Alfama Travel Guide

Lisbon District

Alfama showing a sunset and a coastal town
Alfama
Alfama showing night scenes
Alfama
Alfama
Explore Moorish castles and medieval alleyways in Lisbon’s oldest district before an evening of traditional live music at an authentic Fado bar.

Alfama has retained many of its medieval buildings and unusual architecture from a period of Moorish rule. When the Lisbon earthquake hit in 1755, the district in the centre of Lisbon was one of the least devastated areas. The Moorish Castle of Saint George looms large on the skyline from on top of a hill. Roman ruins and brightly colored houses add to the charm of Alfama. 

To get a different view of the major architectural attractions, head to the Portas do Sol lookout and café for stunning views over Lisbon’s medieval heart. Start your history lesson in Roman times at the ruins of a Roman theatre and museum displaying unearthed carvings and artifacts.

Walk a few blocks through the charming tree-lined streets to the Castle de São Jorge. The fortress was constructed by the Moorish rulers in the 6th century and captured during the Crusades, after which it underwent renovations and became the Royal Palace. In one of the rebuilt rooms of the Royal Palace you can watch a multimedia film on Lisbon’s history. 

Don’t miss the Cathedral of Lisbon. The city’s oldest surviving building was constructed in 1150.

If you’re interested in imagining Alfama before the earthquake, head to the Tile Museum, housed in an old and lavish monastery. View five centuries of tile artworks, including a 75-foot (23-metre) tile cityscape created in 1738. 

Enjoy the opulent painted roofs, artworks and furniture of a 17th-century palace in the Museum of Decorative Arts, housed inside the Azura Palace. Next door you can watch artisans creating replicas of the antiques using age-old techniques. 

Go to the waterfront nearby the Santa Apolonia train station for modern boutiques, restaurants and nightlife. For the best traditional fish dishes try the area around the Casa dos Bicco, a 16th-century palace encased in spikes. 

The centre of Lisbon is best explored on foot. Further out there are trams, buses and an underground metro system.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Alfama

Hotel Convento do Salvador
Hotel Convento do Salvador
3 out of 5
Rua do Salvador, 2 B, Lisbon, Lisboa
The price is ฿4,555 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
฿4,555
฿5,134 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"Front desk staff were very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Close to everything. Only minor complaint is they could upgrade their pillows."

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2025

Hotel Convento do Salvador
Aurea Museum by Eurostars Hotel Company
Aurea Museum by Eurostars Hotel Company
5 out of 5
Rua Cais de Santarém 52, Lisbon, Lisbon
The price is ฿7,526 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
฿7,526
฿8,283 total
includes taxes & fees
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (895 reviews)
"Would definitely stay at this location again."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

Aurea Museum by Eurostars Hotel Company
Pousada Alfama
Pousada Alfama
4 out of 5
Rua de São Tomé nº 76, Lisbon, Lisboa
The price is ฿8,394 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
฿8,394
฿9,203 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (151 reviews)
"Very clean room and property. While the room was small, it worked well for our 1st night in Lisbon. The staff were excellent."

Reviewed on 8 Apr 2025

Pousada Alfama
Memmo Alfama - Design Hotels
Memmo Alfama - Design Hotels
4 out of 5
Travessa das Merceeiras, 27 - Alfama, Lisbon
The price is ฿7,184 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
฿7,184
฿7,921 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (978 reviews)
"Great boutique hotel with excellent staff"

Reviewed on 17 Apr 2025

Memmo Alfama - Design Hotels
Urbano FLH Hotels Lisboa
Urbano FLH Hotels Lisboa
4 out of 5
42 RUA DA MADALENA, Lisbon
The price is ฿5,510 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
฿5,510
฿6,146 total
includes taxes & fees
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (716 reviews)
"Nice place for a quick one or two days stays in lisbon. The room are small but if you're not spending too much in it that doesn't matter"

Reviewed on 11 Apr 2025

Urbano FLH Hotels Lisboa
Lisbon Serviced Apartments Madalena
Lisbon Serviced Apartments Madalena
4 out of 5
Rua da Madalena, n. 36, Lisbon
The price is ฿7,100 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
฿7,100
฿7,832 total
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Rossio Square and Avenida da Liberdade ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (281 reviews)
"Liked everything, especially location."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Lisbon Serviced Apartments Madalena
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Alfama

Castle of Sao Jorge which includes heritage architecture and a coastal town

Castelo

Castelo is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Castle of São Jorge or Olisipónia.

Castelo
Lisbon Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, street scenes and a city

4/5(7 area reviews)

River views, historical sites and bars highlight some notable features of Sé. Make a stop by Lisbon Cathedral or Santo Antonio Church while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Limoeiro Stop or Sé Stop to get around town.

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Mouraria

While you're in Mouraria, take in top sights like Martim Moniz Square or Avenida Almirante Reis, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Socorro Stop or Martim Moniz Station.

Mouraria
Santa Justa Elevator showing landscape views and a city

Baixa

4.5/5(604 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Rossio Square to Rua Augusta – discover Baixa, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Baixa
Senhora do Monte Viewpoint which includes a river or creek, a city and landscape views

Graça

Graça is a destination travellers like for its historical sites, and you might hop aboard the metro at R. Graça Stop or Graça Stop to explore sights like Senhora do Monte Viewpoint.

Graça
Chiado which includes views and a sunset as well as a couple

Chiado

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Camões Square while getting to know Chiado, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Chiado Stop or Lg. Academia Nacional Belas AR Stop to see more of the area.

Chiado

Alfama Travel Guide