Take's Alfama Old Town

Overview

This GuruWalk listing, Free Tour of Lisbon's Old Town (Alfama), starts outside Casa dos Bicos on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, where guides with blue umbrellas gather the group. From there it works uphill through Alfama's lanes, past the Áurea Museum Hotel and the Chafariz d'El Rei fountain, and on towards squares, churches and viewpoints before finishing at the Lisbon Cathedral. The whole walk runs 2 hours 30 minutes, and no pickup is included, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point.

The stated route has 12 stops, though the GuruWalk listing only names the first few in detail. Guides adjust the exact stops at their own discretion, depending on weather and what is happening in the neighbourhood on the day, so anyone with a particular highlight in mind is asked to raise it with the guide at the start. Commentary covers the 1147 conquest of Lisbon by D. Afonso Henriques, the layers of Phoenician, Roman, Visigoth and Muslim settlement on the hill, the Jewish and Arabic heritage of Judiaria Street, Fado, azulejo tiles, and the festivals that fill Alfama's squares.

It suits walkers who want history and legend delivered at an unhurried pace. Reviewers describe the tour as easy-going, with no sense of being rushed, and one reviewer found it a good way to take in the city's history on a first visit. Tours run in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Casa dos BicosThe group gathers on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, in front of Casa dos Bicos, where the guides carry blue umbrellas. Arrive on time, as the walk sets off from here.
2. Casa dos BicosThe walk opens at the diamond-studded facade of the House of Spikes, which survived earthquakes and today houses the José Saramago Foundation, dedicated to the Portuguese Nobel laureate.
3. Áurea Museum HotelThe guide covers the 1147 conquest of Lisbon by D. Afonso Henriques and the peoples who lived on this hill before him, from Phoenicians and Romans to Visigoths and Muslims.
4. Chafariz d'El ReiThe stop at Largo do Chafariz de Dentro, near the Fernandina wall, explains the fountain's significance and points out the nearby Fado Museum as the gateway into Alfama.
5. Route continues through AlfamaThe full route has 12 stops, but the GuruWalk listing names only the first three. Later stretches described in the tour overview include Judiaria Street, the squares of São Miguel, Santo Estêvão and Salvador, the Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia viewpoints, and the Lisbon Cathedral. Stops may vary at the guide's discretion.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before reserving a spot on this walk.

• Pace and stamina. The walk lasts 2 hours 30 minutes through a hillside neighbourhood. Reviewers describe the pace as nice and easy, with no sense of rushing, so it is manageable for anyone comfortable being on their feet for that stretch of time.
• Route can shift. The GuruWalk listing states plainly that stops vary with the guide's discretion, weather and local events. If a particular sight matters to you, ask the guide at the start of the walk rather than assuming it is fixed.
• Finding the guide. The meeting point is in front of Casa dos Bicos on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, and the guides carry blue umbrellas. There is no pickup, so allow time to find the address on your own.
• Group feel. One reviewer walked in a group of three, so turnout can be small on some dates.
• Language choice. The tour is offered in English, Spanish, French and Italian. Check the GuruWalk page for the walk to see which language runs on the departure you reserve.
• How payment works. Booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end, as the GuruWalk listing itself explains. Reserve the spot on GuruWalk and settle up with the guide on the day.

Common issues. The main limitation is that the route is not fixed: the GuruWalk listing says the 12 stops may vary based on the guide's discretion, weather or local happenings, so a specific sight is not guaranteed. No pickup, food, drinks or entry fees are mentioned as included, and the GuruWalk listing carries no accessibility information, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the guide through GuruWalk before booking. One reviewer noted a very small group on their date, which can happen, though this says nothing about how busy other departures run.

What To Know Before You Walk