Lisbon Elevadors and Funiculars

Elevadors & Funiculars in Lisbon

Lisbon's elevadors or ascensores (funiculars) are a fun and useful way for getting to the top of the city's very steep hills and take the visitor up to some excellent viewpoints. Altogether there are four elevadors in Lisbon all operated by Carris, who also run the city's buses and trams.

**All of Lisbon's funiculars (elevadors) have been suspended indefinitely following a deadly derailment of the Ascensor da Glória in September 2025. The suspension is to allow for inspections and safety tests after the crash, which was caused by a faulty cable.

Elevador da Gloria, Lisbon, Portugal. — The Elevador da Glória at São Pedro de Alcântara

History

Originally water-powered and built in the 19th century, three of the elevadors are bright yellow cabs, the other is a lift. Hours are 7 am-9 pm Monday to Saturday and 9 am-9 pm on Sunday.

Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, was responsible for the Ascensor da Bica, Elevador do Lavra, the Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift), and the funicular up to Bom Jesus do Monte just outside Braga.

Ascensor da Bica

The Ascensor da Bica runs roughly through the Santa Catarina area in the Barrio Alto. It is one of Lisbon's most popular elevadors connecting Rua de São Paulo with Largo Calhariz up a steep slope with excellent views.

Elevador da Gloria

The route of the Elevador da Gloria goes from Praça dos Restauradores near Restauradores Station to São Pedro de Alcantara with its great views of the city as far as Alfama, Lisbon Castle and the River Tagus. This is close to the church and museum of São Roque. The Glória Funicular was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, an engineer from Porto, who was an apprentice of French architect Gustave Eiffel.

Elevador do Lavra

The Elevador do Lavra (the first street funicular in the world built in 1884) runs from the junction of Largo da Anunciada and Rua São José. The elevador opened in 1884 and was initially powered by a water counterweight system, later by steam and in 1915 it was electrified.

Elevador de Santa Justa

The Elevador de Santa Justa (aka the Carmo Lift) is an 45 metre-tall, Neo-Gothic-style iron tower in the Baixa area which rises to a cafe terrace and superb views over the area near the ruin and museum of Convento do Carmo in the Chiado district. The elevador was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, an engineer from Porto, who was an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel. The elevador was originally steam-powered when it opened in 1902 but was converted to run on electricity in 1907. There are two wooden, elevator booths which can carry 24 people.

Elevador Castelo and Elevador Baixa. — Elevador Castelo & Elevador Baixa

Elevador Castelo & Elevador Baixa

To get to Castelo de São Jorge (Lisbon Castle) from the Baixa involves two lifts. The Elevador Baixa from Rua dos Fanqueiros to Rua da Madalena in Alfama close to Mouraria. From here ride the Elevador Baixa in the Chão do Loureiro building to just below the castle. It's a short climb uphill from here to the entrance. Both lifts are free of charge.