Lisbon has a collection of unique museums. There are some major ones, which are usually dedicated to art, but the small ones have incredibly singular themes. The Museum of Tiles and the Museum of Electricity are just two of them. Carris Museum is another one.
Remember how we always say the best way to explore the city, its architecture and sights is by riding Tram 28? Well, that tram (and all trams, in general) has become a must-do activity for travelers. Just like London buses, trams gradually become one of the Lisbon symbols. Carris Museum is dedicated to the transportation of Lisbon.
The museum was opened in 1999 and belongs to the Carris company, which deals with the transportation of the city. The collection presents vehicles that were ever or are now used in the city.
The museum features two exhibitions. The first one includes many old vehicles, some of them are still used, others have gone out of date. You can even see some carriages. The other exhibition is limited to maps, books, tickets, signs, uniforms, and anything else related to transportation.
The items on display have been put into use in Lisbon, but some of them were produced in other countries like the UK. This is why you might find a few tram models similar to the ones you have back home.
People who wish they were born a few decades ago will absolutely love this place. They really bring out the atmosphere. The collection is refreshed annually, so if you have already visited this museum and liked it, you should definitely go back. I’m pretty sure they will have some new displays.
If you are one of the richest collectors of vehicles, this museum is just for you. I’m not sure if you can buy the displays, but there’s no harm from trying. If you’re not a collector but have one of those modern luxurious cars, you might end up exchanging it for a tram from the early 1950s. Imagine how would your neighbors stare! Plus, there’ll be a lot of space for friends and family.
The museum is almost never crowded, so you can relax and take as many picture as you can. Guided tours are usually held for large groups. There is also a special gaming area for kids. Presentations are often organized here. You can check with their calendar, if you’re interested in the educational functions of Carris Museum.
Other than that, it’s a sin not to visit this museum. It’s unique, original, and, most importantly, cheap. Forget the expensive museum tickets. The admission costs only 3€, children are admitted free of charge.
There are not too many attractions nearby the museums, actually . . . there’s almost none, so you can’t combine the museum with other attractions. Generally, there are very interesting and unconventional ways if learning about the history of Lisbon. You can simply walk the streets of Alfama, speak to the locals, who are extremely friendly, and visit museums like this. At the end, put the pieces together, and you have the big picture.
