Lisbon: 3-in-1 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Tram Tours

Lisbon’s steep streets and far-flung sights make this a practical way to get your bearings: one ticket links the old center, the Belém monuments, and the newer waterfront. I like that you can switch between two open-top bus routes and a traditional tram, rather than seeing the city from one seat all day.

I also like the 48-hour window, which gives you time to ride for an overview one day and return to favorite stops the next. The main trade-off is that the Hills tram does not stop along its route, and bus traffic can slow your plans. Treat the timetable as a guide, not a promise.

• Belém route: Follows the river west to Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries.
• Modern route: Heads east toward the Tile Museum, Oceanarium, and Vasco da Gama waterfront.
• Hills tram: Runs from Praça do Comércio and passes central neighborhoods and landmarks without hop-on stops.
• Useful extras: The ticket includes Yellow Carris tram access and free entry to the Carris Museum.
• Audio and savings: Audio guides are provided on all three tours, and the ticket includes discounts at museums, restaurants, and bars.
• Plan around departures: The buses run about every 30 minutes; the tram runs about every 35 minutes, with service subject to road works.

Three ways to see a city of hills

For $44 per person, this 48-hour pass combines two double-decker bus routes with a ride on a historic tram. That mix matters in Lisbon. The bus gives you a broad view of districts spread along the river, while the tram carries you through the close-packed streets of the old center. You can use the ticket to move between sights, or simply ride the routes first and decide where to spend more time.

The Belém and Modern bus tours each have their own loop, with a listed departure about every half-hour. The Hills tram runs between Praça do Comércio and the same square again, without stops along the way. So think of the tram as a scenic circuit, not as a hop-on, hop-off route.

The pass also gives you access to Yellow Carris trams during its validity and free entry to the Carris Museum when you show a valid ticket. It does not include admission to the other museums or monuments on the routes, nor hotel transfers. Those details shape the value: the ticket can cover a lot of ground, but it does not replace entrance tickets or a plan for your day.

Start at Restauradores, then choose your route

Both buses start at Restauradores Square, near the Eden Theatre. The Belém bus has a blue sign in the front window, and the Modern Lisbon bus has a pink sign. Both are yellow, so check the sign before boarding rather than relying on the bus color.

The Belém route is listed from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with departures every 30 minutes. The Modern route runs from 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., also about every 30 minutes. Because the final departures are in the late afternoon, start early if you want to get off several times. A full circuit can be a useful first ride, but getting off for a long lunch or a museum visit means you may not fit in every route and stop.

The audio guide is included on both buses and the tram. The tour information lists Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian as available languages. The commentary gives you context as you pass the city’s squares and sights, though the level of detail may feel basic if you want a long account of every building. Some audio equipment may not work as expected, so tell staff if yours is faulty.

The Belém route follows Lisbon’s riverfront story

The Belém bus travels from the center toward a cluster of major sights west of town. Its sequence includes Restauradores and Rossio, then Marquês de Pombal, El Corte Inglés, Parque Eduardo VII, Amoreiras, Basílica da Estrela, and Pilar 7 before reaching Belém. It continues to the Coach Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, MAAT, and the Docas Cruise Terminal, then returns via Jardim da Estrela.

That route is useful because the most famous Belém sights are not a short stroll from the central squares. You can ride out, choose one or more stops, and avoid arranging separate transport for each. At Jerónimos Monastery, the ornate exterior alone is worth taking time to see; admission is not included, so check opening arrangements and ticket costs separately if you plan to go inside.

Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries are also natural places to pause, especially if you want river views and time for photographs. The MAAT adds a modern architectural counterpoint to the older monuments, while the cruise terminal and Docas show a more working, contemporary side of the waterfront. There is plenty to do here, so avoid trying to squeeze every stop into one quick circuit.

The route also passes through less headline-grabbing parts of the city. Parque Eduardo VII and Jardim da Estrela offer a change of pace from the monuments, while the Basílica da Estrela gives you another historic stop. Amoreiras and El Corte Inglés are practical landmarks if shopping is on your list, though they may be less compelling than the central and riverfront sights for a short visit.

The Modern route reaches the eastern waterfront

The second bus route takes a different direction. From Restauradores and Rossio it follows Avenida da Liberdade, then heads toward the Lisbon Cruise Terminal and the Tile Museum before continuing to the Oceanarium, Vasco da Gama Shopping, FIL, and Vasco da Gama Tower at Hotel Myriad. It returns to Rossio.

This route is the better choice when you want to see how Lisbon extends beyond its older central districts. Avenida da Liberdade offers a grand city boulevard, while the Tile Museum gives context to azulejos, the painted tiles you will notice across the city. The Oceanarium is a major family-friendly stop, and the eastern waterfront’s larger modern buildings feel quite different from the narrow lanes of Alfama and Baixa.

