Lisbon – Hostels in Lisbon. Maps for Lisbon, Photos and Reviews for each hostel in Lisbon.

If you’ve just arrived in your hostel, head to Lisbon’s hilltop castle - it’s the best place to get a feel for the city’s layout. Clamber along the ramparts for almost 360-degree views across the city’s oldest neighbourhoods.

Website: http://castelodesaojorge.pt/

Address: R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisbon

District: Alfama

Phone: 21 880 0620

This defensive tower, built between 1514 and 1520, is one of Lisbon’s most recognisable landmarks. UNESCO-listed, it’s one of the first things most backpackers and tourist want to see.

Website: http://www.mosteirojeronimos.pt/en/

Address: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisbon

District: Belém

Phone: 21 362 0034

A ride on the No. 28 tram is a boneshaking treat that can’t be missed. The restored 1930s tram bumps its way through Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods. Catch it at its starting point in Campo Ourique (Prazeres) if you want a seat.

Website: http://carris.transporteslisboa.pt/en/tram/28e/descendente/

Address: Campo Ourique, Lisbon

Sore legs? No wonder. Lisbon’s steep hills can make getting to and from city centre hostels a real workout. Let one of these iconic lifts and funiculars take the strain. The oldest is funicular is Lavra, inaugurated in 1884, but for elegance and spectacle you can’t beat the cast-iron Santa Justa elevator.

Website: http://carris.transporteslisboa.pt/pt/ascensores-e-elevador/

Address: Santa Justa lift, R. do Ouro, 1150-060 Lisbon

District: Santa Justa

If you go to Bairro Alto (The High Neighbourhood) in the day you’ll wonder what the fuss is about, but this grid of streets comes alive at night. Inconspicuous doorways open up to reveal dozens of busy bars, restaurants and quirky late-night shops. Perfect for backpackers looking to get a taste of local Lisbon.

If you’re after a downtown hostel, Baixa is the area for you. It’s a buzzing mix of government buildings, offices and traditional shops. Its elegant streets were built after the 1755 earthquake and are laid out in a grid system, the heart of which is the pedestrianized Rua Augusta.

Alfama is Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood as it survived the 1755 earthquake. It’s a labyrinth of cobbled streets, alleys and colourful doorways that transport you back to Lisbon’s Moorish occupation.

The eve of St. Anthony’s day (June 12th) is one big party. Huge crowds gather at bars and restaurants all over the city to celebrate the patron saint - wherever your hostel is, you’re guaranteed to catch a slice of the mayhem.

Website: http://www.festasdelisboa.com/en/events/event/

Carnival in Lisbon is on Shrove Tuesday and is filled with parades, circus acts, colourful costumes and satirical floats followed by (what else?) drinking and dancing the night away.

Lisbon knows how to welcome in the New Year - if you can find a city centre hostel here on December 31, jump at the chance. There are free concerts, light shows and a dazzling firework display along the riverfront and over the 25th April Bridge.

Address: Terreiro do Paço, Lisbon

An annual food festival held in April to celebrate Portugal’s love of fish. Cooking demonstrations, gourmet tasting and fish dishes by some of Portugal’s best chefs. Just the thing for hungry backpackers.

Website: www.peixemlisboa.com

Address: Patio da gale, Praça do Comércio, 1100 Lisbon

District: Chiado

ATP and WTA clay court tennis tournament attended by top-ranking players. Held every year at the Estoril tennis club in the last week of April and first week of May.

Website: http://www.millenniumestorilopen.com/

Address: Clube de Ténis do Estoril, Avenida Conde de Barcelona, 2765-470 Estoril

Arguably Portugal’s answer to the Glastonbury Festival, Nos Alive (formerly Optimus Alive) is on for three days in July. With over 130 acts across six stages, it’s more than worth heading out of the dorm for...

Website: http://nosalive.com/en/

Address: Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Lisbon

District: Belém

The Lisbon arm of the Rock in Rio music festival franchise is held every two years at different times each year. Over 100 artists are showcased on genre-specific stages.

Website: http://rockinriolisboa.sapo.pt/

Address: Parque da Bela Vista, Lisbon

District: Alto Pina

This three-day festival has been held every July since 1995, and offers a variety of international and Portuguese acts over three stages. Headliners in 2015 included Florence and the Machine, Blur and Sting.

Website: https://superbocksuperrock.pt/

Address: Parque das Nações

District: Parque das Nações

Stuff yourself with a freshly cooked veggie dish and bowl of soup for just €3. Popular with locals and backpackers, this gem opens at 8pm and fills up quickly. Workshops, concerts and film screenings are a free bonus.

