Rome isn't the only city built on a hill. Portugal's capital sprawls across seven of them with a maze of cobbled streets and stairways and wherever your hotel in Lisbon is you'll find plenty to enjoy. Spend time exploring on foot visiting the many miradouros which give clear views across the rooftops to the Rio Tejo, the Ponte 25 de Abril (a replica of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge) and the towering Cristo Rei statue on the banks beyond. History abounds in Lisbon from the Castelo de São Jorge to the Mosteiro de Jerónimos and the Sé Cathedral. At eDreams we have hotel deals on quiet bougainvillaea-lined streets or good value hostels and cheap hotels in districts such as Belem or Oriente, home to the Oceanário aquarium.
Be sure to take a ride on the historic yellow Number 28 tram. When you book a hotel in Lisbon you can enjoy your tram ride early in the day before the crowds arrive. Now over 80 years old, the tram trundles its way up from the Praça da Figueira and past the cathedral towards the castle. Spend a couple of hours exploring the castle's ramparts, museums and archaeological sites. After admiring the stunning views from the castle terrace, find a cafe for lunch in the streets surrounding it. Art lovers will find the Gulbenkian Museum a must. The 20th-century philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian left much of his extensive collection of art to Lisbon, his favourite city. Baixa is home to shops both quirky and designer as well as the Livraria Bertrand, the world's oldest bookshop, and the beautifully wrought Elevador de Santa Justa. In the evening, dine on the city's bountiful fish and seafood. There are at least 365 recipes for bacalhau or salted codfish alone! Also on the menu is top-grade beef from the Alentejo or spicy curries from Africa. If you can't make up your mind, visit the Time Out Market in the converted Mercado de Ribeiro where stalls offer a tempting culinary choice.
If you want to shop while in Lisbon, look for cheap hotels in Chiado or Bairro Alto. Chiado is for boutique-hopping while Bairro Alto is a maze of lanes with chic shops, vintage stores and bars that are little more than holes in the wall. Sweeping down the hill from the castle is another maze of streets known as Alfama. Pastel-coloured houses are linked by steep staircases where cats lazily sun themselves. This is the home of Fado, Portugal's haunting music. Alfama might seem sleepy during the day but return at night to a Fado club and it wears a different face. Between Alfama and the river is the Praça do Comércio, Lisbon's largest and most regal square. Around here you'll find accommodation that ranges from basic hostels and cheap hotels to more luxurious choices. A few kilometres west of the Praça do Comércio is the district of Belém where explorers set sail for the New World. This is where you'll find the Discoveries Monument, the Mosteiro de Jerónimos and a collection of galleries and museums. It is also home to the Casa Pasteis De Belem bakery where Portugal's iconic custard tarts have been made to a secret recipe since 1837. If a hotel in Lisbon sounds tempting for your next city break, then search eDreams easy-to-navigate filters by location, price, date and room type.