Hotels in Lisbon and the Algarve: where to stay

Lisbon areas

• Baixa and Chiado. Central, with shops, cafes and trams. Handy for most sights.
• Alfama. The oldest district, with narrow, steep streets. Atmospheric, but harder with luggage.
• Bairro Alto. Known for nightlife, so some rooms can be noisy. Ask about the room location.
• Principe Real. Quieter and more upmarket, with boutiques and gardens.
• Belem. Monuments and museums to the west, reached by tram or train.
• Parque das Nacoes. A modern riverside area in the east, with newer hotels.

Algarve areas

• Albufeira. Lively, with beaches, an old town and a busy centre in summer.
• Vilamoura. A marina, golf and large resorts.
• Lagos. Cliffs, coves and an old town, popular with walkers and beach lovers.
• Tavira. A calmer town in the eastern Algarve.
• Faro. The regional airport and a small old town.

When to go

Lisbon is often at its best in spring and autumn, when it is warm but less crowded than summer. The Algarve beach season runs from around May to October, with July and August the busiest and most expensive months.

Getting there

Flights from the UK take around three hours to Lisbon or Faro. Lisbon airport is close to the city, and the Algarve is reached from Faro airport. Some trips combine a few nights in Lisbon with a beach stay in the Algarve, and we can quote both.

Costs and practical points

• Lisbon charges a small tourist tax per person, per night, usually paid at the hotel. Check how your quote shows it.
• Lisbon is hilly. If walking is hard for you, check how far the hotel is from the nearest metro station or tram.
• Parking in central Lisbon is limited and can be expensive. Ask your hotel.
• In the Algarve, check the distance from the hotel to the beach and to restaurants.

Things to do nearby

In Lisbon, popular sights include Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery, the city's trams and its viewpoints. Sintra, with its palaces, is a day trip by train from Lisbon, and Cascais is a short ride along the coast. In the Algarve, boat trips visit the coves and sea caves around Lagos and Benagil. Tell us what you want to do, and we will suggest where to stay.

A quick way to choose

• First time in Lisbon: Baixa or Chiado.
• Atmosphere over convenience: Alfama.
• Lively Algarve beaches: Albufeira.
• Golf and resorts: Vilamoura.
• A calmer Algarve: Tavira or Lagos.

These are starting points, not rules. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will narrow it down.

Get a quote

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you want from the stay. An agent will come back with options and what each price includes. Call Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm or use the form on this page. No payment is taken on the form.