Lisbon is a very pleasant city to visit on foot, but travelling by tram throughout the old alleys,  it’s an experience you’ll never forget. The tram is one of the most iconic symbols of the city — being almost a monument — that leads us to meet other landmarks of Lisbon and to get to know its history.

The Hills Tramcar Tour route is very similar to the famous tram 28. However, in the Hills Tramcar Tour we not only enjoy the view through its windows, but we also have the audio guide, which explains the history, culture and details of the area we’re passing. This justifies the higher price compared to the yellow tram 28, and it´s definitely worth it. And there is one more difference – Hills Tramcar Tour’s trams are red! Discover the winding route of the Hills Tramcar Tour through the old, traditional and mysterious Lisbon quarters — where inhabitants still chat with their neighbours by the window. Do it early in the morning to enjoy the beautiful light the city offers.

The trip begins at Praça do Comércio, one of the largest squares in Europe, that was built in the valley formed by two of Lisbon’s seven hills. It was built after the 1755 earthquake, and nowadays it is one of the busiest places in Lisbon.

Here, pigeons rest on the head of the statue of the King João I, and tourists take pictures of São Jorge Castle, which stands up on the hill. As we said, our journey begins here, and continues towards Praça da Figueira. This square is also a very busy crossing point, because it has all kinds of transports, shops and restaurants.

By the sound of the tram bell, we follow through so narrow and steep streets that sometimes we doubt the tram will pass. Slowly, it continues rising up the first hill, leaving behind the Mouraria neighbourhood and take us across Graça, until it stops at Miradouro das Portas do Sol in Alfama. This is one of the most typical quarters of Lisbon. In the evening, Alfama is the ideal place to hear Fado, the typical Portuguese music. At Portas do Sol viewpoint, we can enjoy the stunning view over the Tagus River, the São Vicente Church and also almost the entire Alfama neighbourhood, which stretches through the narrow winding streets to the river. This is a popular stop for photographers that love the unique charm of the city and its luminosity, disposed between hills, lurking the river. Nearby, we find São Jorge Castle. Discover its towers, stroll along the walls and platforms and delight yourself with the spectacular views over Lisbon and the Tagus River. Conquered from the Moors in 1147, the Castle has about 6000 square meters, and it is beautiful, especially  in the late afternoon, with the amazing Lisbon sunset. And don’t forget – your Yellow Bus ticket gives you 30% discount on entrance.

Now it’s time to go down to the magnificent Sé Cathedral. Built by order of the King D. Afonso Henriques, it is famous for its interior, shaped like a Latin cross with three naves in a Romantic style.

Hop on again towards Rua da Conceição. Formerly called Rua dos Retroseiros (meaning Mercers’ Street), we can stop here for a little snack and visit the new candy store “Papabubble”, which retrieves the traditional techniques of handmade candies and lollipops. Taste a candy while visiting one of the local souvenir shops or look for the popular Roman Galleries. These are permanently submerged galleries located underneath downtown Lisbon. The galleries date from the 1st century BC. The only problem is that the access is limited to a few days a year, and there are always huge lines to go in.

It’s time to continue our trip towards Chiado, on the top of the opposite hill. Here, we can visit the S. Carlos Theatre and Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Church, or go for a walk through the streets of Bairro Alto. To take a few more photos and relax, we recommend the Miradouro de Santa Catarina. This viewpoint attracts Lisbon’s most bohemian crowds, which get together on this terrace overlooking the river, while others sit at the cafeteria for a snack or a drink.

We continue our journey until reaching one of the most relaxing areas in Lisbon: Estrela. It has also one of the most amazing gardens in the city, which calls for a picnic or just a simple walk. Right beside the garden, stands the Basílica da Estrela. This enormous church, topped by a dome, stands in the west of the city and it’s one of its landmarks.

Down the hill, we cross Santos neighbourhood and get back to Praça do Comércio, just in time to have a “bica” and a slice of cake in the oldest “café” of Lisbon, Martinho da Arcada. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon!