Alleys that smell of grilled sardines, fado drifting from windows and jaw-dropping viewpoints: Alfama told by a local. Book for €1.50 and decide at the end what it was worth.
Fun fact: Alfama survived the 1755 earthquake almost intact thanks to the solid rock it sits on, which is why its streets are still a medieval maze.
Highlights
- Get lost (with a guide) in Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood
- Find out why fado and saudade can't be translated
- Postcard views from Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia
- Centuries of Jewish, Moorish and Christian history on every corner
- A finale at the Cathedral with tales of St Anthony
Full description
Alfama isn't a place you walk through: it's a place you uncover, corner by corner. It's Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, the one the 1755 earthquake couldn't erase, and your local guide opens it up like a family album: from the curious Casa dos Bicos, with its diamond-spiked façade and the legacy of Nobel laureate José Saramago, to the city's oldest fountain and the lanes of the old Jewish quarter. You'll climb stairways where laundry flaps like flags, finally understand what saudade means and why fado sings it better than anything, and hear the stories behind the azulejo tiles and St Anthony's Weddings. Your reward for the hills: the views from Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia, with the Tagus sparkling below. We finish at the Cathedral with legends of Lisbon's favourite saint. How does it work? The €1.50 you pay when booking is just a booking fee: it saves your spot in the group, but it doesn't go to the guide. The tour itself is pay-what-you-want: at the end, you give your guide whatever you feel they've earned. Most people leave €15–20 per person, but here your smile sets the price, not a rate card.
Route
Duration: 2 h 40 min
- Meeting point
On foot
1Casa dos Bicos
Guided visit · 15 min
Meeting point: the House of Spikes, now the José Saramago Foundation
On foot (3 min)
2Áurea Museum Hotel
Guided visit · 10 min
The 1147 conquest of Lisbon and the many cultures of this hill
On foot (5 min)
3Chafariz d'El Rei
Guided visit · 10 min
Lisbon's oldest fountain
On foot (3 min)
4Rua da Judiaria
Guided visit · 10 min
Alfama's Jewish and Moorish labyrinth
On foot (3 min)
5São Miguel Church & Square
Guided visit · 10 min
Some of the oldest houses in Lisbon
On foot (4 min)
6Santo Estêvão Square
Guided visit · 15 min
Saudade and fado
On foot (4 min)
7Largo do Salvador
Guided visit · 10 min
Street parties and St Anthony's Weddings
On foot (3 min)
8Beco do Garcês
Guided visit · 10 min
The story of Portuguese tiles
On foot (5 min)
9Portas do Sol Viewpoint
Photo stop · 15 min
Views of the Tagus, Tram 28 and São Vicente
On foot (2 min)
10Santa Luzia Viewpoint
Photo stop · 10 min
Another postcard view
On foot (5 min)
11Lisbon Cathedral (Sé)
Guided visit · 15 min
Finale with tales of St Anthony
For reference only: the route and times may change on the day.
Duration: 2 h 40 min
Shared group
Up to 6 people
Guide / driver speaks
English
What's included
Local guide in English
Walking tour of almost 3 hours through Alfama
Stories, curiosities and insider tips from a local
Not included
The pay-what-you-want contribution to the guide, at the end (average €15–20 per person)
Food and drinks
Entrance fees and transport
Meeting point
Lisboa, Portugal
The exact meeting point is provided in the booking confirmation.
Important information
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- People with reduced mobility
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes (it's hilly)
- Water
- Cash for the tip
Not allowed
- Groups of more than 6 people, even if booked separately
Good to know
- Look for the blue umbrella with yellow "Free Tour" letters
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early
- The tour runs rain or shine
- At the end, tip what you think is fair, in cash
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to the start time of the tour: your booking fee is refunded. If your plans change, please cancel so another traveller can take your spot.
Company's general termsShowHide
Pay-what-you-want free tour: the €1.50 paid when booking is a booking fee and does not include payment for the guide. At the end, each person gives the guide what they feel is fair, cash only, in euros (the average is €15–20 per person). Maximum 6 people per booking: we do not accept groups of more than 6 people, even if they book separately. More of you? For larger groups we ask for a prepayment of €12 per adult and €5 per child, or you can book a private tour. There are hills and stairs. Drinks, food, entrance fees and transport not included. Stops may vary depending on the guide, the weather or events in the city. Free cancellation up to the start time.
Questions and answers
Where is the pick-up?
At the hotel, rental or address you give when booking. The company confirms the exact spot and time.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Count children in the number of people. For child seats or other needs, write to the company through the booking messages.
Can we stop wherever we like?
On a private service the vehicle is just for your group: agree stops with the driver, within the service's duration.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation up to the start time of the tour: your booking fee is refunded. If your plans change, please cancel so another traveller can take your spot.
How do I pay?
Online, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You get the confirmation by e-mail straight away.
What if I have more questions?
After booking, talk to the company through the booking messages. Before that, write to us at [email protected].
