I think the hostel trend in Lisbon is overrated for solo travelers

I stayed at three different hostels in Lisbon last month and honestly, they're not the budget savers everyone claims. Sure, a dorm bed is like 25 euros a night, but then you're paying 10 euros for a sad breakfast and 5 euros for laundry. I found a tiny guesthouse in Alfama for 40 euros a night with a private room and a mini fridge. All the hostel hype about meeting people felt forced too... most folks were just glued to their phones in the common area. Has anyone else ditched hostels for small local pensions?

3 comments

3 Comments

lilya761d ago

The private room in Alfama for 40 euros is a way better deal. Hostels nickel and dime you for everything, adds up fast. Plus you get to actually sleep without someone snoring or coming in drunk at 3am. The whole social scene thing is way overblown too, most people just keep to themselves anyway.

dakotab931d ago

The 40 euro private room in Alfama is honestly a steal for Lisbon, you'll probably come out ahead on sleep quality alone. Just double check the listing for hidden fees like tourist tax or a cash-only deposit, those got me once.

jade_jenkins1d ago

Is 40 euros really a steal though? I've seen places in Alfama that look amazing in photos but end up being a shoebox with a window facing a brick wall. The hidden fees thing is legit though, some of those private rooms hit you with a 15 euro cleaning fee that they don't mention until checkout, plus the tourist tax adds up if you're staying more than a couple nights. Not saying it's a bad deal, just that the gap between "listed price" and "what you actually pay" can be pretty wide sometimes.