by The flip side of Lisbon’s famously sunny weather is the need to make sure your hotel has a pool, especially in the heat of July and August. Somewhere to go after hitting the cobbled streets and climbing up and down a few of Lisbon’s seven hills. Better yet, settle down by the pool with a fancy, chilled Portuguese wine and soak up the sounds and sights (as there are many rooftop pools) of this ancient capital.
From a sense of place to tranquility, other pools magically appear in oasis-like hotels as you walk into the music of the birds and away from the hustle and bustle. Here an expanse of blue lies under a cascade of pink bougainvillea or nestled in a lush garden between palm and jacaranda trees. From rooftop dives with views and juices in underground spas, and swimming in leafy courtyards, here’s our pick of the best Lisbon hotels with a pool.
How we review
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, and is usually hosted on a free basis. They stay for at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have.
At a glance, the best hotels in Lisbon with a pool
Built in 1904 by a cocoa baron, the grand palace – located near the banks of the Tagus River with views of the April 25 suspension bridge – is classified as a National Monument. Inside, expect a stunning interior complete with gleaming marble columns, polished inlays and gilded, frescoed ceilings, plus a Turkish Spa, classically decorated rooms (French-style furniture, heavy drapes, marble bathrooms), a bar atmospheric and elegant Portuguese restaurant. . Outside, the swimming pool is converted from the original lake in the garden and surrounded by flora and subtropical trees.
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Right in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas of Lisbon, where faded palaces are mixed with buzzing restaurants and concept stores overlooking palm-filled parks, is where Palácio Príncipe Real is located. The pink 19th-century palace has a classic Portuguese look (think blue-and-white tiles and Moorish stucco work) with uplifting colours, Drummond bathtubs, locally sourced candles, crisp cotton and Dyson hairdryers. There are 28 bedrooms, many of them indulgently large with independent bathtubs, and a small spa with two treatment rooms. The heated swimming pool is outside in the garden, surrounded by jacaranda and lemon trees.
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It’s not often that Lisbon hotels come with pools with views like this – unless they’re on a central rooftop. But the pool at these two turn-of-the-century mansions, hidden on one of Lisbon’s seven hills, is built into a cobbled terrace and offers a panoramic view of the red-roofed capital and the Tagus River beyond. The property has the feel of a home rather than a hotel, with beautiful stucco ceilings, beds draped in the softest linens with warm woven underfoot rugs, bright window shutters, and balconies covered in colorful local tiles. Cave 23 delivers really good modern Portuguese fare, and the small but beautiful bar serves a wide range of cocktails and wines.
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an impressive 19th-century palace-turned-luxury hotel set on a hillside in chic Lapa, one of Lisbon’s smartest neighborhoods. The interior is warm and welcoming with a light fairytale feel, hand painted ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers, fresh flowers, polished antiques and stone floors. The Restaurante Lapa serves excellent Italian food, and there is a poolside restaurant, Le Pavillion, for juices and daytime snacks. The spa has an indoor pool, gym, steam bath, sauna and treatment rooms using Elemis products, as well as a heated outdoor pool in verdant gardens with a cascading fountain and views of the Tagus River beyond.
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On the main boulevard in Lisbon, there are 48 rooms and suites overlooking the red roofs of the capital. The interior behind the beautifully preserved 19th century facade brings together the finest art, porcelain, fabrics and marble from across the country, creating a national masterpiece. There is a gym on the first floor, with a treadmill and a balcony to relax afterwards and a small spa. There are several lounges with a wide range of books to browse and a tiny movie room, as well as the all-important heated pool on the roof terrace with sunrooms.
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Set within a beautifully restored palace in the heart of Lisbon, the One Palácio da Anunciada has been superbly restored with careful attention to detail. The light-filled palatial interior comes with its original marble floors, stone staircases and ornate painted and gilded ceilings, rich with stucco work. It has 83 rooms, an excellent spa (with an indoor pool), three different dining areas, a wine bar and a cocktail lounge. A huge open courtyard with a central fountain and a hundred year old Dragon tree forms the heart of the hotel and where breakfast is served in the summer. It is overlooked by a long pool high above on another level.
