Where to Stay in Portugal: The Best Hotels & Apartments, Region by Region
From cliff-edge quintas near Sintra to wild-coast retreats in the Alentejo and local apartments in Nazaré — our region-by-region guide to the best places to stay in Portugal.
It’s really hard to work with these sea views… Here in Sesimbra
Quick navigation: Sintra & Around Lisbon · Nazaré & Ericeira · Sesimbra, Setúbal & Arrábida · Alentejo & Costa Vicentina · Backcountry Algarve · FAQ
Portugal is one of those countries where the accommodation itself becomes part of the trip. You can find a hotel in Portugal that overlooks an Atlantic cliff, wake up to the sound of cork oaks in the Alentejo, or stumble into a surf lodge where the salt air never leaves. And you can do most of it without paying five-star prices — if you know where to look.
There are a lot of Portugal guides out there, but they all mention the same tourist spots. What follows is our by-region breakdown of where to stay in Portugal — the places we've stayed, the ones we'd book today, and the regions we think are seriously underrated.
Plan your Portugal trip: where to stay, how to get around and things to do
| Region | Best For | Vibe | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sintra & Around Lisbon | History, dramatic ocean views, day trips | Romantic, a little wild | Touristy in town, quiet on the coast |
| Nazaré & Ericeira | Surf culture, seafood, big wave energy | Laid-back to buzzy | Moderate |
| Sesimbra, Setúbal & Arrábida | Hidden beaches, nature reserve, local life | Unpretentious, sunny | Busy in summer — mostly local crowd |
| Alentejo & Costa Vicentina | Nature, silence, cork trees, wild coast | Slow, deeply restorative | Very low |
| Backcountry Algarve | Authentic villages, golden hills, no beach crowds | Rural, warm, real | Low |
And before you hit the road, the trails or the waves, make sure to get good travel insurance.
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Nazaré & Ericeira
Views from our alojamento local in Nazaré, on a stormy autumn day (great for the big waves!)
Two surf towns with completely different personalities. Nazaré is where the world's biggest waves break in November, fishermen's wives still wear seven skirts as tradition, and the sardine grills run until midnight. We absolutely loved the vibe there, and you can read our full Nazaré Travel Guide here.
Ericeira is a protected World Surf Reserve — a whitewashed village that feels like it should be more famous than it is, although it attracts a growing expat community. We've spent time in both, and they each deserve their own visit.
Sónia's Apart ⭐ We stayed here (and could have stayed forever)
Nazaré
We booked Sónia's Apart for a few nights in fall and immediately understood why it has such a devoted following. It's a beautifully run apartment — clean, cozy, stylish, right on the beach — and Sónia is the kind of host who makes you feel like a neighbor rather than a guest. The views are ridiculous for the price, and we booked it for a steal in the off-season.
This is also a perfect introduction to what alojamento local actually means in Portugal (more on that below). Small, owner-run, bookable through Booking.com, and often far better than a traditional hotel.
We've already covered the best hotels across both Nazaré and Ericeira in detail — from surf lodges at Swellnest to cliff-edge rooms at You and the Sea and the ocean-view classics like Hotel Miramar Sul. Rather than repeat it all here, we'll just say: the full guide is worth your time.
📍 Read more: Where to Stay in Nazaré & Ericeira — Full Hotel & Surf Stay Guide
Alojamento local
In Portugal, alojamento local (AL) is the official category for small, privately run accommodation — anything from a family-run guesthouse to a holiday apartment. It's fully regulated and listed on Booking.com alongside traditional hotels. Some of our favorite Portugal stays have been alojamento local properties — like Sónia's Apart in Nazaré — and they typically offer more character, more care, and better value than chain hotels. Plus, the money stays in the local community!
Find hotels with a view and cool things to do in Nazaré:
Browse hotels and activities in Ericeira
🐬 Along Portugal’s coast, you’ll often see pods of dolphins surfing the waves — from the cliffs of Nazaré to the calm waters of Setúbal and the Algarve. Locals call them “the sea’s smile,” and it’s easy to see why.
