Navigating the Lisbon Quiet Tram Trails

Every country has characteristics that define it.  It can be through various cultural manifestations that these places have:

• the language of landscapes of the region;
• architecture;
• music and so many other things produced creatively by the locals.

I can for example tell you dear reader about a certain tower well famous made of iron, without mentioning its name, but I know you will see it in your mind’s eye and know where it is and which country I mean.

Likewise, Portugal also has its icons that precede it.

I will, however, pay tribute to only one of these, I mean the cablecars, the yellow and charming electric cars that ”float” through the center and glide around the edges of the beautiful city of Lisbon.

I must admit that when I first saw this creation of Portuguese engineering I was much more enchanted than I expected. Especially with the aesthetic aspect that unconsciously reminds us of the charming carriages of the 18th-century. 

I underestimated their comfort and agility. I was wrong. In fact, I’ve had the opportunity to travel on our yellow friends from the early 19th century. They stroll imposingly between neighborhoods and their slopes like the true and legitimate ‘’owners of the streets’’. They unquestionably impose themselves after 200 years, owing nothing to modern electric cars. They fulfill the function of transporting thousands of people every day. Rain, hail or shine!

Certainly, the period to which this small means of transport was started in its current electric mode is dated back to 1901. Before then, it had horse traction running on the eponymous rails (trains that move on rails).

Interestingly, the current combustion cars are currently undergoing the same transformation that the rails have previously undergone in Portugal, but in the case of current vehicles, moving from combustion propulsion to electric propulsion.

However, my experience with this modern yellow wonder, the electric car or cable car of Lisbon, happened in July 2020, when I stayed in the vicinity of Castelo São Jorge for 10 days.

In fact, the closest means of transport was line 28E of the Carris. Widely used by tourists and having one of the longest routes,with more than 25 stops,this particular line winds through the tight streets in the neighborhoods: 

Upon entering this electric cable car, I was surprised that they had preserved this original vehicle for so long. Everything has been coming back to us for over 100 years.

The most interesting thing is that we feel comfortable and enjoy a pleasant and quiet trip. At one point, I felt a strange feeling of sadness at the fact that this transport was so fast and practical. This was because I was loving the trip and didn’t want it to end so quickly.

I suddenly understood why the entire local population uses them daily. They are really very efficient.

I felt during my journey that I would like to stay longer onboard, I was very much enjoying the landscape of the old city from this unusual perspective, but my destination had arrived. In the end, I had to leave the tram at Largo do Portal do Sol, which has one of the best panoramic views of Lisbon.

I recommend this experience to everyone. However, stay alert as the journey ends much earlier than we think. Leaving a feeling of ”it wasn’t enough” within us. This is, however, ok because we can go back and enjoy it once more, whenever we want.

And now, I can tell you about a certain famous electric car made of iron, without mentioning its name, but I know you’ll see it in your mind and know where it is and which country I’m referring to.