Website: https://rda69.wordpress.com/

Address: Rua Regueirão dos Anjos, 69, Anjos

District: Anjos

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/vi1NmQR4Qe/

© Copyrights: goldilockscie

Cosy restaurant offering cheap home-cooked Portuguese. Budget travel tip: ask the waiter how big each portion is and get one to share. Get there early as it only has half a dozen tables.

Address: Rua do Norte, 46, Bairro Alto 1200-284 Lisbon

District: Bairro Alto

Phone: 21 346 4265

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/n9SX-7rDsE/

© Copyrights: yingychangy

The Tardis-like home of the Pastel de Belém. It’s a posh pastel de nata or custard tart. These crispy-on-the-outside, luscious-on-the-inside cups of custardy goodness will have you begging for the recipe. Tough. It’s a secret.

Address: Rua de Belém, 84 to 92, Belém, Lisbon

District: Belém

Phone: 21 363 8078

There’s no Indian food here, just traditional Portuguese barbecue-grilled meat and fish. Reasonable prices and a non-touristy vibe in one of Lisbon’s most popular areas.

Address: Rua do Loreto 49, Chiado, 1200-471 Lisbon

District: Chiado

Phone: 21 342 3661

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/3N1WnagTRg/

© Copyrights: adrienboiss

A food hall in a converted market, just to the west of the hostel-packed Alfama district. Dozens of stalls offer pared-down versions of dishes from Lisbon’s top chefs at much lower prices. Tuck in with the local trendsetters at communal benches.

Address: Avenida 24 de Julho, 49, Cais do Sodré, 1200-109 Lisbon

District: Cais do Sodré

Phone: 21 359 3100

A minute hole-in-the-wall bar close to some of Lisbon’s best downtown hostels. It exclusively serves Portuguese cherry brandy (ginjinha) in tiny glasses - you can have it with or without brandy-soaked cherries, but that’s where your options end...

Address: Largo São Domingos 8, 1100-201 Lisbon

District: Rossio

The place for Fado on a budget. Watch wannabes and professionals singing the Portuguese version of the blues. Fado shows are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9pm, and it’s a good idea to go early.

Address: Rua do Diário de Notícias, 39, Bairro Alto

District: Bairro Alto

Phone: 961339696

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/4FkvH1jFJn/

© Copyrights: annalisa_starace

Lisbon’s trendiest hotspot and most famous nightclub. It has one floor for dancing (dance music and house), one with a laidback bar and a rooftop terrace. Doormen are picky on busy nights.

Website: http://www.luxfragil.com/

Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, 1950-376 Lisbon

District: Alfama

A trendy live music and DJ venue managed by a record label. Look out for film and video projections that bring in a young and culture-hungry crowd.

Website: http://www.musicboxlisboa.com

Address: Rua Nova Do Carvalho, 24, Cais do Sodré

District: Cais do Sodré

Old-fashioned bar popular with a student and backpacker crowd. Perfect for people-watching outside the wide doors (Portas Largas, see?) supping a Super Bock beer.

Address: Rua da Atalaia, 105, Bairro Alto

District: Bairro Alto

This weekly flea market takes place on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, and is popular with both locals and curious backpackers. There are vintage and kitsch items galore - expect plenty of trash, but the occasional treasure too.

Address: Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-472 Lisbon

District: Alfama

A huge factory complex that now houses artists, artisans, bookshops, bars and more - there’s definitely a backpacker vibe here, so it’s well worth making the trip from your youth hostel. Meander through 150 different commercial premises and stay on for dinner and drinks.

Website: http://www.lxfactory.com/

Address: Rua Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300 Lisbon

This bizarre shop sells tinned fish of every kind in packaging covered with traditional images. Design fans will love it, and the tins make great retro gifts. A true one-off - in its own bizarre way, this is as essential to your Libson trip as the Belém Tower.

Website: http://www.conserveiradelisboa.pt/

Address: Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 37, 1100-016 Lisbon

District: Baixa

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides discounts all over Lisbon. Make sure you get one before your hostel adventure begins. If you’re a non-student but aged under 25 get an International Youth Card for similar discounts.

Most basic restaurants serve set menus of bread and butter, a main dish, a drink, dessert and coffee for less than €8. Sometimes that will include a beer.

Servings at Lisbon’s traditional restaurants are usually more than enough for two people. Ask your waiter about serving sizes and share your dish with a mate.

Budget-conscious backpackers should save their culture hit for a Sunday - most of Lisbon’s museums and monuments are free for visitors before 2pm.