Guide to Route 37B: a circuit between Cruz da Pedra, Penha de França, and Alameda

Guide to Route 37B: a circuit between Cruz da Pedra, Penha de França, and Alameda

Route 37B travels through one of the most interesting sections of eastern Lisbon, linking Cruz da Pedra, Madre Deus, Penha de França, Alto Pina, and Alameda D. Afonso Henriques in a circuit filled with history, viewpoints, gardens, traditional commerce, and dining options.

The route begins in the Cruz da Pedra and Madre Deus area, alongside residential streets that preserve a strong connection with Lisbon’s history and with the centuries-old presence of tilework. From there, the bus climbs toward Penha de França, crossing hillside areas and neighborhoods with a local atmosphere, convenience shops, cafés, and small squares.

In the central part of the route, the line passes along Rua Morais Soares, by the Church of Penha de França, through Alto Pina, and along Alameda D. Afonso Henriques. This section combines the urban activity of one of the city’s main arteries with green areas, cultural spaces, and observation points less familiar to visitors.

On the return leg of the circuit, the itinerary reaches the Cemitério do Alto de São João area and returns along residential roads to Cruz da Pedra. The line has 25 departures in the outbound direction on weekdays and 23 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. No departures are listed in the return direction; therefore, passengers should consider the service to be a circuit operated only in the direction indicated in the supplied data.

Attention: the distances below are approximate and estimated from the coordinates of the route and the listed stops. Frequency, fares, and the operator should be confirmed through official transport channels before traveling.

National Tile Museum

Right at the beginning of the circuit, the Rua Madre Deus stop leaves passengers near one of the most important cultural spaces in eastern Lisbon. Housed in the former Madre de Deus Convent, the National Tile Museum presents the evolution of Portuguese tilework from the 15th century to contemporary production, also bringing together pieces of ceramics, porcelain, and faience.

The architectural complex is an attraction in its own right, especially the Church of Madre de Deus, known for its Baroque decoration with carved woodwork, paintings, and tiles. The museum is currently closed to the public for renovation work, but it remains a heritage landmark along this section and a site to monitor for future visits.

• 📍 Location: Rua da Madre de Deus, 4, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: R. Madre Deus, approximately 0.1 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum, historic convent, and cultural heritage.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: houses one of Portugal’s most important tile collections in a former convent founded at the beginning of the 16th century.

Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques Garden

The Alameda D. A. Henriques section is the ideal place to get off and take a break outdoors. The garden forms a broad green axis, with lawns, trees, walking paths, and areas for relaxation that contrast with the activity of Avenida Almirante Reis and the streets of Arroios and Areeiro.

At the eastern end stands the Fonte Monumental Luminosa, one of the area’s visual landmarks. The complex also offers a viewpoint on the fountain’s upper level, from which visitors can observe Alameda itself and part of Lisbon’s urban landscape. It is a good choice for a quiet walk, a break between commitments, or an unhurried late afternoon.

• 📍 Location: Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques, between the parishes of Areeiro, Arroios, and Penha de França.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Alameda D. A. Henriques, approximately 0.2 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Urban garden, leisure space, and viewpoint.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: combines a large tree-lined lawn with the Fonte Monumental Luminosa and an urban axis of significant architectural value.

Arroios Market

Between Praça do Chile and Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques, Arroios Market is an especially interesting stop for anyone who enjoys traditional commerce and everyday flavors. The building, inaugurated in 1942 and later renovated, brings together stalls and businesses selling fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, bread, flowers, groceries, and food.

The market also houses a café, snack bar, grill restaurant, record store, and dining spaces offering different cuisines. The atmosphere is more local than tourist-oriented, allowing visitors to observe residents’ daily routines and take a break to eat or buy fresh products while exploring the area.

• 📍 Location: Rua Ângela Pinto, 1900-067 Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: R. Morais Soares, approximately 0.4 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Municipal market, commerce, and gastronomy.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: preserves the atmosphere of a neighborhood market while adding dining options and cultural activities.

