Alfama at a glance
Alfama is the old district on the slope under the Castelo de São Jorge. It is a quarter of steps, narrow lanes and small squares, and the best way to see it is on foot. The cathedral (the Sé, from 1147), the Santa Luzia viewpoint, the Portas do Sol terrace and the fado museum all lie within a short walk of each other.
The district is steep. In 2026 the historic funiculars and the Santa Justa lift are closed, so plan to walk uphill or use the tram or a bus. Wear comfortable shoes.
Castelo de São Jorge: prices and hours
Prices and opening times are from the castle's own site, as of October 2026.
| Ticket | Price (2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €17 | Free with the Lisboa Card (adult card) |
| Young people 13 to 25 | €8.50 | Proof required |
| Seniors 65 and over | €14 | Proof required |
| People with special needs | €12 | Proof required |
| Children up to 12 | Free | – |
Lisboa Card holders aged 13 to 15 still need a ticket at the castle. Buy online only through the castle's official ticketing platform, which the castle's own site links to. Resale sites with similar names are not official.
Summer, 1 March to 31 October
Open daily from 9:00 to 21:00. Last entry at 20:30.
Winter, 1 November to end of February
Open daily from 9:00 to 18:00. Last entry at 17:30. The towers and walkways close from 17:30. The change falls on 1 November 2026.
Closed days
The castle is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 24 December, 25 December and 31 December.
Our picks: Alfama and the old town
Fado, a walking tour and a food tour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Food and wine walking tour in a small group
Food tastings, snacks, wine and a ginjinha on a three-hour walk from Rossio. Tips and hotel pick-up are not included.
Check availability →
Best of Lisbon walking tour: Rossio, Chiado and Alfama
Three hours with a local guide, a pastel de nata, a snack and a wine tasting. Entry to sights is not included.
Check availability →Fado show with a glass of wine
Live fado with a glass of Portuguese wine or another drink, and an explanation of the lyrics and the history of fado.
Check availability →Alfama walks, tuk-tuk tours and fado evenings
Guided walks through Alfama, tuk-tuk rides up the hill and evenings with fado, with live prices and availability.
What is included in the castle ticket
The ticket includes a guided tour called Discovering the Castle, which lasts up to one hour. It also includes the Camera Obscura, which is shown on a guided visit of up to 20 minutes and depends on the weather. Times are 11:00 to 13:00 from October to February, 11:00 to 15:00 in April and September and 11:00 to 16:00 from May to August.
The archaeological site can only be seen on the free guided tour. The museum inside the castle is closed for now because the toilets are being renovated. On the last Sunday of each month from May to October the castle runs family activities.
The walls and towers give views over the roofs of the old town and the Tagus.
Viewpoints in and around Alfama
Public squares, so you can walk up without a ticket.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A terrace with a garden, azulejo panels and a reflecting pool on the Largo das Portas do Sol e de Santa Luzia. The view takes in the dome of Santa Engrácia, the churches of Santo Estevão and São Miguel and the Tagus behind them. It is freely accessible.
Portas do Sol
The neighbouring terrace on the same square. The cathedral and the castle are a short walk away, so the two viewpoints work as a stop on the way up.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
A quieter viewpoint than the other two, with fewer visitors. A good choice if Santa Luzia is crowded.
The Graça funicular is the only historic funicular that runs in 2026. It has been open again since 30 April 2026. Check its hours and fare on the operator's site before you rely on it.
Fado in Alfama
Fado is the Portuguese song form tied to Lisbon, and Alfama is where many of the fado houses are. The Museu do Fado at Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1 explains the history. It costs €5 (€2.50 for ages 13 to 25, €4 for seniors) and is free with the Lisboa Card. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, last entry at 17:30. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December.
Before you book, ask whether dinner is included, what the minimum spend is and what time the music starts. In the nearby Mouraria district there is a mural called Fado Vadio.
Getting to Alfama and where to stay
Walk, tram or bus. Mind the hill.
Tram 28
Runs the full route again since 11 May 2026, and stops at Largo das Portas do Sol, near the castle. A ticket on board costs €3.30, or €1.72 with Zapping credit. Check the Carris service notices before you go, because the line was disrupted several times in 2025 and 2026.
Tram 28 guide →On foot from Baixa
The walk from the Baixa up to the castle is uphill all the way. Take it slowly and use the viewpoints as rest stops.
Staying in Alfama
You sleep among stairs, lanes and fado houses. Noise is a real issue in festival time, especially around Santo António in June. A guest house in Alfama is atmospheric but hard to reach with a heavy suitcase.
Where to stay →Add the district to a wider plan with the things to do in Lisbon and the Lisboa Card, which covers the castle and the fado museum.
Alfama: frequently asked questions
How much does the Castelo de São Jorge cost?
An adult ticket costs €17 in 2026. Young people from 13 to 25 pay €8.50, seniors €14, and children up to 12 enter free. The Lisboa Card gives free entry to adults.
What are the opening hours of the castle?
Until 31 October the castle is open daily from 9:00 to 21:00. From 1 November to the end of February it is open from 9:00 to 18:00. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December.
Are the Alfama viewpoints free?
The Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol viewpoints are public squares and freely accessible. The Senhora do Monte viewpoint is also a public viewpoint and is quieter.
Can I take the tram to the castle?
Tram 28 stops at Largo das Portas do Sol near the castle. From the stop you walk the rest. Check the Carris service notices before you travel.
Where can I hear fado in Alfama?
Several fado houses are in the district. Ask about prices before you book. The Museu do Fado is a safe first stop for the history.