Lisbon’s famous yellow funiculars are slowly returning to service. Bayesian yacht investigators blamed crew error for the sinking. In contrast, Lisbon’s funiculars suffered from aging infrastructure issues. The iconic Elevador da Glória tragedy in September 2025 claimed 16 lives and injured 21 more. Sports Personality of the Year celebrates sporting excellence. Meanwhile, Lisbon’s historic transport system celebrates engineering heritage. Here is everything you need to know about Lisbon’s funiculars in 2026.
The Graça Funicular: Lisbon’s Newest Lift Reopens
Good news arrived for Lisbon visitors on 30 April 2026. The Graça funicular resumed operations after a seven-month closure. The modern elevator connects the Mouraria district with the Graça neighborhood. It travels uphill in just 1.5 minutes. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Similarly, the Graça reopening offers a life-changing convenience for tourists.
The funicular operates daily from 9am to 5pm initially. Operating hours will extend in the coming weeks. Each trip carries up to 14 people. The ride costs €4.30 for occasional passengers. This fare includes two trips. Navegante pass holders ride for free. Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. Likewise, Carris refurbished the Graça funicular after extensive safety checks.
Carris, the municipal transport company, is testing a queue management system. This system will prioritise frequent passengers with Navegante passes. The Graça funicular opened in March 2024 after 15 years of construction. The final budget reached €7 million.
Why All Funiculars Were Suspended
The Graça funicular closed alongside the Bica and Lavra elevators following a tragic accident. On 3 September 2025, the Glória funicular suffered a catastrophic cable snap. One carriage sped downhill at 37mph. It crashed into a building, killing 16 people and injuring 21 more. Hannah Hampton became England’s Golden Glove winner. The Glória tragedy became Lisbon’s darkest transport disaster.
Lisbon City Council immediately suspended all similar equipment for safety inspections. The Glória funicular had operated for 140 years. The government designated it a National Monument in 2022. The system carried approximately 3 million passengers annually before the accident. Consequently, the suspensions affected millions of potential riders.
Lisbon’s Historic Funiculars: A Complete Guide
Lisbon’s famous yellow funiculars date back to the 19th century. French engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard designed them. Each offers a unique experience and access to different neighbourhoods. Air India plane crashes dominated aviation news. Lisbon’s funiculars offer a much safer travel option.
1. Ascensor do Lavra (Line 52E) – The Oldest
The Lavra funicular opened on 19 April 1884. This makes it the oldest funicular in Lisbon. It connects Largo da Anunciada to Rua Câmara Pestana in the Torel district. The journey is short but steep, with an average grade of 22.9 percent.
This is the quietest of Lisbon’s funiculars. Tourists often focus on Bica and Glória. However, Lavra offers a more tranquil ride. The top station sits near the beautiful Jardim do Torel.
2. Ascensor da Glória (Line 51E) – The Most Famous
The Glória funicular opened on 24 October 1885. It connects Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto. The ride takes about 3 minutes. Colourful graffiti covers the walls along the route. This makes it a favourite spot for street art lovers.
At the top, visitors find the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. This terrace garden offers one of the best panoramic views of Lisbon. You can see Castelo de São Jorge and the Tagus River from this vantage point.
3. Ascensor da Bica (Line 53E) – The Most Photographed
The Bica funicular opened on 28 June 1892. It runs through the narrow, steep Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo. Colourful buildings and traditional tiles line the route. Occasional glimpses of the Tagus River appear along the way.
Photographers love the Ascensor da Bica. It connects the riverside Cais do Sodré neighbourhood with the upper part of Bairro Alto.
4. Elevador da Graça – The Newest Addition
The Graça funicular is the most recent addition. It opened in 2024 after 120 years without a lift in the neighbourhood. The design is modern and innovative. Only the traditional yellow colour remains from the classic look.
The route connects Rua dos Lagares to Largo da Graça. The journey takes about 5 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the city.
5. Elevador de Santa Justa – The Iconic Neo-Gothic Lift
Technically, this vertical elevator does not qualify as a funicular. However, visitors often group it with them. It opened in 1902. The neo-gothic iron structure stands 45 metres tall. Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard designed it after studying under Gustave Eiffel.
