5 Best Hotels in Alfama, Lisbon

This stylish boutique hotel scores major points for its detail-driven design, carefully restored 19th-century building, and friendly staff. Colorful street art ramps up the cool credentials and the views from the rooftop pool and bar are the hotel's crowning glory. Staff are savvy to the best places to visit in Lisbon, and the hotel even offers free walking tours (reserve ahead). All rooms are bright, cool, and contemporary, with a minimalist-chic feel to the wooden floors and crisp white linens.

Located in an 18th-century mansion within the walls of Castelo de São Jorge, this boutique hideaway has been lovingly restored. Featuring classical furnishings, the standard rooms in the original building offer river views; rooms in the newer wing incorporate parts of the castle wall. A sun-drenched courtyard acts as a breakfast area and is home to a family of peacocks. Luxurious touches abound, including Molton Brown toiletries. There's no restaurant, but there's 24-hour room service and free tea and coffee. Vehicle access is restricted to local residents and taxis, but guests booking directly through the hotel website benefit from complimentary taxi service from the airport. 

If you want expansive views of the castle and the entire neighborhood, book a room on one of the upper floors of this small modern hotel perched atop the tallest of Lisbon's seven hills. In summer, ask for a balcony or one of the rooms with large terraces. The top-floor breakfast room has huge windows and lots of sunny spots for admiring the view. There's no metro station, but Tram 28 runs nearby.

Near Castelo de São Jorge, this small, elegant hotel pampers guests with luxurious linens, elegant furnishings, and marble bathrooms. Rooms are spread over four floors, the service is attentive, and superior rooms on the second and third floors have lovely terraces where you can enjoy breakfast or sip an afternoon drink.

Cool and serene, this handsome boutique hotel's location near the Castelo de São Jorge makes it perfectly placed for admiring the city from up high. The decor, in a contemporary style with minimalist furnishings, is a nice contrast to the traditional facade. For the best views, request a room on one of the upper floors overlooking the Tagus River. At the top of the hotel, Loft 58 is a light-filled attic space for up to 10 people, with a private terrace offering great views across the city. Guests gather on the terrace for a glass of wine at sunset or at the tapas bar, La Terrasse, for light lunches.