Lisbon’s Tram 28 is a working public transport line and one of the city’s most memorable ways to see its older neighbourhoods. Its yellow cars rattle between Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique, climbing steep streets and squeezing around tight corners through Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela.
The historic Remodelado trams, based on cars dating from the 1930s and later refurbished, retain much of their old-fashioned character, from wooden interiors to the clang of the bell. They remain part of Lisbon’s everyday transport network, even as the route has become a fixture on visitors’ itineraries. Through the windows, tiled façades, laundry-hung balconies and flashes of the Tagus make the journey as compelling as the sights themselves.
Ride past Lisbon Cathedral and get off near Portas do Sol for one of the city’s best-known viewpoints, or continue towards Estrela for its basilica and leafy garden. The full trip generally takes around 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic, though it’s also useful for shorter journeys between neighbourhoods.
For a less crowded ride, try boarding early in the day, particularly at the Campo de Ourique end rather than joining the queue at Martim Moniz. Keep bags zipped and valuables close, as pickpockets operate on busy trams. You can buy a ticket on board, but a rechargeable public transport card is usually better value; validate it each time you board.