Lisbon’s Iconic Trams: A Tourist Magnet That Keeps Locals Waiting | Travels

An eternal symbol of the Portuguese capital, the wobbly yellow trams of Lisbon have become such a magnet for tourists that some locals complain that they can no longer get a ride. Lisbon began using trams in the late 19th century to transport passengers through the steep and narrow streets that criss-cross the hilly old town. Today’s visitors travel into the past, admiring the wooden floors and the old-fashioned look of the carriages, which offer a spectacular view of the Tagus River and picturesque buildings in pastel colors.

Residents are struggling as mass tourism overwhelms Lisbon’s trams

But as visitors flock to the capital in greater numbers—nearly nine million in 2023—some residents are increasingly irritated by the effects of the massive tourism“Tram? It’s not for us anymore, it’s for tourists!” said Luisa Costa, a 60-year-old resident of the working-class neighborhood of Muraria. As foreign visitors fill the carriages, Costa now waits at the stop for electric minibuses operated by Lisbon’s Carris transport company for residents traveling the same route.

In Martim Monish square in the center of Lisbon, passengers sometimes queue for more than an hour at the tram stop for line 28, the most popular route that loops around the most photogenic places. Red trams aimed at tourists were also created, but are less popular due to their high cost. Other tram lines were re-commissioned after being abolished in the 20th century with the development of the city’s bus network.

Long lines and touristy prices lead to disappointment

Despite the measures, “the situation continues to deteriorate,” said 82-year-old pensioner Fatima Valente. Trams have become a “toy” for tourists to fill their Instagram stories at the expense of residents who “really need them,” journalist Fernanda Cancio wrote in the daily Diario de Noticias earlier this month.

Local associations have been calling for a more reliable public transportation system for both residents and tourists for years. Carris general secretary Emma Favila Vieira admitted that reconciling the needs of tourists and residents “can be difficult” as the trams are a “highly sought-after cultural asset”. Lisbon now connects five historic tram routes, with a sixth line equipped with longer and more modern carriages running along the river.