Palácio das Especiarias Lisbon Review: Is This Historic Boutique Hotel Worth It?

Wondering whether Palácio das Especiarias in Lisbon is worth the stay? From its illustrious suites to grand breakfast and Portuguese history, here’s my honest experience staying at one of Lisbon’s most characterful hotels.

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Lisbon has no shortage of hotels. But whenever I’m visiting somewhere with as much history as this city, I love the idea of staying in a hotel that feels connected to it (rather than somewhere I could find in just about any capital).

I’ve been coming to Lisbon since 2017, and for my last trip I wanted somewhere with a bit of old Portuguese character. And that’s exactly how I ended up at Palácio das Especiarias in Chiado.

Shall we?

P.S. – Lisbon has a serious housing crisis, with short-term holiday rentals (like Airbnbs) adding pressure to the local housing supply. Where possible, I’d encourage choosing a hotel over a home rental in Lisbon, particularly independent, boutique and locally run ones.

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Quick Verdict: Is Palácio das Especiarias Worth It?

Yes, I think Palácio das Especiarias is worth it if you want your hotel to feel like part of Lisbon, rather than somewhere to simply come back to at the end of the day.

We stayed in a beautiful old suite with blue curtains, an ornate ceiling and a bathtub right in the bedroom. There were also lots of grand rooms to explore on site and plenty of surprises (like a violinist playing at breakfast), which truly made the hotel part of the trip itself.

It’s also well-placed for exploring Lisbon in Chiado, near Praça Luís de Camões, with Bairro Alto, the restaurants along Rua das Flores and Cais do Sodré all within walking distance.

That said, I’d skip it if you’re after a sleek modern hotel. I’d also have a good look at the different rooms before booking, as they vary quite a bit.

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A Little History

If you’ve ever wandered through a hotel that seems to have room upon room worth looking into, you’ll be very pleased with the Palacio.

The hotel’s foundations date back to the 16th century, which inevitably meant there was so much to explore beyond our bedroom.

Drawing rooms at the Palácio das Especiarias

When Lisbon was at the centre of Portugal’s overseas trade, spices were enormously valuable, lending to the name Palácio das Especiarias, which translates directly to Palace of Spices.

The room names carry on the theme, too. You’ll find Canela (cinnamon), Gengibre (ginger) and Noz Moscada (nutmeg), alongside names inspired by other goods that passed through Portugal.

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Our Suite

After a full day of climbing Lisbon’s hills, coming back to our suite was a well-deserved respite.

The hotel’s rooms are all different, from small doubles (around 13 square metres) to suites of up to 41 square metres.

Some look into the courtyard or garden; others have city or river views, and not all come with a bathtub, so be mindful when you book—ours was a cream-and-blue suite, with ornate ceilings, wooden floors, a small terrace and a freestanding bathtub.

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Breakfast

Now onto breakfast, which was easily one of my favourite parts of the entire stay.

Rather than one big dining area, you’ll move between different rooms of the old house, with decorated ceilings and antique furniture alongside a Portuguese and continental buffet (don’t be alarmed if you spend almost as much time admiring the rooms as you do deciding what to eat).

On our stay, there was a live violinist playing during breakfast, which I must admit is a rather lovely way to start the day.

I’m usually all for getting out and trying a new café in the morning, but I’d make time for at least one hotel breakfast here.

My favourite Lisbon cafés will always be there after…

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The Terrace & Amenities

On top of it all, you’ll also find a terrace and garden on the property, plus the Tágides do Tejo Wellness & Spa, with a sauna, Roman bath and treatments. I didn’t use the spa myself, so I can’t review it, but it’s worth checking for your trip.

The hotel also runs wine tastings, fado dinners and even a classic-car tour worth checking out before you book.

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The Location

Location-wise, you’ll be incredibly well based on Rua da Horta Seca, near Praça Luís de Camões. In other words, an easy excuse to wander towards Chiado’s shops, down to Cais do Sodré or up into Bairro Alto without planning your whole day around transport.

You’ve also got By The Wine on Rua das Flores for Portuguese wine and petiscos. And if you fancy breakfast out instead, you can wander over to The Folks on Rua dos Sapateiros for coffee and brunch.

P.S. – Read my 3-day Lisbon itinerary or best things to do in Lisbon guide for more ideas.

Just remember, no matter the area, wear comfortable shoes!

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Final Thoughts: Would I Stay at Palácio das Especiarias Again?

Absolutely, but I’d only recommend it to a certain type of traveller.

I loved being able to spend the day in Lisbon’s trendy coffee shops, sightseeing and castle spotting before coming back to an evening in old rooms and historic suites.

I wouldn’t recommend Palácio das Especiarias to everyone, especially if modern interiors are your thing. But if you love history and want the property itself to be part of your visit, it might just be perfect for your Lisbon trip.

Have the most fabulous time in Portugal.

Happy travels,

Candace x

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FAQ: Palácio das Especiarias Lisbon

Is Palácio das Especiarias worth staying at?

I think so, especially if you’d enjoy a historic boutique hotel as part of your Lisbon trip. I loved our suite and the breakfast rooms. If you want a sleek, modern hotel, I’d compare other options first.

Where is Palácio das Especiarias in Lisbon?

It’s on Rua da Horta Seca 11 in Chiado, near Praça Luís de Camões and within walking distance of Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré.

Do all the rooms have bathtubs?

No. Our suite had a bathtub in the bedroom, but rooms vary considerably in size, layout and features. Check the photographs here before you book.

What is breakfast like at Palácio das Especiarias?

Breakfast is served buffet-style in the hotel’s decorated rooms. We had a live violinist playing during ours, but they also do piano performances.

Does Palácio das Especiarias have a spa?

Yes, there’s Tágides do Tejo Wellness & Spa with a sauna, Roman bath and treatments. I didn’t try it myself, so I can’t personally review it.

What’s their check-in and check-out time?

Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 11am!

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