Neighbourhood
Alfama
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon's oldest quarter, a maze of lanes, tiled houses, washing lines and fado bars.
City · Portugal · Lisbon
Lisbon
Portugal's hilly capital of yellow trams, tiled facades, fado music and sunset viewpoints.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Lisbon matters
Lisbon is built on seven hills, so every street corner seems to open onto a view. Old yellow trams rattle past tiled walls, bakeries sell warm custard tarts, and from Alfama you can hear fado drifting out of small bars at night. It is a city of explorers' history, from the monument to the Age of Discoveries to the monastery at Belém. Come with comfortable shoes and plan to watch the sun set from a miradouro, with a drink in hand.
Talking points
- Lisbon's hills mean viewpoints on almost every street.
- Fado is a melancholy music style from Lisbon's old quarters.
- Tram 28 rattles through the oldest neighbourhoods.
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What to see in Lisbon
Tower · UNESCO
Belem Tower
Lisbon, Portugal
A 16th-century fortified tower on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
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.
Ruins
Carmo Convent
Lisbon, Portugal
The roofless Gothic church left standing after the 1755 earthquake.
Viewpoint
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Lisbon, Portugal
One of Lisbon's highest viewpoints, with a wide panorama of castle, river and rooftops.
Entertainment
Oceanario de Lisboa
Lisbon, Portugal
One of Europe's biggest aquariums, in the modern Parque das Nacoes district.
Monument
Padrao dos Descobrimentos
Lisbon, Portugal
A huge riverside monument celebrating Portugal's explorers.
Market
Time Out Market Lisboa
Lisbon, Portugal
A big food hall inside the historic Mercado da Ribeira.
Shopping
LX Factory
Lisbon, Portugal
A former industrial complex turned creative hub of shops, studios and cafes.
Museum
MAAT
Lisbon, Portugal
A museum of art, architecture and technology with a walkable curved roof.
Tower
Santa Justa Lift
Lisbon, Portugal
An iron neo-Gothic lift connecting the Baixa with Carmo Square.
Church, mosque or temple
Se de Lisboa
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon's fortress-like Romanesque cathedral, standing since the 12th century.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.