🇵🇹 Lisbon, Portugal
Empire Marquês Hotel
📍 36, Rua da Sociedade Farmacêutica, Lisbon
Photo: official website
Your stay — Empire Marquês Hotel
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The Property — Empire Marquês Hotel
Empire Marquês Hotel is a straightforward, three-star business hotel just off Marquês de Pombal roundabout. The lobby is compact and functional with polished stone floors and a small seating area, geared towards efficiency rather than charm. Its main advantage is location: a five-minute walk from Avenida da Liberdade and a Metro station right outside the door. Ideal for travellers who need a clean, quiet base and plan to spend most of their time out exploring Lisbon.
Chronicles of Lisbon
Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians and later became a major Roman settlement called Olisipo. The 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the city, prompting the Marques de Pombal to rebuild the Baixa district in a grid pattern with earthquake-resistant buildings. Over centuries, trade from the Age of Discovery brought Moorish, Gothic and Manueline influences, visible in Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery. Today Lisbon balances historic neighbourhoods like Alfama with a modern, tech- and tourism-driven identity. Fado music and pastel de nata remain cultural staples.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lisbon guide →Best months
May, June, September - warm, sunny weather with lower humidity than July-August; festivals like Santos Populares in June add local colour but crowds are still manageable.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak summer months: temperatures hit 30°C, cruise ships and European tourists crowd Belém and the trams. Hotel prices rise 30-50% versus spring; major events include NOS Alive music festival in early July and Festas de Lisboa in June.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer discounts of 20-40% off summer rates, mild highs around 20-22°C, fewer people at Sintra and the Castelo de S. Jorge.
Weather & packing
Lisbon’s climate is Mediterranean but the Atlantic can bring a cool breeze even in summer. Pack a light jacket or cardigan for evenings, and comfortable walking shoes for the city’s steep hills and cobblestones.
Live City Briefing — Lisbon
- Metro expansion: the red line now runs to Alcântara, making it easier to reach the LX Factory area without changing trains.
- Tourist tax increase: Lisbon’s overnight tax may rise from €2 to €4 per night in 2026, payable on arrival; check your booking’s fine print.
- New pedestrian zone: Avenida da Liberdade now closes to traffic on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm for a weekend market and street seating.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Empire Marquês Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard. The lift is small and slow, so you avoid the worst of the morning queue. These rooms get indirect light and much less street rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Stay off floors 1–3 on the street side. The bins are collected at 6am from the pavement below, and the single-glazed windows do little to stop the noise. Rooms ending in 01–06 face the main road.
Best views
The best view is from rooms ending in 07–12 on floors 6–7, looking over the back gardens towards the Estrela neighbourhood. You see rooftops and a sliver of the river on clear days.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–7 are quietest — well above street clatter and below the roof terrace where groups gather late into the night.
🔊 Noise notes
Rua da Sociedade Farmacêutica is a busy one-way street with bus route. The lift shaft runs through the centre of the building — any room adjoining it gets a consistent hum, worse on the lower floors.
Insider tips
If driving, park in the public garage 80m down the street (Rua do Alto de Santa Catarina) — it’s a third of the hotel’s valet price. For a quieter stay, book directly and request a ‘patio view room’ — the receptionist will note it for free.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Empire Marquês Hotel
Free WiFi for all guests; speed around 15 Mbps (adequate for browsing and email, less reliable for streaming). Login via room number and surname
One small lift serves all 3 guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No free newspapers; reception can provide a daily Portuguese paper on request (subject to availability). The building is a converted 1940s commercial property with original terracotta floor tiles in the lobby
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed (no extra fee). Late check-out until 14:00 incurs €30; later subject to availability and charged as half-night rate
Complimentary after check-out on day of departure; 24-hour storage available on request for €5
No step-free street access – two steps at front entrance. Lift fits standard wheelchair but not all doorways are wide enough (e.g. en-suite bathrooms). No adapted guest rooms. Not recommended for guests with limited mobility
No on-site parking. Nearest public garage: Estacionamento Largo da Oliveira (Rua Luz Soriano, 5-minute walk), €15 per night (no reservation needed). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2 per person per night, up to 7 nights (mandatory, payable at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Credit card guarantee required at booking; €50 incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja de Cristo (606 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de Santa Marta (845 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Nova Vida (961 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Igreja Evangélica chinesa em Lisboa (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Sol — 262 m · ~3 min walk
Museu Medeiros e Almeida — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Teatro Villaret — 156 m · ~2 min walk
Parque Infantil do Jardim Braamcamp Freire — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 162 m · ~2 min walk
Farmácia Sousa Martins — 55 m · ~1 min walk
Arya Mini Mercado — 131 m · ~2 min walk
Avenida — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots, which often have poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) are common in shops, restaurants, and transport.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. Round up in taxis; leave 5-10% in restaurants if service charge not included; tip hotel porters €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →An espresso (bica) at a local café costs around €0.60-€0.80.
