﻿Are you going on a trip to Lisbon and don’t know where to stay? I’ll tell you right off the
bat that you should stay in one of the six neighborhoods that I'm about to tell you.
Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, Cais do Sodré, and Belem
especially if this is your first time visiting Lisbon.
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Without a doubt, the most central and vibrant neighborhood to stay in Lisbon is Baixa.
Baixa is a neighborhood that stretches
from the commerce square and the riverfront where a lot of major travel attractions are,
all the way up to the Rossio square.
Staying in this area means you have everything you need within walking distance.
You’ll have plenty of options for food, shopping
and sightseeing and an easy access to everywhere, even beyond Lisbon like Sintra.
To give you an idea, this is what your day will look like if you stay in this area.
You can start the day with a shot of Ginjinha, which is Portuguese liquor, right here,
walk down the busy Rossio square like locals, walk a little bit more, take photos in front
of the Santa Justa Lift, a photogenic elevator that was built for the hilly Lisbon more than
100 years ago, stroll down the bustling main street, The Rua Augusta, that is filled with
tourist-focused shops, outdoor dining and cafes. Finally when you arrive at the Commerce Square,
major sightseeing begins. You can do all of these activities pretty much on foot just in the morning.
Baixa is also surrounded by Alfma and Chiao districts, both of which are the other
prime neighborhoods for sightseeing. In other words, you can’t really go wrong with Baixa,
except there’s one downside, which is that it can be a little bit of a hassle sometimes.
You know the crowds and the busy vibe don’t sit well with certain people.
So here’s what I suggest. If you’re going to Lisbon for a short period of time like less than 2 days,
and if you’re a solo traveler, I suggest you should stay in Baixa, because it will ensure
you have a safe and convenient trip. On the other hand, if you’re a couple and going to Lisbon for
several days on your vacation, Baixa might not be your first choice. But don’t worry, I know just
the right neighborhood for you: Chiado.
I can tell you this with confidence,
because I stayed in Chiado for my trip to Lisbon and I absolutely enjoyed it.
Chiado is the so-called bohemian part of Lisbon.
Here, you can find quaint streets filled with
small cafes, restaurants and interesting shops. At the same time, you’re so close to
Baixa district, and all the major attractions are within your reach, such as Carmo Convent
and Santa Justa Lift. Not to mention that you will have the best view of Lisbon in Chiado.
People say the Castle Gorge viewpoint has the best view of Lisbon,
and I don’t disagree with that. However, if you ask me what was the most memorable view of Lisbon
I have to say it’s the view right here. I’m standing right next to the Carmo Convent,
which is the historical ruins of a medieval church that was destroyed by the earthquake in 1755.
Behind me in the distance is the St George Castle on top of a hill,
and the Santa Justa lift can be seen on the right. You can also look down at the lower Baixa streets.
This spot has everything that is quintessentially Lisbon like the hills, the earthquake and the history
and the revival of the city. And I was lucky because I stayed just a couple blocks from here.
So I stayed in an airbnb apartment in Chiado. A lot of people ask me about the airbnb, so here’s a
quick tour to the apartment to give you an idea.
It was a one-bedroom apartment that came with a spacious livingroom,
full kitchen, bathroom and a small balcony.
We paid $150 per night including all the fees.
Considering the great location and the space we had, I think we got a good deal.
I especially enjoyed having the balcony, which is quite typical for apartments
in Lisbon. I felt like I was experiencing the locals' way of living. It was nice to take a break
from sightseeing and relax and recharge sitting on this balcony. If you are interested in this place,
I linked their website down below.
Although Chiado is my top choice,
there is one downside. The hills. If you stay in Chiado, you can’t avoid walking up and down hills.
Although I didn’t mind the hills at all personally, because it's great workout,
I know for some people, this could be a deal breaker.
Also, it’s not just that some streets are steep
but all streets are quite slippery and narrow.
So I strongly recommend you bring comfortable shoes with a good grip if you’re coming to Lisbon.
Other than the hills, I think Chiado is absolutely a great neighborhood to stay in and I can’t recommend it enough.
Next neighborhood I recommend is Alfama district.
This neighborhood is perfect for people who want
to experience living in the most authentic and oldest residential town in Lisbon.
This town has been home for fishermen and working class people for a long time.
And you must have seen this cute yellow tram
that has become the icon of Lisbon.
This famous no. 28 tram winds through Alfama.
And the St. George Castle, where you can have the great view of Lisbon,
is also in this district. And have you heard of Fado? It’s a traditional Portuguese folk music,
usually with a sad and melancholy tune, and it was also formed in Alfama.
Alfama is a charming neighborhood where
you can get lost in the maze-like streets. So if you’re into mingling with locals,
excited about discovering the hidden paths and willing to try something new that is out of your comfort zone,
Alfama will be the most attractive neighborhood for you.
Speaking of attractive neighborhoods, if you’re going to Lisbon to stay out late and party,
for example, if this is your bachelorette or bachelor party, you probably want to stay in
Cais do Sodré. Known as Pink Street, the former redlight district in this neighborhood, is now
a great neighborhood for nightlife. Old brothels have been replaced with new bars and restaurants.
And Time Out Market Lisbon opened in 2014 in a former wholesale marketplace in this neighborhood,
now attracting a lot of people. Also, its proximity to the Tagus river provides a nice place to
walk and an easy access to ferries. If you have time, I recommend you take the ferry to Almada,
a city right across Lisbon, on the other side of the Tagus river. Here, you can visit the Sanctuary
of Christ the King and Ponto Final, a popular seafood restaurant with a view of Lisbon.
On the other hand, if you’re going to Lisbon on a business trip, or if you’re planning
to travel outside Lisbon by car, you should consider staying near Parque Eduardo VII.
This area is full of high rise office buildings and hotels that are suitable for business trips
offering breakfast and good rates.
You also have this nice tree-lined street full of luxury stores to stroll around, and fine
restaurants to dine out. Also if you’re planning to drive out of Lisbon, you will find
many car rental companies in this neighborhood.
Last, but not least, if you’re
traveling with a family and children, or if your main focus is seeing historic sites and museums,
I recommend that you stay in the Belem area. Located at the mouth of Tagus river,
It’s a little far from the Baixa area, but easily accessible to major attractions by
inexpensive 10-minute uber ride or public transportations. Also this town alone has
a plenty of attractions for you to visit
including some of the most historical and significant attractions tsuch as Belem Tower,
Monument to the Discoveries, Jeronimos Monastery, Pasteis de Belem and National
Coach museum.
Aside from having a number of great museums,
Belem also offers spacious public parks and the beautiful waterfront.
So which neighborhoods do you see yourself staying in?
Please let me know in the comments below.
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