Lisbon might be my favorite city in the world. I’ve spent years hunting down the coolest Airbnbs in Lisbon, Portugal for my own wish list. I live in San Francisco, and Lisbon feels less like a sister city and more like a twin.
I know that sounds like a stretch until you’re standing on a hill looking down at colorful houses and a bridge that’s basically a redheaded Golden Gate. I felt at home the second I landed.
I spent 10 days in Lisbon a couple years ago and I’ve been back to Portugal more times than I can count (walking the Camino de Santiago in the north is something I really enjoyed).
But Lisbon is where it’s at, and if you’re looking to rent a house in Lisbon instead of a hotel room, I really do think staying in an apartment is the best way to experience the city like a local. So many of the coolest neighborhoods don’t have hotels at all, and that’s exactly where you want to be based: close to the best restaurants, the nightlife scene in spots like Bairro Alto, and the tourist sites everyone’s chasing.
If you want the full one-day game plan for the city, I put together a Lisbon in a day itinerary that pairs well with wherever you end up staying. But this post is about the cool Airbnbs in Lisbon, Portugal that are on my personal wish list for my next trip back. Every single one below is a place I’ve researched closely, bookmarked, or actually stayed in myself.
Cool Airbnbs in Lisbon, Portugal
To make this list, a Lisbon Airbnb had to have real personality and a location worth waking up early for. The rating also had to actually reflect what you’re getting. Here’s what made the cut for the best Lisbon Airbnbs right now.
My Top 3 Favorites
- JAM Hotel: best for travelers who want hotel service, an unbeatable riverside location, and easy train access for day trips.
- River Views Penthouse: best for couples who want total privacy with an exclusive terrace and river view.
- STUNNING VIEW IN GRAÇA: best for families or two couples who want real space, private terrace views, and a working fireplace.
1. Loft with Panoramic Lisbon View
- Good for: couples, photographers, first-time visitors, view chasers
- Location: Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: private terrace facing the Tagus River, panoramic window in the bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, tons of natural light, walking distance to the Santa Luzia viewpoint and Lisbon Cathedral
I’m a huge sucker for a view I can wake up to, and this one’s been saved on my phone since the day I found it. It’s on the 6th floor of a historic building in Alfama. The panoramic window looks straight out over the Tagus and the Cathedral. It’s a bright, sun-soaked space by design, the kind of layout that’s clearly built for catching a sunrise from bed.
This one works best for couples or solo travelers who don’t mind stairs, because there’s no elevator and you’re climbing six flights to get there. There’s a small sofa bed available for a kid or teen but only on special request, so it’s not the move if you’re traveling with a bigger group or anyone who can’t handle a bag up that many steps.
2. Alfama Unique & Romantic Studio
- Good for: couples, romantic getaways, history lovers
- Location: Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: 18th-century building facing Sé Cathedral, queen-size double bed, equipped kitchenette, air conditioning, window reading nook
I saw this listing and immediately saved it because of the window seat. There’s a little nook built right into the window where you can sit with a book and stare out at the Sé Cathedral, which sits directly across the street. The building itself dates back to the 1700s, tucked into one of the narrow streets of Alfama, Lisbon’s old town neighborhood where the city’s history is the thickest.
It’s a one-bed studio, so there’s no separate living room, which makes it tight for anyone besides a couple. Alfama’s charm comes with a price: the cobblestone streets up to this building are steep, so a big suitcase is going to be a workout. Works best for two people traveling light, not ideal if you’re hauling luggage for a longer trip.
3. Antiga Casa Pessoa – The Fountain Fresco Apartment
- Good for: design lovers, architecture fans, solo travelers, couples
- Location: central Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: original 19th-century frescoes, Architecture Valmor Prize-winning building, one bedroom with double bed, balconies off both the living room and bedroom, in-unit washer/dryer
I researched this one closely before adding it to my list, mostly because of the wall murals. They’re original 19th-century paintings, still bright with color after all these years, and the building itself won Portugal’s Valmor Architecture Prize in 2020 for the restoration. It’s a one-bedroom, centrally located in the heart of the city, with a double bed and a kitchen equipped with a fridge and washer/dryer.
Because it sits so centrally, expect some street noise, this isn’t a quiet residential pocket of the city. And with just one bedroom, it’s built for a couple or solo traveler, not a group. Works best for anyone who wants to feel like they’re staying inside an art piece, not ideal if you need total quiet at night.
