Elevador da Bica

Lisbon's most charming funicular, winding 283 m through the Bica neighbourhood since 1892 — an iconic slice of old-city life.

The Ascensor da Bica — better known as the Elevador da Bica — is the most intimate of Lisbon's three historic funiculars, threading 283 metres up the steep Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo through the narrow Bica neighbourhood. Operating since 1892 as line 53E of the Carris network, it climbs 45 metres of altitude to connect the riverside Rua de São Paulo with the upper Largo do Calhariz. The wooden cars rattling up through the steep alley have become one of Lisbon's most photographed images, capturing the city's unhurried, atmospheric character better than almost anything else.