Find the best area to stay in Lisbon: Baixa, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Lapa and Belém. Parking tips, hotel ideas, prices and easy ways to save.
Before you book a place in Lisbon, answer three honest questions. Otherwise you’ll chase a “dream view” and end up with a view of… a wall and somebody else’s air conditioner.
1) What matters more: the view or the price?
If you want that postcard Lisbon window (Tagus River, red roofs, old town vibes), be ready to pay for the romance. If you just want a solid base to sleep, shower and roam – focus on reviews, location and transport.
2) Do you need parking?
If you’re traveling with a car, parking isn’t a “nice extra” – it’s survival. If you’re car-free, delete this quest and choose by vibe + walkability.
3) Comfort level: “I just need a bed” or “I want it to feel nice”?
Breakfast, quiet nights, an elevator, AC, a decent shower – these small things decide whether you’re having a vacation or a “reality acceptance workshop”.
For us (Tanya and me), Lisbon was a stop on the way to Algarve beaches, plus we planned day trips – so we rented a car. And that’s when Lisbon’s parking storyline kicked in.
Parking in Lisbon: it exists… but not always for you
Lisbon has parking, yes. But not every hotel that says “parking available” actually means their own parking – or parking you can access anytime.
My rule: on Booking, use the “parking” filter, then read the fine print like you’re signing a mortgage. Check:
- where the parking is (on-site or partner garage),
- how far it is,
- and what time it closes.
In central areas, many places partner with nearby garages. Sounds fine until you arrive after 23:00 and discover you can’t enter anymore. We had exactly that: we arrived around 23:30 and I had to leave the car on the street for one night. Luckily, we found a spot.
Bottom line: don’t just check “parking: yes”. Check what kind and until what time.
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Lisbon isn’t a “see the center in one afternoon and leave” kind of city. It doesn’t have one single mega-center with everything. It’s more like a collection of historic neighborhoods – each with its own Lisbon.
- Minimum: 3 days
- Comfortable: 4–5 days (so you’re not running on tourist batteries)
- Possible in 2 days: yes, if you’re doing a city marathon powered by caffeine. Fun? Debatable.
Best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon
Baixa: the most logical base (especially for first-timers)
Baixa is the popular, practical choice. You pick convenience over drama and get a walkable, central base.
Why it works
- It’s a real center. You can walk to most major sights.
- Tons of accommodation for different budgets.
- Perfect if you’re “in the city, not in the room”: sleep, shower, go explore.
What you might not love
- The vibe is more “flat” than Alfama (old-town chaos) or Bairro Alto (nightlife).
- Being lower down, your view is often “street or square”.
- Food scene is ok, but for more buzz you’ll walk to Bairro Alto or Alfama.
Best for: budget travelers, first visits, people who plan to walk a lot and don’t want to overpay for a view.
Where I stayed (Baixa)
Pensao Praca Da Figueira
Travessa Nova de São Domingos Nº 9 2º Esq., 1100-372 Lisbon
(near Praça da Figueira, Rossio Square, Santa Justa Lift)
Half the rooms face Praça da Figueira, others face a quieter street. Right by the entrance there’s a super local, cheap restaurant – locals eat there, and a decent lunch is around €8. Two people can eat for roughly €10 if you’re not trying to impress Michelin.
Parking: the hotel has a deal with a garage about a 2-minute drive away – €10. There’s also an underground paid parking at Praça da Figueira – about €18/night. Breakfast was included and honestly fine for three days.
Friends’ recommendations (central)
- Hotel Florescente (near Restauradores / Rossio)
No private parking; public parking nearby around €15. - Casa da Baixa – Jules & Madeline
Parking available around €15. - Hotel Mundial 4* (near Martim Moniz / close to São Jorge Castle area)
Free parking. Big bonus: a rooftop terrace with great city views. Also close to tram #28 routes. - Browns Boutique Hotel
Nice option; in season around €80 (depending on dates).
