Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Buses and Trams

When we think about exploring a city, we imagine walking through its streets, but there is an option that we often overlook and that is designed to see all the points of interest easily and comfortably: the tourist bus.

Lisbon has several tourist bus options. You can purchase a pass for one or more days and use it as many times as you want, however you want. In Lisbon, trams and cruises on the Tagus River are also very popular.

This is the most basic option: for two days, you can hop on and off the tourist bus that tours Lisbon as many times as you like (also known as the hop-on hop-off system). You can choose between a 24-, 48-, 72- or 96-hour pass.

You can book your pass online in advance and activate it on the days you want. There are two ways to get the most out of it: on the one hand, I recommend that you take the complete routes (there are several routes) at least once to enjoy the city; on the other hand, take advantage of this service as a means of transport to quickly and comfortably reach places further away from the centre, such as Belém or Alfama.

How it works

If you have never been on a tourist bus, I will start by telling you how they differ from normal buses. There are two main differences: they offer commentary in several languages about the city's points of interest and they have panoramic views so you can enjoy the scenery during your trip (in fact, they are designed for this purpose). Tourist buses have Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

Another question you may have is why it is worth paying for a ticket, in this case a 24- or 48-hour ticket, instead of using the city's urban buses. The answer lies in the stops on the different routes. The aim of these buses is to enable travellers arriving in Lisbon to discover the city's key landmarks (not just the most touristy ones) and to find their way around and move between them easily.

Lisbon Monumental route itinerary

Belem route itinerary

Modern Lisbon tour itinerary

One of the first things that will catch your eye when you visit Lisbon is its vintage yellow trams, which are still in perfect working order today. These trams are another means of transport in the Portuguese capital, but in addition to the locals, many tourists use them too. This option combines a hop-on hop-off tourist bus ticket with tram routes through the centre of Lisbon.

How it works

The tourist bus operates in the same way: you have 48 hours from the time you validate your ticket to use any of the routes whenever you want, travelling on buses with panoramic views and commentary on board.

The difference with this Lisbon tourist transport option is that, in addition to benefits such as discounts, use of the funicular railway and a city map, it also includes use of four tram routes during this two-day period.

With this option, you can comfortably get around the neighbourhoods of Baixa, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Estrela and Alfama without having to endure the heat and hills that walking entails. The city's trams are available from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and a complete route can take up to two hours.

If you are interested in the tram, there is also the option of hiring the Lisbon tourist tram, which allows you to discover the city in a different way. With this option, you have 24 hours from the moment you activate your pass to hop on and off the vehicle as you explore Lisbon's narrow streets and architectural wonders.

Tram itinerary

• Tagus River cruise

This is the most comprehensive option of all. For a total of 72 hours, you can enjoy the tourist bus, tram and boat trip on the Tagus. This option is highly recommended, especially in the hottest months, as it will spare you from the heat of walking around the city.

If you are going to book this transport option for Lisbon (you can do so online), I recommend that you plan your visit to the city day by day to make the most of it. This package also includes a series of discounts in bars and shops that could be very useful, so it is worth taking a look to see if any of them are close to the places you are going to visit.

Regardless of whether you have all the tourist transport at your disposal, don't forget to take a walk through areas such as the Alfama district to get the full experience of everything the city has to offer.

In this case, the 48-hour ticket for the Lisbon tourist bus is combined with a cruise on the Tagus River. Boat trips are a very popular activity in Lisbon; the city lends itself to this and it is a way to get a different perspective of the city while enjoying the views.

Like the tourist bus, the boat also has recorded audio commentary on the main points of interest. Do not underestimate this option because it is not the same to see the city as a simple landscape as it is to learn the stories behind its most emblematic places.

About the cruise

The cruise, which you can access by booking this Lisbon tourist transport package online, lasts two hours, departs from Cais da Ribeira das Naus, and you can choose between departure times at 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, or 17:00. If you go in summer, I recommend the first hour to avoid the heat, but even so, don't forget to protect yourself from the sun during the trip.

Tagus River cruise itinerary

Ana's Traveller Tip

Make the most of your pass by taking at least one complete tour of the city and listening to the commentary; you'll learn some very interesting things about Lisbon.

One of the most interesting aspects of using the Lisbon tourist bus (apart from the comfort) is the panoramic views you will enjoy during the tour, but another very important aspect that is often overlooked is the commentary. The commentary allows you to put into context all the landmarks of the city that you are seeing during the tour, and if you are a curious traveller, I am sure it will spark your interest in Portuguese history and customs.

Want to satisfy that curiosity? The best way to do so is to complete your visit with a guided walking tour of the most central areas of Lisbon. During these tours, they not only show you the city, but also tell you interesting legends and anecdotes about it. If you want more information about the guided tours, you can check out this article on 11 Best Tours and Day Trips from Lisbon.