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Sintra & around Lisbon
Casal Santa Virginia — dreamier, impossible
Sintra gets the tourists. We get it — the palaces and flora are genuinely unreal. But if you stay in Sintra town itself, you'll spend half your morning dodging tour groups. Our advice? Stay on the edge. The Sintra coastline — Colares, Azenhas do Mar, the wild stretch toward Cabo da Roca — is where the magic quietly happens. It's all accessible from Lisbon too, which means you can stay here and have the city as your day trip rather than the other way around. However, we also included options in Sintra, for example, if you don’t have a rental car.
Casal Santa Virginia ⭐ We stayed here
Colares / Azenhas do Mar
We came for two nights and immediately wished we'd booked an entire week. Casal Santa Virginia sits on a clifftop in Colares, about 40 minutes west of Lisbon, with views of the Atlantic that are as spectacular from the outside as they are from the inside. It's a converted quinta — an old country estate — with rooms that feel like they've been put together by someone who really cares: exposed stone, beautiful linens, and a terrace & dining room where breakfast arrives (with homemade pastriiiiies) while the ocean puts on its prettiest colors.
The location is the real story. You're a short drive from the wild surf beaches at Praia Grande, you can walk down to Azenhas do Mar (that cliff-hugging village you've seen in every Portugal Instagram ever), and you're far enough from Sintra town to avoid the crowds while being close enough to visit in the afternoon.
Quinta do Scoto
Sintra
If you want to be near Sintra proper — close to the palace viewpoints, with good transport links — Quinta do Scoto is one of the most characterful options around. It's a historic quinta with genuine heritage ties to the Portuguese aristocracy, set in a quiet village away from the touristy centre. There's a saltwater pool, a terrace, lush gardens, and a proper buffet breakfast each morning. Rooms are warm and unfussy. A great base if you want the full Sintra experience without paying city-centre prices — and with more breathing room.
Sintra Boutique Hotel
For something central and polished, Sintra Boutique Hotel delivers. It's in the old town, rooms are individually decorated, and you're steps from everything — palaces, bakeries, the little cable car up to Pena. The design feels genuinely local rather than generic boutique-by-committee. If convenience is your priority and you're happy spending more time in Sintra town itself, this is the pick.
📍 Read more:We have a full guide to the best sea view hotels near Lisbon
Find awesome places to stay and things to do in Sintra region:
Backcountry Algarve
We rented a rustic holiday home in Algarve’s backcountry — and loved the garden!
Everyone goes to the Algarve for the beaches, which is fair — they're beautiful. But the interior? Almost no one ventures in. The Barrocal — the limestone hinterland between the coast and the mountains — is full of whitewashed villages, orange groves, and some genuinely exceptional rural hotels and vacation houses. It also happens to have some of the most interesting food in Portugal.
If you've "done" the Algarve coastline, or if you hate resorts (oops, guilty) and want something different, this is it. We actually included this region in our off-the-beaten-path Portugal guide.
Hospedaria
Near Tavira / Conceição de Tavira
The original building dates to 1917, and whoever restored it understood exactly what to keep and what to update, in our humble opinion. Hospedaria is a rural boutique hotel in the Barrocal — halfway between historic Tavira, the fishing village of Cacela Velha, and the Algarve mountains. It's adults-only, with an outdoor pool, a bar, and garden views that make you want to do very little for a very long time. The location is quiet and genuinely off the tourist trail.
Octant Vila Monte
Moncarapacho
Looking for a spectacular hotel in Portugal? Set on a rural hillside inland from Olhão, Octant Vila Monte is 55 rooms spread across large gardens in what feels more like a private estate than a hotel. The Farm House restaurant is one of the better meals you'll eat in the Algarve — local fish from the market, herbs from their own garden — and the whole property has a quiet, unhurried farm-chic quality that's a world away from the beach clubs down the road. Fancy, but not as pricey as you would think, especially in low season.
