Tram 28 Lisbon in seven kilometres Everyday, tourists and locals mix on tram 28. Contrary to what many people think, it is still used mostly by locals. Sightseers amuse themselves with the trials and tribulations encountered on the long route that links Campo de Ourique to Martim Moniz.
W
hen it arrives at the statue of São João
From here on, the tram takes you on a trip into the past,
Bosco in Campo de Ourique, everyone
and almost invariably includes some incident or other.
has to get off tram number 28. This is
At an average speed of eight kilometres per hour, you
where, right at the entrance to the Prazeres cemitery,
pass Largo de Camões, Rua da Conceição, the Cathe-
the tram starts and finishes. Many tourists get off and
dral and Graça until reaching the final destination, Mar-
then jump straight back on the next tram for the trip
tim Moniz, after a trip lasting roughly 50 minutes. But,
back to the centre. We suggest, however, that you take
sometimes, it can last longer, if things get in the way. As
a little time to discover this traditional quarter.
if refusing to accept that the rails are the sole preserve
Besides the cemetery, which is interesting for its his-
of the number 28, drivers continue to block its path,
tory and natural beauty, it is worth a wander around the
forcing the tram to sit and wait. While regular passen-
streets, discovering the excellent restaurants and shops
gers accept it as part of the daily routine, tourists lap up
and visiting the church of Santo Condestável, the Casa
the hilarity of scenes worth capturing on film.
Fernando Pessoa and finishing at the Basílica da Estre-
And Sara Coelho, Carris tram driver for the last six
la. After visiting jardim da Estrela, you can carry on your
years, has plenty of stories to tell. She has driven the
trip from the tram stop right in front of the basilica.
tram full of heads of state during the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, while one of the experiences that most marked her was a guided tour organised for teachers of art history. But, everyday, regular passengers climb aboard with their own stories to tell. “Good morning, Sara!” greets Mr. Carlos, as he climbs aboard. He asks after her colleagues, tells her that he didn’t go home at Easter after all, and Sara asks about his wife and where he’s off to today. As they talk, she shouts out “Castelo, castillo, castle, château!” so the tourists don’t miss the stop for the castle. The 28 tram route is without doubt one of the most fascinating in Lisbon. The trams make the trip 270 times a day, carrying mostly locals, but always accompanied by a few tourists. Every year, over five million passengers travel along the rails from Prazeres to Martim Moniz. Don’t miss the Fado on the Tram initiative in June that transports passengers to the sound of a fado singer and a Portuguese guitar. The experience is unique, turning the seven kilometre trip into a real re-encounter with Lisbon tradition. •