Where to stay in Lisbon

Best for: classic charm with a contemporary twist

Príncipe Real made it to number eight on our list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2024, and with good reason: great new bars and restaurants are opening all the time, but it still has that classic Lisbon feel, too. It’s also home to the lively Praça das Flores, where locals and visitors alike gather on benches and terraces, as well as the neighbourhood park Jardim do Príncipe Real, where you’ll see the magnificent jacaranda trees in bloom every spring.

Best for: picturesque views wherever you turn

Situated on the slope between São Jorge Castle and Tejo River, Alfama is the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon and one of the most photogenic. Not only do the hills provide impeccable views of the city and waterside, but the cobbled medieval alleys are beautifully quaint. You might want to clear a bit of space on your camera roll before you visit.

Best for: experiencing Lisbon’s diversity

Arroios is a big area (we’re talking 50 kilometres of streets), with boundaries stretching from Intendente in the south to Saldanha in the north, and the major avenue Almirante Reis running right through the middle. It’s also a diverse neighbourhood where you’ll find cuisine from all over the world, as well as traditional shops, cultural spaces, open-air galleries, and historic buildings housing treasures that are just waiting to be discovered.

Best for: history buffs

Located between the neighbourhoods Bairro Alto and Baixa Pombalina, Chiado offers bundles of culture. It’s here that you’ll find various museums, theatres and snippets of history. The literary guild was founded here in 1856, the National Museum of Contemporary Art opened its doors in 1911, and you can ride Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard’s (a student of Gustav Eiffel) Elevador de Santa Justa.

Read more: The best restaurants in Chiado

Best for: Grabbing a beer and watching the footie

In Baixa and Sé, you’ll find lots of restaurants to choose from (be careful not to fall for one of the many tourist traps), as well as traditional shops and quaint streets. You could easily spend a whole day (or longer) exploring the area – just make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes if you plan on hitting the streets. When you need a break, grab a seat at a bar (you could even head to CR7 Corner – Bar & Bistrô, the bar inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Lisbon hotel) and watch whatever football game happens to be on. 

Best for: towering castles and magnificent viewpoints

A stroll through Graça and Castelo (some of the most traditional neighbourhoods in the city) will see you stumbling across charming little villas as well as Lisbon Castle, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Afterwards, refuel with some delicious fresh fish and a glass or two of sparkling sangria.