What's in our tour?
This Alfama tour is where you can find what Lisbon stands for. Meet the steep winding alleys, the hidden landmark churches, the old ladies sitting out, the fado tunes and the breath-taking views.
Your guide to lead you through Alfama and Lisbon’s heart & soul is a born-and-raised local.
Your guide meets you at the foot of the historic Saint Georges castle. The citadel was the center of Moorish rule till the reconquista by king Alfonse.
We walk from the top down, with shaded routes for hot days.
You run across narrow, steep streets. There is no room for cars, and it is no place for bikes. So how do people live in Lisbon? And why the tiny stores everywhere?
Past one narrow street is Miradouro Portas do Sol: Lisbon’s most celebrated belvedere.
Nearby is a great spot for understanding what happened during the great Earthquake.
Next is a small house with wood shutters. Let’s see what happens when we knock at the shutter.
Why so many statues, why do they all feature Saint Vincente? And what is the meaning of Lisbon’s flag?
Our last stop is outside the Fado Museum. How does Fado capture the Portuguese spirit?
So we can see more, we do not spend time going inside each building.
Highlights
This tour includes:
- around Saint George castle. How it was when the Moors ruled Lisbon, and the man who put an end to it
- Alfama’s narrow alleys, canary cages, clothes-lines and fado halls
- great azulejo tiles: the colours of Lisbon
- Miradouro Portas do Sol: the most famous view of Lisbon and the Tagus river
Where and when?
Alfama Tour runs, rain or shine, at
- 11am and 4pm from May 1st to October 15th
- 3pm from November 1st to April 30th
- It is closed on January 1st only
It lasts a relaxed 90 minutes.
We meet on rua do Chão da Feira street, opposite a shop called “Conquistador” on the way up to Saint George Castle. (take bus 737 to “Castle” stop)
The tour ends by the Fado Museum near Sé Cathedral.
Why take this tour?
Because Alfama is so hard to navigate without a guide.
And because seeing Alfama without commentary from a local is like watching a film without the soundtrack.
Price
This is a free walking tour, where you pay your guide what you want at the end of the tour.
Booking in advance is required.
Privatize this tour
Groups of friends, families, and school groups often take a private guide for a visit of Alfama. A private tour is €95, and up for larger groups.
Other information
Wheelchairs not advised because of the steep streets.
