The Famous Alfama District in Lisbon

Updated May 2024

Alfama district in Lisbon is so charming. Although steep and narrow, its cobblestone streets are adorned with elegant mosaics of dark stone cuts. Mosaics and tiles are typical for this neighborhood. (What if I tell you that I also went into different metro stations to see the artwork on the walls? They are so vibrant and colorful, genuine masterpieces.)

Pay attention to decorative details like street and square names inscribed in ceramic tiles, colorful tiles embedded in building walls, and large murals.

Alfama district in Lisbon is the oldest neighborhood in the city and the second oldest in Europe. Its tiled curving streets survived the 1755 earthquake. One can enjoy beautiful viewpoints, river views, balconies, and street art throughout the Alfama district in Lisbon that preserved its olden charm. It occupies the steep area between the Tejo River and St. George Castle.

Lisbon Top Attractions

Don’t get me wrong, I love European cities, but Lisbon is special, unlike any other metropolis in Europe. It has that local vibe that can sometimes make you feel like being in a small fishing village.

Especially if you are on one of those narrow streets in the Alfama district in Lisbon and you cannot see where it ends or if there is another long curve or a vast square on the other end.

All you see is laundry hanging from small windows, old facades with plaster peeling off, and maybe tram tracks curving down a tiny cobblestone street.

 

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If you keep walking, you will most likely come out to a great big square with central monuments of national poets, kings, explorers of Portugal, or generals, huge fountains, restaurants, metro stations, churches, and theaters.

Alfama district in Lisbon is among Lisbon’s top attractions. Landmarks in the neighborhood are among the most famous. So don’t miss the city’s Se Cathedral, Castelo de Sao Jorge, Pantenao Nacional, and some stunning viewpoints like Miradouro de Santa Luzia. I couldn’t decide whether the miradouro was more beautiful or the view it provided. The Portuguese tiles (azulejo) are so elegant around here. (You can read more in one of the future posts about the historical sites in Lisbon Portugal.)

You will find all the popular brands, banks, and companies like anywhere else in Europe, and it’s obvious that this is another European capital in the West.

 

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Alfama District in Lisbon

One thing that I noticed (and loved) is that shopping malls in the center of the city are often adapted to the city’s architecture. You will find modest entrances to typical Lisbon buildings with an olden name tag above the door, not those huge shopping centers with glassy walls and enormous revolving doors, stretching on five floors and who knows how many square meters.

They are all the same, you probably have a few in your neighborhood back home. Here, however, there is a somewhat different scenery.

I loved that one could find small bakeries, pastry shops, charming souvenir shops, bookstores, world-famous brands, and big stores.

Walking up these narrow streets, you might even feel isolated. But then again, there is a feeling of anticipation of what will appear behind the next curve going steeply up. You are walking up and almost touching your chest with your knees. And suddenly, you mazy find yourself surrounded by crowds and the bustle of the city.

Lisbon Yellow Tram

It is hard to overlook the famous yellow tram that cruises the city. There are lines convenient for tourists. For example, take the number 28 tram that creaks and turns, hawking people on the street by ringing instead of using a horn. It connects Martim Moniz with Campo Ourique. It will take you to popular districts such as Alfama, Baixa, Graca, and Estrela.

These 1930s trams still have wooden interiors and would probably be museum pieces elsewhere. The 28’s track is also quaint and can only be suitable for these old trams.

 

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By purchasing the city pass with all the city’s means of transport included for one or a few days, you can hop on and off the tram whenever you see something interesting you want to visit up close. That way, you will avoid paying for every single ride. (Keep in mind that tourist tickets can only be purchased at metro stations.)

A typical souvenir can be a watercolor painting depicting a yellow tram. I bought one at the street stall. While in Lisbon, right?

From the square of Mirador of Santa Catarina, you can take the so-called Bica funicular, one of the area’s means of transport you will need to use if you want to avoid steep hills in the Alfama district in Lisbon. You can also use Elevador de Santa Justa in Ouro Street, the landmark that greeted me on my arrival in Lisbon, remember?

Next: EVOKING JOSE SARAMAGO

The full series about my BARCELONA – LISBON JOURNEY