Alfama is Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, probably founded by the Moors in the 8th century, and during my vacation I LOVED spending time here. My husband and I walked around Alfama on two days, and we took a tuk-tuk ride here on one day. We saw a maze of steep narrow cobblestone alleys, houses with terracotta roofs, some small restaurants, courtyards, some shops, a tram, and old buildings such as São Jorge Castle, Lisbon Cathedral, and the National Pantheon of Santa Engracia. We enjoyed eating authentic Portuguese foods. Unfortunately, we missed out on listening to Fado music. I was here during daylight, and unlike some of the other Yelp reviewers, I never got lost, I never felt unsafe, and nobody mistreated me. The buildings were obviously old but were not in bad condition or dirty. I read that the neighborhood has been invested in and spruced up in recent years. read more

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Alfama is a little medieval maze of charm and uphill cardio. We landed in Lisbon this June, just in time for the Popular Saints Festival, also known as Peak Grilled Sardine Season. Ha! Locals were out cooking on the sidewalks like they paid rent for the cobblestones, music was blasting from speakers that definitely failed an EU noise ordinance, and everyone was very merry. Alfama is Lisbon's oldest quarter, which is code for don't even try to use Google Maps. The streets are aggressively charming, like they dare you not to fall in love. This is a must walk around in if you're in Lisbon. read more

Alfama - Local Flavor Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Alfama is a district in Lisbon with alleyways and cobbled streets and lots of steps and hills and it was like a maze, once your in it it's hard to find your way back out and although I'm sure it would be beautiful during the day and there were aspects that were beautiful like the panoramic views at dusk but we went out later and it was more scary and intimidating than anything else and we couldn't find a taxi so felt stranded and far from our hotel and the locals were not very helpful or friendly so we didn't have the best experience to be honest. I would choose to spend more time in barrio alto than Alfama but that's just me! read more

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Red rooftops to see over while admiring the bridge and cross on a clear beautiful day! I like the relaxed feeling that this city exudes! Lovely to just simply be! read more

I had an airbnb in Alfama just by Museo de Fado. Although people say this is nice and has character o found it unsafe, dirty and ugly and in disrepair. one you cannot carry your bags up the hill on steps and be prepared to walk a lot form where a taxi can bring you/ without bags i would maybe walk around one day. personally i don't find pleasure waking direpaired back alleys with graffiti and clothes h and plastic awning hanging. it is obviously a mix of a poor local population and tourist rentals most appropriate for a hostel.. garbage everywhere and stray dogs. at night super sketchy and this was validated by taxi drivers and waiters all over town. as a single woman i felt it was only a matter a time until somone followed me on the narrow streets at night. a lot of migrants hanging out in the street that's only at max 4 st wise - not a street an alley in disrepair stinking of urine. and i'd have to walk by groups of men hanging out in the street drinking at night with hardly anyone else around. not a place to adventure by yourself especially in the winter with fewer people. i was told people got mugged at knife point in daylight there....i believe it! read more

Actually rented an apartment here via Airbnb. You MUST wear rubber soled shoes here. With the marble stones and steep pathways I nearly smacked down on the streets too many times and saw other tourists do the same. One of the oldest parts of Lisbon, it was sad to see areas in disrepair. Too much graffiti, too much dumping in the streets. Be prepared for the workout of your life. I went to the shops one morning, came back and checked my workout app which said I climbed the equivalent of 29 floors! read more

Alfama - Spot close to my apartment. Loved the old tiles on the architecture. - Local Flavor Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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During the day, there isn't much going on here. In fact, it looks run down and creepy. However, I happened to be here on a Thursday night during "Dia de Portugal" weekend, which is the equivalent to 4th of July and Bastile day...at night the streets decorated with Portugal's national colors. The narrow streets were full of people drinking, smoking, laughing, eating, cooking, partying, etc etc. For a weekday night, it was tough moving around the festive crowd and there is no way to avoid the thick smoke of cigarettes, cigars, and mixed in with the delicious smoky smells of meats grilling from the many street vendors. Sardines anyone? National music was blasting from bars and the apartments above. In a daze, I wandered into a random restaurant to get some fresh air, green wine, and some grub. I had nice view out the window seeing the partying crowds. If you lived in the area, you weren't going to sleep for the next 3 days. Good times! read more

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A terrific neighborhood right in Lisbon. It has hotels, restaurants and shops all throughout. We walked much of it and felt safe except for the traffic of small fast cars and speeding motorcycles. The people you pass by are friendly and for the most part the area is clean. We only saw a few places that might be questionable. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip. If the surfaces get wet they can be slippery. Try to check out a restaurant. The food can be amazing. read more

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Easily my favorite neighborhood of Lisboa, Alfama is a throw back to a city before the disastrous earthquake of 1755. It was the fishing village that fed all the rich folks up ontop of the giant hill it sits at the base of. The streets are narrow and steep, the houses are ancient, and the colors of the walls are magnificent (as is the graffiti, which somehow feels more natural here than in other parts of town). It gets a wrap for being a bit grungy, but I found it to be charming, along the lines of ponté in Rome. There are many places to grab a bite to eat or a beer as you make your way down the hill (do yourself a favor and walk down from the castle, not up), the seafood being my preferred go to (the tuna steak at Flor dos Arcos was perfect). A must visit if you're in Lisbon, enjoy a slow stroll through a neighborhood that time seems to have forgotten read more

This neighborhood is on the gritty side, but I enjoyed my being lost for about an hour and half, through the inter winding streets unintentional tour. Overall the neighborhood is safe. Everyone I asked for directions, gave me a different set of directions?? The people were friendly. I was fortune enough to hear several people singing Fado songs as I walked around. It's a very old city, as a matter of fact its as old as Rome. Well, finally I reached my destination, a Fado club called Abiuca, only to be told that it was closed for renovations?!? I still had a good time soaking up the atmosphere. The whole neighborhood felt like a movie set. At dinner time, the whole neighborhood smells like sardines being grilled, and I love grilled sardines! I will give you only one guess, as to what I ate for dinner that night! read more

I consider Portugal to be the California of Europe. It's eccentric, interesting, historic, majestic and sight full to say the least. This neighborhood is the oldest district of Lisboa and since the roads are too narrow to have vehicles driving through it, it's all explorable by foot. I'm talking stuff hills and jagged turns. You'll catch your breath just in time to take another incline up. What looks like an alley is actually a main road. Get dropped off at the Museo De Fado and make your way up whilst taking in the old world charm all around you. Sardines the size of your face and fado echoing through the streets. You'll find this compressed yet antiquated village to be everything you dreamt of and more. At the top of the village, you'll get to see the castle that overlooks the whole bay and city with a panoramic view. It's definitely something that can't be missed during your trip. If you're questioning what area to stay in or visit during your trip, I would put this village at the top of your list. Thankfully, the rest of the area is extremely close and accesible but nothing as charming as Alfama. read more

This is a fun neighborhood to wander around in! Its not so big that you could actually get lost and who knows you could actually find some neat stores and sights along the way!! This area is basically on a hill. So if you think you're lost just go down hill and you'll find the main road and run into the river. There are restaurants and stores hidden throughout the neighborhood. No guarantee that you could ever find them again! A lot of the restaurants also feature fado- so this is a good to chill and listen to some sad music.... the Fado museum is also in this neighborhood. Closes early, so time it right. This neighborhood also has a lot of character as you wander. Pay attention to the buildings. There are also orange trees dotted everywhere. The fragrance of orange blossoms is so sweet. There are also a few churches nestled here... A few hours here should be enough to take it all in... read more