Alfama: Our 'hood

We lived in the very atmospheric area of Alfama with a confusing maze of narrow streets, alleys, and staircases.. Although our accommodation had indicated access to an on site laundry, they advised it was too busy right now for us to use it but there was a launderette in the neighbourhood. It had 3 washers, for variable loads and costs. We waited 30 min to use the small one, 30 min for the wash and 15 minutes for the dry - a significant time investment. While there, numerous tuk tuks with tourists went by and they all stopped to point out an alleyway across from the launderette, there would be a photo taken and off they would go. We bought a beer, stood at the door and watched the street scene go by just like locals! Alfama would not be everyone's cup of tea - the hill with irregular steps, the garbage cans (and smells, would be worse in the hot summer) which seemed to always be overflowing (no recycling!) The empty beer bottles and broken glass were sad to see and recycling at least these would benefit the neighborhood by keeping it much tidier and help some of those living there who must just be barely getting by.

We personally enjoyed it as it really is an old medieval place by its nature. However, the lack of consistent internet really put us behind on recording our personal travel notes!Read more