13 best hotels in Lisbon, Portugal

As Lisbon’s popularity among travelers grows, so does the number of top-notch hotels that open in the city.

Portugal’s capital — once among Europe’s most under-the-radar destinations — is now one of the most sought-after. Just check your Instagram feed; it might seem like every traveler you know has fallen in love with its striking azulejo-festooned architecture, the deliciously flaky pastel de nata and the impossibly hilly urban terrain. And let’s not forget the nightlife scene that spills out into the streets to create one of the liveliest after-hours vibes you can find on the old continent.

And for every reason that Lisbon has seduced contemporary travelers, there’s a fantastic hotel to match. Whether you’re a luxury traveler looking for a grande dame, a history enthusiast interested in heritage architecture (maybe an old palace?) or an aesthete in search of a design-forward boutique crash pad, Lisbon has something that will impress and inspire you.

Here our favorite hotels in Portugal’s capital.

It doesn’t matter where you go, the Four Seasons is always going to be among the best hotels in that destination. But in Portugal, it’s on purpose. The original building was opened as a hotel in 1959 by former Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar with the intention of gifting Lisbon a luxury hotel like you would see in any European capital. And that ambition is still visible today: The interiors of the property are divine. You’ll find gilded relief panels, heavy, ornate tapestries and gorgeous furniture that were all specifically designed for the original hotel.

A recent renovation updated the 282 guest rooms and suites with a more modern look and feel. There is an elegant midcentury modern style throughout that complements the history of the property. But it’s really the public spaces where the Ritz (as the locals call it) excels.

First, the best hotel breakfast in the country is here. The spread is massive and typically includes a fabulous mix of local delicacies, fresh fruits and international dishes. The entire on-site food scene in general is top-notch: Cura by chef Pedro Pena Basto joined the hotel in 2020 and won a Michelin star a year later. And the weekend brunch is so extravagant that it’s become as iconic as the hotel as far as locals are concerned.

The fitness and wellness program here is similarly world-class. The rooftop gym is massive — there’s an outdoor running track circling it. The basement-level spa has a gorgeous indoor pool and a whole litany of saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis.

Rates at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon start at $845 per night.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, what makes Hotel das Amoreiras, which just opened in 2022, a true standout is the modest but mindful stay it offers. Owner Pedro Oliveira was, along with his wife, Alicia Valera, very hands-on with the opening of the hotel, from the conceptualization to the design to the construction. In fact, there are many items throughout the hotel that come from Oliveira’s personal collection of art and decor, like the framed painting of Lisbon that sits directly in the small hotel lobby — a gift from his artist father when Oliveira moved from Portugal to Switzerland to go to school.

It’s these moments of quiet discovery that define the Hotel das Amoreiras stay. The 19 rooms are designed to be tranquil retreats thanks to a sleek palette of cream, green and mahogany punctuated with lively ikat patterns and gilded surfaces. It’s a cozy property, for sure, as there’s not much else to the list of amenities except the sweet ground-floor breakfast lounge and bar. The menu is a tightly curated selection of eggs, pastries (there’s a fantastic banana bread) and sides (such as roasted sweet potato) that are both familiar and unexpected. You can take your meal or beverage in the adjacent courtyard, too, which was designed around a centuries-old olive tree.

Its location, overlooking a small garden just on the outskirts of both Principe Real and Campo de Ourique, is perfect for travelers who have been to Lisbon before and are eager to explore less obvious pockets of the city. It’s quiet, charming and unexpected — just like the hotel.

Rates at Hotel das Amoreiras start at $220 per night.

When Bairro Alto Hotel first opened in 2005, it touted itself as the city’s first luxury boutique hotel. A lot has changed since, including the hotel, which took on a comprehensive three-year makeover that was completed in 2019. It’s retained some of the sweet whimsy that made it so popular in the first place, but it’s just a lot grander now. It’s bigger, too. Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura was tasked with the renovation, during which three adjacent 18th-century buildings were acquired, raising the room count from 55 to 87. Hallways were widened, new public spaces were introduced and historical details were preserved.