Lapa: quiet, classy, and built for views
Lapa is one of Lisbon’s more prestigious neighborhoods – elegant residential buildings, mostly pricier hotels, and a few charming pensions that don’t destroy your budget. It sits uphill (above Bairro Alto), so yes – the views are the point.
Best for: travelers who prefer peace and comfort over crowds and commuting office vibes, and who want a balcony view that actually delivers.
Options
- Pensão Londres 53
Cozy, relatively affordable, panoramic Lisbon views. About 10 minutes to the метро. €60–100 for a double. - Lapa Palace 4*
Luxury territory. From €300+ per double room per night.
Alfama: the “real Lisbon” postcard (with stairs)
If you want the most “Lisbon Lisbon”, it’s Alfama. Narrow streets, staircases, laundry lines, and the feeling you’ve stepped into an unfiltered postcard.
But beauty comes with cardio. You’ll be going up or down – on foot, tram, or taxi. Alfama is perfect if you want to slow down, sit with coffee, and actually live in Lisbon instead of just ticking sights.
Downside: it’s usually pricier than Baixa – but you’re paying for atmosphere.
Stay idea
- Solar do Castelo 2* (near São Jorge Castle)
Great location, not cheap. Around €160–200 per double per night.
Bairro Alto: calm by day, party by night
Bairro Alto borders Baixa and has a double life. Daytime can feel quiet, but in the evening it turns into Lisbon’s social zone: bars, cafés, restaurants, lights, people.
You can climb up from Baixa via the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) area. It’s uphill, so many places come with classic roof-and-street views.
Heads-up: eating and drinking here is often more expensive – it’s touristy, and businesses know it.
Best for: travelers who want to stay central and step into nightlife without planning logistics.
Belem: amazing to visit, questionable as a base
Belém is more “half-day trip” than “where I’d stay”. You come for Lisbon’s heavy hitters:
- Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)
- Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)
It’s calmer at night, and you’ll still commute to the main walking neighborhoods for that classic Lisbon vibe. So I’d treat Belém as an excursion, not a base.
How to get there from the center
From Praça do Comércio, take:
- tram #15 to Belém (about 20 minutes), or
- buses #727, #28, #729, #714, #751 (often a bit cheaper).
Best plan: morning in Belém, afternoon back to the center, evening where Lisbon actually glows and pretends nobody works tomorrow.
Where to book + how to save (simple, no drama)
Accommodation
Booking is the easiest way to find a solid place: pick a neighborhood, read reviews, and avoid playing “photo vs reality roulette”.
Cheaper without suffering
Traveling as a couple/family/friends? Book apartments: a kitchen saves money, and more space saves relationships.
Car rental for Portugal
LocalRent works well if you want freedom and clear conditions (often with no deposit options, and fewer “surprise moments”).
Flights
Aviasales helps compare flights fast: cheaper vs faster vs more convenient – pick what matters to you.
Short wrap-up
If you want maximum convenience, choose Baixa. If you want nightlife nearby, Bairro Alto is your friend. If you want postcard Lisbon and don’t mind stairs, go Alfama. If you want quiet comfort and views, pick Lapa. And Belém? Visit it, love it, then return to the center.
And if you have a car: don’t trust “parking available” blindly. Check the details, the location, and the hours – Lisbon doesn’t forgive late-night surprises.
Mini FAQ (the important stuff)
How many days in Lisbon is enough?
3 days minimum, 4–5 days ideal.
Best neighborhood for a first visit?
Baixa – central, walkable, practical.
Most atmospheric area to stay?
Alfama – old-town postcard vibes (plus stairs).
Where to stay for bars and evening life?
Bairro Alto – daytime calm, nighttime energy.
Should I stay in Belém?
Better to visit for a half day, not as your main base.
If I’m driving, do I really need parking?
Yes. And you must check what kind of parking it is and whether you can enter late.
How do I save on accommodation?
Apartment + kitchen, book early, and don’t overpay for views unless the view is your whole plan.
