Most people come to Lisbon for at least three days, so it makes sense to stay close to the city center—there’s a lot to see, and you don’t want to waste time getting around. We’ve put together a list of five-star hotels that keep you near Lisbon’s main sights. These are luxury hotels, but most aren’t especially expensive compared with other European capitals, which makes Lisbon a wonderful place to treat yourself. We focused on two neighborhoods: Baixa/Chiado, Lisbon’s downtown area, and Avenida, which is also considered part of the city center and is close to many of the must-see sights, though it feels a bit quieter.
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Three 5-star hotels in Baixa / Chiado
Baixa—roughly Lisbon’s “downtown”—is the flat, central part of the city center, centered around Praça do Comércio and the famous Rua Augusta Arch. This is the true heart of the city and Lisbon’s main tourist and transportation hub. For first-time visitors, it’s the preferred area to stay.
Chiado is even more central, with the city’s narrow, picturesque streets, beloved cafés, and sought-after restaurants all around it. In this area, you’ll find several five-star hotels, most of them urban properties in historic buildings with a relatively small number of rooms. Service is exceptional, and the interiors have been designed by some of Portugal’s top designers. Here are three five-star hotels in Baixa that we loved:
Check out our guide to the Baixa of Lisbon (central Lisbon)…
1. Montebelo Vista Alegre Lisboa Chiado Hotel
A hotel for travelers who want to stay in the very center of Lisbon’s center—in Chiado | Chaido. It’s especially well suited to couples spending a short time in the city and hoping to see as much as possible, while still returning each evening—and maybe even at midday—to a pampering room with wonderful service. The hotel is set in a grand old pale-blue townhouse that was recently renovated again and designed in a clean vintage style. The rooms aren’t large, but they’re not particularly small either—though that’s almost always the case in city hotels, especially ones in such a central location.
Praça Luís de Camões, a small and romantic square, is just steps away, with its long-established cafés. In fact, most of Baixa’s main sights, including Praça do Comércio, the Time Out Market food hall, and the Santa Justa Lift, are very close to the hotel. We liked the fact that you can rent bikes at the hotel and head out for an enjoyable ride, and we also loved the Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant, which serves excellent sushi, sashimi, and ceviche.
Click here to check availability and prices at Montebelo Vista Alegre Lisboa Chiado Hotel…
Click here for the full guide on where to stay in Lisbon…
2. The Ivens Autograph Collection – Probably the best!
This is probably the best hotel in Lisbon when you weigh location, service, and luxury together. It’s also in Chiado, the very center of central Lisbon, in a beautifully renovated 19th-century building with 87 rooms. Beyond the hotel’s perfect location, it also offers excellent facilities, led by a stunning lobby with dark wood paneling that gives it a classic, warm feel.
The real standout, though, is the bar—it’s worth visiting for the design alone. Still, once you get there, chances are you won’t resist sitting down for a cocktail or a good drink. The space is exquisitely designed, and everything is served with real class. Rooms follow clean design lines, and everything feels very comfortable. There’s close attention to even the smallest details here, along with excellent service, which is why it’s ideal for couples. The hotel is close to all of Baixa’s main attractions, though we’re not sure you’ll want to leave…
Click here to check room availability and prices at The Ivens…
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3. Áurea Museum by Eurostars Hotel Company
This hotel is in Alfama, a district known for its steep climbs. Even so, this particular property sits at the foot of the hill, right next to Baixa, facing the river and the cruise terminal. The Eurostars hotel is also near Lisbon Cathedral, with immediate access to Praça do Comércio, about a 7-minute walk away.
Prices here are usually more reasonable than at hotels right in Baixa, and one of the advantages is the larger rooms, some of which also have sea views. Set in a historic building, the hotel also includes a small museum displaying archaeological finds uncovered during construction, some of which are integrated into the hotel itself. It’s a very comfortable place to stay, the staff is kind, and the public spaces are relatively spacious.
Click here to check room availability and prices at Áurea Museum by Eurostars Hotel…
Click here for more information about Baixa, the center of Lisbon…
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Three 5-star hotels on Avenida
Avenida is the upper part of central Lisbon, reached by heading up from Rua Augusta, beginning around Rossio Square. Once you turn onto the boulevard and continue uphill, the area becomes quieter, and many of Lisbon’s luxury hotels are located here. These are a good fit for older couples as well as families looking for an area that feels a bit more comfortable and less crowded, while still offering immediate access to Lisbon’s lively center—Baixa, Bairro Alto, and Alfama.
We’ve prepared some information on several five-star hotels along Avenida da Liberdade that can help make your wonderful trip to Portugal’s capital even better:
Click here to search for hotels across Lisbon…
1. PortoBay Liberdade – near Eduardo VII Park
A hotel in a quiet area farther up Avenida, set in a stylish building. There’s a spa and a pool that also operates in winter. Service is excellent, and rates are usually more affordable than at hotels lower down in the city, in Baixa. It sits on a small, quiet street just off Avenida, yet right next to the boulevard and its metro station, making it easy to reach the city center. The hotel also has a restaurant and a rooftop area that’s especially pleasant in summer. Since it’s located on the northern stretch of the avenue, it’s also close to Eduardo VII Park.