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A landmark of Lisbon, the Tivoli Lisboa was built in 1933 and was completely redesigned by the famous architect Pardal Monteiro in the 1950s. Today there are 285 rooms, an Anantara spa, an Executive Lounge, and one of the best rooftop bars in the city, the Sky Bar. The interior has been completely renovated with many national cultures woven into its fabric, such as the famous resident Beatriz Costa, an actress from the golden age of cinema in Portugal, who lived here for 30 years and has a series named after her with full period decoration. The hot pool, hidden in a garden of centuries-old botanical trees, feels like a jungle paradise.
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Epic Sana is centrally located and offers 311 modern bedrooms and a huge spa with an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and a well-equipped fitness centre. There is a chilled, cool vibe throughout the Onyx Bar on the ground floor, which spills onto a terrace, and the UpScale Bar on the roof terrace, which borders the heated pool. When it comes to romantic Lisbon hotels with a rooftop pool, this is a great contender if you’re dreaming of watching the sun set over the Tagus River from the comfort of a cabana. The rooms are seductively slick with cupboards covered in white leather, Bluetooth sound systems, 300 thread count cotton sheets with elegant, lock pipes and Nespresso coffee machines.
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The rooftop, plunge pool and Suba Restaurant of this elegant 18th-century palace offer unparalleled 360-degree views of the Lisbon skyline and the Tagus River beyond. It crosses two distinct districts from its perch on top of the hills of Santa Catarina, famous for its views of the red roofs of Lisbon and the Atlantic Ocean. Although the facade faces the ocean, the rest of the building runs steeply down to the narrow, cobbled streets of the Bica area, where yellow trams rumble up and down and small bars date back centuries. Aiming to provide a service like no other in the capital, with butlers for the Royal rooms and top-notch staff, it is truly a personalized experience.
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The Four Seasons is arguably one of Lisbon’s most enduring spa hotels with a swimming pool as its centerpiece. The property was built in 1959 by the Dictator Salazar to prove that Lisbon could do luxury as well as any other European capital, and more than half a century later it is still setting the bar with its inimitable service and impressive facilities ( including roof running. track). Products include Sodashi, Swiss Perfection and ESPA, along with local skin care product, Benamôr, whose Jacaranda line is used when the trees outside the hotel are in bloom. All but 10 rooms have private terraces with views over Lisbon, and several fine dining spots offer something for everyone.
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Standing right next to Lisbon’s main thoroughfare, this design-centric hotel offers 40 rooms, a restaurant, bar, and an oversized swimming pool. The latter is lined with black tiles that have been refurbished since the 1980s, and surrounded by a vertical garden with lush greenery between the sunbeds, chairs, and tables. The garden around the pool is inspired by the Lisbon Botanical Garden and aims to bring the outside in. It comes with a vertical planter designed by Michael Hellgren. Many rooms are on the small side, but have everything you could need; some come with a large terrace overlooking the pool and internal courtyard. There are four rooms which offer more spacious accommodation.
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This 42 room hotel is located within the Kasbah-like lanes that make up Moorish Alfama. From its sleek terrace, with an inset swimming pool, there are some of the city’s best views of Alfama’s characteristic church spires and red roofs, beyond which the wide Tagus River flows. The 12th century Cathedral, with two bell towers, is at the end of the road and Lisbon’s fortified Castelo do São Jorge is just above you. The interior mixes a range of textures, from the thick, exposed, ancient walls at the entrance, to the modern, micro-cement walls in the bathrooms. Showcasing Portuguese cuisine, a buffet breakfast offers typical cakes and pastries such as pasteis de nata. The Wine Bar has a short selection of regional fare, from Portuguese ham croquettes to a fillet steak sandwich.
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This attractive 18th-century palace offers a truly authentic Lisbon feel, with its rich interior details, flower-filled courtyards and literary history as the home of the Maia family, immortalized in Eҁa de Queiroz’s 19th-century classic Os Maias. Away from the main tourist business areas, it is a hidden gem and good value for money. There is a small, heated outdoor pool under the shade of a huge palm tree; a small oasis of tranquility in the city, with far-reaching views of the Tagus River.
