VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
👉 Lisbon Done Right: First-Time Experience + Smart Travel Strategy
Lisbon in 24 hours: here’s exactly how to do it right. We spent our first day in Lisbon exploring the city the smart way, starting at Praça do Comércio and jumping on the Yellow Bus Tour to cover the highlights without wasting time. In the afternoon we jumped aboard the Hills Tram and discovered St. George’s Castle.
Lisbon in 24 Hours 🇵🇹 TRAM Ride + Castle
Lisbon on a bus is one thing… but Lisbon from inside these streets? Completely different.
We swapped the bus for something far more local – jumping on one of the city’s iconic trams, squeezing through impossibly narrow streets, climbing toward one of the best viewpoints in Lisbon… St. George’s Castle.
After getting our bearings on the Yellow Bus earlier in the day, we wanted something more immersive, something that actually puts you inside Lisbon. So we made our way into the Alfama district and jumped on one of the city’s historic trams. Right away, you feel the difference.
Tram 28 Lisbon guide — what it’s really like + best stops + castle views
These streets are tight, really tight. At times, it feels like you could reach out and touch the buildings on either side as the tram slowly winds its way uphill. In fact looking out of the open tram window could prove to easily cause bodily harm. This isn’t just transport… it’s part of the experience.
As we climbed higher through Alfama, the views started to open up, terracotta rooftops, the Tagus River in the distance, and that unmistakable Lisbon light.
Our stop? St. George’s Castle.
Sitting high above the city, this is one of the best vantage points in Lisbon. From here, you can see exactly where you’ve come from and just how much ground you’ve covered in a single day. What makes this tram ride so worthwhile is the contrast. The bus shows you Lisbon. This (the Tram)… lets you really feel it.
In this video:
- What it’s really like riding Tram 28
- How narrow Lisbon’s streets actually get
- Why Alfama feels completely different from the rest of the city
- What to expect at St. George’s Castle
If you’re visiting Lisbon, this is one experience you don’t skip.
⭐ Key Standout Reasons for a Return Ticket
- You only scratch the surface in 24 hours, Lisbon deserves more time
- St George’s Castle alone is worth a full return visit
- Incredible mix of city + new, old and very narrow streets
- The only way to travel uphill in Lisbon
- Food scene is far deeper than a single day allows
- Perfect base for nearby day trips (Sintra, Cascais)
- Best views of the city
- Easy transport options make repeat visits seamless
- Combo ticket (Yellow Bus and Tram) allows easy access to all public transport
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
