Hotels in Lisbon | B&B HOTELS, 3 hotels

Lisbon, a city of history and culture

Discover the wonderful capital of Portugal, one of the most vibrant and charismatic cities in Europe. It is a destination for all ages, it can be visited as part of a cultural trip, a holiday packed with nightlife, a family holiday, a relaxed city break or even as a base for a beach holiday.

The first thing you'll have to do when you get to the city is to visit the centre of Lisbon, which is built around the Baixa and the surrounding hills. The Baixa, also known as Baixa Pombalina (since it was the Marquis of Pombal who took care of its reconstruction after the tsunami that devastated it in the 18th century), is the most representative area of downtown Lisbon. There you can find restaurants and bars, large fashion chains, shops with tourist souvenirs and small shops, especially in the textile and tourism sectors. You can also see the Elevador de Santa Justa, located to the west of the neighborhood, which gives access to Chiado and the Bairro Alto. It is a wrought iron elevator that has lost part of its former role in communicating two districts of central Lisbon, but has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. We recommend you go and enjoy the stunning views of the centre from its highest platform.

Chiado has been one of the most elegant and aristocratic areas of the city of Lisbon. Over the years, the upper class of the city has gradually abandoned it as a place of residence, but it still retains that atmosphere of cafes and bookstores. At night, the area around Chiado is transformed and filled with young people who enjoy the start of the city's nightlife in the Barrio Alto, an area full of small bars and restaurants.

Alfama is one of Lisbon's most typical neighbourhoods, with small streets and typical houses that make it a pleasure to get lost and wander around. It is in Alfama where you can find most of the fado houses, where you can enjoy many live shows. In this neighbourhood you can also find the São Jorge Castle, on the highest hill in the city centre, the Lisbon Cathedral, the National Pantheon, the Feira da Ladra and the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with an impressive view over the city and the Tagus River.

West of the city centre, next to the Tagus river area, is Belém, one of the most interesting areas to visit and where you can find three of Lisbon's most popular monuments: The Belém Tower, the Hieronymites' Monastery and the Monument to the Discoverers. You cannot leave there without trying the delicious Pastéis de Belém, a reference of Portuguese pastry and one of the most typical souvenirs of the city to take home. In this area you can also visit the Belém Palace, the National Bus Museum, the Electricity Museum, the Church of Memory and the Belém Cultural Centre.

Gastronomy

Cod "bacalhau" is the star ingredient in Portugal and is cooked in an immense variety of dishes. Typical Lisbon specialties are cod pataniscas, garden fish, rich fish soup, green eggs, cod à Brás, hake à lisboeta, hare à Bulhão Pato and clams à Bulhão Pato. You can also enjoy its tasty sardines, especially in special seasons, such as in Santo António.

The Portuguese goat's and sheep's milk cheeses are exceptional, and there are many varieties, from the mildest (fresh cheeses) to the cured ones with spicy touches. The most famous is Queijo da Serra, made from sheep's milk. 

And if your passion is sweets, in Lisbon you will find many pastry shops where the famous pastéis de Belém stand out, cinnamon and cream cakes that you can take with you in boxes or taste right there, and the Quejadas de Sintra, cheese cakes with cinnamon, which are found in Lisbon but originate in Sintra. There in the Piriquita bakery they have been making them with an old recipe since 1862.

Shopping, bars and restaurants

If you like to go shopping, you’ll have at your disposal the Chiadom stores with all your favorite shops (Mango, FNAC, etc.) and A Vida Portuguesa, where you can find all the products of Portuguese brands gathered in the same space. 

You can also visit the city markets, such as Mercado do Campo de Ourique or Mercado da Ribeira, one of the best places to eat in Lisbon, enjoying a good atmosphere within the walls of a historic building.

Another must is the Fábrica LX by the river, an old industrial complex transformed into a creative space with numerous stalls, shops, bars and restaurants. And for those who love reading, there is the Ler Devagar bookstore, with endless shelves full of books of essays, fiction, children's literature and many other genres in various languages, as well as its own coffee shop.

Amazing places near Lisbon

In the surroundings of Lisbon there are several places of historical and cultural interest to visit that you cannot miss. Without a doubt, our recommendation is to go to Sintra, a unique place with beautiful gardens and palaces that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995. Two of the most famous and visited palaces are the Quinta da Regaleira, with fascinating gardens full of mysteries and legends, and the Palácio Nacional da Pena, one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe thanks to its colour and mix of architectural styles.

Another must-see is Cascais, an old fishing village located 30 km from Lisbon. The best beaches of the Portuguese capital are concentrated there, making it a perfect holiday destination. These are Praia da Ribeira, Praia da Conceição, Praia da Rainha, Praia de Parede and Praia do Guincho. You can also see Cabo da Roca, an impressive cliff which, until the end of the 14th century, was considered the end of the world. 

Connected to Cascais by a beautiful promenade is Estoril, which has a past associated with luxury tourism, as it was home to a number of aristocrats, exiled after the Second World War, including the Spanish and Italian royal families. But these distinguished inhabitants were not the only ones to take refuge in Estoril, a good number of spies also had their hideout there, as can be seen in Casino Royale, the film starring James Bond, which was inspired by the Estoril Casino for the shooting of some of its scenes.

We're sure Lisbon will make you fall in love, don't wait and book in our B&B HOTELS to discover every corner of this exciting city!