Lisboa Accommodations And Camping

Pensões and budget hotels abound in Lisboa, but room quality varies significantly—ask to see the room before paying. During the summer, expect to pay €20-30 for a single and €35-45 for a double, depending on amenities. You can usually find a room in the summer with little or no notice, but you may want to book in advance during mid-June for the Festa de Santo Antonio. In the low season (Oct.-Apr.), prices generally drop €5 or more, so try bargaining. Many establishments only have rooms with double beds, and charge per person. Backpacking hostels have only recently hit the Lisboa scene, with most opening their doors within the last year or two. Most are found in Bairro Alto, and are very similar in setup: mixed four- to eight-person dorms, shared bathrooms, a common living room, and free internet access. They do differ slightly in amenities, but most are comfortable and run €18-20 in the summer. Due to online booking, they fill up fast, so reserve ahead.

Several hotels can be found in the center of town on Av. da Liberdade, while cheaper pensões cluster in Baixa and Bairro Alto. Avoid those surrounding Rossio: while they’re very convenient, they’re usually around €10 more than the norm. Look around Baixa’s R. da Prata, R. dos Correiros, and R. do Ouro (R. de Aurea) for cheaper accommodations. Lodgings near Castelo de São Jorge are quieter and closer to the sights, but more difficult to reach. Be careful at night, especially in the poorly-lit, winding streets of Alfama and in Bairro Alto. Bairro Alto is generally safe until the bars close at 4am, but it pays to be alert.

Camping is reasonably popular in Portugal, but campers can be prime targets for thieves. Stay at an enclosed campsite and ask ahead about security. There are 30 campgrounds within a 45min. radius of the capital. The most popular, Lisboa Camping, is inside the 900-acre parque florestal, and has a four-star rating. (☎217 62 82 00; www.lisboacamping.com. Adults €6, children under 12 €3, tents €6-7, cars €4. Prices are lower in winter. Bungalows available.)

• Baixa

Dozens of pensions are located around the three connected praças that form the hub of downtown Lisboa. A convenient launch pad for visiting sights. On the other hand, Baixa’s prices are often noticeably ...more

• Bairro Alto

If you’re seeking a central location for nightlife and entertainment, there’s no better place than Bairro Alto, which has many great budget accommodations where you can meet fellow backpackers and ...more

• Alfama

Alfama has few lodging options and little price competition, but staying here is a nice change of pace (especially after hectic Baixa). The steep, unmarked streets can make each trip back to the pensão ...more

• Outside The City Center

Two high-quality, inexpensive hostels lie outside the city center. Pousada de Juventude de Lisboa (HI), R. Andrade Corvo, 46 (☎ 213 53 26 96). M: Picoas. Exit the metro station onto R. Andrade Corvo ...more