Table of Contents

Why Lisbon
Best Neighborhoods
Maps to Lisbon Locations
Airbnb in Lisbon
Hostels in Lisbon
Hotels in Lisbon
Coliving Spaces in Lisbon
Lisbon is Worth the Visit!

Why Lisbon

Lisbon is probably the most popular digital nomad destination in Europe–and for a reason! Its warm weather, low cost of living, and co-working scene make it a great choice. They actually even have a Digital Nomad Visa so remote workers can easily live and work in Portugal.

Best Neighborhoods

Since Lisbon is a small city, most neighborhoods are close to each other and most nomads choose to stay near the city center.

Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon, located between the hill and the ocean. Its charm is its home to history and tradition, from food to Fado music.

The Graça District is one of Lisbon’s oldest suburbs. It boasts spectacular views since it sits on top of Lisbon’s highest hill. If you’re into shopping, you can also find antique shops around the area.

Chiado is often compared to the Montmartre district in Paris because of its elegance and its streets are full of cafes, theatres, and museums.

Bairro Alto is located near Chiado. Known for its bohemian vibe, almost everyone is in Bairro Alto’s bars on Saturday nights. It also has restaurants, cafes, tattoo parlors, and historical landmarks which makes it a busy neighborhood.

Principe Real, which is translated to the Royal Prince, is a residential neighborhood and a social district. Its streets are filled with luxury designer stores, local antique shops, and Portuguese art galleries making it the grander side of Lisbon.

Map to Lisbon Locations

The following map shows all the hostel, hotel, and coliving spaces listed below. AirBNBs are not included because exact locations are not provided.

Airbnb in Lisbon

Shot Balcony in Bairro Alto

Location: Bairro Alto
Price: $72 per night & varies by dates (allow’s long-term stays)
Description: A one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city and a walking distance from Chiado, Baixa, Alfama, and Avenida da Liberdade. This cozy apartment is perfect for a solo traveler, equipped with a desk, kitchen, WiFi, and a private patio. View the listing here.

Central Lisbon Historic Area

Location: Santa Catarina (neighboring Chiado, Principe Real, and Bairro Alto)
Price: $62 per night & varies by dates (for a 28-day stay)
Description: A cozy one-bedroom apartment located in a historic site and within walking distance from a supermarket and public transportation terminals. You also get to have a sofa bed in the living room and see the magnificent view of the city and the Tagus river. View the listing here.

Estrela Home

Location: near Jardim da Estrela, Principe Real, and Bairro Alto
Price: $94 per night (26-night stay)
Description: Feel at home with this apartment next to Jardim da Estrela, the central area of Lisbon. It’s a comfortable and fully-furnished space with complete appliances and even kitchen supplies like coffee, olive oil, pepper, etc. View the listing here.

Romance in Old Town

Location: Bairro Alto and Chiado
Price: $74 per night (25-day stay)
Description: A Parisian-style apartment with Juliet-balcony, French doors, champagne hues, and soft furnishings that’s close to almost everything–shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. View the listing here.

New Rossio Square Botique Apartment

Location: Bairro Alto and Baixa
Price: $2070 per month (with monthly discount)
Description: A small yet charming one-bedroom apartment just behind the National Theatre in Russio Square. Its best feature is it’s tucked away in a little corner of the city so it’s free from traffic noises and very comfortable to live in. View the listing here.

Sao Vicente II

Location: Alfama
Price: $1812 per month (with monthly discount)
Description: Located on the 3rd floor of the Sao Vicente Old Town House, this apartment offers a picturesque view of the green castle hill with the Castelo, historic buildings, and an old monastery garden with wild colorful flowers. The hosts recommend trying the old bakery opposite the townhouse and the small restaurants in the streets. View the listing here.

House of Madres

Location: Madragoa
Price: $1,375 per month (with monthly discount)
Description:  Discover Madragoa, a historic part of the city and the meeting point of different cultures and races, with this apartment. You’ll find the neighborhood full of restaurants and beautiful architecture and the host can recommend different things to do and places to try. View the listing here.

123 Top Suite

Location: Baixa
Price: $50 per night
Description: There is no shortage of space with this apartment located on a residential neoclassical building. It has a living room, workspace, closet, and 2 small balconies perfect for business travelers exploring Lisbon. View the listing here.

