Last Updated on August 13, 2021
The historical yellow trams are an integral part of Lisbon and contribute to the city’s charm. While most of them got replaced by the subway, there are still a few lines left and they cover the areas where there’s no subway access. Even though there are 5 lines left, taking Tram 28 in Lisbon is on every tourist’s itinerary.
One of the reasons is, that this particular tram is the oldest one in the city still in use, dating back to 1930. The other one though is the fact that the tram’s route happens to be the most picturesque in the city. Combine both reasons, the result is, that everyone and their mother wants to take a ride and the tram is always packed!
Tram 28 in Lisbon, even though it doesn’t appear to be, is still a very much local one. Although I can’t imagine many locals wanting to put up with the constant crowds of tourists. If you see it passing by anywhere in the city, it’s always jam packed with people. Regulars might not like it, but the pickpockets sure do! Tram 28 in Lisbon is their favorite spot.
Tram 28 route
The tram runs from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique. In between of these two stops, it goes through the most picturesque streets and neighborhoods of Lisbon. It’s almost like a tour of the most beautiful parts of the city, without having to walk anywhere. Especially if you add the hills in some parts, which are no joke.
Some of the landmarks along the route include Basilica de Estrela, view point Portas do Sol in Alfama, Lisbon Cathedral and Chiado neighborhood. As you ride along and look at the sights, you see why taking this particular tram is so appealing.
Below is the complete list of stops starting at Campo Ourique, with the best ones highlighted. Ideally, you would hop on and off at some stops to spend more time there, but in this case, it’s not recommended, as it might be impossible to get back on. It takes approximately one hour to cover the entire route.
- Campo Ourique
- Igreja Sto. Condestavel
- Saraiva Carvalho
- Domingos Sequeira
- Estrela – R. Domingos Sequeira
- Estrela ( Basilica )
- Cç Estrela / R. Dr Teofilo Braga
- Cç Estrela / R. Borges Carneiro
- S. Bento / Cç Estrela
- Poiais S. Bento
- Cç Combro
- Catarina
- Calhariz ( Bica )
- Pç Luis Camoes
- Chiado
- Vitor Cordon / R. Serpa Pinto
- Academia National Belas Artes
- Conceiçao
- Se – Santo Antonio church / Castello de San Jorge
- Limoeiro
- Miradouro Santa Luzia
- Portas Sol ( Alfama )
- Escolas Gerais
- Cç S. Vincente
- Voz Operario
- Graça – Graça Church / Miradouro da Graça
- R. Graça
- Sapadores
- Angelina Vidal
- Maria Fonte
- Maria Andrade
- Igreja Anjos
- Palma
- Martim Moniz
How to score a window seat
You will definitely not be able to get a seat, if you wait at any of the stops in the city, let alone a window seat. The lines at most stops are long, reaching ridiculous levels of long during the busy tourist season. In the busiest parts of the city, it’s short of a miracle to even get in, and then you are just standing squeezed in between people, not really able to see anything. Not to mention, you risk losing your wallet.
Having said that, with a bit of planning and effort, you can not only get in, but also score a window seat. The secret is : you have to be at either the first or the last stop on the route. The only problem is, the first stop Martim Moniz happens to be right in the heart of the city, and if you go there, you will quickly see, that more people had the same brilliant idea. Unless you’re there really early or really late, it’s not that easy. Instead, head to the last stop Campo Ourique, which is in the more residential area, and not many people bother to go there. You will ride the tram in the opposite direction, and end up in the heart of the city at the end.
The walk all the way to Campo Ourique was, in true Lisbon fashion, quite hilly at times, but the plan worked, as I succeeded in getting a window seat. I strolled through the neighborhoods of Chiado, Bairro Alto and Estrela and discovered a couple of great spots in the city, I might have missed otherwise. One of them was Ascensor da Bica, the 19th century funicular, that connects the Bairro Alto neighborhood with Cais do Sodre at the bottom of the hill.
Closer to my destinations, I walked past a beautiful Basilica de Estrela and the garden Jardim de Estrela across the street.
How much does it cost to ride Tram 28
Tram 28 is part of Carris network and you can pay for the ride using either your Viva Viagem card or the 24 hr ticket ( which costs €6,40 ). If you’d like to pay for the single ride, the cash price is €3, paid on board.
READ MORE:
- 3 days in Lisbon – best things to do on your first visit
- 10 days in Portugal – the perfect itinerary by train
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