The Lisboa Central Hostel has a convenient location near public transportation, dining, and shopping along posh Avenida da Liberdade. The two-pearl property is geared toward backpackers and a younger crowd who don't mind sharing dorms and bathrooms. However, its private rooms are nice enough for anyone on a budget. The hostel has seven units with bright and stylish decor, but they all lack AC. Guests get a lot for what they pay for here, with a plentiful lineup of features. Freebies include breakfast and rotating daily extras -- with everything from milkshakes to Portuguese soup on offer -- plus group activities, guided tours, and Wi-Fi throughout. Travelers looking to be closer to the nightlife in Bairro Alto should check out the Lookout Lisbon Hostel. 

Housed in an 18th-century building in the center of Lisbon, this two-pearl guesthouse has, as the name implies, an art theme, with the room decor inspired by famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Andy Warhol. It’s well priced and has a kitchen stocked with free breakfast items that guests prepare themselves, as well as drinks and snacks available on an honor system. The seven rooms share three clean, brightly colored bathrooms. Travelers who are uncomfortable with a shared bathroom can try Casa Belmonte, which has similar rates, but it's located one-and-a-half miles to the north.

The 90-room luxury H2otel in Unhais da Serra Portugal is a a stunning mountainside resort that offers majestic views, a restaurant focused on local foods, a massive spa complex, and a wide array of activities for nature enthusiasts. Made of glass, granite, and wood, the architecturally distinctive property, part of the H2otel chain, has a modern atmosphere that blends into its natural surroundings. Tastefully decorated rooms have flat-screen LCD TVs, aromatherapy toiletries, and beautiful views. The only real downside is the remote location, but then that's also part of the appeal.

Guests looking for something outside the norm will likely be pleased with Lisbon Short Stay Apartments Baixa. There’s no run-of-the-mill decor at this 55-room hotel; instead, there are bold portraits covering doors, mirrored ceilings decorating hallways, and an eclectic mishmash of furnishings in common spaces.  A buffet breakfast with a variety of homemade foods is offered for a fee, and there’s a bar on-site with live music. Rooms are modern and have kitchenettes and free Wi-Fi, but they lack alarm clocks and can get noisy. Guests looking to stay in a quieter location may want to compare rates with The House, a modern boutique B&B in a residential area outside the city center.

Lisbon Lounge Hostel is situated in the heart of Lisbon, near restaurants, bars, and city sights, just a four-minute walk from the metro and a six-minute walk from Rossio Square. The hostel's chic, artsy-design vibe (think bright murals and vintage accents), roomy lounge spaces, and excellent location make it popular among budget travelers. The hotel's 17 guest rooms are mostly made up of mixed dorms with shared bathrooms, though there are a few private options. Rooms are clean, but they're missing some standard amenities -- lack of in-room Wi-Fi and air-conditioning are the most notable. There are, however, a plethora of freebies like free breakfast, walking tours, pub craws, coffee and tea, and a spacious and well-equipped common kitchen. Travelers may want to compare digs with the nearby Living Lounge Hostel, which is run under the same management. 

The Lisbon Destination Hostel is a budget property with an exceptional location inside the beautiful Rossio Train Station, right in the middle of Lisbon's historic city center. This social hostel features a spacious and funky skylit lounge, a movie room, a large community kitchen, and a dining area. The 20 modern private and dorm-style rooms have either shared or en-suite bathrooms. Dorms feature privacy curtains, reading lights, and private lockers. The hostel offers a free pancake breakfast, free coffee and tea all day, and organized social events. Travelers might also consider the Sunset Destination Hostel, a sister property with custom-designed bunks and a rooftop terrace with a pool -- it's not quite as centrally located, but it's on the waterfront.

The 109-room HF Fenix Music is a good mid-range option that draws a hip, young crowd due to its conceptual music theme. A beautiful rooftop pool and panoramic city views are a big draw, and modern rooms have air-conditioning and high-tech sound systems, but en-suite bathrooms aren't the most private. The hotel is located near the Marques de Pombal Metro stop, putting Lisbon’s major attractions within easy reach. However, both the lively atmosphere and busy surroundings can make for a noisy experience. Although families are welcome at the Fenix Music, the HF Fenix Garden next door could be a quieter and less expensive option. Guests might also compare rates with the nearby Hotel Expo Astoria, which has slightly larger and more minimalist rooms plus a fitness center, but no pool.

