Alfama
Enter the medieval neighbourhood of Lisbon
Alfama is full of charm and one of the most picturesque districts in Lisbon. The district and surrounds is home to the Lisbon Cathedral, Castelo de São Jorge, St Vincent Monastery, the National Pantheon and much more.
Alfama's layout dates back to medieval times when the Moors occupied this hilly neighborhood. The streets were designed to provide protection against invaders and to create a maze-like structure, making it difficult for invading armies to navigate the area. The narrow passages limited the mobility of attackers and allowed residents to control access points more effectively. The narrow and winding streets also provided shade and helped regulate temperatures during hot summers. Perched, overlooking Alfama, is the defensive Castelo de São Jorge.
Alfama is soaked in history and it starts with the Lisbon Cathedral at the lower end of the neighbourhood. The Cathedral is a microcosm of an amazing history of Lisbon involving Kings, Popes and the Moors, all of whom have had a massive influence on this intriguing city.
Keep walking uphill to the left side of the Cathedral and you are entering deeper into the history of Lisbon. Next you’ll find a plaza/square and lookout called Largo De Santa Luzia. This picturesque lookout offers great views over the river Tagus and the rooftops of Alfama.
The imposing statue here is dedicated to St Vincent, the patron saint of Lisbon, and the impressive building in the background with it’s bulky towers is the Monastery of St Vincent. Interestingly the flag of Lisbon is dedicated to St Vincent and depicts Ravens on a ship guarding his body as it was sailed from the Algarve to Lisbon for his burial.
Travelling up from this square you’ll find Castelo de São Jorge which dates back to the mid 11th Century. The advantageous hill where the castle lies has seen many battles, defeated Kings and new rulers and it’s the perfect location for centuries of visitors to keep a close eye on the comings and goings of this ancient city … If you feel a cold chill over your shoulder, it could even be a ghostly Celt from 48 BC.
At Castelo de São Jorge you'll find open gardens, fortified walls & towers plus an exhibition/interpretive centre. To refresh, there is a cafe within the grounds, as well as a shop to purchase gifts and toilets are also available. The views over Lisbon from this vantage point are worth the effort to visit this intriguing castle.
While in Alfama, check out the National Pantheon, it only took them 336 years to build, from 1630 to 1966, so let’s hope you think that it was worth the effort. It’s located only a few minutes walk past the Monastery but it’s more hills to climb and slightly isolated compared the the more central parts of Alfama.
Alfama is a wonderful place but can get extremely busy in peak season. There is a great choice of small cafes and restaurants and if you are in search of Fado, a traditional genre of music dating back to the early 19th century, then you’ll find it here in spades, both day and night.
Because of Alfama’s narrow and winding streets, the best way to tour this neighbourhood is by Tuk Tuk. Your Tuk Tuk guide will also bring you to the lookout points dotted around the city, including the highest which is higher again than Castelo de São Jorge. Your guide will also provide an enjoyable history lesson on Lisbon.
