LISBON’S POPULAR TRAM NO. 28

LISBON has several hills and many narrow, winding roads.  You can view the city by using the trams (electricos) and in particular the Tram 28 in Lisboa.  It has an interesting route that takes you past  historical sites.  This is one popular way to view the main attractions.

To get to Martim Moniz  from Cascais take the train to Cais do Sodré.  From there the Metro to Martim Moniz where you can hop on the Tram 28E.

The journey begins at the Largo Martim Moniz, outside the shopping centre in the square behind the Praça da Figueira. The No. 28 tram (destination Prazeres on it) goes through the Rua da Palma into Anjos. It follows to Rua Maria da Fonte and into the Largo da Graça. It goes past the São  Vicente de Fora Church,  which opened  in  1629.   Behind the church is the Campo Santa Clara. This is where the Feira da Ladra, a flea market, takes place every Tuesday and Saturday.

Alfama and the St Jorge Castle

To one side of  the market is the Panteão Nacional,  a   17th   century  baroque church.  This is the Alfama area.  The word Alfama comes from the Arabic ‘hot springs’.  Known for its narrow streets, windows with flower baskets and washing hanging out.  St Jorge’s Castle towers above. You can get the best view of the river and city from here.

The tram  goes past the Miradouro Santa Luzia, in the Largo das Portas do Sol. This is one of the lookout places which gives a spectacular view of the river and city.

Moving along we pass the Sé Catedral, the Holy See. Built at the end of the 12th century by King Afonso Henriques. He had conquered Lisbon from the Moors.  To the right is St. Anthony’s Church  and  museum, built where the saint was born. Celebrations take place on 13th June, the feast day  of St Anthony. A Parade ‘the Marchas Populares’ of groups from Lisbon’s various parishes compete for the best dances and costumes.

The Baixa and Chiado

Tram 28 moves on to the Baixa through the Rua da Conceição. From here you can go to the Praça do Comércio or go to Rossio and the nearby shopping streets.

Passing through the Rua Vitor Cordon you can see two theatres – the São Luis and the São Carlos.
The tram goes through the Chiado and the Praça de Luis de Camões. This square (Praça) was named after the poet and writer Luis de Camões.
The Chiado is a shopping area. The statue of the Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa can be seen outside the Cafe Brasileira in the Rua Garrett.

Streets off this area lead to the Bairro Alto,  one  of   Lisbon’s lively nightspots. Here you find nightclubs, restaurants, and Fado houses.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM 29 JULY 2024 THE TRAM GOES  FROM MARTIM MONIZ ONLY TO PRAÇA LUÍS DE CAMÕES INSTEAD OF ITS LAST STOP PRAZERES. THIS INTERRUPTION IS PROVISIONAL DUE TO WORKS BEING UNDERTAKEN.

The remainder of the journey would take you along the Largo de Calhariz,  the Calçada da Estrela and past the National Assembly where parliament is based.

Further along is the Estrela with the imposing Basilica da Estrela. Opposite are the Estrela Gardens.  It goes through Campo de Ourique, with its market and the Santo Condestável Church, opened in 1951 before reaching its final destination Prazeres.

You can break your journey on the Tram 28 in Lisboa, hop off and visit the main sites and hop back on.

Please note – expect to queue for one hour or more at Martim Moniz to get on board the tram as there tend to be large numbers waiting.

By Pat Rodrigues