Lisbon like a local: Six of the finest bed and breakfasts in Portugal’s capital

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Smaller and usually more intimate, Lisbon’s B&Bs are a wonderful alternative to the city’s majestic hotels. The Portuguese capital is full of cosy guest houses and luxurious B&Bs both in the heart of Alfama and in its most-fashionable areas, so you could stay in a historic townhouse or go for one with a glorious terrace overlooking the city.

With a stunning view over both Lisboa and the river, TheHouse is located in Estrela, two minutes away from Basílica da Estrela and the world famous 28 elétrico

Casa do Príncipe

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Overlooking Príncipe Real Gardens, Casa do Príncipe’s outlook is as relaxing and refined as its interiors. In a beautifully restored 19th-century townhouse and named after highlights in King D. Pedro V’s life, each of the B&B’s nine suites and rooms have elegant traditional interiors and period features. Pastel colour schemes are offset by gorgeous stuccowork on the ceilings, while floor to ceiling windows let in plenty of light and provide uninterrupted views of the leafy public gardens across the road. Casa do Príncipe serves up a sumptuous breakfast each morning in the dining room that, unsurprisingly, is just as graceful as its rooms.

Bus: Príncipe Real

Rooms at Casa do Príncipe hae an exclusive atmosphere of sophistication and grace, discretion and elegance

Casa das Janelas com Vista

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Once a basketry shop in the middle of bohemian Bairro Alto, the boutique Casa das Janelas com Vista B&B has tried and succeeded in becoming a real home away from home for its guests. Its handful of rooms, some which have views reaching across the city’s rooftops towards the river, have all been thoughtfully and cosily designed with subtle luxurious touches like beautiful painted furnishings, vintage furniture and high-quality bed linen. Casa das Janelas com Vista’s versatile living room is ideal for a pre-dinner drink, a board-game marathon or as a space to do some work, while its industrial-chic communal kitchen is where the hosts serve a full breakfast spread morning.

Bus: Elevador da Glória

Casa das Janelas com Vista feels just as bohemian as its surrounding area, with a charming and inspirational decor

Dear Lisbon Charming House

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Part of a group of four gorgeous bed and breakfasts, Dear Lisbon Charming House is the second largest with twenty beautiful rooms over the multiple floors of a traditional townhouse. In the pretty Santa Catarina neighbourhood just west of Chiado, it’s a stunning oasis to retreat to after a day of sightseeing and exploring. Its rooms are all decorated in welcoming tones and furnished elegantly, and many have private terraces and balconies. Dear Lisbon Charming House also has an enticing pool in an enchanting Moroccan-themed courtyard garden, a comfortable communal lounge for relaxing in and a restaurant that serves up a typically Portuguese breakfast buffet of fresh breads, jams and delicious hot dishes.

Bus: Cc. Do Combro

Dear Lisbon Charming House's rooms are all decorated in welcoming tones and furnished elegantly

Teatro Bed & Breakfast

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Another B&B in popular Bairro Alto is Teatro, adult-only accommodation with a distinct theatrical theme throughout. With each of its 20 cosy rooms decorated by a professional set designer and inspired by commedia dell’arte characters. Think lavish drapes, regal statues and angels playing trumpets stencilled around the beds, as well as flamboyant chandeliers, mirrored walls and glass-top tables. Teatro’s breakfast café is spread over two stories and open to the public too, attracting guests and passers-by with its typically Portuguese menu.

Price: Baixa-Chiado

Teatro Bed & Breakfast's opulent interior is inspired by classic theatre

Casa do Mercado

Besides its excellent location, the main draw of intimate Casa do Mercado is its organic ethos and adjoining restaurant, which serves up mouth-watering dishes crafted from the finest local ingredients. In a bright townhouse on the edge of Bairro Alto, it has just nine en-suite rooms with each one is carefully decorated in a different calming colour and fitted with charming features like vintage taps and market-themed artwork. After a comfortable night’s sleep, you can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the restaurant, which includes tempting veggie and vegan options on its menu, before heading out to explore the city.

Bus: Rua de São Paulo / Bica

Casa do Mercado's rooms have a rustic feel, with market-inspired decorations

TheHouse

A family B&B in bustling Estrela just east of Chiado, TheHouse is run by friendly local Francisco Cansado Carvalho, whose grandfather built it for his own large family in the late 1950s. Its nine rooms with private bathrooms are all named to reflect their original use, from the Library to Nanny’s Room, and decorated in a unique and welcoming way. Tuck into the buffet breakfast at the top of TheHouse, on the spectacular rooftop terrace overlooking the impressive Basílica da Estrela – just next door – and across the city towards the Tagus River. You’re so central at TheHouse, you can make the most of Lisbon’s best restaurants, fado houses and attractions.

Bus: Rua Buenos Aires