From the street, the Alfama Patio Hostel opens to a typical Lisbon courtyard, with a pink two-story building enclosing a square roughly paved with cobbled stones. Inside, the reception area also functions as a communal living room, with an eclectic mix of contemporary wallpaper and traditional Portuguese furniture. A world map in the hall is pinned with the origins of previous guests. The atmosphere is relaxed, and guests tend to gather outside on the covered patio, with a garden, several hammocks, and a ping pong table. Another popular spot for the groups of friends and solo travelers that the hostel attracts is the small rooftop terrace, which offers views of the Tagus River. 

The hostel is located in iconic Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district. A tram passes right in front of the hostel along the narrow, cobbled street, and the nearest stop is just a one-minute walk away. Vendors selling churros, cafes, and restaurants can be found along winding streets in almost every direction. Many sights are within walking distance, including the Baixa/Chiado area with the Santa Justa Lift that connects to Bairro Alto. The National Pantheon and Lisbon Cathedral are roughly an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and it’s a 16-minute walk to Praca Do Comercio. Using public transit, it's about 28 minutes to Jeronimos Monastery and 38 minutes to Belem Tower. Expect a 20-minute drive to Lisbon Portela Airport.  

The hostel has mixed and female-only dorms, along with some private rooms. Each is individually decorated in different color palettes with wood floors, and a variety of boldly-patterned wallpaper. Dorms sleep four or six people in funky, plywood bunk beds, with privacy curtains and reading lights. Each bed has a storage shelf along with a locker, accessed by key and padlock. Some units have en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Single or double private rooms add wall art and vintagey furniture, including chairs or loveseats, but some have shared bathrooms.

Alfama Patio Hostel has an impressive lineup of amenities. The rooftop terrace with views of terra-cotta rooftops and the river in the distance is a highlight, as is the garden patio. The space has plants and covered seating at picnic tables under an awning, and an artificial lawn with red hammocks and pillows. A communal kitchen (connected to the patio) is fully equipped with an oven, stovetop, microwave, toaster, and cookware. Free breakfast is included with hot options like pancakes, and free coffee is available all day. On-site dinners are offered in the evenings for a fee, and the kitchen hosts barbecues every weekend. There's also a luggage storage room. Pets are allowed, but some restrictions apply. Wi-Fi is free throughout.