Lisbon Hotels

Lisbon Hotels

Vibrant, vivacious Lisbon is a thrilling destination for visitors of all persuasions. At first glance, Europe’s second-oldest capital city is a beguiling time-warp, with rickety trams hurtling down cobbled streets, past whitewashed houses and medieval churches. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a thriving, modern metropolis, with world-class shopping, cutting-edge nightclubs, and a sophisticated restaurant scene. With gorgeously warm summers and famously mild winters, it’s the perfect choice for an action-packed getaway at any time of year.

Things to see

Many visitors begin their walking tour of Lisbon with a leisurely stroll through the winding streets of Bairro Alto. This romantic, atmospheric district, which dates back to the 16th century, springs to life each evening, when locals gather outside their favourite bars to enjoy drinks on cobbled terraces, and tourists flock to the famous Fado houses to hear beautiful traditional Portuguese folk music. Rossio Square is another perennially popular meeting spot. With an imposing bronze statue of King Dom Pedro IV as its centrepiece, this elegant plaza is the perfect spot to relax with a coffee and watch Lisboners go about their daily business. The Cristo Rei statue is one of Lisbon’s most iconic sights. Inspired by the huge Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, this dramatic landmark towers over the city skyline. Take a trip up to the top, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views.

Hotels in Lisbon

As you might expect from a major world city, there’s an abundance of hotels in Lisbon to suit every budget and preference, from palatial 5-star institutions to friendly backpacker hostels. The city’s finest hotels are truly world-class affairs, replete with decadent amenities such as full service health spas, state-of-the-art fitness centres, indoor pools, and 24-hour room service. You’ll also find charming boutique hotels housed in stunning period buildings, bursting with local character. There are plenty of competitively-priced mid-range hotels, boasting modern facilities including flat-screen TVs and business centres. Lisbon is also a great choice for a budget break, with bargain-rate hotels offering you free breakfasts, coffee and tea making facilities, and WiFi as part of your room rate.

Where to stay

You’ll find a wealth of accommodation to choose from in Baixa, Lisbon’s thriving downtown. Famed for its stunning Neoclassical architecture, this district is packed with chic pavement cafés, tempting pastry shops, and lively street vendors touting all manner of quirky souvenirs. If you’re looking to combine city sightseeing with a more restful break, Central Cascais is a fantastic alternative. Just 30 minutes by car from central Lisbon, this charming coastal town also puts you within easy reach of some truly beautiful beaches. Sintra is another popular nearby destination. Surrounded by dense, lush forest, this fairytale village is home to the magnificent Pena National Palace, an incredible fusion of eclectic architectural styles which dates back to the Romantic era.

How to get to Lisbon

Lisbon Portela Airport is Portugal’s largest airport, well served by daily flights from European cities such as London, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid and Rome, as well as long-hall destinations including New York, Dubai and Rio de Janeiro. From the airport, it’s a 25-minute Metro ride to Lisbon city centre, or you can take one of the frequent airport shuttle buses. Taxis are also widely available, although reports of visitors being overcharged are fairly common. Alternatively, Lisbon can be easily reached by bus or train from most major Portuguese cities.