Over 200 new hotels to open in Lisbon and Porto
The increase in hotel capacity has raised concerns about Portugal main urban centre's ability to reconcile living standards with its growing popularity as a tourism destination.
Portugal’s tourism sector continues to expand at a fast pace, leading to an increase in hotel developments across the country.
In the coming years, Lisbon and Porto are set to see the addition of more than 200 new hotels, with Porto experiencing the most significant growth.
The list of upcoming hotels in Lisbon, compiled by the Lisbon Tourism Association (ATL), is updated periodically.
New hotels in Porto
Porto is expected to see the opening of 122 new hotels, with 63 currently under construction, according to the latest statistical bulletin on tourism developments.
This expansion will bring the city’s total number of hotels from 190 to 312, representing a 64.2% increase.
Additionally, the city will gain 6,268 new rooms, resulting in a total of 34,509 beds, an expansion of 52.2%.
Among the upcoming openings is The Social Hub, set to launch on March 1.
This new hotel will feature 271 rooms and 39 residential apartments, along with coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views, a bar, and a swimming pool.
New hotels in Lisbon
The Lisbon Metropolitan Area is expected to see the inauguration of 82 hotels, with 15 scheduled to open this year.
The ME Lisbon by Meliá, located at the corner of Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo and António Augusto de Aguiar, is scheduled to open by the end of the first quarter of this year.
Additionally, two major hotels are planned for the Campo Pequeno area: the Turim Avenida da República and the Residence Inn by Marriott – Lisbon, set to open in 2025.
The district of Lisbon alone will add 54 new hotels, increasing the city’s hospitality capacity by 16%.
Currently, Lisbon has 344 hotels, and the new additions will increase this number by approximately 44% over the last decade, adding around 5,000 new rooms.
Some of the notable upcoming openings in Lisbon include the ME Lisbon by Meliá, a five-star hotel with 213 rooms; the four-star Turim Avenida da República with 100 rooms; and the Residence Inn by Marriott – Lisbon, which will offer 71 accommodations designed for extended stays.
Considerations on Tourism Growth
As hotel infrastructure expands, Lisbon will have 3.88 hotels per square kilometer, while Porto will have 7.61 hotels per square kilometer.
This growth reflects the increasing demand for accommodation in both cities.
At full capacity, Porto’s hotels could host 139 guests per 1,000 inhabitants per square kilometer.
According to Turismo de Portugal, Lisbon recorded a density of 415.18 overnight stays per square kilometer per day in 2023, an increase from 365.21 in 2022.
Porto saw 388.14 overnight stays per square kilometer per day in 2023, up from 318.69 in 2022, indicating continued visitor interest.
If they’re going to stomp out ALs in residential areas- of course more hotels will be the result. But Lisbon, Porto and the rest of Instagram Selfie Portugal will continue to be a theme park for American tourists. Who all apparently have severe hearing loss from all the SHOUTING. And the self-awareness of a dog grooming its rear-facing bits. Anything for cash.