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When I first visited Lisbon, I immediately fell in love with it. Hilly, colorful, beautiful, and full of wonderful food \u2013 it was everything I wanted. And the fact that it was very inexpensive didn\u2019t hurt either. <\/p>\n
Even pre-COVID, Lisbon\u2019s<\/a> secret was out. Tourists flocked here in droves, and it became a magnet for digital nomads. While the crowds are greater and the prices higher post-COVID, Lisbon\u2019s charm hasn\u2019t been fully lost. The food scene is still excellent (and underrated if you ask me). The bars are lively. And the street scene is always intoxicatingly fun. <\/p>\n Plus, compared to other capitals in Europe<\/a>, Lisbon is still a bargain. <\/p>\n The city\u2019s 11 neighborhoods all have their own unique characteristics, providing visitors with a wide variety of locales to choose from. From achingly charming Alfama to the always-swinging Bairro Alto, there\u2019s something for everyone. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of seven neighborhoods with suggested accommodations for each:<\/p>\n Lisbon Neighborhood Overview<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Located beneath the walls of S\u00e3o Jorge (St. George) Castle, this hilly medieval district \u2014 one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon \u2014 actually means \u201cMoorish Quarter,\u201d because it was once where the Moors resided centuries ago. Today, it has a large Asian population, who go about their daily lives in a neighborhood that oozes charm and history: its winding cobblestone streets are flanked by medieval buildings. This area is also the birthplace of fado, a singular Portuguese genre of music that can best described as mesmeric and melancholy. <\/p>\n Best Places to Stay in Mouraria:<\/strong> <\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: This Is Lisbon Hostel<\/a> \u2013 A great name for a hostel in case you\u2019ve forgotten which city you are in. It has gender-separated rooms, free Wi-Fi, and great views of Lisbon, especially from the terrace. <\/p>\n MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Madalena<\/a> \u2013 Whether you have a street- or courtyard-facing view at this boutique hotel, it\u2019s going to be a pleasure for the eye. Some of the spacious rooms have balconies; all come with minibars, air conditioning, bathrobes, and in-room coffee and tea. The hotel refers to itself as a \u201cbeautique hotel\u201d \u2014 but don\u2019t let that turn you off. <\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Portugal Boutique Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This sleek boutique hotel has 52 blue-and-white rooms and suites; all come with a pillow menu (where you choose the firmness of your pillow), double-paned windows (for peace and quiet at night), an in-room safe, and free Wi-Fi. There\u2019s also 24-hour room service in case you get the munchies in the middle of the night. During non-nighttime hours, check out the in-house tapas bar or the wine cellar. There wasn\u2019t much to see here about three decades ago. Then the city deemed this eastern swath the home of Expo \u201998, otherwise known as the World\u2019s Fair, and the area was transformed into a modern, somewhat futuristic park. If you\u2019re into contemporary architecture, this is the place for you. If you\u2019re a traveling family, this is also the place for you. The area includes cable cars, Europe\u2019s<\/a> biggest aquarium, a waterfront promenade (with lots of great public art), and an interactive science museum. It\u2019s also very quiet here. <\/p>\n The Best Places to Stay in Parque das Na\u00e7\u00f5es<\/strong>:<\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: Oriente DNA Studios<\/a> \u2013 Affordable, clean, and comfortable, Oriente\u2019s rooms are also pretty basic. Unique perks, though, include a barbecue area. So BYOM (bring your own meat) and start cooking. <\/p>\n MIDRANGE<\/strong>: VIP Executive Arts Hotel<\/a> \u2013 If you like your hotels crammed with contemporary art, this is your home in Lisbon. Also, for non-biz travelers, don\u2019t be put off by the \u201cVIP\u201d and \u201cExecutive\u201d in the title, either: the comfortable rooms and suites are great for small families, and all rooms have lovely views of the river and\/or park. <\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Myriad<\/a> \u2013 This five-star hotel began life as a lookout tower. But Vasco de Gama Tower now doubles as a luxury hotel. And what a nice one it is! All rooms have incredible views, with in-room espresso machines, plush bathrobes, and bathtubs with massage jets. The hotel also offers babysitting services. Literally meaning High or Upper Neighborhood, Bairro Alto oozes with tranquil Portuguese charm. Once the sun goes down, though, the party starts \u2014 especially on Friday and Saturday nights, when there are street parties galore. Tiny bars spill out onto the sidewalks, candle-lit eateries serve up local staples, and people everywhere are just in party mode. <\/p>\n During the day, come for the outstanding viewpoints and the awe-inducing Baroque churches. At night, come to wander the narrow 16th-century streets and do a street party crawl. But don\u2019t wear out the soles of your shoes \u2014 jump on the classic funicular (cable car, one of several the city is known for) up or down the hill.<\/p>\n The Best Places to Stay in Bairro Alto<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nNeighborhood\n<\/div>\n\nBest For\n<\/div>\n\nBest Hotel\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMouraria\n<\/div>\n\nHistory\n<\/div>\n\nMadalena<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nParque das Na\u00e7\u00f5es\n<\/div>\n\nFamilies\n<\/div>\n\nVIP Executive Arts Hotel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBairro Alto\n<\/div>\n\nPartying\n<\/div>\n\nA Casa das Janelas com Vista<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAlfama\n<\/div>\n\nCharm\n<\/div>\n\nS\u00e3o Vicente Alfama<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCais do Sodr\u00e9\n<\/div>\n\nFoodies\n<\/div>\n\nLX Boutique Hotel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBel\u00e9m\n<\/div>\n\nMuseum Lovers\n<\/div>\n\nHotel Jer\u00f3nimos 8<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAvenida da Liberdade\n<\/div>\n\nShopping\n<\/div>\n\nAlegria A<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBaixa and Rossio\n<\/div>\n\nBudget Travelers\n<\/div>\n\nBrown\u2019s Downtown Hotel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\nSee More hotels<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Where to Stay for History: Mouraria<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Families: Parque das Na\u00e7\u00f5es<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Partying: Bairro Alto<\/a><\/h3>\n
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