Why stay in Lisbon?
photo: Bert Kaufmann
Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, is a lovely hilly city with plenty of great cultural sights and, if you've got any energy leftover, a fantastic nightlife. You'll also be able to part with any money you're not interested in keeping, too - Lisbon has two giant casinos.
Lisbon has several lovely neighborhoods perfect for aimless wandering, each with its own feel and personality. The downtown area (Baixa) has a planned layout because it was completely rebuilt after an 18th century earthquake. The Chiado is great for shopping - window or otherwise - or people-watching from a cafe. The Centro Cultural de Belem is full of monuments and gardens. St. Jorge's Castle boasts nice views of the city and river, and if you're up for a trek you can walk up to it through the interesting and picturesque Alfama neighborhood. The Bairro Alto has some great city views by day and some great partying by night.
In a city famous for its nightlife, you'll want to pay close attention to where your hostel is - if you want to sleep instead of dance at night, make sure it's not in the heart of the nightclub district. On the other hand, if you're bringing your dancing shoes, a hostel that's only a few steps away from the discos is a very good thing, indeed. Keep in mind that "hostels" are no longer only for young backpackers (even if it has "backpackers" in the name!) - they're perfect for any budget-conscious traveler who's interested in the social aspect of travel as well. A few Lisbon hostels worth noting are highlighted here.
Travellers House is centrally located in the Baixa neighborhood, walking distance from Lisbon's main sights. Oasis Backpackers Mansion Lisboa overlooks the river and is near the Chiado nieghborhood. The Bairro Alto area is also nearby.
Lisbon Easy Hostel lies between the Castle Hill and the Bairro Alto, perfect for sightseeing and clubbing. Costta B&B has six rooms in a 200-year-old building in Lisbon's center. Each room is decorated in the theme of a different artist.
And don't worry if none of these hostels sounds like exactly what you're looking for. There are more Lisbon hostels where those came from. Keep reading the descriptions listed here until you find the right one for you.
What else do you need for your trip? We're here to help! You can search for international airfare to Lisbon and get on your way. You can also read more about the city before you get there in our Lisbon Travel Guide.
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