Tower · UNESCO
Belem Tower
Lisbon, Portugal
A 16th-century fortified tower on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Neighbourhood · Portugal · Lisbon
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest quarter, a maze of lanes, tiled houses, washing lines and fado bars.
Free to enter about 2 h
For storytellers
Why Alfama matters
Alfama is where Lisbon feels most like itself. It is a tangle of steep, narrow lanes, tiny squares and tiled houses, with washing hung overhead. Get lost on purpose. In the evening, small restaurants and bars host fado, the soulful music of longing. Wear grippy shoes, since the stones are polished smooth.
Talking points
- Fado is performed in small restaurants.
- The district survived the 1755 earthquake better than most.
- Viewpoints reward the climb.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
More in Lisbon
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Jeronimos Monastery
Lisbon, Portugal
A showpiece of Manueline architecture, with an ornate cloister, near Belem Tower.
Castle
Sao Jorge Castle
Lisbon, Portugal
A hilltop castle with ramparts, peacocks and some of Lisbon's best panoramic views.
Food and drink
Pasteis de Belem
Lisbon, Portugal
The famous bakery that has made custard tarts to a secret recipe for generations.
Square
Praca do Comercio
Lisbon, Portugal
A huge riverfront square framed by yellow arcades and a triumphal arch.
Museum
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Lisbon, Portugal
A serene museum of Egyptian, Islamic and European art in a garden setting.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.