Lisbon is a safe city, but as in any city, you need to stay alert. Especially on the tram.
And although this is an unusual post, because we prefer to focus on the positive, we're sharing it because we don't want anything bad to happen to you in this wonderful city of which we consider ourselves ambassadors.
The thing is, after many years living here, we've had the chance to ride the tram many times and come to understand the methods pickpockets use on the Tram 28 in Lisbon.
It's usually a pair of people or a group of pickpockets who, upon boarding, stand around the other passengers in a quite invasive way. They crowd together, pushing up against people as they make their way to the door, and through pressure and distraction (the pickpocket's best weapon) any unsuspecting person may not even notice that their belongings have been taken.
They often use a city map to blend in and to cover their actions.
If you were in the uncomfortable situation of realizing you've been robbed and you identify the thief, you can ask the driver to lock the tram and call the police — it's the only "legal" way to handle it.
So watch out: keep an eye on your wallet, your camera, and the rest of your belongings in any part of the city.
Our recommendation for those who really want to enjoy a peaceful tram ride in Lisbon is to take the red tram, which follows a similar route to the 28 and offers a much more comfortable, risk-free experience. It's considerably more expensive, yes, but well worth it.
