POSTCARDS FROM ALFAMA
INTRODUCING LISBON’S COOLEST DISTRICT.
With its narrow streets, stairways and viewpoints, Alfama is the most genuine and authentic neighbourhood in the city, marked by ancient traditions, the São Jorge Castle, the Cathedral and of course Fado, recently considered UNESCO Immaterial Cultural Heritage.
Here you will feel the true ambience of the neighbourhood with weathered colored houses with linens hanged on the windows and the daily life of the locals with their rhythms and customs. Furthermore, you can find lots of activity with small traditional retail shops, groceries with Portuguese traditional products, typical restaurants, cafes and bars. The neighbourhood is the heart of the annual festivities of the popular saints in June. During the days of the festivities, Alfama is filled with people eating and drinking to the sound of the music in the streets.
Here are a few places at your fingertips in Alfama:
The hilltop citadel of São Jorge Castel is a fascinating place to contemplate Lisbon’s long history. Visitors can climb the towers, walk along the reconstructed ramparts of the castle walls and enjoy extraordinary views over the city.
This is one of Lisbon’s most romantic corners.
Founded in 1147, Lisbon Cathedral is one of the city’s landmarks and it was built when the first king of Portugal conquered the city from the Moors.
Tram 28 is the perfect means to discover some of the most interesting aspects of Lisbon’s historical and architectural heritage. It is known as the “tourist tram” and passes through Alfama, Lisbon downtown, Chiado and Bairro Alto. It’s a terrace offering views over the rooftops of Alfama and the Tagus river.
Fado Museum: A tribute to the special form of singing – today considered UNESCO Immaterial Cultural Heritage – and to the men and women who have dedicated their voices and feelings to its development.
Augusta street is located in one of the busiests quarters of Lisbon. This pedestrian street has all sorts of shops, flower peddlars, hot chestnuts sellers, street cafes, independent street artists. It has on both extremes two magnificent squares: Rossio square and Commerce square.
Rossio is one of the most beautiful squares in Lisbon. Embracing the statue of D. Pedro IV and fountains, it hosts the D. Maria National Theatre and the famous Café Nicola founded in 1929. Also known as Palace Square it’s one of the most majestic squares of the city and was once the maritime entrance to Lisbon. Surrounded by restaurants and esplanades it’s a must for anyone visiting the city.
Liberdade Avenue: Synonymous with elegance, fashion and motion, Liberdade Avenue is one of the most important avenues of Lisbon, with international brands like Armani, Burberys or Louis Vuiton, theatres and esplanades.
Chiado is nowadays a noble shopping area with all sorts of facilities and street entertainment. Here one can find theatres, bookshops, museums, restaurant, famous Portuguese fashion houses.
Bairro Alto is one of Lisbon’s nightlife highs. In addition to all its entertainment, the neighbourhood mixes the original ambience of a typical place with the pace and energy created by the bars and restaurants with all their variety of styles and influences.
memmo Alfama - A new hospitality experience in Lisbon
Located in the heart of the most typical district of Lisbon - Alfama – steps away from the Cathedral and the São Jorge Castle, memmo Alfama is already considered as one of the best hotels in Lisbon and is the first boutique hotel in the city's historic area, with it’s narrow streets, traditional shops and the famous Fado restaurants. The hotel was considered by wallpaper® magazine as one of the 48 new world's best urban hotels in 2014.
memmo Alfama redefines the standards of hospitality in Lisbon: the authentic and contemporary style, perfectly integrated in the surroundings, the 42 rooms overlooking the river Tagus and Alfama, the special feeling of being at a Portuguese home and the attentive staff that will make your visit to Lisbon unforgettable.
View the gallery below and Visit the Website: memmohotels.com/alfama
