Hotels in Portugal

Generally speaking hotels in Portugal have a good value for money, especially compared to other Western European countries.

Anywhere around the country it is possible to find cheap hotels offering basic yet efficient services, as well as 4 and 5 stars hotels offering high standards.

Rates change according to the time of the year; during the peak season, that is to say from May to October, rates are more expensive, especially by the sea.

Despite the high number of tourists visiting the country on this time of the year, there is still plenty of choice and it is possible to find good hotels in every region of the country. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are the most visited areas of Portugal by tourists coming from all over Europe; we recommend to book in advance in order to find the best rates and offers.

Hotels in the cities

Both Lisbon and Porto offer a good range of accommodations, from cheap hotels to luxury hotels. Your choice depends on you budget.

Generally speaking, it would be good to know how long one would spend at the hotel in order to actually avail of all the comforts it offers, like spa and wellness centers, fitness centers, and starred restaurants.

Once you have chosen your hotel category, it is time to understand in which area of the city you want to stay. We recommend to find a hotel near the old town or near public transports in order to move around the main tourist sites of the city and to easily reach the airport or the train station.

Choosing an area near restaurants and bars could be a good option if you are not going to eat at the hotel.

Hotels in Lisbon

Lisbon offers a wide range of accommodations. We recommend to choose where to sleep according to the calm and tranquillity you actually want to enjoy during your sleeps.

Lisbon streets, especially at Barrio Alto and Chiado are very busy at night thanks to the several bars, restaurants, and cafes.

If you want to stay away from the noise, think about choosing other areas, like the Expo area, Parque das Naçoes, Praça Marques de Pombal, or the historical Alfama, which is very crowded during the day but it gets quieter at night time.

Hotels in Porto

Porto is very popular among tourists, therefore hotels are trying to customize their services in order to meet the needs of every traveler.

There are many neighborhoods where to stay; for instance, Riberia do Porto is famous for its colorful streets and its many cafes. The old area of Porto is great for those who want to learn more about the history and the culture of the city.

Hotels in Coimbra

Nestled on the banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra is both a cultured and elegant city, ideal for lovers of history and culture, and a lively city that attracts young people with its vibrant nightlife. It is famous for being the home of Portugal’s oldest university and the former capital of the country.

Hotels near the beach

In the Algarve most of the cities and villages are located near the coast, and the region offers a wide choice of accommodations.

There are numerous hotels overlooking the sea, which are often luxury hotels. It is also possible to find cheaper accommodations with great ocean views.

Offers go from all-inclusive to rooms with or without breakfast.

Usually hotels near the beach offer great comforts for families who are looking for a place where their kids can swim safely, as well as for adult couples or friends.

Often these hotels offer water sports activities organized by their staff; some other times they feature private beaches, which are great for those who are looking for some privacy and intimacy.

Hotels near the beach in Portugal often offer outdoor pools overlooking the sea and equipped with sun beds and umbrellas. Some top class hotels often have a poolside bar, where parties and live music are organized.

Portuguese islands

Also part of the Portuguese territory are the splendid Madeira (main island of the homonymous archipelago) and the archipelago of Azores. Placed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, much less visited than the Spanish islands (Balearic Islands and Canary Islands), they are places of wild beauty where it is possible to admire a luxuriant nature and spend a memorable vacation made of lazy afternoons at the sea and splendid trekking between mountains and volcanoes.

In the main islands tourism is well developed, with a wide choice of hotels and apartments, in the smaller and remote islands instead find a place to sleep is not always easy.

The best places to sleep in the Portuguese islands are Funchal, capital of the island of Madeira, Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, the largest of the Azores and Santa Maria, considered the island with the most beautiful beaches. To those who love nature and tranquility we suggest Vila de Baleira on the island of Porto Santo, about 40 km from Madeira.

Accommodation in Madeira Accommodation in Azores

Inland locations

Leaving behind the cities and fashionable beaches, Portugal reveals its deeper soul in hauntingly beautiful rural landscapes and picturesque villages where time seems to stand still.

Easily reachable by train from Lisbon, the fairy-tale Sintra is often visited as a day trip destination. To fully appreciate its special atmosphere and visit all its elegant buildings, stay at least one night; add one or two more if you want to treat yourself to days of surfing or relaxing on the beaches of nearby Colares or walking in the woods of the Sintra-Cascais natural park.

The best-preserved medieval city in all of Portugal is Evora, in the south-central part of the country. Perched on top of a hill overlooking the Alentejo plain, it is a small treasure chest that preserves within its fourteenth-century walls traces of a millennial past.

An ideal area for a thematic tour is the Douro Valley, in the north of the country: in the most famous wine area of Portugal you will be able to taste excellent wines in traditional wineries, admire fertile valleys and impressive gorges and stay in charming towns such as Piñhao and Regua.

The amount, type and prices of accommodation in inland Portugal vary greatly depending on the location. Sintra offers many options, from fabulous luxury hotels to small hotels and b&b’s with an excellent quality-price ratio, in the less visited villages accommodations are few and not always cheap. A case in itself is Fatima, destination of religious tourism: accommodations are numerous, but generally lacking charm.

Accommodation in Sintra Accommodation in Évora Accommodation in Douro Valley

Luxury Hotels

Staying at a luxury hotel will increase your relax during your holidays in Portugal.

Whether you are at the beach or in a city, you can choose a structure that will spoil you and that will make you wish you could stay there forever.

There are some must-have facilities that these hotels have to offer to their clients; first of all, a good spa and a fitness center. Food is very important too; many hotels are home to Michelin starred restaurants managed by internationally rewarded chefs.

Technology is a must in the XXI century, and Wi-Fi and cable TV are mandatory. Then the are other services like room service, transfer and pick up services, museums and transport reservations, and other personal requests that the staff of the hotel will be happy to meet.