Where to stay in Lisbon: the short answer
For a first visit, stay in the Baixa or Chiado. Both sit in the center, close to the metro and to the tram stops, and you can walk to the river and the main squares. Choose Alfama for atmosphere, Príncipe Real or the Avenida da Liberdade for a quieter, more elegant base, Belém if you mainly want the monuments, and Parque das Nações if you want the Oceanário and a modern district.
This page compares areas by location and transport. We do not name hotels or list room prices, because rates change by season and the city has many options in every area.
Lisbon neighborhoods compared
Location and transport for each area. Hills matter more than distance on the map.
| Area | Location | Transport | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baixa | Grid of streets in the valley between Rossio and the Praça do Comércio | Metro stations Rossio, Baixa-Chiado and Terreiro do Paço | First visits, short stays, walking |
| Chiado | Between the Baixa and the Bairro Alto, near the Carmo convent | Tram 28 at Praça Luís de Camões | Central stays, evenings out |
| Alfama | Old town on the slope below the castle, steps and alleys | Tram 28, buses, on foot | Atmosphere, fado, early sightseeing |
| Príncipe Real | Hill district near the Bairro Alto with the Jardim do Príncipe Real | – | A quieter, residential base |
| Avenida da Liberdade | Wide avenue from Restauradores to Marquês de Pombal | Metro blue line | A wide avenue, shopping, a calm base |
| Belém | West on the river, with the monastery, tower and museums | Tram 15E and the Cascais line | Travelers who mainly want Belém |
| Parque das Nações | Modern district in the east on the Tagus, with the Oceanário | Metro Oriente (red line), about 15 minutes to the center | Families, the aquarium |
Lisbon tours and day trips
Walking and tuk-tuk tours, river cruises, fado evenings and day trips to Sintra, with live prices and availability.
The neighborhoods in detail
What it is like to sleep and walk in each area.
Baixa
The checkerboard lower town runs from Rossio to the Praça do Comércio. It is the most central base and the easiest for arrivals, as the airport metro connects via the red and green lines. The Santa Justa lift here is closed at present.
Chiado
Chiado sits between the Baixa and the Bairro Alto. You have the tram stop at Praça Luís de Camões and the Largo do Carmo close by. The streets climb, so a room near the Baixa end saves effort.
Alfama
Alfama is the old town under the castle, with stairs, alleys and fado. It is lively in the evening and loud in festival season. Expect steps and narrow lanes with luggage.
Alfama guide →Príncipe Real
A hill district beside the Bairro Alto, centered on the Jardim do Príncipe Real. With the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars closed, plan to walk uphill or take a tram or bus.
Avenida da Liberdade
The avenue has a wide layout and a metro line on the blue route. It is also the route of the Marchas parade on the night of 12 June. Book early for that week.
Belém
The district holds the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Padrão and MAAT. It is far from the nightlife of the center, but the tram 15E and the Cascais line connect it.
Belém Tower →Parque das Nações
The modern district on the Tagus is the home of the Oceanário. It is about 15 minutes by metro from the center, according to the aquarium.
Lisbon tourist tax
Lisbon charges a tourist tax of €4 per person and night. It applies for up to seven nights, which makes a maximum of €28 per person, and only from the age of 13. It covers hotels and Alojamento Local (registered short-term rentals) in the city. The tax has been €4 since 1 September 2024, when it rose from €2.
Some guests are exempt, for example people having medical treatment and students during the first 60 days of the study year. Check how the price you see online treats the tax, as it is not always shown in the room rate.
How to choose
Four simple questions.
How long do you stay?
For two or three nights, use the Baixa or Chiado and see the city on foot. For longer stays, a calmer area such as Príncipe Real or the Avenida da Liberdade can be pleasant.
How do you arrive?
From the airport, take the red metro line. Aeroporto to Saldanha takes about 20 minutes. Change in Alameda for the green line to Baixa-Chiado.
Airport to city →How much do you walk uphill?
With most lifts closed, the Baixa in the valley and the wide Avenida da Liberdade are easier than the hills of Alfama or the Bairro Alto.
When do you visit?
Around 12 and 13 June the Santo António festival fills the city and brings noise to Alfama and Graça. Book early for that week.
Best time to visit →Plan the rest of your trip
Useful pages once you have a base.
Where to stay in Lisbon: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Lisbon for a first visit?
The Baixa or Chiado. Both are central, in or beside the valley, and linked by metro and tram.
How much is the tourist tax in Lisbon?
€4 per person and night, for up to seven nights, so €28 at most. It applies from the age of 13 and covers hotels and Alojamento Local.
Is Alfama a good place to stay?
It is atmospheric and close to the castle, but it has steps and narrow streets and can be loud, especially during the June festivals.
Can I stay near the Belém monuments?
Yes. Belém is on tram 15E and the Cascais line. It is quiet in the evening, so it suits visitors who mainly come for the monuments.
Do I need to stay near the funiculars?
No. As of October 2026 the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars and the Santa Justa lift are closed, and only the Graça funicular runs. Choose a base you can reach on foot, by tram or by bus.