Common Tourist Scams in Alfama, Lisbon (and How to Avoid Them)
Tram 28 — Lisbon's pickpocket route
- The tram: the famous yellow Remodelado vintage tram, route 28, runs from Martim Moniz through Graça, the top of Alfama, past Sé Cathedral, through Baixa, up to Estrela. The single most-photographed Lisbon experience.
- The pickpocket problem: tram 28 has been identified by the PSP as one of the highest-volume pickpocket routes in Lisbon. The pattern: heavy tourist density on a crowded tram, distraction at viewpoints and tram-stop boarding, phones and wallets disappear from back pockets.
- The hotspots: Largo das Portas do Sol stop (the major Alfama viewpoint where everyone gets off for photos); Sé Cathedral stop (cathedral tourist density); Martim Moniz origin (boarding chaos).
- Defence: phone in a front pocket, wallet in a front pocket, bag in front of you across the chest, no jewellery visible. Sit if you can (boarding/getting-off-while-standing is the high-vulnerability moment); avoid standing near doors.
- Tram 28 specifically: many Lisbon-savvy travellers ride tram 12 or 24 instead — same route through Alfama, lower tourist density, far fewer pickpockets.
- The walking alternative: walking from Sé up to São Jorge Castle takes 20 minutes and includes most of Alfama's photo-worthy stops. Pickpocket-free.
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