Hostels in Lisbon

Hotels in Lisbon

Co-Living Spaces in Lisbon

Since Lisbon is thriving as a digital nomad hotspot, co-living spaces are popping up providing remote workers and travelers with accommodations, office spaces, and wellness rooms all in one establishment.

Outsite Lisbon

Location: Cais do Sodre district
Price: Starting from $1083 per month
Description: Outsite is located near cafes, restaurants, the harbor front, and the market. They have a well-equipped shared kitchen and laundry facility. Aside from the co-working space you can access, they also provide desks in all rooms so you can still be productive from your bedroom. View the listing here.

Selina Secret Garden Lisbon

Location: Cais do Sodre district
Price: start around $ 2,600 per month with breakfast
Description: Selina Secret Garden is a walking distance from Lisbon’s historical attractions, restaurants, bars, cafes, and markets due to its prime location, near Bairro Alto and Alfama. Their coliving space is a hotel with a rooftop deck, pool, patio, and of course, a coworking space. They also have weekly activities like dance classes, wellness retreats, social nomad meetups, and more. View the listing here.

For digital nomads, the most important consideration before moving to a new place is accommodations. Should you stay in a hostel, book a hotel, or share an apartment? 

Regardless of your preference, everyone says the key to finding the best place to stay is research, research, and research. Not only will it help you balance travel and work better, but will also set realistic expectations about the place. Less frustration, more productivity, and more fun! 

Almost everything can be found on the internet if you know what to look for. But what exactly should you look for?

1. Location & Seasons

Are you able to work with the sound of honking cars or do you need to be close to nature? Do you need to prepare mosquito patches?

Some prefer to live in the city center while others like to be close to nature. Regardless of your preference, safety and security must always be your top priority especially when you’re traveling alone.

Avoid areas with high crime rates, civil unrest, and political instability. If you’re going during monsoon season, check if the area is flood-prone. You don’t want your adventure to be THAT kind of memorable. 

3. Transportation and Walkability

Public transportations usually pass by the main attractions and important landmarks so they should be convenient and accessible. Look up how the locals get to places. Trains? Buses? Toktok? Or jeepneys?

The walkability of the places you need to get to should not be overlooked. Not only will you save transportation costs but it will also help you get to know the place better. Who knows? Your favorite local restaurant might be just around the corner. Plus, you also get to reach those 10k steps!

4. Connectivity

There’s a reason for the saying “Internet is a digital nomad’s bread and butter”. It should be the least of your worries.

Most accommodations feature an internet connection on their websites. But if you’re going to work from home, you might share the broadband with several other people. So make sure you ask about the download and upload speed, data limit, and power interruptions. 

You don’t want slow uploads, or worse, lagging conference calls.

5. Amenities

Now, more amenities usually mean pricier accommodations so you need to know what you really need. 

While co-working spaces are popular among digital nomads, it’s not really necessary. You can set up a “workstation” in your place if you prefer working from home. Make sure your place has an office chair and a desk for you to work on. Lighting is also important so make sure you have optimal lights if not windows for natural light. 

Solo travelers often think that a small space is enough but working and sleeping in the same space is not ideal. Your productivity may decline sooner rather than later in a small space. So be generous enough when booking a place.

Other amenities you can ask about are water pressure, coffee and/or tea makers, and a smoking area (if you’re not a smoker you don’t want a room close to this one).

Ask what equipment they have in the kitchen aside from pots, pans, and knives. Also, are there storage spaces and refrigerators for your ingredients? What are the clean-up protocols?

This might be your biggest adventure: source local ingredients, discover recipes, and find your next favorite flavor!

7. Community

Loneliness is often what digital nomads battle when traveling alone. So the role that a community plays in your stay is crucial. It is what makes the new place feel like home. 

Most conversations happen in common areas, not just bars and parties. Ask around and look for common areas like co-working spaces, dining areas, and reading rooms. Even a common kitchen is a good place! The internet may be a great place to find where to go or what to try next but there’s nothing more reliable than personal accounts. 

Start conversations and foster connections. Your fellow digital nomads may have tips and tricks for what’s bugging you lately. Ask the locals what they do and where they go for fun.