Lisbon Hills Tram Tour
Last update:
Continue planning your trip to Lisbon
Lisbon hills tram tour: steep tracks and tiled streets
From the riverfront up to the castle hill, a hills tramcar tour Lisbon style links steep cobbled streets, tiled façades and sudden viewpoints in one compact ride. In our catalog of activities you can choose between a focused tram loop through the historic hills and a wider pass that adds open-top buses, picking the rhythm that matches how intensely you want to feel the city’s climbs.
📚 Choose your experience
Historic Hills Tram Tour Lisbon
A closed-loop ride through Lisbon’s steepest old quarters.
Bus and Hills Tram combo
Extend the tram route with open-top city circuits.
Choosing your tram tour
Match the right route to your time and energy.
Frequently asked questions
Clear, practical answers before you board the tram.
Historic Hills Tram Tour Lisbon: vintage ride through the old quarters
On the dedicated hills tram, you step into a red historic tramcar at a central riverside square and start climbing immediately towards the cathedral, Alfama and Graça. The Lisbon Historic Hills Tram Tour runs as a closed loop without intermediate stops, with wooden seats, big windows and an audio guide in several languages so you can follow each neighbourhood while the driver tackles the steep tracks.
The ride usually takes about an hour, which makes this tram tour Lisbon option ideal for your first or second day when you want a clear mental map before walking. Because your seat is reserved and you stay on board for the whole loop, it is especially comfortable for travellers with children, older relatives or anyone who prefers a guaranteed place instead of standing on a crowded public line.
Many departures also highlight small extras such as discounts at viewpoints or museums, so it is worth checking the inclusions in the activity page inside our catalog of activities before you confirm. If you want to balance the tram with a day outside the capital, you can combine it with a Sintra day trip from Lisbon on another date and enjoy a palace-and-coast contrast to the urban hills.
🧭 Practical tips on the historic tram
- Sit on the right-hand side for river views leaving downtown.
- Keep your camera ready near the cathedral and castle slopes.
- Board in the very early hours for calmer streets.
- Carry a light jacket; the breeze through open windows can be fresh.
⚖️ Who enjoys this tour most
- First-time visitors wanting a clear overview quickly.
- Travellers with limited mobility who prefer sitting to climbing hills.
- Anyone who dislikes pushing onto crowded regular trams.
Bus and Hills Tram Lisbon combo: wider sightseeing with one ticket
The combo that joins the hills tram with sightseeing buses turns the tram into the backbone of a wider Lisbon itinerary, adding open-top routes along the riverfront and newer districts. This multi-day hop-on hop-off and hills tram experience is well suited to longer stays, when you want structure for several days without buying separate tickets.
A practical way to use it is to ride the hills tram loop early in the trip for the story of the old quarters, then rely on the bus lines to connect Belém, downtown and the modern waterfront. The audio guides, usually available in many languages, turn each journey into a moving commentary track rather than just a transfer.
Compared with a one-off tram ride, this format gives you more flexibility to reach museums, viewpoints and river promenades while keeping a single product to manage. For travellers who want to lean even more on the bus side, our catalog also includes a dedicated hop-on hop-off bus tour of Lisbon, focused only on the road circuits and adding extra route variations around the city.
🧾 Who the bus and tram combo suits
- Guests staying several days who plan many different visits.
- Travellers who enjoy open-top buses but want the tram charm.
- People who prefer structured sightseeing instead of improvising public transport.
How to choose the best hills tram tour in Lisbon
Choosing between hills tram options is mostly about how you like to explore, how much walking you enjoy and how busy you expect the streets to be. A focused hills tramcar tour suits travellers who want one atmospheric loop through the core of the old quarters, while the bus and tram combo fits anyone who prefers to spread sightseeing across a couple of days with clearer structure.