📍 Coming soon: Our full guide to backcountry Algarve accommodation is in the works!
Explore accommodations and tours in Algarve:
Alentejo and Costa Vicentina
Away from the crowds at Praia da Bordeira, Portugal (Costa Vicentina)
This is our favourite stretch of Portugal. Full stop. Ok, maybe with Nazaré.
The Alentejo is cork trees, red earth, silence, and some of the best food in the country. The Costa Vicentina — the wild southwestern coast — is where the Atlantic meets dramatic cliffs and empty beaches that look nothing like the Algarve. It's a place where finding the right hotel in Portugal makes the whole trip: somewhere with a pool, a view, and nothing to do except absolutely nothing.
The town of Melides has become a sort of quiet magnet for serious travellers and surfers in the last few years. Here's what we'd book.
Pa.te.os
Melides
Designed by Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus (wow), Pa.te.os is four architecturally stunning houses (we insist on stunning) near Melides with an infinity pool, gardens, and the kind of stillness that makes you rearrange your schedule to stay longer. Guests consistently describe it as one of the most beautifully designed places they've ever stayed. This is definitely a splurge, but it's not the kind of splurge you regret.
Vermelho Melides — Relais & Châteaux
Melides
Christian Louboutin's hotel is not subtle, and that's entirely the point. Deep reds, handcrafted Portuguese tiles, local artisan pieces everywhere you look — Vermelho is maximalist in the most intentional way. It's a Relais & Châteaux property, so the service is what you'd expect, and the food is excellent. If you're celebrating something, this is where to celebrate it.
TEIMA Alentejo SW
São Teotónio
For something less flashy but equally wonderful, TEIMA is a beautifully run bed and breakfast surrounded by nature near São Teotónio — right on the edge of the Vicentina coast. The property has farm animals wandering the grounds (yay!) and the beach a short drive away. It's the kind of place where you arrive for two nights and regret not booking five.
Herdade da Matinha
Cercal do Alentejo
An old country estate near Cercal turned rural retreat, Herdade da Matinha has horses, hiking trails, and an on-site restaurant serving excellent food. The whole property has the gentle, unhurried pace that defines the Alentejo at its best. Good value for what it offers, and the kind of place you keep meaning to go back to.
📍 Coming soon: We're working on a dedicated Alentejo & Costa Vicentina accommodation guide. Stay tuned!
Find picturesque hotels & holiday rentals, and things to do in the area:
Sesimbra, Setúbal and Arrábida
We booked an apartment on Sesimbra’s beach for a steal in fall
Here's the thing about this stretch of coast: almost nobody goes. Sesimbra is 40km south of Lisbon, tucked under a Moorish castle, with a harbour full of fishing boats and one of the clearest, most swimmable bays in the country. Extend further into the Arrábida Natural Park and you're in limestone cliff territory — emerald coves, hiking trails, the kind of scenery that makes you stop and take pictures every 10 minutes. The regional capital Setúbal is the gateway, and it's worth an overnight too.
It doesn't have a train connection to the coast, which is probably why the tourist buses skip Sesimbra entirely. That's a feature, not a bug. In summer it fills with Lisbon locals — it has a real, lively energy — but even then it never feels like an international resort town. It stays proudly Portuguese.
Casa da Praça Guest House
Sesimbra
More intimate, more charm. This one sits right by the main square and harbor, with apartments that feel local without trying too hard. Think tiled floors, simple design, and that “grab coffee downstairs and pretend you moved here” lifestyle. Great value and perfect if you want to be in the middle of everything.
→ Book Casa da Praça Guest House
Biovilla Sustentabilidade
Arrábida (Palmela side)
If you want something a bit different: eco-retreat meets apartment living. Set in nature (like, in the middle of nowhere) just outside Arrábida, with wooden lodges and studios surrounded by hills. It’s quiet, slightly off-grid (in a good way), and a great base if you're planning to explore the park by car. Prices are often surprisingly fair for the setting.