4. Graça Elegant Apartment with Balcony and Lift
- Good for: remote workers, couples, longer stays
- Location: Graça, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and Nespresso machine, dining area, balcony facing a garden, elevator (rare in Lisbon), high-speed fiber WiFi
This is the one I keep coming back to when I’m scrolling Lisbon rentals late at night. It’s a modern one-bedroom in a brand-new building in Graça, with a living room, a separate dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen that actually has a dishwasher, which is rare to find in this city’s rentals. The balcony looks out over a peaceful garden instead of a street, and there’s an actual elevator, which sounds small until you’ve hauled a suitcase up four flights in one of Lisbon’s older buildings.
Graça sits uphill and outside the main tourist center, so you’re relying on the Tram 28 or a bus to get down into the thick of things, it’s not walking distance to spots like Bairro Alto or Chiado. Works best for longer stays where you want a quieter, more local neighborhood, not ideal if you want to be in the middle of the nightlife.
5. JAM Hotel
- Good for: travelers who want hotel service, day-trippers, design lovers
- Location: riverside Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: industrial interior, riverside location, walking distance to Time Out Market, easy train access for day trips to the beach, bookable through Airbnb’s newer hotel program
I actually stayed here, and it’s the one entry on this list I can speak to firsthand. I loved the location, right by the water and next to a main train line, which made it so easy to do day trips out to the beach or just walk over to Time Out Market for lunch. The inside is very cool and industrial, not what you’d expect from a typical Lisbon stay, and it’s honestly still my pick for the best Airbnb in Lisbon if you don’t want to overthink it.
Quick flag: this one’s technically a hotel, not a private apartment. It’s part of Airbnb’s newer hotel program, so you’re booking it right alongside the rest of the Airbnb listings on this list. Most guests can get 15% off when booking Lisbon hotels through Airbnb this way. Works best for anyone who wants hotel service and doesn’t need a full kitchen or living room, not ideal if the whole point of your trip is that classic Airbnb apartment feel.
6. Flores Penthouse with Private Terrace
- Good for: couples, solo travelers, sunset lovers
- Location: near Príncipe Real and Chiado, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: top-floor private terrace, warm interiors, steps from Praça das Flores, close to both Príncipe Real and Chiado, built for sunset drinks
I’ll be staying here on my next trip to Lisbon if I have anything to say about it. It’s the top-floor unit at Cego, with its own private terrace looking out over Lisbon’s rooftops, and the location is the real selling point: steps from Praça das Flores and walking distance to both Príncipe Real and Chiado.
The catch is the stairs. It’s on the 2nd floor and there’s no elevator in the building, so anyone with mobility issues or a heavy bag is going to feel it. Works best for couples or solo travelers who can handle a walk-up, not ideal if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or need step-free access.
7. STUNNING VIEW IN GRAÇA
- Good for: families, groups, longer stays
- Location: Graça, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: private terrace, upper-floor double bedroom with ensuite bathroom, ground-floor twin bedroom with single beds, working fireplace, air conditioning and heating
I have this one on my wish list for a trip where I’m bringing the whole crew. You get a private terrace over one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, and the layout works well for two couples or a family. There’s an upper floor with a double bedroom and ensuite bathroom, a ground floor with a twin bedroom (single beds), a second bathroom, and its own living room and kitchen.
Parking is available but it’s paid. And because it’s set in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, the building has some old-neighborhood quirks that come with the territory. Works best for families or two couples splitting a stay, not ideal if you want to be right in the center of things.
8. Pé de Ferro (Iron Foot)
- Good for: artsy travelers, couples, families with older kids
- Location: Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: decorated by a local artist, double bed plus a sofa bed, easy to heat in winter, walking distance to pedestrian streets, original artwork throughout
The story behind this place is what got it saved to my list in the first place. It used to be the working studio of Tomas Colaço, a local artist, and he decorated the whole apartment himself, leaving his signature style in every corner. It sits in one of Lisbon’s most traditional neighborhoods, once home to fishermen and the “varinas” who sold their catch, and it’s a pedestrian street where life still happens outside.
The decor is a real point of view, not a neutral rental look, so it won’t be for everyone. And because it’s on a lively pedestrian street, expect some street noise in the evenings. Works best for couples or families with kids over 14 (no extra charge for them), not ideal if you want a quiet, blank-slate kind of space.