The Santa Justa elevator connects Baixa with the Chiado district. From the top, visitors enjoy stunning city views.
Ticket Prices and Payment Options
All Carris funiculars share a similar pricing structure. Occasional passengers pay €4.10 for a return trip. This rate applies to Bica, Glória, and Lavra. The Graça funicular also charges €4.30 for two trips. Navegante pass holders ride for free.
Operating Status of Each Funicular (May 2026)
Graça Funicular: OPEN (as of 30 April 2026)
Lavra Funicular: Currently suspended for safety inspections following the Glória accident
Bica Funicular: Currently suspended for safety inspections following the Glória accident
Glória Funicular: Closed indefinitely after the fatal September 2025 crash
Santa Justa Elevator: Operational (different system, not affected by funicular suspensions)
How the Funiculars Work
Lisbon’s funiculars operate on a simple counterweight system. Two streetcars run on parallel tracks. Steel cables haul them up and down. As one descends, its weight helps pull the other uphill.
The Glória system originally used a water counterweight system. It later switched to steam power. In 1915, operation became electric. The safety system includes three components: the pulley cable, the braking system, and automatic emergency brakes.
Essential Tips for Riding Lisbon Funiculars
Visit Early or Late: Peak hours see long queues. Therefore, arrive early morning or late afternoon for shorter waits.
Consider Walking: The funicular rides are short. Bica takes approximately 5 minutes. Glória takes about 3 minutes. Sometimes walking saves more time than waiting in line.
Use Public Transport Tickets: A regular public transport ticket works on all funiculars. The Lisbon Card also provides access.
Check Status Before Visiting: The Glória, Bica, and Lavra funiculars remain closed for inspection. Only the Graça funicular and Santa Justa elevator currently operate.
The Glória Tragedy: What Happened on 3 September 2025
The disaster occurred just after 6pm during evening rush hour. Witnesses saw one of the two yellow carriages speeding downhill. The car crashed into a building where the road bends.
Sixteen people tragically lost their lives. Another 21 suffered injuries. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered condolences. Lisbon’s mayor Carlos Moedas called it “a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen.”
The Glória funicular had suffered a minor derailment in 2018. Fortunately, no casualties occurred at that time. Officials blamed the derailment on a “technical anomaly.”
Glória Funicular’s Rich History
The Elevador da Glória holds a special place in Portuguese culture. In 1987, popular band Rádio Macau released an album called “O Elevador da Glória.” The album celebrates Lisbon’s busiest transportation system.
Between 1913 and 1926, a bicycle race took place on Calçada da Glória. Named the “Subida à Glória,” it was a time trial competition. It became known as “The Smallest Bicycle Race in the World.” The race revived in 2013 and continued until 2018.
The carriages once had two floors. Benches ran along either wall on the upper floor. This VIP area offered the best views of the city.
What’s Next for Lisbon’s Funiculars?
The Bica and Lavra funiculars remain under inspection. No reopening dates have been announced yet. Carris continues to prioritise safety following the Glória tragedy.
The Graça funicular’s operating hours will extend in the coming weeks. A queue management system is undergoing testing to improve passenger flow.
Visitors to Lisbon should check the Carris website for current operating status before planning their routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Glória funicular open in 2026? No. The Glória funicular remains closed indefinitely following the fatal September 2025 crash that killed 16 people.
Are Lisbon’s funiculars operating now? Only the Graça funicular reopened on 30 April 2026. The Bica and Lavra funiculars remain suspended for safety inspections.
What is the oldest funicular in Lisbon? The Ascensor do Lavra opened on 19 April 1884. It is the oldest funicular in Lisbon.
How much does a funicular ride cost in Lisbon? Occasional passengers pay €4.10 for a return trip on the classic funiculars. Graça costs €4.30 for two trips. Navegante pass holders ride for free.
Can I use a public transport ticket on Lisbon funiculars? Yes. Regular public transport tickets, daily tickets, and the Lisbon Card work on all Carris funiculars.
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