If you are visiting in the most popular months and do not want to queue for regular Tram 28, these curated tours give you a reserved seat on a tourist-focused tram that follows similar hills without the scramble at public stops. Travellers who want something even more flexible can pair the tram with a Lisbon tuk tuk tour, using the tram for a story-driven overview and the tuk tuk for photo stops in narrow streets that buses cannot reach; it is a smart shortcut if you have been searching for “tram tour lisbo” and just want clear, visitor-ready options.
⚖️ Quick comparison at a glance
- Hills tram only: one scenic loop, less flexibility afterward.
- Bus and tram combo: more coverage with guided structure.
- Public tram 28: very authentic but often crowded.
🕒 When to ride the hills tram
- Very early for calmer streets and softer light.
- Late afternoon for golden views over the Tagus.
- Midday if you are escaping steep walks in the heat.
Frequently asked questions about Lisbon hills tram tours
Which tram is best for sightseeing in Lisbon?
For most visitors, a dedicated hills tramcar sightseeing tour that follows much of the classic Tram 28 route is the easiest option, because you get a reserved seat and commentary instead of standing in a crowded local service. Regular trams are great for atmosphere, but a tourist-focused route is usually better if your priority is relaxed views and clear explanations.
Is the tram up a steep hill in Lisbon?
Lisbon really is a city of steep hills, and the traditional tram lines climb several of them on tight curves and cobbled tracks. A hills tram tour is designed to handle those slopes comfortably, so you feel the gradient and see the viewpoints without having to walk the entire climb yourself.
Is the Tram 28 worth it in Lisbon?
Tram 28 can be worth it if you travel at quieter moments and accept that you might be standing, because it crosses very typical districts. However, a tourist-focused hills tramcar ride with guaranteed seating is often more comfortable and predictable in busy seasons, with audio guide and space to enjoy the views.
What is the scenic tram ride in Lisbon?
The most scenic option is usually a historic hills tram loop that links the cathedral area, castle hill and several miradouros overlooking the Tagus in a single circuit. You stay on board, so the city flows past continuously instead of being interrupted by frequent stops and crowding.
Why is Tram 28 famous?
Tram 28 is famous because it weaves through many of Lisbon’s most traditional quarters in one continuous line and still uses vintage vehicles. Its popularity also means long queues and very full carriages, which is why many visitors now pick a dedicated hills tram tour that offers a similar feel with more comfort.
What is the famous street in Lisbon with the tram?
One of the most photographed stretches is the climb past the cathedral towards Portas do Sol, where rails, balconies and tiled façades line up in a single frame. A hills tram sightseeing tour usually includes this section, and you can always return on foot later if you want more time for pictures.
Is Santa Justa Lift worth it?
The Santa Justa Lift is worth it if you enjoy industrial-era architecture and elevated viewpoints, especially on clear days. If you mainly care about the panorama, nearby terraces and hilltop miradouros can offer similar or better views with less waiting time, so it depends on how much you value the lift itself.
Where is the best place to take a picture of the tram in Lisbon?
Many photographers like the Alfama and Graça curves, where the tram squeezes between tiled houses and small cafés, or the viewpoints above the cathedral with rails in the foreground. During a hills tramcar tour you can note your favourite corners from the window and return later on foot to compose your own shots in slower time.
What is the best way to explore Lisbon?
The best approach is usually a mix of guided transport-based experiences and unhurried walks through specific neighbourhoods. A hills tram or bus tour gives you a structured overview with commentary, then you can dive back into Alfama, Mouraria or Belém on foot for cafés, viewpoints and small museums.
Is Tram 28 the same as 28E in Lisbon?
Locals often use 28 and 28E for the same historic line that crosses the centre, with the letter simply showing it is an electric tram route. For visitors, the real choice is between riding that public service or booking a hills tram sightseeing tour, which guarantees seating and adds audio commentary on the same hills.
About the author
Author: Belén Rivas, GuruWalk
Publication date: 2025-12-05
Data updated as of December 2025
