Portugal Subways: Lisbon Metro
Lisbon Metro
The Lisbon metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa) was the first subway system to open in Portugal and presently consists of four lines:
Linha Azul (Blue Line), Linha Amarela (Yellow Line), Linha Verde (Green Line), Linha Vermelha (Red Line).
The first Lisbon subway lines opened in 1959 and were subsequently expanded for the 1998 Expo and again for the European soccer championships held in Portugal in 2004.
At present (2023) there are 56 stations and 45.5 km of track with further extensions ongoing or under consideration.
The Red Line (Linha Vermelha) was extended to Lisbon Airport in July 2012, this connects with Oriente Station (3 stops) for onward train routes to other towns and cities in Portugal and beyond.
Lisbon Subway Fares
A single ticket costs 1.65 Euros per ride. A 1 day Carris/Metro pass valid on the buses and metro is 6.60 Euros. Lisbon's transport network has 3 zones but tourists will predominately be using only zone 1.
The Lisbon metro runs from 6.30 am until 1 am. There are also month-long unlimited Navigante passes aimed at commuters living on the Sintra, Cascais or Azambuja lines. See Transportes de Lisboa for full details.
For tourists the best deals are the Lisboa Card, which is also valid on Lisbon buses, trams and elevadors, a one-day travel card which is also good for the entire Lisbon public transport network or a Viva Viagem card.
A good way of getting around on the Lisbon metro is to purchase a Viva Viagem card. This is a rechargeable electronic card that can be used on Lisbon's metro, buses (except the AeroBus to and from Lisbon Airport), ferries, trams and urban trains to and from Sintra and Cascais. The Viva Viagem card costs 0.50 cents to first buy and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
The Gare do Oriente train station and Parque das Nacoes can both be reached by metro. A link to the Santa Apolonia train station was completed in 2007, unfortunately not in time for Euro 2004. Look out for the large red "M" sign signifying metro stations. Useful signs in Portuguese to know are correspondência (transfer) and saída (exit).
In Lisbon, the underground ('Metro') is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way of getting to both the Estadio da Luz (home of Benfica) and Estadio Jose Alvalade (home of Sporting Lisbon).
The Metro trains are fast and frequent and the system easy to use. Moreover, the fares are cheap (compared to other cities in Europe) and crime is rare, though pickpockets may operate at rush-hour.
Bicycles may be taken on the Metro trains from 8.30 am under certain conditions.
Art on the Lisbon Metro
Contemporary art features have been integrated into the design of a number of Lisbon metro stations such as Oriente and Baixa-Chiado.
Art has been incorporated into Lisbon's metro stations since the first stations were built in the 1950's. Architect Francisco Keil do Amaral (1910-1975) and artist Maria Keil (1914-2012) were responsible for the first eleven stations to open on the Lisbon metro such as the classic Parque Station.
When other stations opened in the 1980's work by the artists Manuel Cargaleiro, Rolando Sá Nogueira, Júlio Pomar, and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva was included.
In the 1990's work by Françoise Schein and Federica Matta (Parque Station), Bartolomeu Cid dos Santos (Entrecampos Station) and Julio Resende (Jardim Zoológico Station) was commissioned to beautify the network.
Travelers on the Lisbon metro can admire the tile art of Eduardo Nery (Campo Grande Station), the work of Jacinto Luís (Potinha Station), Jorge Martins (Chelas Station), and the sculptures of Pedro Cabrita Reis and Rui Sanches (Olaias).
Read more about the art on the Lisbon metro.
Lisbon Metro Lines & Stations
Linha Azul (Blue Line)
Reboleira, Amadore Este, Alfornelos, Potinha, Carnide, Colegio Militar/Luz, Alto dos Moinhos, Laranjeiras, Jardim Zoologico, Praca de Espanha, São Sebastião, Parque, Marques de Pombal, Avenida, Restauradores, Baixa-Chiado, Terreiro do Paço, Santa Apolonia.
Linha Amarela (Yellow Line)
Odivelas, Senhor Roubado, Ameixoeira, Lumiar, Quinta da Conchas, Campo Grande, Cidade Universitaria, Entre Campos, Campo Pequeno, Saldanha, Picoas, Marques de Pombal, Rato.
Linha Verde (Green Line)
Telheiras, Campo Grande, Alvalade, Roma, Areeiro, Alameda, Arroios, Anjos, Intendente, Martim Moniz, Rossio, Baixa-Chiado, Cais do Sodre.
Linha Vermelha (Red Line)
Aeroporto, Encarnacao, Moscavide, Oriente, Cabo Ruivo, Olivais, Chelas, Bela Vista, Olaias, Alameda, Saldanha, São Sebastião.
Lisbon Metro Maps
Download and print official maps of the Lisbon metro including a diagram map of the Metro de Lisboa network and the Metro network on a city map of Lisbon showing the major attractions and places of interest in the city as well as hospitals, government offices and colleges.
Metropolitano de Lisboa (www.metrolisboa.pt)
Call Center: 213 500 115
Accessibility
Not all stations on the Lisbon metro network are yet barrier free. See the map below or download it from the link above.
Lisbon Metro Video
Portugal Transport Resources