A prato do dia (daily special) at a tasca or lunch spot costs €7-€10, often including a drink and coffee.
A main course at a budget-friendly restaurant costs €10-€14.
Nearby markets like Mercado de Campo de Ourique (10-min walk) offer good-value food stalls; also grab a bifana or pastel de nata from bakeries.
Supermarkets like Pingo Doce and Continente are easily reachable on foot within 5-10 minutes.
For cheap clothes, head to the larger shopping centres like Centro Comercial Amoreiras (15-min bus) or chain stores on Baixa streets.
A Viva Viagem card for the metro/bus/tram costs €0.50; a 24-hour public transport pass is €6.60. From the airport, take the metro (Aeroporto line) to the city centre for €1.50.
Eat lunch out instead of dinner for cheaper set menus. Buy a day pass for unlimited transport if using it more than 3-4 times. Avoid taxis from the airport; the metro is far cheaper.
Good to know — Lisbon
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Lisbon112 or 808 24 24
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lisbon, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Empire Marquês Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 162 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmácia Sousa Martins — 55 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Oriente Station (via ANAM shuttle) to Pestana Palace → São Bento / Local neighborhoods
💡 Most economical daily transit; buy a Viva Viagem card for unlimited travel. Tram 28 is iconic and passes near the hotel area.
Humberto Delgado Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Pestana Palace Hotel, São Bento
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airport or pre-book through hotel to avoid unmarked taxis. Fixed rates available.
Humberto Delgado Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Marquês de Pombal / City Center
💡 Budget-friendly option; get a 7-Colinas card at the airport for discounted local transit within Lisbon.
Humberto Delgado Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Oriente Station, then taxi/metro to Pestana Palace
💡 Reliable and direct airport connection; combine with metro for seamless journey to São Bento neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Empire Marquês Hotel?
Request a room on the 4th floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard. The lift is small and slow, so you avoid the worst of the morning queue. These rooms get indirect light and much less street rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Empire Marquês Hotel?
Stay off floors 1–3 on the street side. The bins are collected at 6am from the pavement below, and the single-glazed windows do little to stop the noise. Rooms ending in 01–06 face the main road.
Is Empire Marquês Hotel noisy?
Rua da Sociedade Farmacêutica is a busy one-way street with bus route. The lift shaft runs through the centre of the building — any room adjoining it gets a consistent hum, worse on the lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Empire Marquês Hotel?
The best view is from rooms ending in 07–12 on floors 6–7, looking over the back gardens towards the Estrela neighbourhood. You see rooftops and a sliver of the river on clear days.
What are insider tips for staying at Empire Marquês Hotel?
If driving, park in the public garage 80m down the street (Rua do Alto de Santa Catarina) — it’s a third of the hotel’s valet price. For a quieter stay, book directly and request a ‘patio view room’ — the receptionist will note it for free.
What time is check-in at Empire Marquês Hotel?
Check-in at Empire Marquês Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Empire Marquês Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; speed around 15 Mbps (adequate for browsing and email, less reliable for streaming). Login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Empire Marquês Hotel?
€2 per person per night, up to 7 nights (mandatory, payable at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Empire Marquês Hotel?
A prato do dia (daily special) at a tasca or lunch spot costs €7-€10, often including a drink and coffee.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Empire Marquês Hotel?
A Viva Viagem card for the metro/bus/tram costs €0.50; a 24-hour public transport pass is €6.60. From the airport, take the metro (Aeroporto line) to the city centre for €1.50.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
May, June, September - warm, sunny weather with lower humidity than July-August; festivals like Santos Populares in June add local colour but crowds are still manageable.
Top Attractions in Lisbon
💡 Start at Miradouro das Portas do Sol for morning light, then walk up to Miradouro da Graça for sunset. Avoid the packed tram 28—walking is faster and free.
💡 Start at Miradouro das Portas do Sol just before sunset for golden light on the rooftops. Avoid the tram 28 route for quieter streets.
💡 Start at the top (Graça) and walk downhill to avoid steep climbs. Best in early morning for fewer crowds.
💡 Skip the paid museum upstairs unless you're keen on religious art. The church itself is free and the main attraction.
💡 Start at the cathedral and walk uphill towards the castle. The best views are free. Avoid trams 12 and 28 at peak times; locals hate the crowds.
💡 Get a super bock from the bar across the street—it's half the price of the kiosk. Bring a blanket as the pavement gets cold by night.
💡 The greenhouse has a small tropical garden and café — cheap coffee and a quiet spot. The park is breezy, so bring a jacket even in summer.
💡 Free entry weekends. Bring a book for the bench under the giant rubber tree at the far end. Closed for lunch (1pm-2pm).