4 Best Hotels in Baixa, Lisbon

Lisbon's downtown pousada—part of a national network of hotels in historic buildings—this former government ministry, whose presidential suite was the office of the dictator Salazar, has been overhauled with a view to elegance and comfort. Statues line the corridors and other artworks abound. Guest rooms are decorated in a simple contemporary style; the pricier ones afford amazing views of the square and river. A generous buffet and à la carte breakfast is served in the interior patio, whose transparent roof is retracted on warmer days. The in-house Rib restaurant serves fine steaks and Portuguese wine, but lighter alternatives may be ordered either there or in the bar. There's just one other pousada in the city: a much smaller property in the Alfama neighborhood.

If you're looking for a great location for sightseeing, check into one of the bright and cheerful rooms on the five azulejo-lined floors of the Residencial Florescente. Try to book well ahead: this is one of the few reasonably priced options in the heart of town, and it fills up quickly. There's a small outdoor pool and sun terrace with a bar serving poolside drinks, and the on-site restaurant offers Portuguese dishes.

Rooms at this fun and funky design hotel overlooking the Rossio are themed by design and by scent; take your pick from Urban, Tribal, Pop, and Zen. All of the rooms have unique designs with playful modern artworks, and some have private terraces with views of the bustling square and the shopping street of Rua Augusta, including three spacious superior suites that are among five lodgings added in a 2023 revamp. As well as a small interior patio, there's a lounge and space for business meetings in the building's well-lit loft space, while the trendy restaurant, Bastardo, is a hit with local foodies thanks to its Portuguese seafood- and sushi-based menu.

Just steps away from the busy Praça da Figueira, this hotel offers smart modern rooms in a nicely restored 19th-century building. Rooms are not large, but they are stylishly appointed and have handsome wood floors and big windows, some with views of the castle. The ground-floor restaurant-bar called O Poço ("The Water Well") serves buffet meals in an elegant space centered around a tiled fountain dating  back to Roman times.