How long should I stay in Alfama in Lisbon?

We had a self catering there for 4 days a few years ago (Feb) and we had a lovely time, relaxing, pottering, stopping for a drink and a nibble and just watching the world go by, we loved the Alfama. Enjoy

The Alfama neighborhood is fascinating — it’s really historic and filled with atmosphere. I stayed in the Bairro Alto when last in Lisbon and when I saw the Alfama, I wish I had stayed there.
I remember walking through a pedestrian passageway under construction on the way to the Alfama and the digging unearthed Roman columns built a couple thousand years back. Since you’ve already seen the main attractions of Lisbon, hanging out in the Alfama and just absorbing the atmosphere will be a great way to experience the city on your return trip. The Alfama may not be in central Lisbon but you can always hop on scenic Tram 28 to get there if you should want to.
Have a great Trip!

Thank you both for the whole-hearted endorsement of staying 4 days in Alfama. I've been hesitating because the two-room place I'll be staying at is only available for 2 of those 4 days, meaning that I had to reserve two-room "suite" on the ground floor.

The owner assures me that the noise from the street will be minimal because it is not a major street, but I know I'm sensitive to the sound of loud conversations, vespas, etc., especially as buildings there don't much in the way of sidewalks.

The second reason, as I referred to above, is that I'll have been "on the road" (traveling for already close to 3-1/2 weeks and may be homesick by then. And if I find myself saying, "But there really isn't that much to do, it's all so touristy."

I thought of staying the Principe Reale with its broader streets, almost boulevards, which reminds me in some ways of Paris and its updated late 19th century architecture and lanes of traffic. At least Alfama is mostly pedestrian, with its meandering, steep flights of narrow stairs!

I do recall back in 1983 visiting Macao several times and really adoring the 17th century Portuguese architecture. Since then, I've a graduate degree in art history...

Both neighborhoods are nice. I've not stayed in Alfama neighborhood yet, but the views are amazing from some of the lookouts. The last time I was in Lisbon (7 days) we had a lot of day trips planned, so stayed on the metro line instead.

Is it possible to find other accommodations not on street level? Personally, if staying in Alfama, I would pick a place on an upper floor with a view.

If you do get bored, you can always take a day trip to Evora (easy train or bus).

I've got to make a decision soon and am now leaning towards staying 3 days total (the cruise ship reaches Lisbon and then there's time during the day to visit before a banquet and a last night on the ship), as even though the hotel is apparently quite night (two rooms!), being on the ground floor, you really do hear everything on the street--at ear level! I'm not accustomed to it, nor will I ever be. The A/C could block most of it but not all of it. European capital cities are usually quite densely populated, you hear everything above, below, and next to you.

Yeah, I wouldn't opt for a ground floor room in Lisbon or any city anywhere really. At least not a street-facing ground floor room. I have no Alfama-specific recommendations, but there is a ton of good accommodation in Lisbon (the tourist boom there is still relatively recent, so hotels and B&B's tend to be still relatively new - a far cry from the often-pokey rooms of London or Paris).