The hotel today is a lot more glamorous: Interiors are more in line with residential aesthetics that orbit around midcentury modern codes, plus there are more Portuguese elements like glazed titles and handmade textiles. There’s also much more to the property these days, especially when it comes to social spaces. The rooftop bar with unobstructed views of downtown Lisbon, one of the original’s most beloved features, is still here. But now, there’s a handsome mezzanine-level library-style lounge where you can take a meeting or have a relaxing predinner drink.

The top-floor all-day restaurant, BAHR, serves a menu of elevated classic Portuguese fare. And on the street level, there’s an adorable pastry shop where you can indulge in a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.

For all these changes, however, one thing is the same: Bairro Alto Hotel’s location right in the middle of the city, on a corner of Praca de Camoes, remains unbeaten.

Rates at Bairro Alto Hotel start at $345 per night.

Located in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Intendente (only a 10-minute metro ride north of more central districts like Chiado), this beautiful 36-room hotel is among the best-value stays you can find in a city where lodging prices continue to rise. But don’t for a second think you’re getting a low-end experience. Stuffed inside a grand Art Nouveau building — one of the most striking in town — Hotel 1908 commits to an artsy design narrative thanks to eye-catching pieces from big-name contemporary Portuguese creatives like Bordalo II and Irmãos Marques.

Rooms, which range from tight, single-occupancy units to a soaring duplex under the dome of the building, are a bit more subdued, however, opting for a sleek, retro style.

Hotel 1908 doesn’t have a ton of on-site amenities, but there is a small bar lounge right off the entrance of the property. And Infame, the all-day restaurant, serves a full breakfast and modern Portuguese fare for lunch and dinner. (There’s a great three-course lunch menu for 15 euros — another fantastic deal.)

There’s plenty around the hotel, though, when you venture out and about. Intendente is a newly bustling area full of shops, bars and restaurants, including Cerveceria Ramiro, the iconic seafood tavern that was popularized by a visit from Anthony Bourdain.

Rates at Hotel 1908 start at $160 per night.

When this discreet, design-forward hotel opened in 2016, there was nothing like it in Lisbon. It was all mystery and luxury, especially because you have to slip through a 19th-century passageway in Principe Real to reach it. Once inside, you’re cocooned in Memmo’s contemporary take on luxury hospitality. Global and local creatives handpicked it as their new temporary home in Lisbon, and you’ll often see them having animated conversations in the lobby under stunning, architectural chandeliers or on lounge chairs outside, next to the pool and overlooking downtown Lisbon.

The views, which go all the way to the Tagus River, are amazing from almost everywhere you go, including most of the 41 rooms. Views aren’t the only perks here, though. In-room amenities include Hermes bath products, roaring fireplaces, Bang & Olufsen TVs, balconies or terraces and the incredibly chic design. Other than the small outdoor pool, however, there’s not much in terms of wellness offerings here, but the restaurant, Cafe Príncipe Real, is pretty good. The menu could feature snackable cuttlefish tempura or a heartier rice dish loaded with seafood. And there’s a full bar for sharp cocktails and chuggable Portuguese wines. But if hotel dining isn’t your thing, Memmo Principe Real’s fantastic location puts you within easy walking distance of countless local restaurants and bars.

Rates at Memmo Principe Real start at $240 per night.

Located just west of the city center, a short car ride away from the historic attractions in Belem, Pestana Palace is a national landmark; the main house is from the 19th century and was once owned by the Marquis of Valle-Flor, a cacao baron who made his fortune on the island of Sao Tome in West Africa.

Opulence certainly defines the mint-colored manor house, seen within the gilded or marble surfaces throughout to dramatic stained-glass windows and ornate frescoes. And if you’re lucky enough to snag one of the four royal suites inside (Madonna might have beat you to a booking), expect a lavish stay. The hotel’s main restaurant, where you can pick from elevated takes on classic Portuguese dishes, is located in an equally decadent ballroom.

The rest of the property (there are 190 other rooms spread across the modern buildings behind the main house) is a lot less ostentatious but just as luxurious, especially the public spaces. Surrounded by a lush, expansive garden with a pond pool, Pestana Palace gives off an urban resort vibe, which is reinforced in the spa. There, you’ll find a lovely wet area complete with an indoor pool, a Turkish bath, a jacuzzi and several treatment rooms.

