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Lisbon's Elevadores (Funiculars)Elevators and Funicular Railways in Portugal's Capital
Lisbon's elevadores, or funiculars, are essential for getting around Lisbon. They all lead to fine viewpoints over the city - here's the lowdown on how to catch them.
Lisbon's trams aren't the only way to get up its steep hills. Three funicular railways and an elevator are fitted in convenient spots, taking you up to spectacular miradouros, or belvederes. Don't think of the elevators as just a convenient way of skipping the hill - these things are masterpieces of engineering. Elevador da Santa JustaRight in the centre of Lisbon's Baixa (downtown) district sits this giant steel elevator from 1902. There are two wood-and-chrome elevators inside, taking 20 people from the Rua do Ouro up to the Convento do Carmo 45 metres up. Only 15 people can come down again. It was built by a student of Gustave Eiffel (who built the Eiffel Tower) and you can see the influence in the classic steel frame. At the top is a café and some great views over the city - there's a rather wobbly winding staircase to get to it, but it's worth the short climb!. Elevador da GlóriaIgnore the graffiti on this custard-yellow funicular – it's a classic. Stand at the bottom near the chunky controls and imagine you're driving the thing up the hill. It's in Restauradores square, just round the corner from the tourist office in Palácio Foz. It takes you right up to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, a wonderful look-out point with a shady statue-lined terrace and plenty of photo opportunities. Elevador da BicaLess well-known but no less fun than the Elevador da Glória, the Elevador da Bica takes you up from Rua da Moeda behind Lisbon's central market (Ribeira) to the trendy Bairro Alto, through a narrow street lined with washing lines and wonky windows. Turn left and left again at the top to reach the Miradouro de Santa Catarina. Here you can admire the river and docks from the shade of a huge statue of the Adamastor, a monster dreamed up by the Portuguese writer Luis da Camões. Elevador da LavraThe final elevador, the Elevador da Lavra, runs from Largo da Anunciada near the main Avenida da Liberdade up to the Travessa do Torel. Walk down here to the small Jardim do Torel park for more views over Lisbon. Tickets for Elevadores You can simply pay the lift operator for a return ticket, but this tends to be expensive if you take several trips. A much better value option is to buy a Viva Viagem transport ticket, which gives you unlimited transport on all of Lisbon's elevators, buses, trams and metros for 24 hours from purchase. Viva Viagem travel passes are available from metro and train stations and from some newsagents and cafés in Lisbon.
The copyright of the article Lisbon's Elevadores (Funiculars) in Portugal Travel is owned by Monica Guy. Permission to republish Lisbon's Elevadores (Funiculars) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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