Hidden in Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, the Memmo Alfama is a beautifully designed hotel, with sweeping views of the town & a fabulous rooftop pool.
I think it’s safe to say, that the Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon is our favourite. It is the oldest town in Lisbon and one of the few areas that survived the detrimental earthquake and tsunami of 1755. Hidden alley ways, tiled buildings, and narrow streets that you know have plenty of stories to tell make up this historic neighborhood. The pace of life seems slow, full of music and plenty of small cafes to waste away an afternoon. It’s colourful, it’s slow and it’s the perfect area to get a sense of what real Lisbon is all about.
So whether you’re only staying in Lisbon for a day or several weeks, make sure to dedicate a good amount of time, discovering this area. You’ll be rewarded with plenty of photographic inspiration and charmed by the people you’ll meet. When we discovered that there was a design hotel, The Memmo Alfama, located in Alfama, we knew we had to make this part of our trip.
The Experience
Surrounded by old tiled buildings, where laundry hangs in disarray from every window, is the small, yet impeccably designed hotel - the Memmo Alfama. If you’re lucky, your taxi driver will know where to find this small hotel, but if not, be prepared to keep your eyes opened as you search for the entrance. Located off the main street, the hotel is situated at the end of a little ally.
The hotel is a bright mixture of contemporary furnishings with pieces of art, created by guests, adorning the walls. Details from what used to be a shoe factory are still somewhat preserved. Little alcoves (which were once furnaces from the old factory), give the communal space a comfortable relaxed vibe and the natural light seeping throughout makes it romantic.
The star of this small boutique hotel is perhaps the stunning rooftop bar, complete with a red tiled pool and sweeping views of the ocean and city. As the sun begins to set, the space turns into a relaxed lounge, serving fantastic cocktails and light snacks to locals and guests alike. It’s the perfect place to relax and take in the old historic surroundings.
“The Memmo Alfama is a contemporary well-designed space, hidden seamlessly into the old historic neighborhood of Alfama.”
The Room
Make sure your room has views of the town, as your experience just won’t be complete with out, The way the hotel is built and located, provide some of the best views of the town. Although we didn’t have a full balcony, we did have a small space that we could climb on and take in the views.
The room itself was a bit small, but the way it was laid out and decorated made it feel large. The minimalist furniture was perfect to get some work done and spread out…without feeling too cramped. Natural light flooded the space, through large floor to ceiling windows, making it the perfect ambiance to wake up in. Our bed was incredibly comfortable and sinking down into the fluffy bedding and soft pillows, was the perfect way to end a long day of sightseeing.
The decor was very calming, with bright white walls, a neutral palette and plenty of quirky details to give an otherwise stark space some character. I just loved the yellow toilet paper and the cute mailbox filled with popular recommendations. This was a great place to call home for a few days as we explored the hills of Lisbon.
Dining at Memmo Alfama
The hotel took advantage of their stunning views and created a posh and trendy rooftop lounge/bar. Although it’s technically not a restaurant they do serve some fantastic tapas, cocktails and wine. Many of our afternoons were spent sipping on wine, eating snacks and just lounging in their red pool.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and is served on the terrace, next to the pool or inside the “living room.” Part of the breakfast is a delicious spread of fresh pastries, bread, cheeses, fruits, granola and other healthy nibbles. If you’re looking for something a bit more heartier there are several made-to-order options available...make sure to get the crepes, they are delicious!
Tips & Notes
The hotels offers a fantastic FREE walking tour of the city. Make sure to book your spot at check-in as it fills up quickly & wear your walking shoes as you’ll go up and down the hills of Alfama
Memmo Alfama enforces an adults-only policy, so this is ideal for couples, honeymooners, girl-getaways or those doing business in Lisbon
Even though there isn’t a full restaurant menu at the hotel, there are plenty of options within walking distance. Get lost in the alleyways of the area and guaranteed you’ll stumble upon a great cafe.
Wifi is fast and reliable, so if you have to catch up on work, this setting is ideal
Before you leave, draw a picture of your experience in Lisbon and hand it in to the front desk... you just might see your art on the walls of the lobby
For more information about Memmo Alfama make sure to visit their website: