If you’re looking for a home to call your own over a long weekend in Lisbon, then you’re in luck. The rise of Airbnb and similar booking sites has seen the sunny Portuguese capital’s stock of holiday lets boom. This is a city built on hills, and to add extra spice to your step count, many of its apartments are walk-ups. Stairs in older buildings can be particularly steep and narrow — if you have any mobility challenges, consider a more modern flat with a lift.
Many of the city’s Airbnbs are in the Alfama neighbourhood, a maze of cobbled, medieval streets, azulejo-clad buildings and traditional restaurants, often with fado performances. There are also plenty in elegant Chiado and buzzy Bairro Alto, the city’s nightlife hubs, and a smattering in Baixa, bang in the centre for sightseeing. Slightly further out, you’ll find value and space in Graca, a charming, youthful neighbourhood where the cafés are filled with locals and there’s street art on every corner. For something completely different, try areas closer to the outskirts; Belem, with its secondary clutch of sights, or Oeiras, home to a sandy city beach. Here’s our guide to the best Airbnbs in Lisbon and other luxury rentals.
Main photo: a period apartment with private patio in Alfama (Airbnb)
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1. Super-central stay, Baixa
This light, bright apartment with wooden floors and thoughtfully chosen artwork could hardly be more central — right in the heart of Baixa, with the castle, cathedral and the old streets of Alfama to one side, and the buzzy nightlife of Bairro Alto and Chiado to the other. The serene, stylish living room has a long, sunny balcony running along it, with chairs and a hammock to kick back in after a long day’s sightseeing. There are two good-sized bedrooms; the third has a small single bed suitable for a child.
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Price £
2. Light-filled duplex, Chiado
This is airy, open-plan living at its finest, in the heart of Lisbon’s most cosmopolitan neighbourhood. The lofty, foliage-filled duplex is really spacious — with a large, elegant living area with tall French windows on the lower floor, plus a kitchenette, smart marble bathroom and a balcony with views over the Tagus river. Upstairs, the bedroom opens onto a second small terrace — your own private sun trap. There’s no lift, so be prepared for four flights of stairs, and you will hear some street noise as Chiado is rarely silent.
Price £
3. Studio with pool, Lapa
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After warm days exploring the capital of Portugal’s sun-soaked streets, you can cool down with a dip in the shared pool of this bijou studio apartment on the second floor of a quiet building in the well-heeled residential neighbourhood of Lapa. It’s modishly decorated in blonde wood and white, with a small kitchen area, a separate bathroom and a surprisingly spacious balcony that overlooks the pool below. All this makes for a brilliant bolt hole just outside Lisbon’s crowded core, with plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, and the city centre a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride away.
Price £
4. Social sanctuary, Cais do Sodre
Groups of couples travelling together will love the tasteful, high-spec Apartment Aitana, situated near — but not too near — the nightlife strip of Pink Street. There’s no short straw among the three smart double bedrooms, and two bathrooms keep shower queues short. The large communal spaces are a symphony in greige, with a huge, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area and a wide, tiled balcony. There’s a glossy sheen about this place, from the sleek furniture to the eye-catching artworks.
Price £££
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5. The Flat with the View, Graca
This one-bedroom apartment puts you close to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Lisbon’s highest point. From the city centre it’s an uphill walk — or a ride on the famous Tram 28 — into Graca, but the spectacular views from the living room and sunny terrace make the steps to the third floor worthwhile, and the apartment is smartly decorated with characterful touches. The attentive hosts love giving personal recommendations.
Price £
6. Period flat with private patio, Alfama
Intricate murals, wooden shutters, chandeliers and walls lined with azulejo tiles keep this sympathetically restored, 18th-century apartment true to its original Pombaline stylings. The decor in this four double-bed is period-appropriate but the amenities meet 21st-century expectations, with all-natural toiletries, a breakfast basket with multiple blends of coffee, and Egyptian cotton sheets. The large private terrace to the rear is peaceful; from the front the sounds of fado from the café opposite will drift through the windows. Suitable for groups of friends or families with older children.
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Price £
7. Family-friendly two-bed, Principe Real
While period features and penthouses are wonderful for adults, when you’re travelling with small children you’ll swap authenticity for convenience every time. This spotless, modern apartment has lift access, a private parking spot and a host of indispensable-to-families features, including air conditioning, a washing machine and dryer, a travel cot, high-chair and baby bath, and a cute collection of toys and books. Parents will appreciate the espresso machine and wine glasses. The area is one of Lisbon’s most affluent residential suburbs, with parks and restaurants nearby, and bus and metro links bring the centre in easy reach.
Price £
8. Stylish one-bed for shopaholics, Avenida da Liberdade
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The finer things in life are aplenty at the Eucalyptus, a stylish one-bedroom bolt hole on the city’s grandest boulevard. Inside, the decor is all velvet, muted tones and mid-century curves, with a teeny (though well-equipped) kitchen but a large and leafy private terrace with space for sunbathing and sundowners. The apartment complex has a 24-hour concierge and a shared indoor pool and sauna. Emerge to find designer shops and high-end restaurants — you’re on Lisbon’s equivalent of the Champs-Elysees.
Price ££
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9. One-bed with river views, Belem
From this smart one-bed near the river you can see the chief draws of this district west of the centre — the castellated Belem Tower and the curvaceous Monument of the Discoveries. Clean, monochrome lines are softened with the occasional splash of colour, and light floods in through the windows on all sides. It’s a steep climb up the stairs to the third floor, but the height pays back with views on all sides (there’s even a lovely vista from the shower) plus cooling breezes from the water. The famous Pasteis de Belem is a short walk away — you’ll be able to nip for custard tarts before the queue builds up — and trams, buses and trains run you into the city centre.
Price £
10. Giant house for groups, Pena
Sociable spaces are key for large groups, and this four-storey, nine-bedroom house in the residential but relatively central neighbourhood of Pena has enough room for everyone to sit down together, whether that’s in the living room with its expansive C-shaped sofa, or at the long table in the dining room. The decor is modern with a few period pieces, the atmosphere smart but warm. It does lack outside space, so is better suited to the chilled communality of adult groups, rather than kids who need space to play. It’s less than ten minutes by Metro into the city centre; around a 25-minute walk.
Price £££
11. Secret garden apartment, Alfama
With its simple, classic decor and neutral tones, this is a calming place to stay in the heart of the Alfama labyrinth. The real bonus is the tucked-away garden with a shady pomegranate tree — an ideal spot to sip a morning coffee, or a post-exploration glass of wine, and indulge your fantasies of becoming a Lisbon local. The two bedrooms are set out with one double and two twins, making it a good option for a family — although the pedestrian-only access means it’s better suited to children old enough to walk under their own steam.
Price £
12. Colourful apartment, Bairro Alto
With gilded headboards, vibrant primary colours and striking artwork, this avant-garde apartment is a one-off among the city’s Airbnbs — decor usually favours either period charm or clean minimalism. Tall windows with shutters run along the lofty, open-plan living/dining area and open onto a balcony; the two main bedrooms are set back from the street and are quiet at night despite the central location. There’s also a sofa bed in the office area that can sleep two, though it is a better fit for one person.
Price £
13. Five-bedroom house, Graca
Holidaying with the whole clan can be a great idea, but it’ll feel even better if you pick the right property. The Roman is a five-bedroom house tucked away in the hilltop neighbourhood of Graca. It has plenty to keep all ages occupied, including board games, darts and even a mini-golf putting mat in the garden, where you’ll also find a fish pond and an alfresco dining set-up. The first floor features a large double, perfect for parents, plus three rooms with singles and bunks for the kids. Grandparents can slink away upstairs to a second double with an ensuite. Huge bookcases filled with tomes, shelves of knick-knacks, and grand sculptures add plenty of character.
Price £££
14. Beachside pad with pool, Oeiras
Oeiras is home to the closest beach to Lisbon, Praia Santa Amaro, and this clean-lined, modern apartment is just two minutes’ walk from its sandy expanse. It’s just as near to the station, bringing you into central Lisbon in around 20 minutes, making it a good base for a relaxed stay that nevertheless allows you to dip in and out of the city. Two spacious double bedrooms, a large living area, a full kitchen and access to a shared pool in the grounds make this a good option for families and groups of friends alike.
Price £
15. Flat where classic meets contemporary, Alfama
With original exposed brick and beams, plus some tastefully understated azulejo tiling, this apartment in the oldest part of Lisbon nods to its 18th-century heritage. Fittings are firmly 21st-century, however — the kitchen and both bathrooms are gleaming white and super-modern. Two snug but uncluttered bedrooms feature single beds, making this a good choice for friends travelling together. On the borders of Alfama and Baixa, the city centre is in easy reach.
Price £
16. Hip hideaway, Bairro Alto
This Airbnb accomplishes the near-impossible — a peaceful stay right in the heart of Lisbon’s buzziest district. Just steps from the bars and restaurants of Bairro Alto (the hands-on hosts will recommend the best spots), it’s a serene, sound-proofed one-bed apartment with tasteful, mid-century furnishings under the white-painted eaves of a small, characterful, 19th-century block. Skylights rather than windows in the living area give it a retreat-like feel, and the compact kitchen and bathroom both have everything you need.
Price £
17. Family apartments, Chiado
For a compromise between space and services, choose the Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Luxury Apartments. From the well-known, family-focused Portuguese hotel brand, this property features bright, luxurious and thoughtfully designed studio, one and two-bedroom apartments in Chiado. All come with kitchens and washer-dryers for more DIY stays, but there’s also a family-friendly restaurant on site, room service, pre-bookable complimentary baby equipment and even a kids’ club starting from six months, so parents can get a helping hand with any aspect of the holiday — and perhaps even a moment to themselves.
martinhal.com
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