Five Creative Ways to Use Public Transportation in Lisbon

Lisbon has trams, buses, metro trains, funiculars, suburban trains, and ferries. You could simply use them to get from A to B, but where is the fun in that? In Lisbon, public transportation can become part of the sightseeing itself.

Here are five creative ways to explore the Portuguese capital without turning your legs into mashed potatoes.

1. Turn Tram 28 into a DIY sightseeing tour

The famous Tram 28 is regular public transportation, but its route looks suspiciously like somebody designed it for tourists. It rattles through historic neighborhoods such as Graça, Alfama, Baixa, and Estrela, squeezing through streets where you occasionally wonder whether the tram driver has been given the width of the tram in advance.

Instead of riding the entire route, use it as a hop-off adventure. Ride a few stops, explore, grab a coffee, and continue later.

One warning: Tram 28 gets very crowded. Early morning is your friend. Your wallet should also be your close friend—preferably a friend living safely inside a zipped pocket.

2. Take the ferry to Cacilhas just for the view

Who says public transportation has to stay on land?

From Cais do Sodré, take the ferry across the Tagus to Cacilhas. The crossing gives you fantastic views back toward Lisbon, and suddenly your ordinary transportation ticket feels suspiciously like a cheap river cruise.

Once in Cacilhas, you can explore the waterfront, eat seafood, or simply return to Lisbon. The journey itself is half the attraction.

There is even a 24-hour Carris/Metro/Transtejo ticket for €10.35 in 2026, covering the Cacilhas ferry connection.

3. Use the funiculars as hill-removal machines

Lisbon has seven hills. After walking up approximately two of them, your legs may begin negotiations with management.

Enter Lisbon's historic funiculars.

The Glória Funicular, for example, connects Restauradores with the Bairro Alto area. Instead of treating it merely as transportation, combine it with a walking route: ride uphill and walk downhill through Lisbon's smaller streets.

This is called intelligent sightseeing. Your knees will send you a Christmas card.

4. Take the train to Belém

You don't need an organized excursion to reach Belém. Take the suburban train from Cais do Sodré toward Cascais and get off at Belém.

Suddenly you're close to Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the waterfront, and—arguably the most important cultural institution in Portugal—the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery.

Okay, technically it isn't a cultural institution. But after two custard tarts, you may disagree.

A 24-hour Carris/Metro/CP ticket costs €11.40 in 2026 and includes CP urban services on lines including Cascais and Sintra, making it interesting if trains are part of your day's adventure.

5. Create the €7.25 Lisbon Transport Challenge

The 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket costs €7.25, so why not turn it into a game?

Try using as many different forms of included transportation as reasonably possible: Metro in the morning, tram through the old neighborhoods, bus somewhere completely different, and a funicular when gravity becomes annoying.

Instead of designing your day around attractions alone, let Lisbon's transport network create the route.

For current ticket prices and purchasing information, check the official Lisbon Metro ticket page.

For a broader overview of transportation, prices, airport connections, tickets, and practical advice, read this Lisbon Travel Guide 2026: Transport, Prices and Practical Tips.

Lisbon's public transportation isn't merely a way to reach the attractions. Sometimes, it is the attraction.

And unlike your legs, it rarely complains about the hills.