The trade-off is time. You cannot see every stop properly from the bus, and the route is not a shortcut between every attraction. If you have limited time, pick the stops that matter most to you rather than hopping off simply because a stop is available. Bus routes can also be slowed by traffic lights and narrow roads, so leave room in your schedule.

The Hills tram is a ride, not a transfer

The historic tram tour begins at Praça do Comércio, close to the Arch, and returns there after its circuit. It passes Portas do Sol, Lisbon Cathedral, Graça, São Vicente, the Pantheon, and Martim Moniz, but it does not stop at these points. The listed departure window is 9:30 a.m. to 5:05 p.m., with a tram about every 35 minutes.

This ride gives you a close-up view of central Lisbon’s hills and older neighborhoods, including Alfama, Mouraria, and Baixa. The narrow streets and colorful houses are part of what makes the tram worthwhile; from the window, you see the city at street level rather than from a high bus deck. The tram itself is also a reminder that this is still a practical form of local transport, not just a sightseeing prop.

A driver may add a human touch. One passenger described a driver explaining how the tram works, including the mechanics of changing cable lines, and clearly enjoying the job. You cannot count on a particular driver or live explanation, though. The included audio guide is the more dependable source of commentary.

Since there are no stops, do not board expecting to visit the Cathedral or viewpoints during the circuit. Use the included access to Yellow Carris trams to make your own connections during the ticket’s validity, but check route information before setting out. The pass includes public tram access, not admission to sights or a guaranteed ride on a particular full tram.

What the ticket is worth at $44

At $44, the pass costs about $22 per day across its 48-hour validity. The value improves if you use the two bus routes, the tram circuit, and some of the included public tram access. It can also save the hassle of arranging separate rides between the center, Belém, and the eastern waterfront.

The strongest value is flexibility. You can use the buses for orientation, get off where you want to explore, and return to another route later. The 48-hour span is more forgiving than a single-day pass, especially if you want a slow visit to Jerónimos Monastery or time at the Oceanarium.

Discounts at museums, restaurants, and bars add potential savings, but the details of those offers are not specified here. Check what is available and whether it suits your plans before counting it toward the ticket’s value. The Carris Museum entry is a clearer extra: show your valid pass for free admission.

This is less compelling if you only want transport from one point to another or prefer to walk everywhere. The route schedules end in the late afternoon, and traffic can make a bus ride slower than expected. Nor should you expect the ticket to cover monument entry. Think of it as a city orientation and transport pass, with a sightseeing ride built in.

Make the two days work for you

A sensible plan is to ride one full bus loop first, then use the second day for the route and stops you most want to explore. If Belém is a priority, start with that line early so you have time for the monastery, tower, and riverside sights. Save the Modern route for a separate outing, or use it to reach the Tile Museum and Oceanarium.

You can also ride the Hills tram from Praça do Comércio as a compact introduction to the old center. Since it has no stops, it works well before or after exploring on foot, rather than as the main way to reach a particular landmark. Allow extra time between departures, especially if you are connecting between routes.

Road works may temporarily suspend service, so check for updates from Yellow before you travel. Keep the route signs in mind, too: the Belém bus is marked blue, the Modern bus pink, and all buses are yellow. Food and drinks are not allowed aboard, so finish your coffee before boarding.

Who should book this tour

I would book this if you have two days in Lisbon, want an easy first look at its varied districts, and like having transport and sightseeing in one ticket. It is particularly useful if you want to compare historic central neighborhoods with the monuments of Belém and the modern eastern waterfront without arranging every connection yourself.

I would think twice if you have only a few hours, dislike audio-guide tours, or want to spend long stretches inside museums and monuments. In that case, choose one bus route and a handful of stops, rather than trying to complete all three experiences. The ticket’s best use is not racing through every landmark. It is having enough time to see the city’s contrasts and return to the places that catch your interest.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 48 hours, or two days.

Where do the two bus tours start?

Both the Belém and Modern Lisbon bus tours start at Restauradores Square, near the Eden Theatre.

Where does the Hills tram tour start?

It starts at Praça do Comércio, close to the Arch, and returns to the same square.

Does the Hills tram stop at the landmarks it passes?

No. It passes Portas do Sol, Lisbon Cathedral, Graça, São Vicente, the Pantheon, and Martim Moniz, but does not stop along the route.

What is included besides the three tours?

The ticket includes access to Yellow Carris trams during its validity and free entry to the Carris Museum when you present a valid ticket. Discounts at museums, restaurants, and bars are also included.

Are entrance fees to the monuments included?

No. Entrance fees to museums and monuments are not included.