Lisbon and the Alfama
The soul of Lisbon - a tumbling maze of the old Moorish Alfama district, rattling yellow trams, tiled facades and hilltop viewpoints over the Tagus.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Alfama is the soul of Lisbon, the old Moorish quarter that survived the great earthquake, a tumbling maze of narrow lanes, stairways and tiled houses spilling down the hill below the castle to the Tagus. Rattling yellow trams climb its slopes, fado drifts from tavern doors, washing hangs between the buildings and hilltop terraces open sweeping views, the most atmospheric corner of the city.
What you actually see
- The Alfama lanes - the maze of stairways and tiled houses below the castle.
- Tram 28 - the famous rattling yellow tram climbing the old quarters.
- Sao Jorge Castle - the hilltop Moorish castle with panoramic views.
- The miradouros - the hilltop terrace viewpoints over the city and river.
When to go
Spring and autumn for mild weather and the best light; summer is hot and busy. Early morning gives the lanes and the famous tram 28 before the crowds and pickpockets of the day.
Honest expectations
The famous tram 28 is packed and a target for pickpockets, so ride early and mind your belongings. Lisbon is steep and hilly, tiring on the legs and cobbles. The Alfama is a place to wander and get lost rather than tick off sights.
Nearby
Sao Jorge Castle crowns the hill; the Baixa, Chiado and Belem districts are elsewhere in the city.
What to pack for Lisbon and the Alfama
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
