How to get around Lisbon's hills without exhausting yourself

Why Lisbon is so tiring to explore

Lisbon's best views sit at the top of its hills: the castle, Graça, Senhora do Monte, Alfama's miradouros. Getting there means steep streets, staircases and the city's famous calçada, polished limestone cobbles that get slippery when wet. A full day of walking up and down can wear out even fit travellers, especially in summer heat.

The golden rule: ride up, walk down.

Important for 2026: which funiculars and lifts are running?

After the Glória funicular accident in September 2025, all of Lisbon's funiculars and lifts were closed for safety inspections.

• Funicular da Graça (Mouraria to Graça): reopened on 30 April 2026
• Elevador da Glória (Restauradores to Bairro Alto): closed; a new system is planned for around 2029
• Ascensor da Bica and Ascensor da Lavra: closed, still under review
• Elevador de Santa Justa (Baixa to Carmo): closed to passengers

Many guides online still describe these as running. Check carris.pt before you plan around them.

The best option: the Lisbon Visitor Pass

The Lisbon Visitor Pass was designed for exactly this problem. Electric tuk tuks link 13 stops in the old town, from Praça da Figueira and the Sé up to the castle hill, Portas do Sol, Graça and Senhora do Monte, the highest viewpoint.

• Request a ride from your phone at any of the 8 pickup stops; the average wait is under 10 minutes
• No climbing: the tuk tuk does the hills, you enjoy the views
• A guaranteed seat in small shared rides, maximum 6 people per tuk tuk
• A local driver-guide tells you what you're seeing and where locals eat
• Hop on and off as often as you like: 4 hours (€39) or full day (€46). Your time starts at your first ride, and tuk tuks run 11:00–17:30

It's the easiest way to see every major old town viewpoint in one day, and the most comfortable option for older travellers, families and cruise passengers.

Other ways up the hills

1. 1

   Free public lifts from Baixa to the castle

   Two modern public lifts take you most of the way up to São Jorge Castle, free of charge:

   • Lift 1: inside a building on Rua dos Fanqueiros (around numbers 170–178) in Baixa, up to Rua da Madalena. The entrance looks like a shop doorway and is easy to miss.
   • Lift 2: in the Chão do Loureiro building (with a Pingo Doce supermarket), up to Costa do Castelo.

   They're step-free, but they only cover the route to the castle. Published opening hours differ, so don't count on them late at night.

2. 2

   Funicular da Graça

   The modern funicular links Mouraria to Graça. It's a short route and can have queues at busy times. A ticket bought on board costs €4.30 for up to 2 trips, and you pay by card or MB Way, not cash.

3. 3

   Bus 737 to the castle

   Bus 737 runs from Praça da Figueira through the old town to just below the castle walls. It's one route only, and the small buses fill up.

4. 4

   Tram 28

   The classic tram climbs through Graça and Alfama, but in summer the queue at Martim Moniz can take 30–45 minutes, and carriages are often standing room only. See our guide: Tram 28 queues, crowds and better alternatives.

5. 5

   Taxi, Uber or Bolt

   Good for a one-off ride, but cars struggle in Alfama's lanes, can't stop near many viewpoints, and you pay every time you move.

6. 6

   Walking

   The best way to discover Alfama's lanes, as long as you walk downhill. Wear shoes with good grip.

Quick comparison

Public transport fares checked on carris.pt in November 2026. The lower figure needs a loaded Navegante card.

A no-climb day in the old town (with the Visitor Pass)

1. 11:00: Start at Praça da Figueira and ride to the Sé.
2. Late morning: ride up to the castle hill and visit São Jorge Castle.
3. Lunch: walk down through Alfama to Portas do Sol for a long lunch. The castle is a drop-off stop, not a pickup stop, so Portas do Sol is where you request your next ride.
4. Afternoon: request a tuk tuk from Portas do Sol up to the Miradouro da Graça and on to Senhora do Monte for the biggest view in Lisbon.
5. End of the day: ride back down to Praça da Figueira, or walk down through Graça and Mouraria.

Tips for older travellers and families

• Ride up, walk down. A tuk tuk pass makes this easy.
• Avoid the midday heat in July and August.
• Buggies struggle on cobbles and stairs. A light carrier is easier in Alfama.
• Children from 3 years old can ride the tuk tuks.
• For limited mobility: tuk tuks save the climbs, but you need to step up into them and the cobbles are bumpy. The free castle lifts are step-free.

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