Alfama

The oldest neighborhood in Portugal

Alfama is a very peculiar neighborhood as it resembles an old village.

View of the Alfama neighborhood from the Tagus river

The neighborhood is frequented daily by Portuguese and foreign tourists, being considered the smallest in the entire city of Lisbon.

Alfama History

The history of Alfama dates back to Muslim times, when the neighbourhood was one of the first settlements in the city. Its name derives from the Arabic word ‘Al-hamma’, which means ‘the fountains’. Over the centuries, Alfama has survived several transformations, including the great earthquake of 1755, which devastated much of Lisbon.

Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. It is located on the slope of the hill next to the Castle of São Jorge and has the Tagus River as one of its limits. It is one of the most characteristic and picturesque neighborhoods in the city, with narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses and stunning views over the Tagus River.

Exploring the streets

Alfama is famous for its narrow, cobbled streets. It is one of the best areas for walking and exploring the city, with many staircases and alleys. In addition, one of the most spectacular views of Alfama is from the public promenade, formed by the Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia viewpoints.

Narrow streets — Colourful narrow streets

Streets with characteristic Alfama houses — Colourful narrow streets

The neighbourhood is known for its traditional architecture, with colourful houses and decorative tiles. One of the highlights is the Casa dos Bicos, built in the 16th century and currently home to the José Saramago Foundation.

Casa dos Bicos - Archeological Center and José Saramago Foundation on a blue sky day — Casa dos Bicos – Archeological Center and José Saramago Foundation

The neighborhood is known for its traditional architecture, with colorful houses and decorative tiles. One of the highlights is the Casa dos Bicos, built in the 16th century and which is currently the headquarters of the José Saramago Foundation.

Churches and Monuments

Another important attraction in the neighborhood is the Igreja de S. Miguel, a baroque church built in the 17th century. The church is known for its imposing architecture and for its panoramic views over the neighborhood and the Tagus River. And obviously the Lisbon Cathedral, also located in Alfama, is one of the highlights of this neighborhood.

Fado

Alfama is also famous for its musical culture, especially Fado, a traditional form of Portuguese music. There are several bars and restaurants in the neighborhood that offer live Fado performances, where visitors can enjoy an evening of music and gastronomy.

The Fado Museum is also a must-see, offering an in-depth look at this important art form that is Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.