike who are enjoying their drinks in the middle of the street (at least in the warm and mild months…so, like, 10 months of the year?), Bairro Alto comes alive when the sun goes down.

From wine bars to speakeasy cocktail bars to nightclubs that don’t close until the early morning, you’ll find the best nightlife in the city here. 

There are, of course, tradeoffs with being right in the middle of all the action. It’s loud, so don’t expect to stick to your 9:00 pm bedtime (honestly, that’s the only reason why we wouldn’t personally stay here – Matt needs his beauty sleep!). 

Pros and Cons of Bairro Alto

Pros: Bars, restaurants, and clubs, oh my! No matter what kind of bar, pub, or club you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Bairro Alto. If you’re looking to stay near the nightlife so you can stumble home afterwards, this is it. It’s also far less sketchy than the other nightlife hub, Cais do Sodre, so you may get away with only being offered drugs two or three times rather than ten or more. 

Cons: It’s loud. Boisterous. Debaucherous. All the things that you’d expect a nightlife area to be. If you want to get some good sleep, look elsewhere. 

Bairro Alto Highlights

Here are some highlights of Bairro Alto. 

• Igreja de São Roque: A huge, opulent Jesuit church. Go inside and look at all the dioramas (is that the right word?) featuring scenes from the bible, and gorgeous stone work, tiles, and of course, plenty of gold (though some of it is paint, rather than solid gold). Don’t miss the altar. 
  
  
• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara: One of the best views of the city, bar none.
  
  
• Garrafeira Alfaia: Great place to try some Portuguese wines, including port, which is made in Porto. They’re very knowledgeable about wine, and will help you find something you like. They also have traditional Portuguese snacks to munch on as you work your way through their long list of wines by the glass. 
  
  
• Vegan Nata: If you happen to be vegan, you can still try a pastel de nata in Lisbon here!
  
  
• A Nossa Casa: This was recommended to me by a friend, and is one of the best food experiences they’ve ever had. However, I wasn’t super comfortable with their gluten free-ness, so we skipped it. That doesn’t mean you should, though!

The Best Places to Stay in Bairro Alto

Here are a few different highly rated places to stay in Bairro Alto for different budgets and travel styles. We’ve done the hard work of combing through hundreds of places to stay to find a few that we, personally, like and would stay at in Bairro Alto on one of our next trips to Lisbon.

Stylish Hotel: Casa das Janelas com Vista

Style on a Budget (Boutique Hostel): The Independente Hostel and Suites

Spacious Apartments: Bairro Alto Bronze of Art Apartments

Bed & Breakfast: Dear Lisbon – Charming House

Where NOT to Stay in Lisbon

In general, we’d recommend staying near the city center, particularly if you have a short trip (4 days or less). That way, you’ll be within walking distance (or public transportation, but Lisbon is an awesome walking city despite the hills) of most of the main attractions in Lisbon.

That means you should immediately cross off anything further north than Rua do Salitre (ish), which is at the northern edge of Principe Real, anything east of Alfama, and anything further west than Principe Real. 

Within that area, you’ll have plenty of choice in terms of places to stay, whether you’re looking for a quiet, more residential neighborhood, or a hip area with good nightlife. Or just about anything in between. 

We would avoid Cais de Sodre, which is the area immediately around the Time Out Market closest to the river. While we walked through the area at all times of day and felt perfectly safe, it was the place where we were offered drugs the most often. Like, every block. At least once per block.

It’s a good place to spend an evening eating and drinking to your heart’s content, full of bars and restaurants, but we’d recommend staying elsewhere if you can. It’s a good place to stay on a budget, but there are plenty of budget options in each of the other neighborhoods we recommend below, including hostels. 

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That’s all we’ve got – we hope we helped you find an amazing place to stay in Lisbon and that the information in this guide was helpful for planning your trip.