Café Império

Near Alameda, Café Império occupies part of the modernist complex associated with the former Cinema Império on Avenida Almirante Reis. The restaurant is known for its long history and for preserving the identity of a traditional Lisbon establishment, with a spacious setting suited to full meals.

It is an option for those who want to combine a visit to Alameda Garden with a Portuguese meal. Its proximity to the line makes it convenient for lunch or dinner before continuing the circuit, especially for passengers getting off at Alameda D. A. Henriques.

• 📍 Location: Avenida Almirante Reis, 205, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Alameda D. A. Henriques, approximately 0.3 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic restaurant and café.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: combines Portuguese cuisine with the architectural memory of the former Cinema Império, one of Alameda’s landmark buildings.

Penha de França Viewpoint

Passengers getting off near the Church of Penha de França can extend their walk to one of Lisbon’s lesser-known viewpoints. The site is next to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França and offers a perspective toward the eastern part of the city, with views of Alto de São João, Olivais, Chelas, and Marvila.

The viewpoint is quieter than the capital’s more famous panoramic spots. The climb requires some effort, but the reward is a broad and different view of Lisbon’s landscape, especially appealing in the late afternoon, when the light highlights the hills and neighborhoods on the eastern side.

• 📍 Location: Largo da Penha de França, next to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Igreja Penha França, approximately 0.6 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Viewpoint and religious heritage.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: offers a less conventional view of Lisbon, facing the eastern neighborhoods and Alto de São João.

Caracol da Penha Garden

Between Arroios and Penha de França, Caracol da Penha Garden is one of the route’s newest and most versatile green areas. The space was created to provide areas for relaxation and leisure on a hillside, with squares, a community garden, an amphitheater, a viewpoint, a children’s playground, and sports facilities.

It is particularly suitable for families and for anyone wishing to walk without leaving the urban fabric. The combination of trees, plants, resting areas, and facilities for different age groups gives the garden a community character, more closely connected to everyday neighborhood life than to conventional tourism.

• 📍 Location: Area between the parishes of Arroios and Penha de França.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: R. Gen. Themudo Barata, approximately 0.5 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Garden, children’s playground, viewpoint, and leisure space.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: brings together a community garden, amphitheater, children’s playground, sports area, and viewpoint in a single green space.

Alto de São João Cemetery

The stop bearing the same name places passengers in front of one of Lisbon’s most distinctive historic spaces. Established in 1833, Alto de São João Cemetery occupies an extensive area and contains tombs, chapels, sculptures, and funerary monuments from different periods of Portuguese history.

In addition to its architectural and artistic interest, the site is connected to the city’s political and social memory. Those buried there include Almada Negreiros, Ramalho Ortigão, Duarte Pacheco, and Jorge Sampaio. A visit calls for silence and respect, but it can reveal a heritage site little explored on Lisbon’s traditional itineraries.

• 📍 Location: Alto de São João, Penha de França, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Cemitério Alto S. João, approximately 0.1 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Historical, artistic, and cemetery heritage.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: brings together funerary architecture, republican monuments, and the memory of important Portuguese figures.

Route 37B functions as a small circular itinerary through eastern Lisbon: it begins between Cruz da Pedra and Madre Deus, passes through markets and hillside neighborhoods, reaches the gardens and viewpoints of Penha de França and Alameda, and returns through the historic Alto de São João area. To make the most of the route, it is worth choosing the stop at which to get off in advance, remembering that the listed schedules correspond only to the outbound direction, and checking for any changes before boarding.

Sources

• Museums and Monuments of Portugal — National Tile Museum
• Lisbon City Council — Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques Garden
• Arroios Parish Council — Arroios Market
• Café Império — official website
• Visit Lisboa — Penha de França Viewpoint
• Lisbon City Council — Caracol da Penha Garden
• Lisbon City Council — Alto de São João Cemetery