Elevador da Bica

130 Years of Lisbon Commuting Heritage

Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and the street which is home to this funicular is the most photographed place Lisbon.

Known also as the Ascensor da Bica the funicular was originally powered by a counter- balance of water weights and cables and dates back to 1892. Bica is a local name for this district of Lisbon, and the name Bica refers to the ancient system of water networks that service the area…. Some of the locals even refer to their espresso as a ‘Bica’ in deference to the water that their coffee is made from.

The funicular is painted in the distinctive yellow of the Lisbon trams and its original wooden interior brings you back in time. Often the Bica will have been graffitied, sometimes quite good and sometimes not so good. Lately there seems to be an unwritten rule that one Tram remains the authentic yellow and the other is graffitied.

Check out the video below 👀

Bica Elevator / Funicular is Located Here