Alfama, Castelo & Graça

This is the Lisbon you have no doubt dreamed about: a Moorish castle slung on a hillside, cobbled alleys twisting to sky-high viewpoints and laundry-strung houses in a fresco-painter’s palette of colours. In this corner of the city, life is played out on the streets. Fado still rocks as it did way back when, one-pan family bistros fire up their grills at lunchtime, and the neighbourly vibe keeps things alluringly low-key, but not without a struggle. Lisbon's tourism boom is altering Alfama's character, so authenticity is endangered here.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

  • Castle Castelo de Sao Jorge Belevedere Miradoura de Sao Pedro de Alcantara Outlook Lisbon Portugal; Shutterstock ID 548082178; Your name (First / Last): Tom Stainer; GL account no.: 65050 ; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Travel 2018

    Castelo de São Jorge

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Towering dramatically above Lisbon, these mid-11th-century hilltop fortifications sneak into almost every snapshot. Roam its snaking ramparts and pine…

  • Lisbon's Gloria funicular classified in Bairro Alto in Lisbon, Portugal 244165612 downtown, uphill, street, electric, houses, national, european, central, urban, yellow, tramway, steep, history, streetcar, cable, lisbon, hills, rail, commute, train, portugal, gloria, funicular, elevator, historic, transport, center, architecture, city, colorful, public, railway, buildings, tram, connect, transportation, antique, track, car, vintage, tight, alley, monument, europe, cityscape, alfama, lisboa

    Alfama

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Wander downhill (to save your legs) through Alfama's steep, narrow, cobblestoned streets and catch a glimpse of the more traditional side of Lisbon before…

  • Tram in streets of Graca.

    Tram 28E

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Don't leave the city without riding popular tram 28E from Largo Martim Moniz. This rickety, screechy, gloriously old-fashioned ride from Praça Martim…

  • Miradouro da Graça

    Miradouro da Graça

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    A much-loved summertime hang-out of lisboêtas, this miradouro (lookout) sidles up to the baroque Igreja da Graça. It has an incredible view of the castle…

  • Largo das Portas do Sol

    Largo das Portas do Sol

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    This original Moorish gateway affords stunning angles over Alfama’s jumble of red rooftops and pastel-coloured houses, underscored by the true blue Rio…

  • Miradouro do Castelo de São Jorge

    Miradouro do Castelo de São Jorge

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    One of Lisbon's privileged views is on offer from this outstanding lookout point on the grounds of the Castelo de São Jorge.

  • Low Angle View Of Lisbon Cathedral At Night

    Sé de Lisboa

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    The fortress-like Sé de Lisboa is one of Lisbon’s icons, built in 1150 on the site of a mosque soon after Christians recaptured the city from the Moors…

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