Where to stay in Lisbon: the best areas for your trip

In short: for a first visit, stay in Baixa or Chiado. For charm, Alfama; for nightlife, Bairro Alto or Cais do Sodré; for peace and quiet, Príncipe Real or Belém. Lisbon is very hilly: flat, central Baixa is the most comfortable if you want to avoid climbs.

Understanding Lisbon in two minutes

Lisbon tumbles down its hills towards the Tagus. In the centre, Baixa, flat and laid out on a grid, runs from Rossio square to Praça do Comércio on the riverfront. To the west, up the hill, come Chiado, then Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real; to the east, Alfama climbs towards São Jorge Castle. To the north, Avenida da Liberdade leads to the modern districts. West along the Tagus lies Belém with its monuments; to the east, the contemporary Parque das Nações.

The metro, historic trams (including the famous no. 28), buses, elevators and funiculars help you tackle the hills.

The right area for your trip

First visit: Baixa and Chiado

• Baixa: flat, central and well connected (metro, trams, trains to Sintra from Rossio). Everything is on foot: Alfama, Chiado and the Tagus. Busy during the day, quieter at night.
• Chiado: elegant, with historic cafés, theatres and bookshops, just above Baixa. Ideal for a first visit as a couple.

For charm: Alfama

Lisbon’s oldest district, with stepped lanes, miradouros (viewpoints) and fado houses. Very picturesque, but steep and hard to reach by car: travel light and bring good shoes. Accommodation is often small apartments in old buildings.

Nightlife: Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré

At night, Bairro Alto turns into a huge bar district, very lively and noisy until late. Cais do Sodré, on the riverfront, mixes bars, a food hall (Time Out Market) and the train station for Cascais. Perfect for going out, less so for early nights.

Calm and elegance: Príncipe Real and Avenida da Liberdade

Príncipe Real is an upscale, peaceful area with gardens, designer boutiques and handsome buildings, a few minutes’ walk from Bairro Alto. Along Avenida da Liberdade, a wide, flat boulevard, you will find many hotels, well connected by metro.

With kids: Belém and Parque das Nações

Belém, on the Tagus, is calm and spacious, close to the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the famous pastéis. Parque das Nações, modern and flat, has the Oceanário, long promenades and Oriente station, a few metro stops from the airport.

On a budget and local life: Graça, Mouraria, Arroios

Up on the hills, Graça offers great viewpoints and a neighbourhood feel; multicultural Mouraria is the birthplace of fado. Further north, Arroios is lively and well connected by metro, with accommodation that is often more affordable.

Getting to Lisbon

Humberto Delgado Airport is close to the centre: the metro’s red line links it to the city, with a change to reach Baixa. For timetables and fares, check the official websites. A private transfer takes you straight to your accommodation, handy with luggage in the hilly districts.

Our booking tips

1. Check the terrain: an address “10 minutes’ walk away” can hide a steep climb.
2. Book early for summer and for the Santo António festivities in June, which are very popular.
3. Allow for the municipal tourist tax, charged per person per night; the amount is shown when you book.
4. Check for a lift in old buildings, and air conditioning in summer.
5. Choose free cancellation when it is offered.

Once you’re there

To plan your days, see our guide Things to do in Lisbon. The areas, practical information and useful services are on our Lisbon page.