During the summer, you can also tuck into light lunches in Casa do Lago, a pretty dining room (also an event space that’s been used for weddings) set in the middle of the gardens.

Rates at Pestana Palace start at $215 per night.

Hotel brand Sublime built its sparkling reputation with its first property in the beach town of Comporta (located about 90 minutes south of Lisbon). Its barefoot luxury ethos put sleepy coastal Alentejo on the radars of discerning, affluent sun worshippers.

In 2022, the Sublime collection expanded with the opening of a 15-room Lisbon offshoot in the Amoreiras neighborhood. Like her big sister in Comporta, Sublime Lisboa bets high on style to make you feel like you’re staying in your coolest friend’s Portugal townhouse. Think: wooden floors; expertly layered mix-and-match patterns; bookcases stuffed with design, travel and history books; and evocative photography displayed right over a bathtub.

There’s clearly great taste and personal touch everywhere you go, but the best rooms in the house, if you want to spring for one, are the two Sublime Suites, where space is the differentiator. The outdoor terrace is big enough to host a dinner or a fitness class, both of which the staff can organize. But, for us, the colorful, maximalist Lisboa Suites might be the most beautiful.

Because this is a 20th-century townhouse, there’s not a ton of space for too many amenities, but there is an on-site pan-Mediterranean restaurant and bar called Davvero, a great choice if you’ve had your fill of cod and pastel de nata.

Rates at Sublime Lisboa start at $308 per night.

Walking distance from bustling Principe Real and Bairro Alto, new-kid-on-the-block Palacio Ludovice, which opened in 2022, couldn’t give travelers a better home base in Lisbon. But what it offers in terms of getting you close to all the action is matched by what’s inside the property.

Sixty-one lavish rooms and suites have been uniquely decorated and adorn the bright-yellow mini palace from the 18th century. And that architectural heritage is fantastically highlighted throughout the hotel, from the hand-painted azulejo tiles to the red-brick walls to the vaulted ceiling. On top of all that history is a vibrant design scheme of glazed ceramics, floral wallpaper, marble bathrooms, sculptural light fixtures and gilded furnishings.

The laundry list of amenities includes a small gym and spa plus a verdant restaurant and bar with soaring ceilings. But where the hotel shines is in its commitment to wine. Hundreds of labels from all over Portugal provide wine lovers an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in the local viticulture. Even the spa concept is wine-obsessed, thanks to a collaboration with French skincare brand Caudalie.

Rates at Palacio Ludovice start at $230 per night.

Design-focused boutique hotels weren’t the norm for a long time in Lisbon, but these days, traveling design connoisseurs will be spoiled for choice. The Vintage Lisbon, located in hip Principe Real, might just be the best option if good-looking interiors top your hotel checklist.

To start, we love the variety of wall paint here, from teal to millennial pink to maroon. This really sets the scene for the rest of the decor, whether it’s the way the colors complement the midcentury modern furniture or how they balance out the framed custom artwork. Every corner is an Instagrammable vignette.

But this is still a luxury hotel, so you know it’s not just all about the looks. The 56-room Vintage also comes with a cozy lobby lounge bar, a bistro-style restaurant serving Portuguese fare and a rooftop bar where you can soak in Lisbon’s famous light.

There’s also a small wellness space in the basement with an indoor pool, sauna and gym. It’s not massive but it’ll do for a short workout or a relaxing cooldown after a full day of sightseeing.

Rates at The Vintage Lisbon start at $180 per night.

For travelers who crave a bit of see-and-be-seen glam in the city center, newly opened The Ivens in Chiado is quickly becoming one of Lisbon’s top bookings. Inspired by Portugal’s colonial history in Africa, the public spaces of this 87-room hotel offer an explosion of color, whether you’re looking at the gorgeous tropical-scene wallpaper or the Crudo Bar with its striped banquets and a full wall of framed photographs.

The guest rooms, however, are a lot more visually subdued in style to deliver optimal rest. So expect a softer color palette of beige and blonde wood plus pretty area rugs, ceiling murals and Africa-inspired decorative accessories.

The Ivens puts you in the heart of the city, making almost every cool restaurant or bar — and fantastic shopping — within easy walking distance. And the on-property experience is pretty robust, too. You may never use it, but there is a small 24-hour gym, for instance.

