{"id":16962,"date":"2018-12-19T14:07:12","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T14:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=1915"},"modified":"2022-02-28T15:51:30","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T15:51:30","slug":"lisbon-then-now-trams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/lisbon-then-now-trams\/","title":{"rendered":"Lisbon Then & Now: Trams"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

It’s hard to imagine there was ever a Lisbon without trams. Today, these yellow streetcars are so iconic they became one of the city\u2019s main attractions.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lisbon is full of narrow streets, and to reach them you\u2019ll often need the tram, or as we Portuguese call it, the el\u00e9trico<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Before they became the background of tourist photos and postcards, trams were just another form of public transport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even now, with the metro and the bus, many locals still prefer to hop on a tram.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You might have heard of Lisbon tram 28<\/a>, which runs through the historic center. But there are many other Lisbon trams, that take you further afield, to the little-known neighborhoods of Ajuda and Campolide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

So when did the first tram emerge in Lisbon, and what’s changed over the years?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Keep reading, and we\u2019ll tell you all about it!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Lisbon<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Photo Credit: cityodes<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

History of Lisbon Trams<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lisbon wasn\u2019t always known for its tiled fa\u00e7ades and gorgeous viewpoints<\/a>. By the end of the 19th century, Lisbon was among the smallest and least civilized cities in Europe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You would never have guessed that this was the capital of a big empire<\/a> with colonies in Africa and Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even though it was far from its prosperous period, the city was slowly transforming itself. For the first time, Lisbon had piped water, phones, and electricity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In 1873, a company called Carris established the first horsecar line in Lisbon. The idea came from America, so they were known as Carros Americanos<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"The
The first tram line in Lisbon, known as Carros Americanos<\/em> was still pushed by horses.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Meanwhile, other European and American cities were already using the electric trams, and soon Lisbon followed suit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But not everyone welcomed the change. Many thought it was going to be a dangerous transport, exposing the population to a constant death threat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It was at 6 a.m., on the 31st of August 1901, that the first electric tram departed from Cais Sodr\u00e9 towards Ribamar, now known as Alg\u00e9s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Locals were so curious about this new transport, they forgot all about their fears.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As the years went by, the trams and their creaking sounds became a familiar city feature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"In
In 1901 the first electric tram in Lisbon departed from Cais do Sodr\u00e9.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

People took them to go to work or to school during the week. On Sundays, they would venture to the bullfighting in Campo Pequeno, the zoo in Sete Rios, or the beaches of Dafundo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Inside, the cobrador<\/em> waited for the passengers. He had two roles: to validate the ticket and to get rid of the penduras<\/em>, people who climbed along the sides of the tram for a free ride.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As more people moved to the city, the traffic got worse and worse. The trams were always packed, and wherever you waited, there were long queues to get in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buses replaced trams to ease the traffic, but that still didn\u2019t fix the problem.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

By the time the metro arrived in 1959, the tram routes had diminished. Many never returned, but you can still follow their trails around the city.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lisbon Trams Now<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lisbon trams are no longer a symbol of modernity, but a memory of the past.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The tram 15, which did that first trip from Cais do Sodr\u00e9 back in 1901, got a makeover. All the others look pretty much the same, inside and out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"The
The tram 15 is the oldest tram in Lisbon and got a makeover to fit more passengers. Photo credit: Brian Snelson<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The cobrador<\/em> is gone, and there\u2019s a red button replacing the wire the passengers once pushed to stop the tram. Despite some of the changes, the tram still preserves most of its original charm.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sit by a tram stop today, and you\u2019ll hear the old ladies complain how they can never get on the 28 because it\u2019s always full of tourists. They\u2019ll shout to you\u2014 \u201cParecem sardinhas em lata<\/em>\u201d (They look like sardines in a can). If you\u2019re a local, you\u2019ll nod in agreement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Like the 28, the tram 15 is also a favorite among tourists. You might not always catch the vintage tram, but it does the job in getting you to Bel\u00e9m. That\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/em>, the most delicious custard tarts in Lisbon<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In the height of summer, it\u2019s nearly impossible to board these two trams. Sometimes you can wait up to an hour, and even if you get in, you won\u2019t be able to take any pictures because it will be too crowded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"If
The tram 28 passing through the Miradouro das Portas do Sol<\/em>. Photo credit: cityodes<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Unfortunately, with tourists, also came the pickpockets. If you’re on a tram today, you have to keep your valuables close, especially when you\u2019re getting in and out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We\u2019ll be honest. If you\u2019re in a rush to get somewhere, you\u2019ll be better off with the metro or a bus. Trams tend to take a lot longer, and they often stop because someone parked their car right in the middle of the tracks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But if you\u2019re looking for a slow-paced tour of Lisbon, then, by all means, take the tram.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The tram 28 got all the fame, but there are many more routes worth taking, and we encourage you to do so.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Looking
Hop on the tram 18 in Cais do Sodr\u00e9 and explore the quiet neighborhood of Ajuda. Photo credit: cityodes<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There\u2019s also a red tram<\/a> just for tourists. The ride is a bit more expensive, but if you want a comfortable seat for the whole journey, it\u2019s probably the best option. If you visit around Christmas, you might spot the Christmas tram with Santa on the driver’ seat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some tram routes disappeared with time, but it looks like they\u2019re making a comeback. In 2018, 23 years after it was suspended, the tram 24 returned, connecting Cais do Sodr\u00e9 to Campolide once again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Maybe more trams will be back in the future, but for now, you can enjoy the city\u2019s six remaining routes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"The
The red trams follow the same path as the 28 and they’re less crowded. Photo credit: Tomas Kohl<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lisbon Tram Routes:<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n