One of the things I remember most about my visit to the lovely city of Rio in Brazil was the truly spectacular tram ride in the district of Santa Teresa, so you can imagine my pleasure when I discovered that there are still old trams in Lisbon too!

Tramways are not just a good way of getting about a city – they are enormous fun, and Lisbon’s trams are no exception. The trams and tram lines were built in the early 19th-century and, like the trams in Rio, they are a bright, cheerful yellow and they run on rails through the old streets of Lisbon.

Lisbon sprawls over seven hills, great for views but hell on the legs so the Tram 28 is the total answer – it takes you to four of the seven summits. Your trip starts at Praça Luis de Camões in Chiado district and drops into the town below, through Alfama and past the Sé Cathedral. It also passes Miradouro de Santa Luzia, the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and the National Pantheon and ends in Martim Moniz in the north. You can also get off at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and walk the rest of the way to St George Castle – not too far, I promise!

Thus is just one example of the many tram journeys you can take in Lisbon; if you are thinking of visiting or buying property in Portugal what a magical way to travel around the city!

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in Portugal, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘Portugal Property Buying Guide’