The Best Hotels in Lisbon

Lisbon has good options in every category, and compared with other Western European capitals, prices are often moderate. Location matters most, it determines how many flights of stairs you'll climb with your suitcase and how quiet your nights will be. The selection below covers every budget, from an affordable hostel to a five-star hotel; prices are rough per-night guides and vary considerably with season and dates.

Pousada de Lisboa, luxury on Praça do Comércio

You can't get much more central than the Pousada de Lisboa, this five-star hotel sits right on Praça do Comércio, in a historic government building on the Tagus waterfront in Baixa & Chiado. Facilities include a heated indoor pool open year-round from 8:00 to 20:00, a spa with a treatment room (by appointment) and a fitness centre.

The hotel has ten room categories, from the compact Cozy Queen through Classic, Superior, Deluxe and Premium King up to suites and the Presidential Suite. The officially listed starting rate is around €200 per night; above that, the range is wide depending on category and season. If you want a flat, superbly connected location with hotel-grade wellness facilities, this is the pick.

Bairro Alto Hotel, boutique stay in Chiado with a rooftop terrace

The Bairro Alto Hotel is an elegant five-star boutique hotel on the edge of Chiado, right at the threshold of lively Bairro Alto. Its staggered rooftop floors are the signature feature, the sixth floor, with its rooftop terrace, is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, while the fifth floor, home to the BAHR restaurant and its terrace, is open to the public and offers sweeping views over the Tagus and the rooftops. So even if you're not staying here, you can still drop by for a drink or a meal.

The location is stylish and central, with all the main sights within walking distance. If you're sensitive to noise, bear in mind that neighbouring Bairro Alto is a nightlife district that can stay loud into the early hours, a room facing the courtyard is worth requesting.

Memmo Alfama, design hotel with a plunge pool above the rooftops

The Memmo Alfama is a hidden four-star design hotel in the heart of Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood. The highlight is its rooftop terrace with a small red, unheated infinity plunge pool and a postcard view over the rooftops to the river. The pool is meant for dipping and cooling off rather than swimming laps, and it's reserved for hotel guests.

The attached Wine Bar & Terrace is open to the public daily from 12:00 to 23:00, bookable online for lunch, walk-in only in the evening. Choosing the Memmo means embracing the character of Alfama, steep lanes, plenty of steps and a tight medieval street layout make getting around with luggage hard work. But that same hillside setting is exactly what delivers the view you're paying for.

The Lumiares, apartment suites for longer stays

The Lumiares in Bairro Alto isn't strictly a classic hotel but an aparthotel - every unit is an apartment suite with a fully equipped kitchen (Smeg appliances, induction hob, dishwasher). Categories range from the Studio through One Bedroom and the Loft with mezzanine up to Two-Bedroom units, the Glória Suite and the Penthouse; there are no standard hotel rooms without a kitchen. There's also a rooftop terrace bar.

That makes the Lumiares especially appealing for longer stays and for anyone who likes to cater for themselves, say, with shopping from the market. As with its boutique neighbour, the Bairro Alto location means lively, sometimes noisy evenings.

Lisbon Destination Hostel, budget stay inside Rossio station

The Lisbon Destination Hostel is this list's budget recommendation, and it occupies one of the city's more unusual settings, the second floor of the historic Rossio railway station (Estação Ferroviária do Rossio), right on the square of the same name in the heart of downtown Lisbon. The property has won multiple awards and is a current HOSCAR winner from the Hostelworld community.

Options range from mixed 10- and 8-bed dorms to a women-only dorm (8 beds with a private bathroom) and private rooms for families, couples and solo travellers. Dorm beds start at around €35 per night. If you want a central, sociable and affordable base, this is fair value for money.

The right neighbourhood and the right timing

A central location in Baixa & Chiado is the simplest choice, flat, well connected by metro, tram and the funiculars, and close to everything. Its counterpart is neighbouring Bairro Alto, a nightlife district that gets loud in the evenings and has few large hotels, as well as picturesque but steep Alfama with its tiring routes. If you'd rather have more peace and quiet, the equally central Príncipe Real is a good bet. For the full picture on which neighbourhood suits you best, see the guide Where to Stay in Lisbon.

On timing, high season runs from June to August with the most visitors; statistically, May is the most expensive month for hotels and December the cheapest. April/May and September/October offer a good compromise between moderate crowds and fairer prices; more on this in the Best Time to Visit guide. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, for top central hotels in high season, three to six months ahead is wise. Booking early and flexibly often saves 30 to 40 percent compared with peak-season rates.

Cheaper alternatives in the mid-range

Beyond the five hotels above, Baixa and Chiado offer a good range of solid boutique and three-star hotels in the €100 to €200 per-night bracket, including the Browns Downtown Hotel, Be Poet Baixa, Le Consulat, Dare Lisbon House and the My Story Hotel Augusta on the Rua Augusta pedestrian street. They're a good choice when the top hotels above are full or too expensive but you don't want to give up the central, flat location of downtown Lisbon.