Haven’t you heard? The Portugal capital is a fantastic holiday hot spot, whatever the time of year you want to visit. Be it for a winter weekend trip or a longer summer stay, these 10 charming accommodation spots won’t break the bank, and will give you the great chance to meet fellow travellers and local Lisboners, too.
1. Travellers House
Ranked among the world’s top hostels, get ready for a certified good time at Travellers House. From hostel-style shared rooms, to hotel-quality suites and studio apartments, this hostel caters to a wide variety of travellers.
Every room has Wi-Fi, and desktop computers are available free of charge. Bedding, breakfast and toiletries are also free, and a fully equipped kitchen is available, if you’d like to test your own take on the local fare. Social birds head to the common room, which has events and activities planned every night. Other activities include the hostel’s own tours of Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca, as well as walking tours in the vicinity, a great chance to get acquainted with the best nightspots and even catch some live Fado music.
Where: Rua Augusta, 89, 1st floor
Tel: +351 210 115 922
Nearest station: Baixa-Chiado
Ready to spend the night? Book a room at the Travellers House with momondo.
2. Lisbon Calling Hostel
In the heart of Lisbon’s trendiest neighbourhood known for its bustling nightlife, Lisbon Calling is a hip hostel for travellers with an alternative streak. Run by a passionate group of friends, wanting pay forward their positive attitude in life, you could hardly be in better hands.
The shared dorms feature charming, rustic bunk beds, and the four private rooms have a lovely, nostalgic décor. Overlooking São Paulo square and two steps from the River Tejo, the hostel stands next to up-and-coming art galleries, fashionable restaurants and trendy nightspots. And the newly renovated Mercado da Ribeira market is very close by, with a wide selection of local produce and gourmet eateries.
Where: Rua de São Paulo 126, 3D
Tel: +351 213 432 381
Nearest station: Cais do Sodré
Convinced? Book your stay at the Lisbon Calling with momondo.
3. The Independente Hostel & Suites Lisboa
Lisbon’s globally-recognised top hostel, The Independente is probably one of the classiest budget-friendly accommodations around. Choose between a luxury backpacking dorm or a private suite with river views.
Once the Swiss ambassador’s Art Deco residence, here some 90 woodchip triple bunk beds are spread across 13 dorms with impressively high plastered ceilings and plenty of room for guests to relax and share stories. Bathrooms, private lounge areas and kitchens are found on all floors, where common areas are decked with wall maps, vintage chairs and flea market finds. Plenty of character and charm and an atmosphere filled with travellers’ tales – a truly recommendable stay.
Where: Rua São Pedro de Alcântara 81
Tel: +351 21 346 1381
Nearest station: Baixa-Chiado
Ready to bunk-up? Book your stay at The Independente with momondo.
4. Home
No matter how much of an adventurer you are, this luxury hostel, the epitome of cosy, along with its snug home-cooked food, is the kind you won’t want to leave. Sleep in spacious cabin-style dorms with large lockers and comfortable, private wooden bunk beds with curtains – you’ll feel as though you’re sailing away on a ship.
In the heart of Baixa, Home is perfectly positioned for visiting Lisbon’s key sights within walking distance. Try a tour or, in the summer, take to the beach for a swim. The hostel will organise everything. At night, pub crawls are almost mandatory. Mamma’s superb three-course dinner – she’s the owner’s actual mother – is topped off with a small shot of local Ginjinha cherry liqueur.
Where: Rua de São Nicolau 13, 2nd floor
Tel: +351 21 888 5312
Nearest station: Baixa-Chiado
Sounds cozy? Book your room at Home with momondo.
5. Casa de Santos
Placed in the heart of Lisbon in the trendy Santos Design District, Casa de Santos is a cosy seven-room townhouse offering a romantic resting place for lovebirds and nostalgic minds.
Expect five-star comfort for a budget price. A shared bathroom is available on each floor, as well as a suite bedroom. From here, a large network of public transport is available, and the guesthouse is also well placed within walking distance of the Tejo River, as well as many of the city’s main attractions, restaurants, museums and monuments.
Where: Rua da Boavista 102
Tel: +351 915 696 177
Nearest station: Cais do Sodré
Ready to go? Book your stay at Casa de Santos with momondo.
