Splurge or Save: Finding the Best Hotels in Lisbon for Any Budget

Planning a trip to Portugal and trying to figure out where to stay in Lisbon? I have outlined the most central neighborhoods and best hotels in Lisbon. For all hotels or other accommodations, I split them up into four main categories:

Cheap Stays: These accommodation recommendations are all about keeping your trip as low cost as possible without sacrificing basic needs. I have stayed in hostels and low cost hotels before and am comfortable with older décor and dated rooms, but don’t sacrifice cleanliness or location.

Budget Stays: These recommendations are budget friendly but are usually nicer and offer more than the Cheap Stays. When I travel these are usually the types of places I stay. As with all of my recommendations, location is paramount but if there is a great hotel away from the action I mention it in the description.

Splurge Stays: For recommendations in this group, it is all about splurging when you can. These options are worth the extra cost if it fits within your budget. If possible, especially for longer trips, sprinkling some splurge options can really make a trip feel special.

Luxury Stays: These recommendations are all about location, views, amenities and rooms. If you are planning a special trip or have a healthy budget, these hotels are my top picks for the city.

Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Lisbon

Lisbon is full of some amazing neighborhood and depending on the type of trip you have planned there are some great options. My favorite areas are the first five on the list below as they allow for walking to most of the most popular sites, have amazing restaurant options, and allow for easy access to Rossio Station for any day trips to places like Sintra.

Baxia neighborhood is the heart of the historic district. This vibrant neighborhood has grand plazas, top historical sights, an extensive selection of restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
Chiado, located just to the west of Baxia, is another popular neighborhood for tourists and locals. It is more hilly that Baxia, but is centrally located between Baxia and Barrio Alto. It is considered one of the most fashionable districts and is a popular destination for shopping and the theatre.
Barrio Alto means upper district and as it’s name suggests a large portion of the neighborhood is located on a hill. This area is known for its nightlife scene and tiny cafes. This district is packed with restaurants and bars, many are family run and small with seating for only a handful of guests . If you are looking for a fun night out, this area is hard to beat.
Alfama is one of the oldest and most historic districts in Lisbon. It is located to the east of Baxia and is home to Castelo de São Jorge. This charming neighborhood is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, traditional houses and runs from the banks of the Tagus River up to Castelo de São Jorge. Similar to Baxia, this neighborhood is full of hills, but also offers some beautiful viewpoints.
Cais do Sodre is one of the more unassuming neighborhoods but is a great options if you are looking for a quieter area close to all the action. This district is located right on the river just down the hill from Chiado and Barrior Alto to the north and Alfama to the east. This neighborhood is home to pink street, one of the most well known streets for bars and clubs. It is a relatively small street in this otherwise quieter neighborhood, so when looking for a place to stay keep that in mind.
Belem neighborhood is located to the west of Lisbon along the Tagus River. It is farther from the other neighborhood but home to some of the most popular attractions including the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Torre de Belem and the Padrao dos Descobimentos. This neighborhood is full of parks, tree-lined plazas and riverside walks. If you are looking for a calmer area to stay, this is a great option, but you will need to take a bus/train or uber to most of the other neighborhoods.
Principe Real is located just north of Barrio Alto. This is a very affluent area of city full of boutique shops, fine dining and top hotels. It is just outside of the more popular areas, but is a great option to stay close to the action but outside of the hustle and bustle.

Best Cheap Hotels in Lisbon

For those on a tight budget and looking to save their dollars for visiting attractions, dining out and other experiences, this is a list of some of the cheapest hotels in Lisbon.

easyHotel Lisbon

This hotel is one of the cheapest in the city that is still walking distance to the main districts (Alfama, Barrio Alto, Chiado). It is simple but modern and clean. It is about 25-35 minutes to all of the main sites and even shorter using the bus or metro system. At under $100 per night in the summer, it is hard to beat the quality for the price. All rooms are private and ensuite so this is not a hostel!

Cost: $90+/night high seaon, $75+/night offseason

Hotel Ikonik Lisboa

Hotel Ikonik is not as centrally located, but a great option if you are comfortable taking public transit every day to get to the main attractions. Located in the Parque das Nações neighborhood, this large hotel offers modern rooms that are large for their price. It is just a 3 minute walk to the Alfândega (Terminal Cruzeiros) bus stop. The 728 bus will take you right to the Pradca do Comercio where you can then explore the historic center of Lisbon, you can also take this bus all the way to the Belem district to view the Jerónimos Monastery.

Cost: $100+/night high season, $75+/night offseason

Best Budget Hotels in Lisbon

This list of the best budget hotels offer the best experience for under $200 a night. Unlike the cheap stays, these options offer better rooms, more amenities and are all private (unlike hostels).

Urbano FLH Hotels Lisboa

Located in the Alfama district, this modern hotel is located just steps away from Praça do Comércio and an easy walk to other main attractions. Urbana FLH Hotel offers a high end feel on a budget. The lobby is trendy and very welcoming. The rooms are very well designed and clean, plus the bathroom is larger than most in this price range.

Cost: $200+/night high season, $115+/night off season

Boutique Chiado Suites

This property offers both suites and full apartments and is located in the Chiado neighborhood. The location makes this hotel central to the major sites, but is also slightly removed and a little quieter. As this is a hotel, even the apartments have housekeeping services. The modern rooms/apartments are bright and airy and a great place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.

