Lisbon Funiculars, Cable Tramways, Elevators, Lifts and Similar Structures

From 1999 access at the top was limited to the elevator viewing deck only, due to building works. This meant that if it was quiet, you were at the mercy of the lift operator regarding the timing of your descent. But by January 2006, the 25 metre walkway to the Chiado was open once again. For decades the prices of the ticket to ascend the lift was minimal; by 2019 it had risen to more than five euros for a return ticket yet it still attracts large queues in summer.

However, an alternative, less interesting but totally free route from the Baixa to the Chiado district is to use the escalators in the nearby Baixa-Chiado Metro station. Enter the station off the Rua Aurea, go down the double-flight escaltor to the station's turnstiles, walk straight on past the turnstiles then ascend the four-flight escalators to emerge in the Chiado. No ticket is needed.

The vertical column of the Sta Justa elevator measures some 7m x 7.5m and the lift was originally powered by a steam engine mounted on its summit. Since 6 November, 1907 it has been electrically powered. On exiting the lift at the top, the area, below, to the left of the walkway was largely destroyed by a major fire in 1988 but has now been rebuilt. Alternatively passengers may linger in the viewing area which looks over Rossio to the north east and the Baixa district to the south. To the east are fine views across to the Castle and Graça. There is also a café at the summit but a small restaurant on the walkway is now closed. The walkway runs alongside the ruins of the Carmo monastery which has been left unrepaired since the catastrophic earthquake of 1 November, 1755. Carris trams formerly ran to the end of the walkway and the track stub remained intact (at least till 2007).

Nowadays there is no tram service immediately adjacent, as the #24 service from Carmo to Alfândega was withdrawn in the 1990s. However, part of this route was reopened in 2018 but this no longer runs from Carmo. Instead it operates five minutes' walk away from Pç. Camões (see the Lisbon Trams page).

All of the above services are operated by Carris, which also operates Lisbon's bus and tram services.

Former Street Elevators

Former Cable Tramways

Torre Vasco da Gama

Boca do Vento

An alternative route to the Cristo Rei itself is to take the ferry to Cacilhas and catch the 101 bus which terminates there. Or, you can get the MST tram from Cacilhas to Almada and go up the road at the side of the excellent Café Tropical, the Avenida do Cristo Rei. This is a ten-minute uphill walk but not too steep. Tickets to ascend to the feet of the statute are available from a vending machine inside the statue's base and the view make this well worth the modest price. As well as close up views of the Ponte 25 de Abril, the whole north bank from Cascais to the Ponte Vasco da Gama can be seen, as well as the nearby towns of Cacilhas and Almada, whose local football team, Atlético, must have one of the best sited grounds in Europe, at the foot of the Cristo Rei!

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

The striking Padrão dos Descobrimentos, on the waterfront at Belém, is a monument to the Portuguese Discoveries. It incorporates a lift from which there are excellent views along the River Tagus as well as across the Belém area towards the Jerónimos monastery (above). The monument was originally erected in 1940 for the World Exhibition but the existing structure was not completed till 1960, the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. The lift also affords an excellent view of the marble Rosa dos Ventos (compass) pavement decoration adjacent to the monument.

Arco da Rua Augusta

Other Elevators

Elevador do Castelo

This is a two-stage lift. The lower element was built (2012) inside a hollowed-out building at 176 Rua dos Fanqueiros, a road which runs from the north-east corner of the Praça do Comércio to the Praça Figueira. It is far from obvious unless you look up and spot the large sign at roof level proclaiming "Elevador do Castelo". You can just walk into the premises and get in the lift without any formality at all. At the top, you emerge into a street where there is nothing obvious to suggest the way to the castle but, if you take a few paces to the left and then cross the road you will see the Pingo Doce supermarket. At the right-hand side, an inconspicuous sign proclaims "Elevador do Castelo", which is the second stage of the ascent. Enter the premises door and the two lifts are straight ahead of you.

At the top of this second-stage lift, there is a road sign directing you to the right, to the Castelo, which is just a few minutes' walk away.

This second stage of the lift was already in existence in 2011, via the Rua da Madalena, before the second stage came into use a year later.

Ponte 25 de Abril: PIlar 7

It is a trip through the history of its construction and ends with an elevator ride up to a panoramic viewing point that provides an unrivalled view of the city and the river.

Making use of modern multimedia devices, your visit ends with an immersive virtualreality experience of parts of the bridge that are inaccessible and a call at the PhotoBooth so you can record this unforgettable moment".

Admission for adults is €6 (2019) and the venue can be reached via nearby tram 15 or buses 714, 727, 732, 751, and train to Alcântara-Mar on the Cascais line.