Railcars and Lifts Across the Hilly City
Yellow or red trams can always be seen on the streets of Lisbon, represented by route 28, which passes through countless attractions and landmarks, and route 15, which connects the city with the district of Belém.
Lisbon is a hilly city with a lot of ups and downs between the streets, which makes sightseeing on foot a bit more difficult. The best way to see Lisbon is to take a scenic tram ride. When it comes to Lisbon’s trams, it’s all about the legendary tram route 28.
Tram 28, known locally as “28E”, has long been considered a must-see in Lisbon, as it runs through the city’s core districts, linking all the major attractions. The impressive Yellow Tram and Lisbon Cathedral scene has been the very reason to visit Lisbon of many tourists.
After walking through the bustling Baixa district, tram 28 slowly climbs up through Chiado District, with a Strong Cultural and Artistic Presence and pass Basilica da Estrela before arriving at its final destination in the Campo de Ourique district. Sitting in the Vintage wooden Carriages, you just relax and watch the changing city scenery, and enjoy the romance of a tram tour.
Seat of the Patriarchate
The Lisbon Cathedral is located halfway up the hill in the Alfama district, and was built in 1147 in a mixture of styles. As the seat of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, the church houses the Pope's throne, the Patriarch's robes, tiaras, statues, and many religious relics.
Elegant Garden with Tile Paintings
Not far from the Tagus River, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia has an elegant garden and is one of Lisbon's most beautiful viewpoints. It offers a view of the water and the connecting red roofs, and the walls are decorated with blue tile paintings on a white background with a typical Portuguese artistic flavor.
Lisbon's City Center
The Augusta Street (Rua Augusta), 500 meters long, connects the Rossio Square with the Commerce Square, and intertwines with more than a dozen surrounding streets to form Lisbon's busiest commercial district. At the south end of the street is the Rua Augusta Arch, which is a landmark of Lisbon with its beautiful carvings and decorations.
Tram 15, which connects the city center of Lisbon with the district of Belém, is another iconic route, starting near Rossio Square and following the tracks laid near the waterfront of the Tejo River, passing the famous Commerce Square and Rua Augusta Arch. All the way west into the Belém Historic Sightseeing Area for about 10 km.
The Castle by the Sea, Symbol of Lisbon
Located on the riverbank in Lisbon's Belém district, the Belém Tower is a defensive fortress built in 1514 and used to guard the nearby waters. The Belém Tower, a representative of Manueline architecture, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983 and is regarded as a symbol of Lisbon.
The 300-meter Long Facade
The Jerónimos Monastery, a landmark of the Belém district of Lisbon, is more than 500 years old and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1983. Jerónimos Monastery is worth a visit, with its ornately carved church building, cloistered gardens, and the archaeological museum inside.
Seaside City Square
Commerce Square, adjacent to the mouth of the Tagus River in Lisbon, has a statue of King José I on horseback in the center, with a view of the April 25 Bridge and the statue of the Christ the Redeemer across the sea. Walking through the Rua Augusta Arch in the north of the square, you will reach the most bustling commercial zone of Lisbon.
Manywhere Tips:
The 15E and 28E trams are not only popular among tourists, but also pickpockets.
For the convenience of tourists, Lisbon also has four separate tourist routes, known as “lifts” or “elevators”. The routes are short, but all in difficult uphill sections.
The Santa Justa Lift operates vertically, more like an elevator, and its observation deck at the top of the lift is one of the best viewpoints for Overlooking the City of Lisbon.
120 Year Old Urban Elevator
The Santa Justa Lift is a famous tourist facility in Lisbon, Portugal, located on the south side of the Rossio Square. The lift operates vertically and has two cabins. At the top of the lift is an open-air platform nearly 50 meters high, offering a panoramic view of Lisbon.
The other three are the Gloria Lift (Ascensor da Glória), the Bica Lift (Ascensor da Bica), and the Lavra Lift (Ascensor do Lavra), which have carriage similar to ordinary trams. In order to climb the steep mountain paths, the lifts are specially designed so that the passengers inside do not lose their balance when climbing upwards.
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