→ Book Biovilla Sustentabilidade
Hotel do Mar
Sesimbra
The classic Sesimbra stay. Hotel do Mar sits right on the bay — you can hear the water from most rooms — and while the décor is showing its age, the location is hard to argue with. There are pools, sea views, and the kind of easy, old-school resort energy that doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's the most well-known option in town for a reason.
Apartments in Sesimbra & Arrábida (underrated option)
Here's a tip most people don't realize: you can book holiday apartments in Sesimbra and the Arrábida area directly through Booking.com (and, actually, anywhere in Portugal and in the world) and there are some excellent options at very competitive prices. If you're staying more than two nights, an apartment often makes more sense than a hotel — you're closer to the local rhythm, you have your own terrace and kitchen, and the prices are genuinely good.
Search "Sesimbra apartments" or "Arrábida" on Booking.com and you'll find options that are often more characterful than the bigger hotels — and far better value.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
This whole stretch requires a rental car. If you're renting one anyway (which we always recommend outside of Lisbon), combine Sesimbra with a drive through the Arrábida Natural Park — the coastal road between Setúbal and Sesimbra is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Few tourists do it. You should.
We spent hours wandering through the old town and exploring the tiny shops and convenience stores. We also explored the nearby coves & beaches in Parque natural de la Arrábida, and the Moorish castle for panoramic views of the coastline.
On our way back to Lisbon, we stopped at Cabo Espichel and watched the sheep grazing in front of the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Cabo Espichel. We can’t describe the peaceful, almost surreal atmosphere!
Browse accommodation and activities near Sesimbra:
FAQ: Finding a hotel in Portugal
What is the best area to stay in Portugal for first-timers?
Lisbon and the Sintra coast are the classic entry point — good transport, dramatic scenery, and a mix of history and Atlantic wildness. But if you've done a bit of travelling before, go straight to the Alentejo. You'll thank yourself.
What is the best hotel in Portugal for a special occasion?
Vermelho Melides and Pa.te.os are hard to beat — both in Melides, which says something about how good that village has gotten. Casal Santa Virginia near Sintra is a more affordable option that doesn't feel like a compromise.
Is it worth booking an apartment in Portugal rather than a hotel?
Absolutely — and this is especially true in smaller towns. For Sesimbra, Nazaré, and the Alentejo coast, apartments bookable through Booking.com often offer more space, better location, and genuine local character.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the sweet spots: warm enough to swim, not so hot you melt, and far fewer crowds than July and August. The Alentejo in particular is best avoided in summer — it gets genuinely fierce. The Algarve in October is one of the best-kept secrets in European travel.
What is an alojamento local in Portugal?
It's the Portuguese term for officially registered small-scale accommodation — apartments, guesthouses, and rural stays run by private owners. They're listed on Booking.com alongside hotels, rated by guests, and regulated by the government. Many of the best stays in Portugal fall into this category.
Do I need a car to stay in Portugal?
For Lisbon and Sintra, no. For everywhere else we've covered in this guide — yes. The Alentejo, Costa Vicentina, Sesimbra, and backcountry Algarve are all significantly harder (or impossible) to explore properly without your own wheels. We always rent a car for Portugal outside of the capital.
Here’s a playlist to set the vibe for your Portuguese escape.
Portugal is big enough to feel different every time you come back, and small enough to pack multiple regions into a single trip. The mistake most visitors make is spending too long in Lisbon and not enough time in the parts that make Portugal genuinely special: the wild Atlantic coastline, the silent cork forests, the whitewashed villages.
Whether you're looking for the best hotel in Portugal for a honeymoon or an off-the-beaten-path apartment for a solo surf trip, the regions above are where we'd start. Bookmark this page and come back when you're planning — we update it regularly as we discover new places.
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