Lisbon Attractions

Venue: Alfama    When: Daily

One of the oldest districts in Lisbon, the Alfama rests on the side of a steep hill, crowned by St George's Castle (Castelo de São Jorge).

Visitors can take the famous tram 28 to the Largo das Portas do Sol opposite the Museum of Decorative Arts (Museu de Artes Decorativas). The castle lies further up the hill behind here, and there are spectacular views over the city. However, from the Largo the sight is just as good, and from the viewing point next to the Igreja de Santa Luzia there are some old azulejos (tiles) showing what Lisbon was like prior to the devatstating earthquake of 1755.

You can stop for a drink here before heading down through the tangle of streets, visiting the market if it's Tuesday or Saturday, the old poor Jewish quarter, as well as the city cathedral, Sé, the National Pantheon (Igreja de Santa Engrácia), where illustrious Portuguese are interned, and the Casa dos Bicos, interesting because of the strange spikey texture of its façde.

People from other parts of the city come here on Saturday morning to buy their groceries from the markets, and during the evenings to frequent the fado bars. The community is very tight and has been here for generations. When you walk down through the narrow streets you can hear the network of communication in action as old ladies pass snippets of information from one to another.