Staying here feels a bit like staying in Salamanca in Madrid, where you can start the morning with a walk through El Retiro Park; here, you can do much the same in one of Lisbon’s greenest and loveliest parks. Reaching the sights in the city center is easy by public transportation or taxi/Uber. PortoBay is best suited to older couples looking for a quiet, green area, though it can also be a good option for families who want to stay somewhere a little less hectic.
Click here to check availability and prices at PortoBay Liberdade…
2. Altis Avenida Hotel
A hotel in an excellent location right by Rossio Square, directly across from Rossio’s main train station. It’s close and convenient to everything, making it a great choice for travelers who want to be in the middle of it all. You can also walk from here to Baixa and Chiado, since the hotel is at the beginning of Avenida. Its location also offers excellent public transportation connections, making it easy to travel to Sintra or Cascais, two of the leading destinations for day trips from Lisbon.
Set in an Art Deco building, the hotel has relatively spacious rooms designed in a vintage style with clean lines. It’s especially well known for its rooftop restaurant, which has wonderful views over the city, and it’s definitely worth having a meal or at least a drink there once during your stay.
Click here to check room availability and prices at Altis Avenida Hotel…
3. 138 Liberdade Hotel
A boutique hotel with a stylish, striking design. It sits in the middle of Avenida da Liberdade and offers large rooms. It’s a particularly good fit for couples, and the location keeps you very close to the center while still feeling less crowded and more relaxed.
Public transportation connections into the city are excellent, and you can also walk there—about 15 minutes to Chiado | Chiado. This is a classic city hotel where it’s easy to unwind each evening after a day of exploring the lively Portuguese capital. All around you’ll find restaurants, shopping options, and a neighborhood that’s pleasant to stroll through at any hour of the day or night.
Click here to check availability and prices at 138 Liberdade Hotel…
Click here for more information about Avenida da Liberdade in central Lisbon…
One 5-star hotel in Bairro Alto
Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel
This is a wonderful hotel in Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s main nightlife district. It’s located on the far side of Rossio train station, while the opposite side of the station already opens toward Rossio Square and Avenida da Liberdade. In that sense, the hotel sits right on the border between neighborhoods, though it still faces Bairro Alto, with its dense streets climbing the hill. The design is bright and vintage-inspired, and the rooms are relatively large. Prices are also fairly reasonable.
This hotel is especially well suited to younger couples, nightlife lovers, and foodies, since there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. Best of all, it’s right next to the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, where you can admire Lisbon from above—by day, by night, and as often as you like without making a special trip.
Click here to check availability and prices at Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel…
Click here for more information about Bairro Alto…
Click here for the full guide to Lisbon…
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Our tips for choosing a hotel in Lisbon
Hotel location – One important thing to remember when visiting Lisbon is that it’s a city built on steep hills. The public transportation system is designed to handle them, with elevators, funiculars, and escalators. Even so, especially on a first visit, it’s worth staying in flatter, more central areas such as Baixa and Avenida, mentioned above.
Hotel standard – In Portugal, there is a noticeable difference between hotel categories based on star ratings. That difference is reflected mainly in the level of luxury and facilities, not necessarily in the standard of service or sleep quality. As in other major cities, Lisbon offers a wide range of hotels at different levels and price points right in the heart of the tourist areas.
Most five-star hotels in Lisbon are set in renovated historic buildings that have been turned into elegant city hotels with a high level of service, though usually without many facilities. Then again, most people come to Lisbon for an active city break rather than time spent lounging at the hotel. That makes the facilities less important than staying in a central location, where you can easily return to a clean room in the afternoon to freshen up before heading back out for an evening in this wonderful city.
In any case, the hospitality experience in Portugal is usually excellent, largely because hotel staff tend to be very kind, patient, and genuinely willing to help. Guest accommodations in Portugal are also typically very clean and orderly, as that’s part of the local culture.
Supply and demand – As Portugal’s largest and most important city, Lisbon attracts visitors year-round. It has also become a highly sought-after destination in recent years, so there isn’t really a true off-season here—it stays busy and lively all year. Even so, the height of summer, in July and August, is the most expensive time to visit, since that’s peak vacation season across Europe and tourist traffic is at its highest.
Winter in Lisbon can be rainy, though much less so than in Porto, and on most dates the city is also more affordable in the colder season. That makes it a great opportunity to experience a European capital at more comfortable prices, with weather that is far milder than in the capitals of Northern and Western Europe. A stay in a five-star hotel in the city during this season can be wonderfully romantic. Just keep in mind that it will usually be cool, so pack suitable clothing and shoes.
Using Lisbon as a base for day trips – If you’re planning to travel by car from Lisbon to Cascais, Sintra, Óbidos, or even Évora—all of them popular day trip destinations from Lisbon—staying right in the city center would be a mistake, since getting into and out of central Lisbon is difficult, and most hotels don’t offer parking anyway. If you’re planning to make those trips by public transportation, however, staying in central Lisbon is absolutely worthwhile, especially in Baixa/Chiado, from where it’s particularly easy to reach Sintra and Cascais, as well as other nearby destinations.
