The cheapest sightseeing tour
A €1.50 tram ride on the right line gives you 45–60 minutes of city views from a wood-and-brass historic carriage. Better than open-top buses (cheaper, slower, more local). The cities below all have specific lines worth a dedicated trip.
Lisbon
Lisbon Tram 28 — Graça → Estrela through Alfama, climbing the steepest streets. €3 single (or covered by Viva Viagem). Pickpockets work this route — stay alert. Tram 12 (Alfama loop) and 18 (Belém) less famous but equally pretty.
Vienna
Vienna Ringstrasse rings 1 + 2 around the historic center past Parliament, City Hall, Opera, Hofburg, Kunsthistorisches. Standard ticket €2.40 covers full ring. Vintage 1929 trams (Bim) sometimes deployed weekends.
Prague
Prague Tram 22 — Národní → Pohořelec via Malá Strana, Prague Castle, Strahov. Classic Tatra-built T3 trams (1960s design icons) still in service. CZK 30 ticket.
Milan
Milan 1928-built ATM Carrelli trams in service on lines 1 and 9 — wood interiors, brass fittings. The ATMosfera dinner-tram is a private 1928-tram restaurant ride (€60–80).
Berlin
Berlin M1 line through Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg — best East Berlin overview. M10 Friedrichshain link. Single ticket €3.50. East Berlin trams returned post-1990 reunification; West Berlin trams replaced by buses 1960s.
Helsinki
Helsinki Tram 6 connects city center to Hietalahti and Eira — vintage rolling stock + modern. Tram pass included with Helsinki Card.
Strategy
Window seat. Sit on the right side going outbound (typically faces city). Avoid weekends 11am–3pm peak tourism. Late-evening rides (8–10pm) often empty + city-lights pretty.