9. River Views Penthouse
- Good for: couples, privacy seekers, self-check-in fans
- Location: central Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: exclusive terrace, river view, no shared floor with other guests, self check-in with smart lock, luggage storage right in front of the building
I keep this one bookmarked purely for the privacy factor. There are no other guests sharing the floor, and the living room opens straight onto the terrace, so you get that indoor-outdoor flow with a river view and zero interruptions. It’s in the city’s best district, central enough to walk to most things. Also, that terrace catches the sunset dropping straight over the Tagus, with nothing blocking the view.
Because check-in is fully self-service with a smart lock, there’s no host to lean on if something comes up during your stay. Works best for a couple wanting total privacy, not ideal if you want more host interaction or are traveling with several people.
10. The Holiday Rooftop Lisboa
- Good for: couples, remote workers, sunset chasers
- Location: quiet residential area, Lisbon, Portugal
- Why stay here: top-floor private terrace, panoramic city views, lift access, bed positioned to face the balcony, recently refurbished interior
This is a listing I found while deep in research mode for my next Lisbon trip, and the detail that sold me completely was small: the bed faces the balcony, so you wake up to a view of the city without even sitting up. It’s on the top floor of the tallest building in a quiet, refurbished area of the city, one that locals rate as one of the best neighbourhoods to live in for its calm and easy access to transport.
The tradeoff is distance. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the river and Praça do Comércio, so this isn’t a waterfront stay, you’ll want to hop the metro from the nearby Intendente station instead of walking. Works best for people who want a quiet home base with an easy commute into the center, not ideal if you want to walk straight out your door and be on the water.
FAQ: Best Airbnbs in Lisbon, Portugal
What is the best area to stay in Lisbon?
Alfama and central Lisbon are the classic picks if you want walkability to the cathedral, Santa Luzia viewpoint, and the old town. Graça is a good alternative if you want a quieter, more local neighborhood with a short tram ride into the center.
Is it better to stay in a Lisbon hotel or Airbnb?
For most trips, a Lisbon apartment wins. Many of the coolest neighborhoods, like Alfama and Graça, barely have hotels at all, so renting is often the only way to actually be based where you want to be, plus you get a kitchen and more space for the same budget.
What is the best Lisbon Airbnb with a private terrace?
The Flores Penthouse and the STUNNING VIEW IN GRAÇA both have private terraces, and the River Views Penthouse in central Lisbon has an exclusive terrace with no shared floor. If a terrace is non-negotiable for you, those three are the ones to compare.
Are Lisbon Airbnbs walkable, or do I need a car?
Most of the stays on this list are walkable to major sites, especially anything in Alfama or central Lisbon. Graça and the quiet residential pick near Intendente are a bit further out and rely more on the Tram 28, metro, or a short bus ride.
I spent 10 days in Lisbon and never needed a car, though sometimes we did call an Uber when I didn’t want to walk back up a large hill.
How far in advance should I book a Lisbon Airbnb?
Book at least two to three months out for peak season (June through September) and holidays. Availability on the smaller one-bedroom and studio apartments in Alfama and central Lisbon disappears fastest, so don’t wait if one of those catches your eye.
Is Lisbon a good city for solo travelers?
Yes. Lisbon is walkable, safe, and easy to get around on foot or by tram. Several stays on this list, like the Alfama studio and the Antiga Casa Pessoa apartment, are sized and priced for one or two guests.
Which Lisbon Airbnb has the best views?
If a Lisbon Airbnb with views is the priority, start with the Loft with Panoramic Lisbon View for the Tagus and Cathedral, or The Holiday Rooftop Lisboa if you want a top-floor city panorama right from bed.
What are the best cool Lisbon Airbnbs for couples?
The Alfama Unique & Romantic Studio, the Flores Penthouse, and the River Views Penthouse are the three I’d point a couple toward first. All three are one-bedroom or studio layouts built for two, not extra guests.
Ready to Book Your Lisbon Airbnb?
Lisbon does something to you after a few days of staying in one spot instead of bouncing between hotels. You start recognizing the guy at the corner padaria, and by day three you know which miradouro has the best sunset light without checking a map anymore.
Whether you land somewhere with a tiled facade in Alfama or a rooftop terrace over the Tagus, I hope one of these makes your trip feel like that. A quiet apartment in Príncipe Real works too, if you want to be near all the good coffee shops.
Drop a comment below if there’s a Lisbon Airbnb you’ve stayed in that should’ve made this list, I’m always adding new ones before my next trip back. Between this list and my Porto roundup, you’ve basically got the best Airbnbs in Portugal covered in one sitting, and if Porto’s anywhere on your itinerary too, I rounded up my favorite Porto Airbnbs in a separate post, it pairs really well with a Lisbon trip if you’re doing both cities.
