In Lisbon, the tram is what the cable car is to San Francisco – and in fact the two cities can feel very similar at times. These old trams have been used by the Portuguese to get around town since 1901, and the line 28 is particularly famous because it goes through all the small streets and up the hills with magnificent views. The line 28 tram can get pretty busy, so it’s better to go early morning or in the evening for a sunset ride. They start at approximately 6am and stop at around 10pm. You could also just enjoy them from the tiled streets, walking down the picturesque Rua de São Bento where the tram whooshes by every few minutes as you dip in and out of charming boutiques
If you want to take a lesser-known lift around Lisbon, try the most charming and oldest public transport, the Lavra funicular, but it’s quite hidden, so far less crowded. It brings you to visit the Torel Garden or “Campo Martires da Patria”, two nice gardens up on the hill. The area at the top end of Lavra really provides a nice walk. It is one of the four Lisbon Lifts that takes you over Lisbon’s hills, the others being Gloria, Santa Justa and Bica.
