Colours of Lisbon: Trams

Lisbon's most recognisable transport, in pictures

On 18th September 1872, the Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa was founded in Rio de Janeiro, with the purpose of establishing a transport system of the American type (carriages driven by animal traction and moving on rails) in the Portuguese capital. The first line of so-called “Americans” was inaugurated on 17th November 1873. The section opened to the public linked the North and East Railway Station (St Apolónia) and Santos, but the first tram only began to operate on 31st August 1901.

At the present moment there are five regular electric lines in Lisbon spread over 40km of rails, the most famous being the 28, which takes passengers from Campo de Ourique to Martim Moniz, stopping in some of the most iconic places in the city such as Lisbon’s Cathedral, the Miradouro das Portas do Sol and St George Castle.