We will be in Lisbon late June and was looking in either Chaido or Baixa area. We are in our 70's and do a lot of walking. I know some areas are hillier than others. We then will take a train to Porto for a river cruise. What are your thoughts on either area and maybe some suggestions of hotels? Ive looked at Browns Downtown Hotel and Casinha das Flores. Just want to have a few more ideas if you have stayed in these areas.
Posted by
76 posts
Three years ago we stayed at two different hotels, with a trip to Porto in between. They were north of the Chaido/Baixa area. It was a wonderful area and near the train station. Hotel Lisboa Plaza, and Hotel Alegria. Both were excellent, but Alegria a bit more charming and a smaller property with a lovely cafe right across the street in the park.
Posted by
TX
3539 posts
I stayed at Be Poet Baixa Hotel a few years ago.
High ratings and I was very satisfied. It is in the Baixa neighborhood, a flat neighborhood., I loved walking from Rossio Square to the monument at the water and back again.
On one of the main tourist streets but not a problem.
Posted by
Chicago
4286 posts
Both of those hotels look to be in a great location.
I’ve stayed at the hotel santa justa and will be staying there again next March.
https://hotelsantajustalisboa.com/
One negative I found about the area was the restaurant workers. Here’s what I had to say about it in my trip report:
My hotel was located in the Baixa District, which was super convenient
as I was able to walk everywhere. But, the location came with one
negative—the restaurant workers!! The workers are out in the middle of
the streets, trying to get everyone who walks by to look at their menu
and come inside. You can get stopped by 10 different people in the
span of 2 minutes. Don’t even try to say, “Sorry, not hungry” because
that’s just the opening they are looking for. “Oh that’s ok, come
inside, have a coffee.” I found it best to not make eye contact and
just ignore them. Every once in a while, I’d say “no thanks.” The key
is to keep walking, do not stop.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-lisbon-portugal-my-trip-report
Now that I am award of them, I am determined to not let them bother me on my next trip. :-)
Have a great trip!!
Posted by
Portsmouth
5990 posts
We stayed at the Hotel Avenida Palace near the Chaido/Bairro Alto district last November. It's a lovely majestic hotel in an excellent location. The rooms had a great charm about them, the interior is magnificent and the breakfast buffet was superb. It's fairly flat in the immediate area and there are elevators nearby that will take you to the higher parts of the city. We walked all the way to the castle from the hotel making sure to use the elevator located at a grocery store to avoid the worst of the climb.
We too had to run the gauntlet of the restaurants with staff outside trying to entice you in however it wasn't a big deal, just keep on walking with just a shake of the head. I've encountered far more pushy staff elsewhere in the world so the ones in Lisbon were far easier to brush off.