Guide to Route 732: from Santa Maria to Caselas, a journey through culture, shopping and the Tagus

Guide to Route 732: from Santa Maria to Caselas, a journey through culture, shopping and the Tagus

Connecting Santa Maria Hospital with Caselas, Route 732 crosses Lisbon from north to west and passes through some of the city's main commercial, cultural, historic and gastronomic hubs.

The route begins in the university and hospital district, near Santa Maria Hospital and the Faculty of Pharmacy, and continues through Entrecampos, Campo Pequeno, Saldanha and Marquês de Pombal. In this first section, passengers will find shopping centers, cinemas, gardens and large-scale cultural facilities.

From Baixa onward, the route takes on a more tourist-oriented profile. Restauradores, Rossio, Rua do Ouro, Commerce Square and Cais do Sodré form a corridor of monumental squares, shops, restaurants, bars and connections to other forms of transport. The route then follows the riverside through Santos, Alcântara and Junqueira, until it reaches Belém, Restelo and Caselas.

In the western section, Route 732 serves a quieter, more open Lisbon, with museums, former industrial areas converted into creative spaces, gardens, monuments and cultural facilities near the Tagus. In the outbound direction, the route operates only on weekdays, with 43 departures; in the return direction, there are 43 departures on weekdays, 34 on Saturdays and 28 on Sundays and public holidays. The distances below are approximate and estimated from the route coordinates and the locations of the stops. Frequency, fares and operations should be checked with the operator before traveling.

Campo Pequeno Shopping Center

Right at the beginning of the route, the Campo Pequeno - Av. República stop places passengers in front of one of the route's most complete shopping and entertainment hubs. Integrated into the Campo Pequeno complex, the shopping center contains around 80 stores, eight movie theaters, approximately 20 restaurants and a supermarket.

It is a practical option for combining shopping, a meal and a movie without having to travel to different parts of the city. The Campo Pequeno venue's own performance schedule also expands the possibilities for those looking for concerts and major events.

• 📍 Location: Campo Pequeno Leisure Center, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Campo Pequeno - Av. República, approximately 0.1 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Shopping center, cinema, restaurants and events.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings stores, a supermarket, dining and movie theaters together in a single complex.

Gulbenkian Garden

Although it is slightly away from the Entrecampos stops, Gulbenkian Garden is one of the best cultural detours in the northern section of Route 732. The space was designed in the 1960s by landscape architects António Viana Barreto and Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles and is recognized as a reference in modern landscape architecture in Portugal.

With trees, clearings, winding paths and a lake, the garden offers a quiet break amid the city. It is suitable both for a short walk and for a longer pause, with a café and rest areas in the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation complex. The Foundation also offers a music program and spaces dedicated to the arts and knowledge.

• 📍 Location: Avenida de Berna, 45A, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Entrecampos or Entrecampos Station, approximately 0.5 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Garden, culture and leisure.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Modern landscaping, a lake, abundant vegetation and a connection to the Gulbenkian cultural complex.

Commerce Square

Between Rossio, Rua do Ouro and Cais do Sodré, the Pç. Comércio stop leads to one of Lisbon's best-known landmarks. Commerce Square, formerly Terreiro do Paço, opens onto the Tagus and combines monumental architecture, outdoor cafés, visitor traffic and easy access to the historic center.

The location serves as a starting point for exploring Baixa on foot. From there, it is possible to walk beneath the arcades, continue toward Cais das Colunas, follow Rua Augusta or climb the streets leading to Chiado and Bairro Alto. It is an especially interesting stop in the late afternoon, when the light over the river transforms the space into one of the route's best urban settings.

• 📍 Location: Commerce Square, Lisbon's Baixa district.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Pç. Comércio, practically directly in front of the attraction.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic square, sightseeing and shopping area.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A large square beside the Tagus, surrounded by the historic center and connected to several attractions in Baixa.

Time Out Market Lisboa

At the Cais Sodré stop, Route 732 leaves passengers just a few steps from Mercado da Ribeira, home to Time Out Market Lisboa. The space brings together restaurants, bars, shops, events and a cooking school under one roof, with a gastronomic selection featuring offerings from different chefs and styles.

The market is a versatile choice for groups with different tastes: one person can choose Portuguese dishes while another opts for burgers, pasta, seafood or desserts. The proximity of the railway station, metro, boats and other bus routes makes Cais do Sodré one of the itinerary's best-connected sections.

• 📍 Location: Mercado da Ribeira, Avenida 24 de Julho, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cais Sodré, approximately 0.1 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Food market, bars, events and dining.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Numerous food and drink options in a single hall, with an events program and a location beside Cais do Sodré's main transport hub.

