Baixa

Home Lisbon Hostel

★★★★★

Lisbon is famous for its hostels, and Home Lisbon Hostel is one of the reasons why. It occupies upper floors of a traditional building on Rua de São Nicolau in the heart of the Baixa, the grid of streets between Rossio and the river, and as the name suggests it sets out to feel like a home rather than a dormitory block. The hostel is known above all for its atmosphere. Staff are warm and helpful, the lounge is comfortable and sociable, and the signature event is Mamma's Dinner, a home-cooked Portuguese meal served to guests around shared tables, which is how many solo travellers make friends for the rest of their trip. Free walking tours introduce you to the city and to other guests, and a modern, fully equipped kitchen lets you cook your own meals and save money. Accommodation ranges from dormitories to private rooms, which makes it work for couples and friends on a budget as well as backpackers. Rooms are described as spacious, and most have balconies or large windows onto the street, which bring in plenty of light. Practical facilities cover what budget travellers need: large lockers for valuables, luggage storage, Wi-Fi, a bar and a small patio. It is still a hostel, so expect shared facilities in the dorms, some noise and the occasional late night, but it is clean, well run and one of the most cheerful places to stay in the city. For travellers on a tight budget who want to be central and meet people, it is an outstanding choice.

The location is superb for the price. Rua Augusta and its triumphal arch are a block away; Praça do Comércio and the river are a few minutes' walk south; Rossio and the Baixa-Chiado metro are just north; and the climb to Alfama, the cathedral and the castle starts a short walk east. Cais do Sodré, with trains to Belém and Cascais and the city's busiest nightlife, is a ten-minute walk along the river.

Living in it: book Mamma's Dinner on your first night, as it is the fastest way to settle in and find people to explore with. Join a free walking tour early in your stay. Use the lockers and bring a padlock. Private rooms sell out first, especially in summer, so book ahead if you want one. Light sleepers should bring earplugs, as in any central hostel.

Base math: dorm beds and private rooms here cost a fraction of a hotel in the same streets, and the social programme and kitchen stretch the budget further. It suits solo travellers, students, friends travelling together and couples happy with simple comforts. Families with young children and travellers who want privacy and quiet will be happier in a mid-range hotel.