Highlights
- Start at grand riverside Praça do Comércio, then climb into Alfama's old lanes
- Soak up Tagus views from Miradouro de Santa Luzia and das Portas do Sol
- Step inside Lisbon Cathedral and the churches of St. Anthony and São Miguel
- See hilltop São Jorge Castle and the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
- Discover Fado at its museum and the tribute to legend Amália Rodrigues
Description
Start your Lisbon day in Alfama, the city's oldest quarter, before the crowds arrive and the heat sets in — a walk through nearly 900 years of history, from the riverfront up into a medieval maze the 1755 earthquake never touched.
Meet at Praça do Comércio, Lisbon's grandest square and site of the Royal Palace until the great quake, where your guide sets the scene beside the statue of King José I. From here you'll pass the Fundação José Saramago, honouring Portugal's only Nobel laureate in Literature, and Campo das Cebolas, the old onion market where fragments of the medieval walls still stand between the Tagus and Alfama's rising hillside.
Climb to the fortress-like Lisbon Cathedral (Sé), begun in 1147 and one of the few great buildings to survive the earthquake, then the Church of St. Anthony, built on the birthplace of Lisbon's beloved 'matchmaker saint.' Two of the city's most photographed viewpoints follow: Miradouro de Santa Luzia, framed by blue-and-white azulejo tiles, and Miradouro das Portas do Sol, where Alfama's terracotta rooftops tumble toward the river.
Take in the Moorish Castelo de São Jorge crowning the highest hill and the imposing Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, with its tiled cloisters and royal pantheon of the Braganza kings. Slip off the tourist trail at a traditional house on Rua dos Cegos for a glimpse of everyday Alfama life, then pause at the cobbled tribute to Amália Rodrigues, the 'Queen of Fado.' Step inside the intimate parish Church of São Miguel before ending at the Fado Museum, where the story of Portugal's soulful, UNESCO-listed music ties the whole morning together.
With a small, friendly group and an expert local at the helm, you'll uncover an Alfama most visitors walk straight past — its landmarks, its hidden corners and its living culture.
Includes
Professional guide
Small-group experience
Excludes
Hotel pickup and drop off
Gratuities
Important Information
- Children up to 13 years old are welcome to join this tour for free. We reserve the right to ask for a valid ID for children joining our tours.
Our guides have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2-2.5 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group.
Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. Alfama is a hilly district of steep, uneven cobblestones and stairs. We also recommend bringing water, sunscreen and a hat, especially in the warmer months.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
