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Neighborhoods to stay in-Lisbon

We are planning a trip to Portugal 3/24-4/14/19. We will be flying into and out of Lisbon. I thought we would spend 3-4 nights in Lisbon and rent an AirBNB. Any suggestions on where. We like quiet, character, being in the midst of history and culture. We would like to be close to trams etc but we also enjoy walking. The areas that seem interesting are Alfama,Baixa,Rossio, ? Santa Catarina- so many areas to choose from. Would welcome any input.
Also, planning to rent a car when we leave and seems as if prices are lower in town vs the airport
Thanks

Posted by
395 posts

We spent 10 days in the Bairro Alto.
This AirBnB unit was great https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/789789 as the 28E was right out front.
Also next to the Ascensor da Bica. Excellent double-pane windows made for a quiet stay while being located in the heart of the Bairro.
We walked 5 miles per day.
Buy a Viva Viagem card for each of you.

You can read all my Yelp reviews for Portugal at https://www.yelp.com/collection/c4DDuTqoI-3WsEeUfcSH8A

My AirBnB review:
"An excellent place to stay in Lisboa. We would definitely return.
+ Location - at the intersection of the 28 Electrico and the Ascensor da Bica in the Bairro Alto, this is a GREAT location.
+ Groceries - the Minipreço is right next door. Another grocery with a better vegetable selection is only 20 meters away.
+ Photos - the host's photos are accurate and convey the feeling of the apartment.
+ Washer/dryer - did the job for use. Detergent was included.
+ Electric juicer - we enjoyed fresher squeezed OJ
+ Air conditioning - worked quietly and efficiently.
+ Shower - large, lots of hot water.
- Poor lighting in the kitchen area and none over the dining table."

Posted by
53 posts

In 2016, my wife and I spent 10 days in Lisbon in October. At the advise of my Portuguese tutor, we stayed in Principe Real. It was quieter at night than other parts, yet still easy to travel from. It also had a real neighborhood feel and we shopped at the butcher, etc.
We will be back there this April and probably staying in the same flat. We then go to Porto for a few days and fly home from there.

Posted by
119 posts

As a general rule, Portuguese cities are not quiet. Bring ear plugs. To be near the attractions you mentioned, you are very likely to have a lot of street noise.

Posted by
372 posts

In September 2018 we stayed at Flores de Alfama (Rua de São Miguel nº7) a cute little apartment in the thick of the Alfama. We loved the location and it was silent at night due to the placement of the bedroom in the flat. Bathroom is tight, but it was spotlessly clean, good wifi, easy check in around the corner. Walkable to numerous bus, and tram spots - but we mostly walked everywhere. Highly recommended.

Posted by
23 posts

In October we stayed for 4 nights in the Alfama neighborhood just below the Sao Jorge castle and loved the area, walked everywhere but could easily take the 12 or 28 trams up the hill when we felt lazy; shopped in little markets, found restaurants hidden in the alleyways. We stayed another 3 nights in the Belem district which I would not do again. We were near the monastery, the Pasteis de Belem, and the waterfront where the navigation sculpture and Belem Tower are located. We walked everywhere here too (all on the flat), but it was not as fun, and did not have a neighborhood feel at all (although maybe we just missed it) and most of the restaurants were not worth mentioning. When we go back (and we will very soon!!) we're planning to stay either in Alfama again or the Barrio Alto area which we wandered around in a lot and really enjoyed.