Cost: $200+/night high season, $110+/night offseason

Exe Liberdade

This hotel is a little farther from the main sites and neighborhoods, but is still very walkable, most sites are around a 20-35 minute walk. It is also only a few minute walk to the Metro where you can hop a train to the historic center. This hotel is very simple but clean and modern and a great options at an affordable price.

Cost $140+/night high season, $90+/night offseason

Splurge Hotels in Lisbon

Splurge hotel recommendations are usually between $200-$400 per night in high season. They are for those have a little more room in their budget and offer amazing value for their price point. Be sure to check some of the luxury options as well. Sometimes if you are planning a last minute trip or are in traveling in the off season, hotels may have too many open rooms. Luxury hotels can sometimes offer large discounts.

Hotel Avenida Palace

Hotel Avenida Palace was built in the 1800’s and combines regal and elegant architecture with more modern comforts. Both the exterior and the lobby are impressive with their charm and style. The location of the hotel is extremely convenient as it is located right on Rossio Square, near both the Barrio Alto and Chiado districts and walking distance to most sites. They have free parking on site, a fitness center, free breakfast, concierge desk, and more.

Cost: $300+/night high season, $250+/night offseason

Memmo Alfama Hotel

This modern hotel offers stunning views at a reasonable cost. It is located in Alfama, just steps away from the Cathedral and a short walk to Sao Jorge Castle. The hotel has a gorgeous rooftop terrace and offers free breakfast. The rooms are more modern than other boutique hotels and are spacious as well. This is also one of the few hotels with a pool. The infinity pool is located on the main patio and is small, but it is an amenity most hotels in the historic district do not have.

Cost: $250+/night high season, $190+/night offseason

Solar do Castelo Inn

This small hotel used to be an 18th century mansion and has retained much of its charm. There is a beautiful courtyard and it is very common for peacocks and hens to be strolling around the grounds. The rooms are spacious but have more traditional furnishings keeping in style of the historic mansion. The hotel is located in the Alfama district and close to everything, but due to it’s courtyard feels tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Similar to any other hotel in the Alfama district, be prepared for walking up and down the hills. They also include free breakfast in most rates.

Cost: $300+/night high season, $200+/night offseason

Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade

This modern hotel is slightly outside of the main historic center but is still within walking distance to most sites and is in the main shopping hub. It offers very streamlined modern rooms and has amenities including onsite fitness center, library, bar and valet parking.

Cost: $275+/night high season, $225+/night offseason

Best Luxury Hotels in Lisbon

For those with a healthy budget or planning a special trip, these accommodation recommendations are the best in the city. They include 5 Star Hotels, amazing amenities, larger rooms, views, and top locations.

Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel

*Superior Double Room - Corpo Santo Lisbon*

This 5 start hotel in Lisbon is located in the Cais do Sodre neighborhood a block from the river and is centrally located near Barrior Alto and Chiado districts. The convenient location allows for walking to most historic sites except those located in the Belem District. This boutique hotel (75 rooms total) has top tier amenities including a full service concierge, free walking tours daily, complimentary valet parking, onsite spa, gym and more. They offer larger suites as well for those looking for more space during their stay. There is also bar and a delicious restaurant onsite.

Cost: From $425/night high season, $325 off season

The Ivens Hotel

The charming and stylish hotel is located in the Chiado district close to all the action. The restaurant and bar are top notch and are popular with both hotel guests and other visitors, so make sure to make a reservation, especially in the summer. Like other 5 star hotels the Ivens has beautiful amenities including the previously mentioned restaurant and bar, fitness center, turndown service and more. What really sets this hotel apart is the stylish interior that begins the moment you walk into the lobby and continues on throughout all of the common areas. This hotel is part of the Marriott brand, so if you are a Marriot Bonvoy member you can earn and use points on your stay.

Cost: $800+/night high season, $350+/night off season

Santiago de Alfama

If you are looking for a true boutique hotel, Santiago de Alfama is for you. It is located in the central and trendy Alfama neighborhood, and offers beautiful views. Due to its location in the Alfama neighborhood, you will be walking up and down hills when entering and leaving the hotel. This is true for most of Lisbon due to its location. Although a small boutique hotel, it has a restaurant on site (Audrey’s), offers a complementary breakfast, and a spa. Compared to other hotels in the area, the rooms are well sized and the design is very airy and welcoming.

Cost: $425+/night high season, $350/night off season. River view rooms and suites are more expensive.

Olissippo Lapa Palace

Olissippo Lapa Palace is a converted 19th century palace located in a quieter area of Lisbon (40-50 minute walk to sites). Although this is not my top pick while staying in the city, if you are looking for a pool and larger grounds while still be close to the action, this may be a good option. You will need to take an uber or cab to most of the popular sites, but it is a quick ride, usually less than 10-15 minutes. What makes this hotel stand apart is it’s pool and grounds, so if you are traveling with kids or looking to enjoy a day relaxing at the hotel, Olissippo is one of the few options in Lisbon. In keeping with the palace theme, the rooms are in a traditional style, but the older style does not mean old, as everything is great quality and high comfort. Certain room also offer beautiful views of the Tagus River.

Cost: $350+/night high season and off season