6. Sunset Destination Hostel
Sit back and relax on a lounger with a cocktail in hand – or splash around the round rooftop plunge pool of this luxury backpackers’ hostel. An outdoor urban garden provides fresh herbs for the hostel restaurant, and beautiful views over the Tejo provide the perfect setting for a carefree party atmosphere soaking up the sunshine.
Expect a helpful staff and cleverly designed wooden dorms with well-equipped bathrooms where fluffy towels are provided. Not exclusive to students or backpackers, we recommend this laid-back pad to anyone who likes to be social. Located right inside Cais do Sodré train station, catching a train to one of the surrounding beaches of Carcavelos or Cascais couldn’t be more convenient.
Where: Praça do Duque de Terçeira, Cais do Sodré Train Station, 1st floor
Tel: +351 21 099 7735
Nearest station: Cais do Sodré
Ready to dive in? Book your room at the Sunset Destination Hostel with momondo.
7. Lisboa Central Hostel
Whether you’re a solitary backpacker, a couple or a whole family looking for affordable but nice accommodation, this hostel presents a number of fine options. Ranked as one of the world’s top hostels, Lisboa Central won’t disappoint.
Apart from dorms and a variety of rooms to cater to a variety of travellers, it boasts friendly staff with great inside knowledge of the city. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking up a storm, alternatively a complimentary continental breakfast is also on offer. Internet is free, as is luggage storage, tea, coffee and breakfast. The hostel also offers plenty of activities, like weekly film nights and Milkshake Mondays, and with its excellent location, you’re within walking distance of Lisbon’s main sights.
Where: Rua Rodrigues Sampaio, 160
Tel: +351 309 881 038
Nearest station: Marquês de Pombal
Is this what you’re looking for? Book your stay at Lisboa Central with momondo.
8. Living Lounge
It’s hard to believe that this is a youth hostel, as this ‘Hoscar’ award-winning dig, with its retro red sofas and shag carpets, could easily be mistaken for a luxury apartment.
Graffiti artist Bad Cop decorated the 23 rooms using life-size stencils and, whether it’s period lamps or tables made with recycled plastic bottles, Living Lounge makes an effort to keep it sustainable. Another win is their home-cooked dinners, a bargain at 8 euros per person and shared at a large dining table. The hostel was created by four talented young locals, who combined their visual arts, architecture and marketing backgrounds to design this inventive and classy hostel accommodation.
Where: Rua Crucifixo 116, 2nd Floor
Tel: +35121 346 2061
Nearest station: Restauradores
Ready to check in? Book your stay at Living Lounge with momondo.
9. Goodmorning Lisbon Hostel
With its free waffle breakfast, super-friendly staff to help you along the way, and prime location in the centre of the city, Goodmorning is a splendid base for exploring Lisbon.
The hostel’s fun atmosphere and light decoration is geared towards young travellers looking for a good time, and the staff usually have a bunch of activities planned to make everyone feel right at home: from sangria and karaoke nights to collective cooking. Facilities include dorm rooms, double rooms and two apartments for those who prefer a bit more privacy, as well as a computer room and free Wi-Fi. And you can easily get directions to free walking tours and pub crawls for some day and night exploring.
Where: Praça dos Restauradores, 65, 2nd floor
Tel: +351 213 421 128
Nearest station: Restauradores
Ready to wake up here? Book your stay at Goodmorning Lisbon with momondo.
10. Alfama Patio Hostel
Surrounded by historic charm, this bohemian hostel offers a large rooftop seating area fitted with hammocks, sun loungers with plenty of greenery and postcard views over the red-roofed buildings of Alfama and the Tejo. Built on the site of one of the oldest universities in the world, dating back to 1290, it’s believed that Christopher Columbus studied in this very building.
Choose between 12 spacious shared dorms or private rooms with shared bathrooms and wake up to delicious freshly-made pancakes for breakfast. The staff is young and friendly and won’t need too much convincing to join outings once they’ve clocked out. Fire up the grill: the barbeque is accessible to guests for sangria summer parties.
Where: Rua Escolas Gerais 3
Tel: +351 21 888 3127
Nearest station: Sta Apolonia
Take me there! Book your night at Alfama Patio Hostel with momondo.