The historical city of Lisbon is known as the hill capital of Portugal. Its architecture, incredible castles and the gorgeous Tagus River are just some of the things you can look forward to in this city. You will find pastel-coloured buildings constructed in the 18th century that are now styled as hotels or apartment blocks for commercial use. You can visit Sao Jorge Castle, where the king of Portugal used to live, and the Rocco-style Church of Sao Roque with realistic imagery of Biblical events painted on its ceilings. You can also check out the Mercado da Ribeira, popular for local food products, and the National Ancient Art Museum exhibiting collections of paintings, sculptures, and gold and silver preserved from the 12th to 19th centuries. If you want to stay in accommodation that’s equally as interesting as the city attractions, stay in one of these historic hotels in Lisbon, Portugal.
Tip from tour guide
In Portugal, you'll also see history in the trees. From May to June, which I think is the best time to visit, Lisbon shows off beautiful lilac colors with the blooming of Jacaranda trees, an exotic species originally from Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay that adapted to the local climate. Its seeds were probably brought here from Brazil to integrate the collection of plants in the botanical garden of the royal Ajuda Palace.
Behind this project was Felix Avelar Brotero, known as the father of botany in Portugal and the director of the botanical garden from 1811 to 1826. He is also said to have offered the seeds of Jacaranda to anyone who wanted to grow them in the city.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 12, 2024.
1. Olissippo Lapa Palace – The Leading Hotels of the World (from USD 418)
Olissipo Lapa Palace was built in 1870, originally as a house gifted by the viscount to his son. Here, you will find wall paintings of the Count of Arnoso and other famous aristocrats in various rooms and suites of the palace. Additionally, famous ceramist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro designed the furniture and tiles of the palace.
The 19th-century property represents Colonial and Neo-Classical will amaze you with its elegant decor and magnificent architecture. It also boasts furniture inspired by notable figures.
Olissippo Lapa Palace – The Leading Hotels of the World
Address: Rua do Pau de Bandeira, 4
2.76 km (1.8 mi) from Castelo de S. Jorge
2. Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel (from USD 420)
Reasonable pricing for exceptional value and complimentary amenities.
Complimentary ice cream, snacks, walking tours, and massages. Spa area and free daily treats.
Central location close to historical sights, with easy access to transportation.
Excellent a la carte breakfast, great restaurant, and complimentary evening snacks and drinks.
Corpo Santo Hotel preserves the history of fishermen who worshipped Saint Pedro Goncalves since the 15th century. The Corpo Santo square was reconstructed into a hotel from a shipyard where fishermen gathered daily. The hotel has air-conditioned rooms with sitting areas and themed interiors. Reservations can be made for food and drinks, at the Porter (named after the beer brewed in Corpo Santo Square) in the 18th century. The hotel is given a higher rating for couples, and with a multi-linguistic staff, it becomes easier for the guests to communicate effectively.
Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel
Address: Largo do Corpo Santo, no 25, 1200-129 Lisboa
1.05 km (0.7 mi) from Castelo de S. Jorge
3. Hotel Avenida Palace (from USD 359)
This luxurious 5-star hotel was built in 1892 and has since been the centre of comfortable travel for diplomats, royalty, politicians and European aristocrats. As a part of its history, guests used to come here to enjoy pleasant evenings with live music from a private orchestra, Saturday night balls and a la carte French meals.
Today, guests can stay in suites that are designed and decorated in themes based on different eras and nobilities during the Belle Époque period.
Tip from tour guide
Just about a 25-minute drive from this hotel is Museu da Cidade, which has paintings of the Belém Tower and the Monastery of Saint Jerome worth admiring. These buildings are marvels of architecture from the 1500s (mostly) and are only 10 minutes away from Lisbon center. They look a bit different and are certainly more crowded in the present, but the paintings in the museum show how they looked prior to the great earthquake of Lisbon in 1755.
Built for a military purpose, the tower is mostly an empty shell. So, you can save on the 6 EUR (6.57 USD) entrance fee to buy glasses of wine just outside while looking at the exterior.
Meanwhile, the monastery outside is absolutely stunning and includes a cloister and church. Don't miss it!
