The most romantic hotels in Lisbon, from rooftop restaurants to restored palaces

Buried in the tiny streets of Chiado, this small whitewashed house offers tranquility from the bustle of the city which its 17 rooms look onto, with views stretching across the red roofs and up to the castle on the skyline. Casa Balthazar has been in the same family since 1829, but only opened as a b&b in 2012. Its rooms, decorated with antiques, are filled with a homely atmosphere that’s enhanced by fresh flowers like bright orange birds of paradise. Three rooms have a hot tub on their wooden terraces, from which to soak up the remarkable views across the city and three others have sizeable terraces too. Breakfast comes fresh each day from the patisserie Confeiraria Nacional, and includes warm croissants, and just-out-of-the oven bread.

One of the Grand Dames of the Lisbon hotel scene, this elegant 19th-century palace sits amongst the embassies in chic Lapa. There is a distinctive fairytale feel to the hotel with its hand-painted ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers, fresh flowers, polished antiques and stone floors. Rooms look onto the verdant gardens with cascading fountain and large swimming pool with the Tagus River beyond. The jewel in the crown is the Tower Room with original hand painted tiles, wooden floor and a balcony which is the turret of the original palace. There is a spa, complete with an indoor pool, a steam bath, sauna and treatment rooms where Elemis products are used, as well as a heated outdoor swimming pool.

These two turn-of-the-century mansions have been elegantly converted into a boutique bolthole. A beautiful swimming pool inset on a cobbled terrace offers views right across the capital, whilst restaurant Cave 23 delivers seriously good modern Portuguese fare. There are 26 rooms, one apartment and one villa. Décor is a mix of elegantly classic or contemporary, but all rooms come with a cosy vibe: beds are clad in the softest of linens with a warm, Portuguese woven rug underfoot, windows have glossy white shutters, and balconies are covered in local, brightly coloured tiles.

For more than 100 years this building was the home of the Brazilian Consulate; today it’s a 12-room hotel with original Portuguese art in the rooms, an atmospheric bar and an acclaimed restaurant. It brims with both character and style, and the décor is nothing short of eclectic, from the bull’s heads by Portuguese artist Bordallo Pinheiro in the restaurant to the artworks by respected local creatives. A variety of Lisbon galleries have partnered with the hotel to provide original art in each of the rooms, which feature wooden floors and ceiling stucco work that has been elegantly restored.

This eclectic Neo-Moorish palace, buried in Alfama’s warren of streets and with views onto the River Tagus, actually dates from the end of the 19th century. The highly decorative interiors take you back in time with their stained glass windows, ornate Art Nouveau doorways and parquet flooring. Leafy plants line the narrow corridors which end in a pretty, bougainvillea-filled terrace, complete with fountains. The six suites are all furnished in a similar style, with wood parquet flooring, stucco ceilings, chandeliers and antique furniture. Bathrooms come with either a tub or shower and the majority of the basins are marble.

There is a distinctive aquatic theme to this turquoise-toned hotel. Inside, bespoke furniture has been designed like ripples of water and the bold aquamarine vinyl floors mimic the surface of water. With receptionists in sea green silk pyjamas on the weekdays and fluffy towelling dressing gowns with their heads wrapped in towels at the weekend, it is an immersive experience. Book an Oval room, which lies in the curve of the rounded, Art Nouveau building and features a bed illuminated from beneath. A minibar is included in the rate, offering beer, water and juices and there is a Delta Espresso machine.

The architectural style of this palace hotel spans many centuries. It was built in 1449 for the Cabral family (the navigator Pedro Cabral later discovered Brazil), and it remained in their hands until 1994. Both ancient Roman and Moorish towers were incorporated into its design and a Baroque façade was added in 1640. There are 10 magical suites, which are all completely individual in character and the antitheses of today’s hotel chains. All are spacious, too. There is one is in the Roman tower, and another in the Moorish one, with a private terrace accessed by a spiral stone staircase that gives 360-degree views over Alfama’s red roofs and the Tagus River beyond.

Built in the 1940s by acclaimed architect, Cristino Silva, this historic building was overhauled by the Atlis group in 2011, who ensured its Portuguese modernism remained intact, including its retro façade and staircase. Interiors use marble and mirrors, mixing black, white and gold for the urban chic feel inspired by 1940s glamour. Rooms all have glossy black-and-gold wardrobes and soft leather headboards. Egyptian cotton bedding is exquisitely soft, and light fittings and stools are trimmed with gold in a nod to Art Deco. Opt for a Deluxe room for a balcony with impressive views up to the castle which dominates Lisbon’s skyline. The elegant rooftop restaurant is another highlight.