The museum is housed within the Santo Amaro depot, which has been in continuous use for tram maintenance since 1915.
The collection includes the 'Elétrico dos Ingleses', one of the oldest tram cars in the company's history.
Some of the displayed trams are original wooden-bodied carriages that required manual track switching.
The museum features a collection of rare, specialized service vehicles, including old track-clearing cars.
Visitors can often see active maintenance work on heritage trams through glass partitions in the workshop areas.
Museu da Carris is a specialized museum located within the active Santo Amaro tram depot in Lisbon. It chronicles the history of Lisbon's public transport system, spanning from the horse-drawn carriage era to the development of the electric tram network. The collection is housed across several halls, showcasing restored vintage trams, service vehicles, and historical artifacts. Visitors walk through working workshops where heritage trams are still maintained for daily operation. It is one of the few museums globally situated inside an operational transport facility. The exhibits cover personal uniforms, tickets, and mechanical equipment used by the Carris company since 1872. The site offers a unique perspective on urban mobility evolution in the Portuguese capital.
The row of restored vintage wooden trams in the main hall provides the most iconic visual backdrop.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the industrial flooring of the depot safely.
Check the official website ahead of your visit for potential industrial maintenance schedules that may restrict access to certain halls.
Allow time to visit the outdoor heritage tram display area if the weather permits.
Do not attempt to enter restricted workshop areas marked for staff only, as this is an active industrial site.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
