Other areas to stay in Lisbon
Chiado
Solo travellers, couples, families, design lovers
If Baixa is the beating heart of Lisbon, Chiado comes close. It’s a lively, cultural spot, frequented by both tourists and locals who find here trendy restaurants and bars, as well as innovative accommodations to stay in, such as design hotels.
Chiado is within walking distance from most touristic attractions in Lisbon and from the Tagus river which, in this area, offers a broad pavement to walk along while seeing the Cristo Rei on the opposite bank.
Chiado is also home to some of the most famous theatre houses in the Portuguese capital, such as Trindade Theatre or São Carlos Theatre (where you can see opera performances), and iconic coffee houses such as A Brasileira or Pastelaria Benard.
With a small shopping centre and street shops, Chiado offers anything a tourist might need, providing a central and safe location from which to explore the city.
Hotels in Chiado
Alfama
Solo travellers, couples, and travellers looking for authentic places
This is one of the most typical neighbourhoods in Lisbon. Here, you will still find ancient architecture, fairly well-preserved, and that feeling of being in an authentic place, where life unfolds as if no tourists were there observing it — and make no mistake, there are many tourists around.
Alfama is the best place to stay if you want to experience Lisbon at its truest, and that includes spending the evenings at Casas de Fado (Fado Houses). Fado is the national music genre, with guitar arrangements that leave you emotional and lyrics that, as the Portuguese say, make even the cobblestones cry.
Alfama lies on a hill, one of Lisbon’s seven, and while it requires you to either put your legs to work or take public transportation, the elevation also provides with beautiful views over the Baixa, Bairro Alto, Chiado, and further beyond, as well as the river Tagus.
Hotels in Alfama
Bairro Alto
Young and partying travellers
If you want to sleep properly at night, stay away from Bairro Alto. But if nightlife is at the top of your reasons to visit Lisbon, look no further: Bairro Alto is the place for you.
Bairro Alto is like a grid of cobblestone streets full of bars. There are no clubs in this area, but rather places where you can have a drink, chat and listen to some (sometimes live) music.
But the party doesn’t happen only indoors. Making the most of Lisbon’s warm weather, tourists and locals alike take their drinks to the street and hang out until late at night. If you’re in the crowd, it’s a wonderful place to be, but if you’re in a nearby accommodation trying to get rested for the next day of exploration, not so much. If this is your case, you can stay in a nearby area such as Príncipe Real.
Hotels in Bairro Alto
Príncipe Real
Solo travellers, couples, partying travellers, LGBTQ+ travellers
As mentioned in the point above, Príncipe Real offers the best of both worlds: enough proximity to a lively nightlife scene, and the quiet needed for a well-rested night of sleep.
Príncipe Real is also where most of Lisbon’s LGBTQ+ bars are located. While the whole city tends to be rainbow friendly, this is a convenient place to stay for any solo travellers or couples wanting to hit that scene.
During the day, this area of the city offers trendy, interesting restaurants, a few museums and theatres, and the Botanical Garden of Lisbon — plenty of spots to explore, for any kind of traveller.
Príncipe Real is also within walking distance to the heart of Lisbon, if you consider that to be the Baixa and Avenida da Liberdade, making it one of the best spots to stay in the city.
Hotels in Príncipe Real
Estrela
Families, couples, luxury travellers
Estrela is the calm amidst the chaos. A quiet neighbourhood close to all the central areas, but far enough to feel like you’re away from the buzz of the city.
Estrela Garden is the most iconic place in this area, boasting 47 sq meters of walking, picnicking, and leisure ground, protected by the shade of tall trees, some as ancient as 200 years old.
Within walking distance, there is Campo de Ourique market, a more local version of the Time Out market you find in Cais do Sodré. Here, you can buy local produce during the day and try different restaurants and cuisines in the evening, in a chilled, local atmosphere.
Estrela is mostly a residential area, and very safe, so this is the ideal place to stay if you’re travelling with children and looking for a family-friendly corner of the city.
Hotels in Estrela
Belém
Families, couples, luxury travellers
Although further away from the city centre than any of the other areas mentioned, Belém is also a remarkable area to visit and stay in. You can get to Lisbon’s centre easily by taking trams or buses that run on a regular schedule.
Belém is home to an array of monuments, mostly built in the 16th century, to celebrate the Portuguese Maritime Expansion. Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and Padrão dos Descobrimentos are all a must-visit in this area. And, of course, you can’t skip the famous Pastéis de Belém, probably the most iconic national cake.
All these monuments sit at the bank of the Tagus river, creating a beautiful and chilled atmosphere. The area even offers some accommodation right at the waterfront.
The adjacent streets are filled with embassies and official buildings, making this a quiet, classy area for travellers looking to enjoy Lisbon without the buzz of the city centre.
Hotels in Belém
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