A day on the Lisbon Trams
Trams are one of Lisbon’s ex-libris and the ideal way to visit some of the city’s most interesting historical and architectural sites.
It’s an up and down ride that crosses several historic neighbourhoods such as Campo de Ourique, Chiado, Baixa, Alfama and Graça. An adventurous journey through the heart of Lisbon in some of the city’s narrowest streets.
The most famous is Tram 28, but because of its fame it is almost always full and there are long queues to get on.
There are other lines that are very interesting, so by combining several lines we can easily create a programme to visit the city. So we propose a route combining 2 of the trams, tram 25 and tram 28.
Route
Tram 25 (green) and Tram 28 (red) share a common section, so the proposed route is to take Tram 25 at Cais do Sodré, go to the last station at Cemitério dos Prazeres and come back on Tram 28. This way, you start on a less crowded tram and return in the opposite direction on tram 28, a route that is usually less crowded
It’s always advisable to only enter if you’re sure there are seats. The windows are low and it’s difficult to see out.
If you can’t find a seat, go to the back of the tram where the large windows give you a good view
Tram 25
The route on tram 25 starts at Cais do Sodré (temporarily due to works) and ends at Pleasures Cemetery.
It starts to rise to Santos-o-Velho, emblematic area that hides the alleys of Madragoa. From Santos-o-Velho goes up to Lapa, one of the most exclusive in the city.
From Lapa,this Lisbon tram goes to Estrela, a neighbourhood built in the 18th century for noble and aristocratic families with the magnificent Estrela Garden, stopping in front of the Estrela Basilica, one of Lisbon’s most important 18th century monuments. The view from the rooftop is absolutely breathtaking.
From there you continue to Campo de Ourique, one of the neighbourhoods with a high quality of life, where you pass the grandiose Church of Santo Condestável and the end, in front of the Pleasures Cemetery. A must-see is the Campo de Ourique Market
Eléctrico 28
The route of tram 28 starts at Pleasures Cemetery and ends at Martim Moniz Square or Graça Square
After leaving the Pleasures Cemetery and passing the Estrela Basilica (a common route with Tram 28), you get off and pass in front of theo São Bento Palace which houses the Portuguese Parliament.
From there it passes through Santa Catarina with its Church of St Catherine and the Santa Catarina Viewpoint without forgetting the Bica Funicular. It continues through Camões Square and crosses the Chiado neighbourhood, an area with great cultural traditions.
Continuing downhill, it crosses the Downtown, a neighbourhood rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, before heading up towards Alfama, passing by the Lisbon’s Cathedral and the Portas do Sol viewpoint.
From here you’ll cross Alfama, whose streets are so narrow that you’ll doubt the tram will even pass. You’ll pass the Monastery of St Vincent de Fora where on Tuesdays and Saturdays the Flea Market.
It will then reach Graça Square where some of the Trams 28 terminate and where you can see the Graça Viewpoint and the Senhora do Monte Viewpoint.
If you want to finish here, it’s a great location because you’re close to St George’s Castle and you can walk down to the flats in Graça and Alfama. Anyone who wants to continue will go to the Martim Moniz Square the most multicultural area of the city.
Tickets
24-hour ticket
The best ticket for this route is the 24-hour ticket, which costs 6.80 euros (plus 0.50 euros for the card) and is valid for 24 hours after the first validation. Children under 4 travel for free
Valid for an unlimited number of journeys on Carris, Metropolitano, Tram, Lift and Funicular buses.
Other routes
Tram 18
Tram 18 runs between Cais do Sodré and Ajuda Cemetery, in the western part of the city.
It passes several places of interest in the capital, including Santos, the National Museum of Ancient Art, Alcântara, the Ajuda National Palace and the Ajuda Cemetery.
It’s the right tram for those who want to see non-touristy Lisbon, as much of the route is in the working-class areas of the city
Tram 12
It’s the shortest of all Lisbon’s trams, making a circle that starts at Martim Moniz and goes as far as the Castle, but it has the gift of taking you up the highest hill in the city: the Castle.
Passing by some common points on the 28th, such as the Largo das Portas do Sol or the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. After arriving at the gateway to São Jorge Castle (Limoeiro), the tram goes down by Lisbon Cathedral, takes Rua dos Fanqueiros, in Baixa, and returns to the starting point.