Hotel Avenida Palace
Address: Rua 1. De Dezembro, 123
696 meters (0.5 ft) from Castelo de S. Jorge
4. Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument - The Leading Hotels of the World (from USD 322)
Originally built by Italian architect Nicola Bigaglia in 1904, the 5-star Pestana Palace Hotel was restored in the Valle Flor Palace. The accommodation has French- and Japanese- influenced décor featuring paintings by Domingos Costa and Carlos Reis. The palace is also laden with stained glass windows made by Claudio Martins, depicting magnificent female figures completed by Conceicao Silva.
Aside from the incredible and historical art of the palace, the furniture has been preserved for its high-quality wood imported from São Tomé. Guests can have a gastronomic experience at Valle Flor restaurant offering local cuisine, then enjoy a walk in the well-maintained garden.
Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument - The Leading Hotels of the World
Address: Rua Jau, 54
4.78 km (3.0 mi) from Castelo de S. Jorge
Lisbon Tour Guide
Rita Jardim
Rita has been a tour guide in Portugal since 2015. She is a passionate storyteller and a history buff whose goal is to immerse curious travelers in the beautiful Portuguese tale. Rita creates customized tours, cultural experiences, and food adventures in Lisbon, Belém, Sintra, Évora, and lesser-explored corners of Portugal. If you're looking for a genuine and immersive experience beyond the typ... Read more
Tours by Rita
Lisbon Tour Guide
Beatrice Sacco
Hello! My name is Beatrice, I'm originally from Milan and I'm currently living in Lisbon. Travel, nature, music and art are among my passions. I'm curious and determined and I love meeting people from different countries. I moved to Portugal after finishing my studies in Art History. Now I'm putting into practice what I have learned by working as a tour guide. I love to share with people all th... Read more
Tours by Beatrice
Lisbon Tour Guide
Francisco
Hello!!! My name is Francisco, but my friends call me Chico, so, feel free to call me that! I was born, raised and live in Lisbon, but I am a well travelled person, as I work for almost 30 years in the Tourism Industry. I am a family man, father of 3 grown up boys, and my friends say I am a "Social Animal" as I easily make friends! I love sports ( especially soccer and rugby), walking the st... Read more
Tours by Francisco
Lisbon Tour Guide
Rui Alves
I offer tours and guide services in Portugal, from North to South, with professionalism and love representing the best hidden gems of our country.
Tours by Rui
Lisbon Tour Guide
Marta Côrte Real
I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession. I own and manage a tour company licens... Read more
Tours by Marta
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5. Hotel Britania Art Deco - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Avenida (from USD 446)
Hotel Britania has been known for providing top-notch accommodation since the 1940s. The property is a project by Cassiano Branco, a famous Portuguese architect. He combined modernism with Art Deco style featuring cork floors created by Mundet Factory in 1944. The hotel boasts attractive interiors representing history through wall paintings of the Portuguese Empire.
The popular places near the property include Sào Jorge Castle, Bairro Alto and the Botanical Garden of Lisbon, all more or less 12 minutes away by car.
Hotel Britania Art Deco - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Avenida
Address: Rua Rodrígues Sampaio, 17
1.35 km (0.9 mi) from Castelo de S. Jorge
6. Solar do Castelo - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Alfama (from USD 461)
Reasonable pricing with included airport transfers and complimentary refreshments
Historic building with courtyard, museum, and peacocks, free museum entry
Perfectly situated near St. George Castle in the heart of Alfama district
Generous and varied breakfast, all-day refreshments, and an honesty bar
Solar Do Castelo is a historic part of São Jorge Castle, built in an 18th-century building. It towers over the Alfama district. Atelier Graça Viterbo preserved the medieval origins of the castle with a contemporary perspective to create the décor of the property.
The hotel has fully furnished rooms, showers and tubs in the bathroom and a comfortable seating area. For entertainment, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi are available for you. People travelling abroad can access the airport shuttle services for free, so have a hassle-free ride before your flight.
Tip from tour guide
Take advantage of your proximity to the castle of Lisbon, the most visited monument of the city (amazing view from up there), while here. It has a 1940s medieval style that reminds me of a smaller version of Carcassonne or Castello Sforzesco. The castle has a similar story but a more interesting history!
A defensive Roman fortification was probably there once before the Arabs built an alcáçova expanding the Roman walls. They ruled Lisbon until the Crusaders led by D. Afonso Henriques defeated the Moors in 1147. The castle was renamed after St. George. In the Middle Ages, kings and queens had their Paço Real here. The castle was gradually used less often and slowly forgotten until only its ruins remained.
