The 3 most beautiful funicular lifts in Lisbon Glória Bica and Lavra


There are 3 lifts and 1 elevator, which were classified as National Monuments 

 

Lavra Lift

The Lavra Lift  was inaugurated in 1884 and is the oldest funicular in Lisbon. It connects Rua Pestana Street and Largo da Anunciada (perpendicular to Avenida da Liberdade). 

Inaugurated on April 19, 1884, it connects Largo da Anunciada and Rua Câmara Pestana, through Calçada do Lavra.

Originally it used a rack and cable balanced by water balance as a traction system, later being moved by steam. In 1915, the lift, which on its opening day worked 16 hours straight, was electrified. 

In 2002, it was classified as a National Monument.

Route:  Largo Announced - Rua Câmara Pestana

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 7:50 am - 7:55 pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holiday: 9:00 am - 7:55 pm

Glory Lift

The best known and interesting of the three funiculars is the Elevator of Glory. It connects Restauradores Square with São Pedro de Alcântara Street in Bairro Alto.

At the top you can enjoy the view of Lisbon from the lookout point of São Pedro de Alcântara , for us, the best of the city.

The Glory Lift began operating on October 24, 1885. 

 

Inaugurated on October 24, 1885, it links the Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto (São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint), through Calçada da Glória.

Originally it used a rack and cable balanced by water balance as a traction system, later being moved by steam. In 1915, the second elevator deployed in the city of 7 hills was electrified. 

The cars used were two stories, with seats arranged longitudinally. Both cabins currently have only one floor but retain their longitudinal seats.

In 2002, it was classified as a National Monument.

Route:  Restauradores Square - S. Pedro de Alcântara

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday: 7:15 am - 11:55 pm
Friday: 7:15 am - 12:25 am
Saturday: 8:45 AM - 12:25 AM
sunday and holiday: 9:15 am - 11:55 pm
 

Spout Elevator

Elevator da Bica runs along Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo to go up from Cais de Sodré to Bairro Alto. It is the most used funicular along with the Gloria Lift.

The inauguration of the Bica Elevator dates from 1892, seven years after the previous one.

 

Inaugurated on June 28, 1892, it connects Rua de São Paulo and Largo do Calhariz, through Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo.

Originally used steam engines as a traction system. In 1914, what is considered the elevator with the most picturesque script was electrified.

In 2002, it was classified as a National Monument.

Route:  Rua S. Paulo - Largo Calhariz

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Saturday: 7am - 9pm
sunday and holiday: 9am - 9pm
 

Santa Justa Lift

Halfway between transportation and tourist attraction , Santa Justa Lift solved the problems in Lisbon to communicate the upper and lower parts of the city.

The Santa Justa Lift was inaugurated on July 10, 1902. It is the work of engineer Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard, with a cast iron structure, enriched with filigree works. In 2002 it was classified as a National Monument.

Route:  Rua do Ouro - Largo do Carmo

Santa Justa Lift Opening Hours : 
Daylight Saving Time (13,14 and 15 April & May to October): 7:30 am - 11:00 pm (every day)
Winter time (November to April): 7:30 am - 9:00 pm (every day)
 
Santa Justa Viewpoint Opening Hours:
Daylight Saving Time (13,14 and 15 April & May to October): 9am - 11pm (every day) 
Winter Time (November to April): 9am - 9pm (every day)
Valid tickets at Santa Justa Lift:

 

  • Santa Justa ticket  (purchased on board);
  • Lisboa Viva ,  7Colinas  or  Viva Viagem Card  (loaded with valid CARRIS titles);
  • Yellow Bus Circuit Tickets;
  • Lisboa Card Tickets.
 

Access to Santa Justa Viewpoint:

  • Santa Justa Belvedere Ticket  (access to the Belvedere only, does not allow trips);
  • Santa Justa ticket;
  • Yellow Bus Circuit Tickets;
  • Lisboa Card Tickets.
Santa Justa Lift is one of the fastest ways to get from Baixa to Bairro Alto. Like trams, it is not only a means of  transport but also a  tourist attraction . 

As a means of transport, the elevator  opened its doors to the public on July 10, 1902 under the name Elevator do Carmo.  On its opening day, more than 3,000 tickets were sold.

The lift was greeted with great enthusiasm by the inhabitants of Lisbon, as  the connection between the upper and lower part of the city  had always been a major  transport problem.

In the beginning, the Carmo Lift was  steam powered . On November 6, 1907, the installation of electric motors was completed.

Santa Justa Lift as a Tourist Attraction

The Santa Justa Lift is  45 meters high  and its structure resembles that of the Eiffel Tower, which is no coincidence, as Raoul Mesnier de Ponsar was a follower of the French architect.

From its top we have a  beautiful view  of downtown, so it is one of the main lookouts of the city since its inception.

As a  curiosity , the elevator admits 20 people to go up, but only 15 to go down. At first it carried 24 passengers

  • The 3 most beautiful funicular lifts in Lisbon Glória Bica and Lavra


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