Cultural guide to Alfama: what not to miss

This neighborhood is synonymous with Lisbon, and one of the oldest you’ll find in the capital city, with a thousand and one places to see and visit. In this list, we’re going to give you a cultural guide to Alfama, to some of the places that, if you don’t already know them, you really have to visit to become the number one fan of Alfama lisbon’s most traditional and picturesque neighborhood.

Come with us on this journey through various churches, viewpoints, centuries-old stories and even a house of Fado very special.

Casa dos Bicos

Few people know that inside the Casa dos Bicos there is a totally free museum, but, in fact, this historic building in Lisbon is home to more than just the José Saramago Foundation (which has a €3 entrance fee).

On the first floor is the Casa dos Bicos Archaeological Center, part of the Lisbon Museum network, which tells the story of the city from the Roman occupation to the 18th century.

There, you’ll find Roman remains (such as cetaria), sections of the late Roman wall and the medieval wall, as well as objects collected during the various archaeological campaigns that have passed through the site, such as pipes and vases.

Lisbon Cathedral

A Lisbon Cathedral, or Church of Santa Maria Maior, is the seat of the Patriarchate of Lisbon and the Sé Parish.

Its construction began in the second half of the 12th century, after the city was conquered from the Moors by King Afonso Henriques, and today it is a mixture of architectural styles and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

Mural of Amália Rodrigues

The typical and traditional Alfama is also home to one of street artist Vhils’ best-known works: the mural depicting fado singer Amália Rodrigues .

The work, located in Rua de São Tomé and entitled “Calçada”, is entirely made in portuguese sidewalk.

Alfama Gate

A Alfama Gate has centuries of history, since the Moors were here.

It is located on Rua de São João da Praça and has existed since the 11th century. At the time it was called Bāb al-Hamma by the Arabs, or Porta das Termas, because there was a spa there.

Viewpoint and Church of Santa Luzia

Even though it is visited by thousands of tourists every day, this viewpoint manages to be one of the most romantic spots in the neighborhood , not only because of the beautiful views, but also because of its flowered pergola.

Next door is the Church of Santa Luzia, built in the 18th century, where the tile panels (on the outside) depicting the conquest of Lisbon from the Moors in Praça do Comércio before the 1755 earthquake stand out.

Portas do Sol viewpoint

It’s one of the most popular viewpoints in Lisbon and it’s easy to see why: it’s Alfama’s authentic balcony, with incredible views of the neighborhood’s houses, but also of the National Pantheon, for the Tagus and for south bank.

Santo Estevão Church and Viewpoint

Unlike the two previous viewpoints, this one still manages to escape (as far as possible) the tourist invasion.

It’s a hidden, quiet corner in the middle of the neighborhood, overlooking the red roofs and the Tagus, in the shadow of the Church of Santo Estevão.

It was built in 1733 and is a fine example of the Portuguese Baroque of the time.

St. Peter’s Tower

Not far from Porta de Alfama, a three-minute walk along Rua de São Miguel, is another interesting spot in this neighborhood: the St. Peter’s Tower, the perfect place to rest while you wander the narrow streets and alleys of Alfama.

Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

Between Alfama and Campo de Santa Clara, the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, full of secrets, is one of the grandest and most imposing religious monuments in Lisbon.

It began to be built in 1582 and was completed in 1629, featuring a Mannerist style with Gothic and Baroque details.

Inside, it’s worth admiring the tiles depicting La Fontaine’s Fables and the church’s high altar, while at the top of the building is one of the most incredible (and unknown) viewpoints of the city.

St. Michael’s Church

Right in the heart of the neighborhood, between alleys, there is this church with origins in the 12th century, but rebuilt in 1673.

In Mannerist and Baroque style, it is richly decorated with gilded woodwork.

Feira da Ladra

A Feira da Ladra is one of the oldest flea markets in the country and is therefore considered one of the most important and well-known in Lisbon.

Created in the 13th century, this market has been in various locations, but it was only in 1903 that it began to “inhabit” Campo de Santa Clara.

Here you can find everything you can imagine, from decorative objects to books, clothes, furniture and even the most unusual goods – there are prescription glasses and even dentures!

National Pantheon – Church of Santa Engrácia

O National Pantheon it’s not exactly in Alfama,, but it’s so close that it’s an obligatory part of any cultural guide to Alfama and the surrounding area , fundamentally because it serves as the final “address” for some of the country’s greatest figures, such as former Presidents of the Republic and writers.

Founded in 1568, it wasn’t completed until the middle of the 20th century, due to various reasons (such as the death of the architect or the 1755 earthquake) which gave rise to the famous expression “works of Santa Engrácia”.

The Baiuca

Among the many fado houses which Alfama is home to, we highlight this one because it is linked to traditional and genuine fado vadio, making it a must-have in this cultural guide to Alfama.

Right in the heart of the neighborhood, it has an unparalleled ambience and atmosphere, with guitars and fados à la carte, always with a glass of wine on the table.  

Tasca do Chico and Mesa de Frades are other houses in the neighborhood that live and breathe fado.

Fado Museum

O Fado Museum was inaugurated on September 25, 1998 and is a great tribute to the whole universe of fado and the guitar, making it an essential part of this cultural guide to Alfama.

This museum is a real tribute to the musical genre that has already graced many concert halls all over the world.

Tile Museum

Nowhere else in the country are there so many panels, murals and even building façades (almost) completely covered with these little works of art.

O Tile Museum is currently housed in the former Madre Deus Convent, founded in 1509 by Queen Leonor, and presents the entire history of tiles in Portugal from the second half of the 15th century to the present day.

Cultural map of Alfama, and the list for your mobile

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