National Museum of Ancient Art

The Cais Rocha (Museu Nac. Arte Antiga) stop is one of the most convenient for visiting one of Lisbon's leading museum institutions. Located on Rua das Janelas Verdes, the National Museum of Ancient Art houses collections spanning the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the first centuries of the modern era.

Highlights include the Saint Vincent Panels by Nuno Gonçalves and the Belém Monstrance. The collection also includes painting, sculpture, decorative arts and works related to Portugal's religious and courtly history. The museum's restaurant and outdoor terrace offer an opportunity to pause after the visit, with views toward the historic Santos and Janelas Verdes area.

• 📍 Location: Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Cais Rocha (Museu Nac. Arte Antiga), approximately 0.1 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Art and history museum.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings together fundamental works of Portuguese art, including the Saint Vincent Panels and the Belém Monstrance.

LX Factory

Between Calvário and Alcântara, the route passes through one of the most creative and lively areas of western Lisbon. LX Factory occupies a former industrial site on Rua Rodrigues de Faria and brings together independent shops, restaurants, bars, studios, galleries and event spaces.

The atmosphere combines industrial structures, urban art, design and cultural programming. It is an interesting destination for those who prefer independent shopping, books, decorative items and dining to a traditional shopping center. On weekends, LX Market often adds stalls selling handmade, vintage and design products, but the program may vary.

• 📍 Location: Rua Rodrigues de Faria, 103, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Calvário or Alcântara - Av. 24 Julho, approximately 0.4 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Creative hub, shopping, dining and events.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Occupies former industrial facilities transformed into a complex of shops, restaurants, urban art and cultural programming.

MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

The section between Alcântara, Santo Amaro and Junqueira provides access to MAAT, on Belém's riverside. The museum combines a historic thermoelectric power station, Central Tejo, with a contemporary building featuring striking lines and a garden facing the river.

The exhibitions explore the relationships between art, architecture, technology and society. Even for those who do not plan to enter the galleries, the outdoor area deserves attention: MAAT Garden offers a walk beside the Tagus and different perspectives of the riverbank, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Belém landscape.

• 📍 Location: Avenida Brasília, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Calvário or Santo Amaro Station, approximately 0.8 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum, architecture, contemporary art and riverside walk.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Integrates a former power station, contemporary architecture, exhibitions and a garden beside the Tagus.

Belém Cultural Center and MAC/CCB

Near the R. Junqueira (Centro Congressos) stop, passengers can access Belém's cultural district, where the Belém Cultural Center occupies a group of buildings, streets, squares and bridges conceived as a kind of city open to culture.

The complex hosts performances, exhibitions, conferences and educational activities. It is also home to MAC/CCB – Museum of Contemporary Art and Architecture Center, with works from different periods and contexts of modern and contemporary production. Its location beside Praça do Império and the Tagus makes it ideal for an itinerary combining a museum, gardens and an outdoor walk.

• 📍 Location: Praça do Império, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: R. Junqueira (Centro Congressos), approximately 0.9 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Cultural center, museum, exhibitions and performances.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings together architecture, artistic programming, a contemporary museum and event spaces opposite Praça do Império.

Jerónimos Monastery

Also accessible from the Junqueira section and stops near Restelo, Route 732 allows passengers to reach Belém's monumental district. Jerónimos Monastery, in Praça do Império, has been a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Construction began in the early 16th century by decision of King Manuel I, and the building is one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture. The church and cloister are associated with figures such as Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões, and a visit can be combined with the gardens of Praça do Império, the Belém Cultural Center and other cultural facilities in the neighborhood.

• 📍 Location: Praça do Império, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: R. Junqueira (Centro Congressos) or R. Jardim Botânico, approximately 0.9 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic monument, heritage and cultural tourism.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A Manueline complex classified as a World Heritage Site and integrated into Belém's main monumental corridor.

Route 732 serves as a connecting axis between very different areas of Lisbon: hospitals and universities at the beginning, shopping centers and central neighborhoods in the middle section, and museums, creative areas and monuments toward the Tagus. To make the most of the route, the recommendation is to choose the return direction on weekends, since the outbound direction has no departures on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, and to check each attraction's opening hours in advance.

Sources

• Campo Pequeno Shopping Center
• Gulbenkian Garden
• Time Out Market Lisboa
• Lisbon Tourism – Tagus Route
• National Museum of Ancient Art
• Lisbon Tourism – LX Factory
• MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
• Belém Cultural Center
• Lisbon Tourism – Jerónimos Monastery