This is tram car 541 on Route 24, which takes you across Lisbon from Largo do Camões in Chiado to Campolide.
And it is one those old trams which have been pressed back into service after a slow decline in the city’s’ tram network.
The decline happened in the 1960s, when the trams were overshadowed by the bright new metro system and an expansion in the bus network.
But with an eye perhaps on the tourist trade, and the fact that the fleet of yellow trams looks fun they are back.
The service started back in 1873 with horse drawn cars, which were replaced from 1901 with electric powered ones, and by 1959 when the network was at its height, there were 27 tram lines.
Today there are six routes, one of which has its own blog story. *
And apparently given the geography of parts of the city, these small trams remain the most effective way of crossing Lisbon.
Route 28 Tram 28 winds its way through the old Moorish quarter which is a labyrinth of narrow streets which climb towards where the old castle was situated. *
And there is even a tourist tram, which as you would expect is one of the yellow ones painted red, offering a guide and a higher fare, following route 28.
All of which means you can do the tourist thing or like Kathy and Lawrence, take the independent approach and travel the network armed with just a map and guide to Lisbon and an indomitable confidence that all will turn out well.
Location; Lisbon
Pictures; Lisbon, 2019, from the collection of Kathy Lee
*Portugal: Touring Lisbon on Tram 28 https://www.routesandtrips.com/touring-lisbon-on-tram-28/
The decline happened in the 1960s, when the trams were overshadowed by the bright new metro system and an expansion in the bus network.
But with an eye perhaps on the tourist trade, and the fact that the fleet of yellow trams looks fun they are back.
The service started back in 1873 with horse drawn cars, which were replaced from 1901 with electric powered ones, and by 1959 when the network was at its height, there were 27 tram lines.
Today there are six routes, one of which has its own blog story. *
Route 28 Tram 28 winds its way through the old Moorish quarter which is a labyrinth of narrow streets which climb towards where the old castle was situated. *
And there is even a tourist tram, which as you would expect is one of the yellow ones painted red, offering a guide and a higher fare, following route 28.
All of which means you can do the tourist thing or like Kathy and Lawrence, take the independent approach and travel the network armed with just a map and guide to Lisbon and an indomitable confidence that all will turn out well.
Location; Lisbon
Pictures; Lisbon, 2019, from the collection of Kathy Lee
*Portugal: Touring Lisbon on Tram 28 https://www.routesandtrips.com/touring-lisbon-on-tram-28/
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