Lisboa Alfama

Castelo De São Jorge. Built by the Moors in the 11th century, the castle was conquered by Don Alfonso Enriquez, first king of Portugal, then converted into a playground for the royal family between the 14th and 16th centuries. The towers and castle walls allow for a spectacular panoramic view of Lisboa and the Rio Tejo. (☎218 80 06 20; www.egeac.pt. Open daily Mar.-Oct. 9am-9pm; Nov.-Feb. 9am-6pm. €5, students €2.50, with Lisboa card €3.50, under 10 or over 65 free.)

Lower Alfama. The small white Igreja de Santo António was built in 1812 over the saint’s alleged birthplace. The construction was funded with money collected by the city’s children, who fashioned altars bearing saintly images to place on doorsteps. The custom is reenacted annually on June 13, the saint’s feast day and Lisboa’s biggest holiday, which draws out thousands and involves a debaucherous festival the night before. The church is located on R. da Alfândeo, which begins two blocks away from Pr. do Comércio and connects Baixa and lower Alfama. (Veer right when you see Igreja da Madalena in Lg. da Madalena on the right. Take R. de Santo António da Sé and follow the tram tracks. ☎218 86 91 45. Open daily 8am-7pm. Mass daily 11am, 5, and 7pm.) In the square beyond the church is the 12th-century Sé de Lisboa. The cathedral’s interior lacks the ornamentation of the city’s other churches, but its age and treasury make it an intriguing visit. (☎218 86 67 52. Open daily 9am-7pm except during mass, held Tu-Sa 6:30pm, Su 11:30am and 7pm. Free. Treasury open M-Sa 10am-5pm. €2.50, students €1.50. Cloister open daily May-Sept. 2-7pm; Oct.-Apr. M-Sa 10am-6pm, Su 2-6pm. €2.50, students €1.25.)

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