runs an interactive web page for locating lost property (https://perdidoseachados.mai.gov.pt), but it’s only in Portuguese. Failing that, the Lisbon police lost property office is at Secção de Achados da PSP, Praça Cidade de Salazar Lote 180 in the Olivais Sul district near the airport ( 21/853-54-03; open Mon–Fri 9am–12:30pm and 1:30–4pm). If you’ve lost something on a CP train, call customer service at 70/721-02-20.
Luggage Storage & Lockers Lisbon airport runs a baggage storage system near the P2 car park ( 21/841-35-94). It’s open 24/7. Prices start from 3.36€ per day for luggage less than 10kg. There are coin-operated lockers at the following Lisbon train stations: Cais do Sodré, Lisboa Oriente, Lisboa Santa Apolónia, Rossio. and Sete Rios, with a 24-hour limit. Among several private storage operators are City Lockers (www.citylockers.pt), which has lockers in Rossio metro station and in the parking lots at Martin Moniz and Praça da Figueira; or Luggage Storage Lisbon (www.luggagestoragelisbon.com; 21/346-03-90), which has storage in the Chiado and Parque das Nações areas. Online storage booking services like Stasher (www.stasher.com) and Bagbnb (www.bagbnb.com) also operate in Lisbon with local partners.
Police For emergencies call 112. There is a “tourist police” unit dealing with travelers’ problems based in the pink Palácio Foz building in Praça dos Restauradores ( 21/342-16-23 or 21/340-00-90).
Safety Violent crime against tourists is rare, but pickpocketing and theft from parked cars are problems. Don’t leave valuables in cars if you can avoid it, even during daylight. Pickpockets and bag snatchers tend to focus on crowded areas where there are lots of tourists. The Chiado district and the Portas do Sol viewpoint in Lisbon are hotspots. They also operate on public transport: Take special care on packed Lisbon streetcars. If you are robbed, it’s best to report it to the police. They may not put out an all-points alert, but they will return stolen documents which frequently show up dumped by criminals after they’ve emptied purses and wallets of cash. Foreigners are frequently approached by shady characters offering cocaine or marijuana. What they sell is usually fake. They can seem intimidating and appear to operate with impunity. It’s best to politely say “no, thanks” and walk away.
Taxes Lisbon (and Cascais) imposes a 2€ city tax on hotel bills on a per-person, per-night basis for all visitors over 13, up to a maximum 7 nights.
Where to Stay
Lisbon has a wider range of accommodations than ever before. New hotels are sprouting up all the time, often in tastefully restored historic buildings. Unfortunately, as Lisbon’s popularity grows, so do the prices. Short-term rentals have also expanded rapidly in Lisbon, with over 18,300 vacation apartments—known as Alojamento Local—registered between 2013 and 2019. They cater to all budgets, are often in restored historic buildings, and can offer practical alternatives to traditional hotels. Check out platforms like Airbnb.com and HomeAway.com.
Baixa & Chiado
Expensive
Martinhal Chiado This elegant city center five-star hotel is dedicated to families. Parents will enjoy the cool, clean design incorporated into a 19th-century mansion block. Kiddies will love the colorful family apartments, climbing wall, Xbox sessions, and pajama parties. There are supervised, complimentary kids-club activities for different age groups from early morning ’til 10pm. You can lunch with the offspring in the fun cafe serving Italian food and decorated with a vintage three-wheeler micro-car; then head out to dinner in the chic Chiado restaurants close by while the hotel’s babysitters look after junior. The owners developed the family-friendly concept after traveling with their own four children, and have sister hotels and resorts in Cascais and the Algarve.
Rua das Flores, 44. www.martinhal.com. 21/850-77-88. 37 units. 244€–650€ studios and apartments. Metro: Baixa-Chiado. Private parking 25€ for 24 hours, reservation required. Amenities: Restaurant; kid’s club; indoor play room; babysitting; free Wi-Fi.
Memmo Príncipe Real Lisbon’s second Memmo hotel maintains the group’s high standards. It blends into the hillside down a tiny lane leading out of one of Lisbon’s trendiest neighborhoods. Breathtaking views, elegant contemporary design in local limestone and painted tiles, and specially commissioned artworks. All rooms have Bang & Olufsen TVs and Hermes toiletries. Some have balconies overlooking the city and outdoor fireplaces. The stylish restaurant has modern Portuguese cuisine with influences from Asia, Brazil, and Africa.
Rua D. Pedro V, 56 J. www.memmohotels.com. 21/901-68-00. 41 units. 270€–554€ doubles. Tram 24. Paid parking 30€ daily. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor pool; free Wi-Fi.
Pousada de Lisboa This flagship addition to the Pousada chain of historic inns occupies a strategic location on riverside Praça do Comércio, in the heart of downtown. The sturdy, pastel-painted building is typical of the Pombaline style and was once Portugal’s Interior Ministry. Its interior is filled with artworks and artifacts, including a number of works by the abstract painter Nadir Afonso. After decades of neglect, a 9€-million restoration program transformed the regal building into a first-class downtown accommodation. It has an indoor pool, a fine steak restaurant, and made-in-Portugal Castelbel toiletries in marble bathrooms. Orchids on the breakfast tables are a nice touch.
Verride Palácio Santa Catarina Opened in 2017, this restored palace was an immediate success. Madonna reportedly loved it so much she wanted it for her Lisbon home. Robert De Niro and the Queen of Belgium were also among early guests. Built in the 1750s, the palace occupies a skyline-dominating site and one of the city’s best viewpoints. Marvel at the marble archways, stucco ceilings and panels of antique tiles, all clustered around a monumental 18th-century staircase. On the roof, the pool and fashionable bar/restaurant offer jaw-dropping, 360-degree views. If you can afford it, the huge royal suites are decked out in lemon-yellow silk and stucco work like piped cream. It’s grand, but the ambience is relaxed and unstuffy. Glorious floral arrangements are the work of the part-owner Dutch flower merchant.
