Paintshop Hostel
In an old, pink town house, this top-of-the-line hostel offers small, attractive rooms, plush quilts, free wi-fi, a great bar out back, and a nice shared kitchen and barbecue for self-caterers...
In an old, pink town house, this top-of-the-line hostel offers small, attractive rooms, plush quilts, free wi-fi, a great bar out back, and a nice shared kitchen and barbecue for self-caterers...
The spacious rooms at this central guest house have wood floors polished to a shine, although they’ve lost some character during enthusiastic renovations.
Another popular privately run hostel, this one’s uphill from the centre and has a guest kitchen and a rooftop terrace.
The rooms in this privately run establishment are more tasteful and nicely designed, and there’s a comfy lounge, a terrace and free internet. It’s the coop for party animals.
Closed at the time of research for a bit of a pep up, but past visits indicate light, airy and tidy rooms. Breakfast not included.
This cosy little hostel, only steps from the tourist office and a five-minute walk from the bus station, has colourfully decorated and breezy rooms with tall windows overlooking the town wall...
On the river, 1km north of the square, past the new town and fire station, is this well-appointed hostel, with an excellent pool and kitchen facilities, plus bikes and canoes for rent.
These ultrahip Baixa digs have a party vibe. Bed down in immaculate dorms and meet like-minded travellers in the hip lounge watched over by a wacky moose head. The fun team regularly organises events such as the Portuguese dinner with wine for €7...
This ’60s concrete hotel has large and rather elegant rooms, all with parquet floors and many with river views.
This stylish, unsigned backpacker favourite near Santa Catarina features original frescos, azulejos and hardwood floors – all lovingly restored by the friendly English-Portuguese owners...
This central, small hotel has rooms with tiny balconies and views over the town; it's a bit dated on the outside but, inside, the rooms are neat and clean.
Find pot plants, plastic flowers, African masks and museum-style paraphernalia at rambling Residencial Dandy. The owner has personality, too. The best of the 18 rooms have antique furniture, high ceilings and wrought-iron balconies...
Our readers enthuse about this super-friendly hostel set in a converted 250-year-old house on Rua Augusta. As well as cosy dorms, there’s a retro lounge with beanbags, an internet corner and a communal kitchen...
Behind yellow wonder walls, this self-defined backpacker mansion offers wood-floored dorms, a sleek lounge and kitchen, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views to the river. There’s free breakfast, internet and coffee...
Set on a busy pedestrian strip (that’s quiet at night), this dated but cosy family-run place has small, carpeted rooms that represent fair value for the area. It’s close to the gallery and alternative scene along Rua Miguel Bombarda.
Despite its nondescript decor, this HI hostel is a decent base for exploring Parque das Nações (it’s 1km north of Gare do Oriente). Four-bed dorms are clean and spacious. It has a restaurant, cooking and laundry facilities, and internet.
Well located and expertly run, this hostel is in a fine mansion near Parque Eduardo VII. The single-sex dorms are plain but clean; one is fully wheelchair accessible. Free breakfast, a bar with happy hour and luggage storage are bonuses...
Backpackers wax lyrical about this poetry-themed hostel in well-heeled Chiado. The 17th-century town house has been lovingly reincarnated as a charming hostel with high-ceilinged, light-flooded dorms...
Efficient, group-friendly old hotel in an otherwise droopy area. Also boasts a bar and tidy, carpeted rooms. Good value with break fast included.
In a bright, modern building on bluffs above the Rio Douro, the crown jewel of Portugal’s hostels offers basic but handsome doubles with sweeping views of the river, as well as clean, well-maintained dorms...
Aveiro’s youth hostel, 1.5km south of the centre, is basic and rather clinical.
One of Portugal's best, this well-run hostel is a great place to meet other travellers. There's a kitchen and pleasant courtyard, and the reception is very helpful. It's open 24 hours.
Subscribe now and receive a 20% discount on your next guidebook purchase
© 2013 Lonely Planet. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.