Lisbon Destination Hostel

Lisbon Destination Hostel has one of the most unusual addresses in the city: it occupies the second floor of the Rossio railway station, the neo-Manueline building with two horseshoe-shaped entrances on the edge of Rossio square. The station was designed by José Luís Monteiro and opened in 1891, and it is still the terminus of the Sintra line, so staying here puts you in a historic building at the heart of the city's transport network.

The hostel is run by Destination Hostels, a Lisbon group that also operates the Sunset Destination Hostel at Cais do Sodré station and apartments in Alfama. It offers dormitories and private rooms, so it can work both for solo travellers on a budget and for couples or friends who want their own room at a lower price than a hotel. Its common areas include an indoor garden, which gives the interior a lighter feel than the station's stone exterior might suggest, and the hostel runs events that make it easy to meet other travellers.

As with any hostel, facilities and atmosphere matter more than room design. Expect shared bathrooms in the dormitories, a social mood in the common spaces and helpful staff who can suggest tours, restaurants and nightlife. If you want quiet nights, choose a private room or a smaller dormitory, and bring earplugs. Check current room types and what is included in the rate, such as breakfast, when booking directly.

The location is hard to beat for the price. Rossio, the Baixa, the Chiado and the Avenida da Liberdade are all within a few minutes' walk, and the bars of Bairro Alto are up the hill. Trains to Sintra leave from the platforms in the same building, which makes the hostel especially convenient for a day trip to the palaces. The surrounding area is busy day and night, so keep valuables locked up and watch your belongings in crowded spots.

Restauradores metro station, on the blue line, is just outside, and Rossio station, on the green line, is across the square. The Aerobus and the metro from the airport both reach the area, and a taxi takes around twenty minutes outside rush hour. Enquiries can be sent by email to the hostel, and the group also has a central reservations address.