Lisbon in July

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Any suggestions for hotels and activities in Lisbon next July?
Was hoping to keep hotel costs under £900 for 3 nights.
A pool of some kind would be nice, but we’d prefer smaller boutique hotels rather than large chains.

[Lotobear]

We did Lisbon last July and enjoyed it but I wouldn't say it's a place for 'activities' per se, except walking and sight seeing. Oh and eating and drinking!

I can't recall the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was nice, no pool though.

This year we did Porto and I have to say we both enjoyed it more that Lisbon. We stayed in a lovely apartment near to the waterside with great access to Gaia and the port houses. Did the river cruise and the food market (which was superb) and had a day on the beach (via the metro). It's a very chilled place with loads of history and great architecture.

Lisbon was great too but, to me, much of it is like any large European city.

[yellowbentines]

We stayed here in October last year for a week and loved it - newish hotel, great service, spotless rooms, nice (albeit small) rooftop pool an bar area with loungers, and a good balance of being far enough away from tourist central whilst convenient enough to access the City.

https://www.lumenhotel.pt/en

We booked the Executive Suite which was really spacious, and for 3 nights that should fit within your budget even over a weekend in June.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Lotobear said:

We did Lisbon last July and enjoyed it but I wouldn't say it's a place for 'activities' per se, except walking and sight seeing. Oh and eating and drinking!

I can't recall the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was nice, no pool though.

This year we did Porto and I have to say we both enjoyed it more that Lisbon. We stayed in a lovely apartment near to the waterside with great access to Gaia and the port houses. Did the river cruise and the food market (which was superb) and had a day on the beach (via the metro). It's a very chilled place with loads of history and great architecture.

Lisbon was great too but, to me, much of it is like any large European city.

We went to Porto fairly recently, hence wanting to try something new.

Some sightseeing, walking and good food and drinks is exactly what we are looking for.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

yellowbentines said:

We stayed here in October last year for a week and loved it - newish hotel, great service, spotless rooms, nice (albeit small) rooftop pool an bar area with loungers, and a good balance of being far enough away from tourist central whilst convenient enough to access the City.

https://www.lumenhotel.pt/en

We booked the Executive Suite which was really spacious, and for 3 nights that should fit within your budget even over a weekend in June.

Looks interesting and well-priced. Thanks for the idea.

[fatboy b]

It’s amazing how opinions vary, and I respect those that like Lisbon. We found it a bit average to be honest. A heavily graffitied city which spoiled it a bit. We found some nice restaurants but had to look hard as most in the centre are very touristy.

We stayed in an apartment by the coast east of the airport. Transport was great but probably wouldn’t go back.

[Macneil]

We ate well, but that's about it. As above graffiti everywhere. If you want a cork handbag, a tin of sardines for a tenner or a lump of foul salt cod, you won't go short.

It really comes alive after dark though, great atmosphere in the neighbourhoods, trams sparking and clanging, and some absolute fantastic cheap family run restaurants.

Don't expect to be able to get a paris or london style breakfast, nowhere opens early better eat at your hotel.

[Lotobear]

Alfama and Bairo Alto are nice parts of Lisbon, the rest I found a bit meh TBH

[s2kjock]

I've been to Lisbon 3 times now for extended weekends, twice this year.

The city centre is packed with tourists and like the Royal Mile and Princes Street in Edinburgh, generally a bit grotty and not pleasant because of that, other than the architecture - sort of thing you only do once - the weather makes up for it, but we tend not to go to the main tourist areas and stay a bit out of the main centre. There are plenty decent bars, restaurants etc and it is just a pleasant place to wander around for us. We managed 50 miles of walking last time on a 5 night stay. I love the place.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

s2kjock said:

I've been to Lisbon 3 times now for extended weekends, twice this year.

The city centre is packed with tourists and like the Royal Mile and Princes Street in Edinburgh, generally a bit grotty and not pleasant because of that, other than the architecture - sort of thing you only do once - the weather makes up for it, but we tend not to go to the main tourist areas and stay a bit out of the main centre. There are plenty decent bars, restaurants etc and it is just a pleasant place to wander around for us. We managed 50 miles of walking last time on a 5 night stay. I love the place.

Thanks for an alternative view!

[yellowbentines]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

s2kjock said:

I've been to Lisbon 3 times now for extended weekends, twice this year.

The city centre is packed with tourists and like the Royal Mile and Princes Street in Edinburgh, generally a bit grotty and not pleasant because of that, other than the architecture - sort of thing you only do once - the weather makes up for it, but we tend not to go to the main tourist areas and stay a bit out of the main centre. There are plenty decent bars, restaurants etc and it is just a pleasant place to wander around for us. We managed 50 miles of walking last time on a 5 night stay. I love the place.

Thanks for an alternative view!

I think you could have a good or bad experience in any City dependent on when you go and where you base yourself.

As above we always make a point of avoiding staying in the most touristy areas where there are too many people, and the restaurants offer average food and drink at inflated prices.

We loved Lisbon - preferred it to Barcelona which we visited last month and everyone said would be 'amazing'.

I loved that the different neighbourhoods each had their own character. The wine and coffee seemed to be of a great standard everywhere, and great food was not hard to find though we are veggie so always do research and book in advance. People were friendly and welcoming and we felt safe everywhere and tend to walk whenever we can rather that take taxis/public transport.

Yes, there are dirty streets and graffiti in places but that could be applied to Glasgow/London/Barcelona/New York/Rome...

Day trips to Sintra and Cascais were nice ways to spend a day, and a yacht trip along the river at sunset is a nice way to spend an evening.

[Vasco]

yellowbentines said:

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

s2kjock said:

I've been to Lisbon 3 times now for extended weekends, twice this year.

The city centre is packed with tourists and like the Royal Mile and Princes Street in Edinburgh, generally a bit grotty and not pleasant because of that, other than the architecture - sort of thing you only do once - the weather makes up for it, but we tend not to go to the main tourist areas and stay a bit out of the main centre. There are plenty decent bars, restaurants etc and it is just a pleasant place to wander around for us. We managed 50 miles of walking last time on a 5 night stay. I love the place.

Thanks for an alternative view!

I think you could have a good or bad experience in any City dependent on when you go and where you base yourself.

As above we always make a point of avoiding staying in the most touristy areas where there are too many people, and the restaurants offer average food and drink at inflated prices.

We loved Lisbon - preferred it to Barcelona which we visited last month and everyone said would be 'amazing'.

I loved that the different neighbourhoods each had their own character. The wine and coffee seemed to be of a great standard everywhere, and great food was not hard to find though we are veggie so always do research and book in advance. People were friendly and welcoming and we felt safe everywhere and tend to walk whenever we can rather that take taxis/public transport.

Yes, there are dirty streets and graffiti in places but that could be applied to Glasgow/London/Barcelona/New York/Rome...

Day trips to Sintra and Cascais were nice ways to spend a day, and a yacht trip along the river at sunset is a nice way to spend an evening.

Oh yes, quite agree. I always enjoy Lisbon (and Porto) as there's so many small, old, unique, local areas to investigate. Far better than Barcelona.