Join the free walking tours with open-air fado, held in Lisbon every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the summertime. This is a chance to explore the narrow cobbled stone streets of the old neighbourhoods with interludes of traditional Portuguese fado music.
Discover Alfama on foot and catch sweeping views of the river and the city. All you need is some water and comfortable walking shoes for Lisbon’s steep paved cobblestone streets.
Fall asleep checking Lisbon’s rooftops, admiring the River Tejo, and listening to Fado. For an unforgettable stay, choose one of the best hotels in the middle of the old Alfama with the perfect river view.
Get to know Lisbon’s Alfama and its top tourist attractions. Follow our guide to Alfama in central Lisbon: a neighbourhood of narrow streets and alleys that survived the 1755 earthquake and became a tourist destination while holding on to its historical character.
Halfway up a long, steep hill heading to the castle, the Sé is Lisbon’s ancient cathedral. It’s a large and impressive Romanesque structure dated from the foundation of Portugal in the 12th century.
Lisbon’s main flea market has all sorts of stuff for those looking for a bargain. Find out how to get to the Feira da Ladra and what to expect even if you don’t plan on buying. Opens every Tuesday and Saturday.
With a white dome rising above Alfama, the Panteão Nacional houses the tombs of distinguished Portuguese figures. From the terrace, there are stunning views over the river and the city.
Reserve an evening to sample the Portuguese fado and traditional cuisine. From amateur fado to well-known fado singers, Alfama is the best area to soak up Lisbon’s aesthetic melancholy.
A visit to the Fado Museum gives you an insight into Lisbon’s culture, and the Alfama neighbourhood where the genre was born. It’s a great opportunity to sample some of the best fado voices, and learn about the fado history and the instruments it uses.
Located on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, Castelo de São Jorge is the city’s medieval castle, and its most visited tourist site, offering the best views of Lisbon and the River Tejo.
Alfama is Lisbon’s Moorish district: a medina-like neighbourhood of narrow and maze-like streets at the foot of the medieval Castelo de São Jorge. Graça, on a hill north of Alfama, offers great views over Lisbon and the castle.