It’s the restaurants and bars that have made the hotel a hit, though. Rocco is split into three parts: The marine-themed Crudo Bar is great for seafood, the maximalist Gastro Bar is fantastic for a quick lunch or a predinner drink and the signature dining room has been a major hit among the city’s well-heeled diners. It serves Italian cuisine and is among Lisbon’s most sought-after reservations for power lunches and special occasion dinners.

Rates at The Ivens start at $380 per night or 58,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Mere seconds away from Lisbon’s bustling Praca do Comercio but tucked into an area that’s mercifully quiet, this 28-room hotel caters to different types of travelers, and you’ll see them all during breakfast at the on-property Portuguese restaurant, Delfina: Small families, couples of all ages, friend groups and solo travelers all stay at AlmaLusa, a local hospitality chainlet that was started in this hotel in 2016.

Given the variety of guests they receive, accommodations range in size and layout, too: The mini deluxe room, for instance, is a cozy retreat that might make the most sense for a solo traveler, but it’s still big enough to fit a king-size bed. There’s also a triple room that can accommodate an additional bed to comfortably sleep three people. But regardless of which unit you use, the style is similar in every room: rustic but elegant. We love how details like the exposed stone fireplaces, tall antique side tables and original wood panels that make up entire sections of some bedroom walls give the hotel a warm sense of place.

The property doesn’t offer a lot of on-site amenities, but they can organize in-room spa treatments, and the concierge can help make sense of local activities. But for more independent travelers, AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado’s prime location might be the most prized perk of all.

Rates at The AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado start at $206 per night.

Since first opening in a regal townhouse on Avenida da Liberdade nearly 10 years ago, Valverde Lisboa Hotel & Garden has become one of the city’s most beloved hotels, especially by fashionable, creative guests who have fallen in love with its high-style hospitality. Local design studio Bastir created a sensual interior scheme in a darker, moodier aesthetic than you might expect from hotels in the area. The mix-and-match style features everything from midcentury furniture and velvet surfaces to striped wallpaper and decorative plants protected by glass cloches.

The textures and design references make for a good-looking hotel, but it’s also a comfortable stay that’s a lot like a hidden city retreat, too. The interior leafy garden with a small water feature has always been a lovely place to spend an afternoon drinking wine (some days, there might be live music there for a predinner hang) or for a cup of coffee on warm mornings. (Breakfast is served in the adjacent room.)

The hotel expanded in 2021, when it acquired an adjacent building to beef up its inventory of rooms from 22 to 48. And they were able to include a small fitness suite and plunge pool in the renovation process. The most visible addition to the hotel, however, was a much larger restaurant that has become a popular lunch spot for local businesspeople. At Sitio Valverde, chef Bruno Caetano Oliveira focuses on churning out modern, high-quality Portuguese and international cooking, whether that’s the wedge salad with tofu or the duck croquettes.

Rates at Valverde Lisboa Hotel & Garden start at $330 per night.

In Principe Real, this pink 19th-century palace has recently been transformed into one of Lisbon’s most indulgent luxury hotels. Many of the original building’s stunning details have been retained, especially the gorgeous azulejo tiles that have become an iconic emblem of the hotel. The sweeping staircase gives the hotel an old-world elegance, too.

The 28 spacious bedrooms have a colorful quirkiness about them. Velvet textiles in a Crayola box of colors set the theme for most rooms, while others rely a bit more on architectural details, like the crown molding and chandeliers in one signature suite or the full wall of azulejos in another. If indulgent hotel bathrooms are your thing, this property delivers standalone soaking tubs and Byredo amenities.

As lovely as the hotel interiors are, perhaps what truly sets Palacio Principe Real apart is its massive garden: Lush and relaxing in all its glory, this oasis is also home to a large pool surrounded by sun loungers shaded by striped beach umbrellas. It’s a genuinely peerless space in Lisbon’s ever-expanding hospitality scene, especially if you’re looking in the heart of the city. This is the kind of outdoor pool area that might seduce you away from sightseeing; take your book, bring a glass of wine from the bar and tuck in for the day.

Rates at Palacio Principe Real start at $490 per night.

Related reading: