We love this city for year-round breaks, whether you’re into street art or ornate tiles, designer shopping or flea markets, fine dining or café culture. Lisbon really does have something for everyone (it’s even great for a family city break), and obviously that includes some super cool hotels.
FOR A SLICE OF THE ACTION
Brown’s Central Hotel, Chiado
This hip boutique hotel is a great base close to all of the city’s sights and the metro. It’s right on the busy shopping streets which are teeming with bars, cafes and restaurants. Inside, the vibe is mellow and the décor is filled with bright velvet sofas, fun art and design books. A great, easy option for couples and groups of friends.
Prices start at £107 per night
FOR STYLISH SELF-CATERING
Baixa House, Baixa
These light and bright apartments (sleeping 1-7) are surrounded by boutiques and buzzy restaurants in the trendy Baixa district. They’re a beautiful mismatch of old and new. Original features sit alongside quirky furnishings, and large shuttered windows let in bags of light. Breakfast, a homemade cake and daily cleaning are included in the rate. And friendly staff are on-hand if you need them, to give their insider recommendations for getting the most out of your visit.
Prices start at £98 per night
FOR ADULTS ONLY PEACE (& A ROOFTOP POOL)
Memmo Alfama, Alfama
Memmo Alfama sits on an orange tree-lined cobbled street in Lisbon’s oldest district. Once a factory, the building has been carefully renovated to create a minimalist adults-only haven. The 42 rooms have beech-wood floors and a calming colour palette, with beds piled high with pillows. A framed fado LP sits in each room to remind guests that Alfama is the home of Portuguese folk music. The pièce de résistance is the rooftop pool and bar, with mesmerising views over the jumble of rooftops.
Prices start at £193 per night
FOR EXTRA PARENTING
Bairro Alto Hotel, Bairro Alto
This is an indulgent option in the heart of Lisbon’s artistic quarter, the kind of place where a porter will swoop on your luggage as soon as you walk in. The glam rooms have high ceilings, rich fabrics and luxurious bathrooms. The bar terrace offers cocktails with a long river view, while the hotel’s Restaurante Flores do Bairro serves up modern Portuguese fare. A cool crowd are drawn to the bar at weekends when DJs take up residence.
Prices start at £168 per night
FOR A TASTE OF AUTHENTIC PORTUGAL
Casa Amora, Amoreiras
This 10-room guesthouse is in a peaceful neighbourhood 20-minutes’ walk from the city centre. It’s an ideal spot if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle at the end of a busy day or for return visitors to the city who want to explore new corners. Owner Luis has created a charming city haven where contemporary décor meets Portuguese heritage in the rooms. The lavish breakfasts are full of Lisbon delicacies – yum!
Prices start at £94 per night
TOP TIPS FOR LISBON
• Drop by a cosy little tasca (bar) to discover the delights of ginginha, a cherry liqueur: the aptly named 'A Ginginha' in Rossio is a favourite
• When in Belém, be sure to eat a custard tart sprinkled with cinnamon from the famous bakery, Pastéis de Belém; they are a national delicacy
• For the best shops in town, head to Avenida Liberdada, the capital’s main street. The Fashion Clinic is the place to go for all the designer names
• Don’t miss the famous Mercado da Ribiera in Chiado. Once a simple produce market, it’s more of a sophisticated food court these days, with canteen-style communal tables and food by some of Portugal's top chefs. Great for lunch and buying food to self-cater.
• If the city’s beautiful architecture inspires you to learn more about Portuguese tiles, head to the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, where you’ll find examples from the 15th century onwards, together with modern interpretations.
August 2017