Solar do Castelo - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Alfama
Address: Rua das Cozinhas 2 (ao Castelo)
84 meters (277.0 ft) from Castelo de S. Jorge
7. York House Hotel (from USD 214)
York House Hotel was built in the 17th century, previously a Carmelite Convent. The accommodation has a beautiful old-world charm and is well equipped with plush bedrooms and private baths. Guests will also have access to special amenities such as a minibar stocked with drinks and snacks in their rooms.
Nearby places to visit are Santa Catarina Viewpoint and Time Out Market Lisbon popular for local and traditional food products. Both are less than a 10-minute drive away.
York House Lisboa Hotel
Address: Rua Das Janelas Verdes, 32
2.4 km (1.5 mi) from Castelo de S. Jorge
8. Palacete Chafariz Del Rei - by Unlock Hotels (from USD 357)
Reasonable pricing for a luxurious boutique hotel experience.
Historic building with spacious rooms, balconies, and a charming courtyard entrance.
Perfectly situated in the heart of the old town, close to major attractions and with stunning views of the Targus river.
Top-notch, made-to-order breakfast served in an elegant setting, with a variety of dining options nearby.
Palacete Chafariz Del Rei - by Unlock Hotels dates back to the 19th century. The exquisite interiors of the hotel highlight the Art Nouveau style that was popular in the 1900s. The tiles used throughout the property belong to the Pombaline architectural style popularized in the same time period. You can enjoy a royal brunch at the palace’s restaurant and admire the view of the Tagus river. Avid readers fond of European literature and history can visit the wood-panelled library.
People without car rentals can directly take the metro or come in taxis from Humberto Delgado Airport, located less than a 30-minute drive away.
Palacete Chafariz Del Rei - by Unlock Hotels
Address: Travessa Chafariz De El Rei, 6
570 meters (0.4 ft) from Castelo de S. Jorge
9. Pousada de Lisboa - Small Luxury Hotels Of The World (from USD 402)
Reasonable pricing for a luxury hotel in a prime location.
Historic, quiet, and beautifully maintained with a small but lovely pool and a well-equipped gym.
Perfectly situated in the heart of the city, near the waterfront, and within walking distance of great restaurants and attractions.
Exceptional breakfast with a generous buffet and made-to-order options, as well as a fantastic steak restaurant on-site.
This gorgeous hotel is located in the heart of Lisbon. The concept of this chain of hotels is credited to Antonio Ferro, a playwright and poet in the early 1940s. Pousadas, meaning hostel or inn, are where people can enjoy staying in small hotels that represent authentic Portugal origins and hospitality.
Aside from top-notch room amenities, you can visit the indoor pool, spa and wellness centre and gym for a relaxing day. Travelling to public places can also be easy, especially to Bairro Alto district which is just a seven-minute drive from the hotel and has the most popular bars for drinks and live music in Lisbon.
Pousada de Lisboa - Small Luxury Hotels Of The World
Address: Praça do Comércio 31-34
743 meters (0.5 ft) from Castelo de S. Jorge
10. As Janelas Verdes Inn - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Riverside (from USD 548)
Luxury pricing with complimentary amenities like port wine and breakfast until 12:00.
Charming library, garden, and terrace with complimentary refreshments and honor bar.
Conveniently located near museums and local eateries, with easy access to transportation.
Excellent breakfast with many options, served in a lovely garden, and complimentary port wine in the rooms.
The hotel was the home of the famous writer Eca de Quiroz in the 18th century. The property inspired Quiroz’s famous work “Os Maias”. Acclaimed interior designer Graca Viterbo designed the hotel with oil paintings, ornate armchairs, wood panelling, and a rooftop library for book lovers. The guests are also welcome to admire the breathtaking views of the Tagus River from the terrace of the property.
Apart from this, quality tea time can be spent with friends in the interior garden for creating lovely memories together.
As Janelas Verdes Inn - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Riverside
Address: R. Janelas Verdes, 47
2.51 km (1.6 mi) from Castelo de S. Jorge
Explore the city of Lisbon
Be ready to be awe-inspired by the elegant architecture and rich history of Lisbon, Portugal. Your trip here is sure to be filled with good memories, especially paired with a stay at one of the top-notch historic hotels above.
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