Line 28E – The legendary tram through Lisbon's old town

Line 28E is not just a tram line, but a Lisbon landmark and one of the city's most famous tourist attractions. The historic tram connects various districts from east to west – from Martim Moniz through the narrow streets of Alfama and the historic Baixa to the upmarket districts of Lapa and Prazeres. The ride is legendary: with their characteristic red carriages, the trams travel through narrow medieval streets, negotiating impressive gradients and offering spectacular views of the city. For many visitors, the tram is an absolute must and an authentic travel experience.

Technical masterpiece and driving challenge

The route of line 28E is extremely demanding. With a gradient of 13.5 per cent, it negotiates one of the steepest inclines in the world – a technical masterpiece for an adhesion tram that relies on friction rather than rack and pinion. The tram travels through the narrow streets of Alfama, some of which are only four metres wide, takes tight corners with radii of less than ten metres and even has to coordinate with oncoming traffic at several points. Such extreme conditions only allow for small, two-axle vehicles – the modern Remodelados, which have been in standard use since 1995, are specially designed for these requirements.

Travel information and practical details

Line 28E connects 24 stops over a distance of approximately 7 kilometres, passing Castelo de São Jorge, Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint, Sé Patriarcal Cathedral and Basílica da Estrela. The journey takes around 40 minutes to complete. The tram is known for being regularly overcrowded, especially during the high tourist season, as it is famous worldwide as a tourist attraction. Nevertheless, it remains indispensable for locals as well – for many residents of Alfama, line 28E is the only reliable means of local transport.

The line was built in stages: between 1890 and 1914, a cable tram ran between Chiado and Estrela, which was later electrified. In 1928, line 28 opened between Rossio and Praça da Estrela, was extended to Prazeres in 1936, and in 1984 reached its current length from Martim Moniz to Prazeres. The ‘E’ for ‘Elétrico’ was added in 1994. The line is not only a tourist attraction but also a vital means of transport for the residents of Alfama.

Eastern starting point: Martim Moniz

Line 28E starts at Praça Martim Moniz, located at the foot of Castelo de São Jorge. This starting point is easily accessible: take the underground (green and red lines) to Martim Moniz station. If travelling by car, parking is available in the square itself and in the surrounding streets.

Western terminus: Prazeres

The terminus at Prazeres Cemetery can be reached by car via Avenida Domingos Sequeira. Parking is available in the cemetery forecourt. Getting there by public transport is a little more complicated – from the city centre, we recommend taking line 28E itself.