EVOLUTION Lisboa Hotel is a trendy four-pearl hotel with a youthful, party atmosphere. While somewhat of a distance to Lisbon’s major tourist attractions, the surrounding area is full of restaurants and shopping, plus public transportation is nearby and the airport is a short drive away. The hotel has a social lobby with a bar, restaurant with grab-and-go items, and a DJ for evening parties. There’s also a high-tech gym, indoor pool, and spa with saunas and baths. The 129 colorful guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, high-tech gadgetry, and maximize space in creative ways, though the open-floor bathroom plan doesn’t offer much privacy, and there are no mini-fridges or coffee/tea facilities. SANA Lisboa Hotel has less of a party vibe and provides rooms with minibars, plus there's a hot tub. 

Set in an attractive traditional Portuguese villa, the four-pearl Vilar do Golf is a bright and modern option a two-minute walk away from the 18-hole Quinta do Lago Sul golf course. The hotel has 61 attractive, contemporary apartments with large sitting rooms, well-equipped kitchens, dining areas, and spacious outdoor terraces. The all-day restaurant, Bobby Jones, is well-reviewed and has outdoor seating by the golf course. As well as this, the hotel has a spa with treatment rooms, a gym, and a hair and nail salon. Two pools include one inside a sunny glass atrium, and the other set in a terrace with a pool bar. Guests looking to stay within walking distance of the beach may want to check out the Dunas Douradas Beach Club. 

The Adriana Beach Club is a sprawling, three-pearl resort just a stone’s throw from the golden sands of Praia do Poco Velho. This all-inclusive resort is a 30-minute drive from Albufeira, although it aims to provide for its guests’ every needs on site. The resort has two big pools -- one indoors and the other set in a sunny outdoor terrace -- three buffet restaurants and two bars, a mini-golf course and a beach volleyball court, and a fun adventure playground for kids. That said, the resort’s 438 rooms have some dated decor, and bathrooms need a revamp. They do, however, have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, AC, and outdoor spaces. Travelers looking for sleeker digs might want to try the Salgados Palm Village Apartments & Suites.

At the top of one of Lisbon's most beautiful viewpoints in trendy Bairro Alto is the two-and-a-half-pearl Independente Hostel & Suites. Its 18 modern, boho-inspired rooms range from functional six-person dorms to hotel-like suites with private bathrooms, attracting both backpackers and more traditional tourists to the center of the city. Two on-site restaurants help this hostel fit right into the popular party neighborhood, where bars and clubs can keep some light sleepers awake late into the night. A one-minute walk to the Elevador da Gloria makes it easy to reach tourist areas like the Baixa and Chiado districts. Travelers looking to skip the hostel experience should consider Rossio Garden Hotel, which has similar rates and boutique style, though is a bit farther from the party in Bairro Alto.

Apartmentos Soldoiro is a budget property located a few minutes' walk uphill from the white-sand Algarve beach. The 90 studio and apartment-style rooms were last refurbished in 2010 and are pretty traditional and low on frills, though kept clean. Standard amenities include kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, plus all but one have a furnished balcony or terrace. Unfortunately, common areas badly need a refurbishment. Given the cheap nightly rate, inexpensive beer from the two bars on-site, and proximity to local nightlife, it's a popular pick with young groups of friends. As such, it can get a bit noisy at night. Beyond the bars and small outdoor pool, there's not a lot on offer here. Nearby, the all-inclusive Praia da Oura is still inexpensive but offers a bit more, including a huge swimming pool. 

The Clube Praia da Oura is a mid-range, 564-room hotel with a prime setting perched on a low cliff overlooking the picturesque Praia da Oura beach. Apartment-style units features kitchenettes and terrace areas, though quality can vary wildly -- some have modern accents and others are dated. Additionally, Wi-Fi isn't free. On-site dining is nothing special, but bars keep everyone lubricated, and the area has plenty of restaurants to offer -- the town of Albufeira is a seven-minute drive away. Features include a gigantic pool, a charming kids' pool with a footbridge, and a children's club. Being popular with vacationing groups means the property can get noisy, so families after more serene surrounds should consider the comparably priced Balaia Golf Village Resort.

The 133-room Hotel da Aldeia is a budget option near the lively Strip, just outside of Albufeira. Plenty of bars, restaurants, and clubs are within an easy walk, but the downside is that they can be heard in some rooms all through the night. Pool-view rooms are quieter. Potential guests should also be aware that the condition of the rooms ranges widely, from old and tired to fresh and attractive. All do have furnished balconies or terraces. On-site dining gets mixed reviews, but the outdoor pool is a highlight, despite the lack of shade. Other activities include mini-golf and tennis. Travelers who'd rather be closer to the beach than the Strip could check out the Torre Velha Hotel, which has mini-fridges in rooms but no air-conditioning.