Lisbon
Where To Stay
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To get a better view of Lisbon and its shops, attractions, and monuments, we think it is more convenient to divide the city in areas, taking into account the characteristics and also the historic and cultural differences of the people of Lisbon.
Baixa/Chiado
The Baixa/Chiado area is one of the most beautiful areas in Lisbon. You will see the most magnificent square in the city, the Praça do Comércio facing the Tagus River and the arch of Rua Augusta. Baixa/Chiado is also the shopping area of Lisbon, full of high quality stores. Here you will find excellent hotels such as the Hotel Metrópole that has a nice view on the Praça dos Restauradores. Hotel Avenida Palace is another choice for refined accommodations. The Orion Eden, also in Praça dos Restauradores, is located near the Elevador da Glória, which takes you up to the Bairro Alto. Another hotel situated in this area is the Bairro Alto Hotel , Lisbon's first boutique hotel. Full of bars and restaurants, this area in the center of Lisbon is the place to go out.
Avenida da Liberdad
In the haute couture shopping district of Avenida da Liberdade/Marquês de Pombal, you will find opulence near the Tivoli shopping center, in Hotel Tivoli and the Tivoli Jardim. Many head offices can be found along the Avenida da Liberdade as well as cinemas and theatres. The famous and smart Lisboa Plaza, for instance, is located on this avenue. In the vicinity of Eduardo VII Park, there is the SANA Hotel Rex, facing the Marquis of Pombal's statue, and the Hotel Fenix. If you are looking for a more affordable hotel, check out the Residencial Astória which has wonderful accommodations at a very fair price. To the north of Eduardo VII Park is the Calouste Gulbenkian foundation with its Museu Calouste Gulbenkian and its nice gardens.
Praça de Espanha
In the Praça de Espanha area you will find several hotels with different price ranges, from the more affordable Hotel Ibis Lisboa José Malhoa to the luxurious Novotel Lisboa, both located on the Avenida José Malhoa.
Avenida da República/Campo Pequeno
In Avenida da República/Campo Pequeno, there is a famous organization called Culturgest, that offers a wide range of cultural activities, ranging from dance, music and theatre. The Praça de Touros, which was renovated to include a retractable ceiling and a shopping mall, can also be found in this area. Regarding hotels, there is the Alif and the Holiday Inn Continental.
Lapa
Lapa is considered to be the most elegant area in Lisbon. Most of the embassies are settled in this quarter and many Portuguese artists live here. The Hotel Lapa, an old palace built in the XIX century, is a top-notch hotel with a magnificent view over Lisbon and the river; the Pensão York House with its marvelous gardens and the nice Janelas Verdes. Even though the area is quite tranquil, you are still near Alcântara and the Docas where you will find many bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
Alfama
There are two tourist areas in Lisbon that do not have many hotels to speak of. They are the famous Alfama and Belém areas. Alfama is the most typical and traditional district in Lisbon, with traces of Moorish architecture. Here, the predominant Castelo de S.Jorge looks over the entire city. Do not miss the view! It is common in restaurants, to drink aguardente (brandy) while you are listening to typical Fado music. As there aren’t many good hotels in this area, you may want to consider renting a room in a local resident’s home or you can always stay in the Baixa/Chiado area.
Belém
Belém, is no doubt the most visited area in Lisbon. Besides the wonderful view over the Tagus River, there are also many monuments and museums located here. Monuments such as the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Centro Cultural de Belém are all delicious cups of cultural brews that need to be drunk up in any visit to Lisbon. If you wish to stay in this section of Lisbon the Vila Galé Ópera Hotel is the best option.
Costa do Estoril
Situated around 25 kilometers from Lisbon, you will discover the Costa do Estoril that spreads from Carcavelos to Cascais. Cascais and Estoril are two ideal places for holidays by the beach. The nightlife is great and the restaurants specialize in fish and seafood, which are excellent. Besides the sun and the beach, look for the Marina in Cascais and the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães for an interesting time along the Costa do Estoril.
The majority of hotels along this strip of coastline are high-end. Some of the most notable hotels along the Costa do Estoril are the Pestana Cascais, the Hotel Baía, or the Hotel Cidadela. But you can still find some more affordable hotels like the Residencial Solar Dom Carlos or the
In the western part of Cascais, near the Boca do Inferno; you find Cascais Village. In Estoril, famous because of its casino, most of the hotels have sea-views; try the Hotel Clube do Lago and the Hotel Vila Galé Estoril.
