Alfama. The oldest and most traditional neighbourhood in Lisbon, with cobbled lanes and alleys and steep, gruelling inclines, should be discovered little by little, stopping frequently to savour the view, atmosphere and authentic spirit of the oldest side of the capital.

Lisbon’s "Old Town" primarily refers to the Alfama district, though it also encompasses the neighboring areas of Mouraria, Graça, and the Baixa (downtown). Alfama is the oldest and most iconic neighborhood, characterized by a labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets and medieval alleys that survived the devastating 1755 earthquake. It stretches from the Tagus River up the steep hill to the São Jorge Castle. In 2026, Alfama remains the spiritual home of Fado music, where small taverns spill out into tiny plazas. To the west, the Baixa area offers the "newer" 18th-century grid-like architecture of the Pombaline era. Visiting the Old Town in 2026 often involves riding the vintage Number 28 tram, which laboriously winds through these historic quarters, offering a living museum experience of Portugal's seafaring and Moorish history.