Staying in the Alfama District of Lisbon
On our visit to Lisbon, Jeremy and I stayed in the oldest neighborhood in the city, Alfama, and you should too! Read on for all the reasons why you should consider staying in Alfama on your visit to Lisbon.
Table of Contents
Staying in the Alfama District of Lisbon
The history of Alfama
Largely inhabited by fishermen and people who worked at the port of Lisbon in the past, Alfama has seen a rebirth in recent years, and is now considered to be one of the coolest areas in the city.
Why you should stay in Alfama
It’s a photographer’s dream
Alfama is incredibly picturesque, with small laneways, tiled buildings, and unexpected beauty around every corner.
It’s full of history
The history is palpable in Alfama – if you want to feel like you’re in a different time and place, stay there. Being the oldest neighborhood in the city, it’s home to some of the oldest buildings in Lisbon, including the Cattedrale Sé, Castelo de São Jorge, Panteão Nacional, and the Igreja de Santo António. If you’re a history buff, you should definitely stay in Alfama.
It’s well connected
The main area of the city center (Baixa) is in walking distance, and Lisbon’s historic tram runs through the neighborhood.
It’s got great nightlife
Another reason to stay in Alfama is that it’s full of great little bars and venues that play Fado, which is a traditional genre of music in Portugal.
It’s got great people
We really felt like locals while we stayed in Alfama after being invited to a neighborhood lunch. Of course, I can’t guarantee that the same will happen to you, but overall, the people were incredibly friendly, and we had some excellent food.
Don’t stay in Alfama if…
I would suggest not staying in Alfama if you’re unable to walk up and down lots of hills on uneven cobblestones. Like I said, this part of the city is old, so the streets are old too.
No matter where you stay, it’s important to know that Lisbon itself is very hilly, so bring comfortable walking shoes!
More Lisbon guides
Want more Lisbon? Eat at Cervejaria Ramiro and hike to Praia da Ursa.
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