Why Tourists Visiting Lisbon Should Consider Avoiding This Iconic Attraction

Lisbon has become one of Europe's top destinations, with its charming tiled houses and cobblestone sidewalks. Tourists flock to sites such as Belém Tower and the must-see World Heritage Site Jerónimos Monastery to learn about the city and its rich history. However, one of the most iconic attractions in Lisbon isn't a building or landmark — it's a tram.

Tram 28 is perhaps the most famous tram line in Portugal's capital, adored by travelers for its vintage-style cars. Stepping into a Tram 28 carriage feels a bit like experiencing Lisbon in the early 20th century. Plus, the route conveniently passes some of the city's best sights and winds through multiple picturesque neighborhoods. For just a few euros, you're treated to a 50-minute ride through Lisbon's stunning hilly streets — perfect if your legs are tired from exploring the city on foot.

However, despite Tram 28's perks, you may be better off skipping it during your Portuguese vacation. The trolley isn't the best option for tourists in a time crunch (or who just hate waiting around). Moreover, Tram 28 is known to have some dangers lurking behind its characteristic yellow facade.

If Tram 28 is on your Lisbon itinerary, know that it's also on hundreds of other tourists' schedules. Throw in the locals that use it to get to work or return home after running errands, and the tram can get extremely crowded. Vehicles run every 10 minutes or so, though delays are common, and each car holds a maximum capacity of under 50 passengers (there's seating for about 20 people, and the rest are forced to stand). The line is immensely popular, so expect it to be completely packed when boarding, with little personal space or access to the windows for a view.

There are also long lines of people waiting to hop on for a ride. Given how small each carriage is, there often isn't enough room to accommodate all passengers. As a result, it's typical to have to wait over an hour at the bus stop before being allowed on. Long lines can be especially bad at the route's starting and ending points.

One workaround is catching an early ride before the average tourist is out and about. Tram 28 runs as early as 6 a.m. each day, so you might want to set your alarm early. Otherwise, consider avoiding the iconic attraction and walking or using Lisbon's other trams, subways, and buses instead.

Unfortunately, Portugal is among the destinations in Europe where you're most likely to get pickpocketed, so it's no surprise a few seedy characters could be hiding among the crowd of tourists on Tram 28. Travel expert Rick Steves has exposed this risk of taking the trolley before, along with one other dangerous mistake to avoid while riding the streetcars in Lisbon. It's a good idea to be vigilant on any public transport vehicle, but Tram 28 is notorious for scammers and thieves.

For greedy criminals, Tram 28 offers the ideal environment for swiping a wallet or emptying an unsuspecting passenger's backpack. For starters, it's full of tourists who might not be as savvy as the locals when it comes to pickpockets. Besides that, the fact that most people must stand in the carriage makes Tram 28 passengers an easy target. When you're standing, squeezed between other passengers, you're unable to guard your bags and pockets as you would if you were sitting.

To avoid being a victim, it's wise to abstain from riding Tram 28 altogether. However, if you do take the famous line, try to position yourself in a safe spot inside the carriage. Consider boarding only when you're confident you can sit. If you're only left with standing room, try to move away from the exit. A pickpocket may be more likely to take your belongings when they know they can make a quick getaway at the next stop.