Special offer: Save up to 41% with the Lisboa Card! Book now →
Accommodation Guide

Where to stay in Lisbon?

From Baixa to Belém, passing through Alfama and Alcantara, discover the best neighborhoods and our recommended places to stay in Lisbon according to your preferences and budget.

The 8 neighborhoods where to stay in Lisbon

Explore each neighborhood in detail to find the one that matches your travel style.

Baixa Lisbon
City center

Baixa, the heart of Lisbon

Baixa is located in the heart of Lisbon. It is a neighborhood of choice to stay if you want to be close to the capital's must-sees. Baixa has all the amenities, from restaurants for foodies to chic boutiques for shopaholics.

If you decide to stay in Baixa, you will be close to Rossio Square, Commerce Square, the Triumphal Arch and Rua Augusta, the Lisbon Story Centre, and the Santa Justa Lift which connects Baixa to Chiado.

Baixa is a real nerve center of the capital. Public transport all pass through the neighborhood, and from Rossio station, you will find a direct train to Sintra. Because it is located at the foot of the hill, Baixa enjoys a flat terrain, making walking pleasant.

💡 Good to know: Due to its privileged location, Baixa remains a neighborhood with relatively high prices. If you are on a tight budget, look in other neighborhoods.
🏛️ Commerce Square 🚋 Nerve center 🚶 Flat terrain
🚶 Book a guided walking tour of Lisbon
Alfama Lisbon
Picturesque neighborhood

Alfama, authentic charm

Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, located east of Baixa. You can get there by hopping on tram 28, the historic yellow tram. On the way, you will discover the Sé de Lisboa, the oldest church in the city.

By looking for accommodation in this neighborhood, you will dive into a place with authentic charm: a maze of cobbled streets, old houses with facades adorned with azulejos, local craft shops, and cozy cafes.

The star of the area: St. George's Castle, this huge building that overlooks the hill. Other viewpoints are located nearby: the Portas do Sol viewpoint, the Santa Luzia viewpoint, and the Recolhimento viewpoint.

But the greatest charm of Alfama lies in its evenings. At sunset, a warm and melancholic atmosphere envelops the city, when the melodies of fado rise in the local tascas.

💡 Good to know: Alfama is located on the side of the hill. You will have to climb sometimes steep slopes. If you are traveling with children or are not in very good physical shape, it may not be the ideal neighborhood.
🏰 St. George's Castle 🎸 Fado in the evening 👀 Viewpoints
🎸 Book a tour of Alfama and a fado house
Bairro Alto Lisbon
Festive neighborhood

Bairro Alto, nightlife

If you are on holiday with friends, head straight to Bairro Alto. Located west of the city center, at the top of a hill accessible by the Bica funicular, it is the young and festive neighborhood of Lisbon.

Unlike Baixa or Alfama, there are no historical sites per se. On the other hand, this neighborhood is full of bars, clubs, and restaurants, and attracts the youth of the capital. On weekends, students invade the area to let off steam.

Due to its youthful characteristic, the area has many hostels and apartments. If you absolutely seek the comfort of a hotel, you will have to opt for another neighborhood.

🎉 Nightlife 👥 With friends 💰 Moderate budget
Cais do Sodré Pink Street
Lively neighborhood

Cais do Sodré, atypical atmosphere

Located west of Commerce Square, Cais do Sodré is another lively place to stay in Lisbon. This is where you will find the famous Time Out Market, the food court set up within the Mercado da Ribeira, the largest covered market in Lisbon.

The Pink Street is another iconic attraction: this pink street on Rua Nova do Carvalho is lined with atypical bars and clubs. Unlike Bairro Alto which mainly attracts a young crowd, the atmosphere is a bit more mature in this neighborhood.

🍽️ Time Out Market 🌸 Pink Street 🍷 Mature atmosphere
🍽️ Book a guided food tour
Mouraria Lisbon
Multicultural neighborhood

Mouraria, elevated and quiet

The Mouraria neighborhood is located north of Lisbon, on one of the slopes of the Castelo São Jorge hill, on the other side of Alfama. From Martim Moniz square, the Graça funicular takes you to the heights of the neighboring Graça district.

A former ghetto, Mouraria is today a multicultural Moorish neighborhood: fado taverns rub shoulders with Asian restaurants and African shops. Tackle its small stairs to discover the Beco da Achada (one of the oldest houses in Lisbon) and the Livraria do Simão (the smallest bookstore in the city). Street art is omnipresent.

Martim Moniz Square is located in Mouraria: it is the starting point of Tram 28.

🌍 Multicultural 🎨 Street art 🚃 Tram 28 departure
🚃 Book your tickets for Tram 28
Belém Tower
Outside the center

Belém, quiet with family

If you are looking for a quiet place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, how about going to Belém? Located in the far west of Lisbon, this neighborhood is quieter and more residential than Baixa or Alfama.

You will nevertheless find two major flagship sites there: the Belém Tower, guardian of Lisbon at the entrance to the Tagus estuary, and the Jerónimos Monastery, a splendid building with Manueline architecture that houses the tomb of Vasco da Gama.

If you are traveling with your family, the neighborhood will be perfect. It is quiet, charming, and offers excellent value for money in terms of accommodation.

💡 Good to know: Since Belém is outside the center, you will often have to take public transport to reach other Lisbon sites. Having your own means of transport can be a real advantage.
🏰 Belém Tower 👨‍👩‍👧 Ideal for families 💰 Good value for money
🏰 Guided tour Belém Tower + Monastery (skip-the-line)
Alcantara Lisbon
Hipster neighborhood

Alcantara, the creative neighborhood

Look for accommodation in the Alcantara neighborhood to find the right compromise between Belém and the city center. East of Belém, Alcantara remains closer to the center.

Alcantara is a former industrial zone that has become trendy and very artistic. It's impossible to talk about this neighborhood without mentioning Lx Factory, the large creative complex located under the 25 de Abril Bridge, consisting of shops, restaurants, art studios, and a bookstore.

The neighborhood fascinates with the atmosphere it exudes: hipsters, geeks, and chic businessmen rub shoulders on the terraces. If you are passionate about art, Alcantara will please you.

🎨 Lx Factory 🖼️ Street art ☕ Trendy terraces
🎨 Lisbon street art walking tour
Intendente Lisbon
Chic neighborhood

Intendente, chic Lisbon

Once marginalized, Intendente has managed to transform itself into one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Lisbon. North of the capital, the place is still relatively untouristy. Ideal if you are looking for a quiet place.

By day, explore the pretty traditional houses, stroll through the green spaces, or brunch on elegant terraces. At night, Intendente comes alive with the buzz in prestigious bars and nightclubs.

✨ Renovated neighborhood 🍸 Elegant terraces 💎 Higher budget

Choosing where to stay

🗺️

First time in Lisbon

Consider central neighborhoods like Baixa, Bairro Alto or Alfama. You will be close to all the capital's major tourist sites.

👨‍👩‍👧

With family

Opt for apartments and guesthouses. Belém and Baixa are the most suitable neighborhoods thanks to their calmness and accessibility.

💰

Small budget

Belém remains the preferred neighborhood for the most attractive rates in Lisbon. The outlying neighborhoods also offer good value for money.

Save on your visits in Lisbon

Once you have decided where to stay, consider the Lisbon Card to visit the capital's must-sees at the best price!

Buy the Lisbon Card