There’s a certain wonder to exploring a city or town for the first time, and there’s no wrong way to go about it. Old-schoolers might gravitate to setting out on foot with a paper map in hand, while those pressed for time might opt for the convenience of a hop-on, hop-off tourist bus. Those who value a mode of transportation for its uniqueness as much as its actual convenience might wish to incorporate rides on the following infrastructure as part of their next urban adventure.

Elevator

The Ascensore Castello d’Albertis-Montegalletto, found in Genoa, Italy, is an underground lift capable of moving in two directions. After its carriage capable of holding up to 23 passengers enters the hillside horizontally, it comes to a halt before making the transition to vertical movement. Following this ascent of some 226 feet, many passengers will make way to the D’Albertis Castle, which houses the Museum of World Cultures, a collection of curious artifacts amassesd by the sea captain Enrico Alberto D’Albertis. The lower entrance to the lift, located just off Via Balbi, is a quick walk from the Genova Piazza Principe railway station. Online: metrogenova.com/montegalletto.asp

The Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon, Portugal, connects the bustling central neighborhood of Baixa with the hilly Barrio Alto district. The beautiful wrought iron structure reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower dates back to 1902 and is a landmark in its own right. With a carriage that can carry only about 20 passengers at a time, long queues are almost inevitable. The lift makes up part of the public transportation network, in which it is called the 54E. A single ascent costs about 6 euros. Online: tinyurl.com/y8u6p7tj

Funicular

For many visitors to Heidelberg, Germany, a ride up the funicular known as the Molkenkurbahn represents the easiest way to reach the grounds of the city’s famed castle. But the ride doesn’t have to end there. From the castle, it’s possible to board a second funicular, this one bound for Königstuhl, which is, at 1,800 feet, the town’s highest point. Things to do once there include exploring a fairy tale-themed park or watching a falconry show. Those wishing to ride both funiculars can purchase a so-called Panorama Ticket at a cost of 11 euros one-way or 17 euros round trip. Online: bergbahn-heidelberg.de/welcome

Tram

What’s often billed as the world’s longest tram line operates along Belgium’s North Sea coast line, linking the towns of La Panne, near the border of France, with Knokke-Heist, close to the Netherlands. The so-callled Kusttram, parts of which have been in operation since 1885, runs for more than 40 miles and calls in at 68 stations. Riding the route in its entirety takes about two hours and 20 minutes. Online: zeebrugge.com/en/coastal-tram.php

Gondola

In Venice, Italy, the experience of crossing the Grand Canal on a gondola can be had by even the most budget-conscious of travelers. Traghetto is the term used to describe this form of public transportation propelled by a duo of rowers. The ride, which is always done standing up, costs only about 2 euros per crossing. Traghetti operate on six routes, including those between San Stefano and San Toma’ and Ferrovia and S. Simeone. Online: tinyurl.com/4d8uxwd4

Cable car

The Funivia di San Marino, found in the postage-stamp sized republic of the same name surrounded on all sides by Italy, transports passengers between the city proper at the top of the hill and the lower city of Borgo Maggiore, seat of the castle. The ride, which only takes two minutes, rewards passengers with sweeping views of the glittering Adriatic Sea. The cable car, which operates in fifteen-minute intervals, can carry about fifty passengers at a time, and the cost of a round-trip is approximately 5 euros. Online: tinyurl.com/5fzjy3he

Beautiful Bolzano, the capital city of the Italian province of South Tyrol, sits in a valley surrounded by the Alps, making the Rittner cable car a sensible means of reaching a small community in the hills which doubles as an access point for scenic hikes. Ten cabins carrying up to 30 persons each travel along the three-mile route which makes up part of the local public transportation system. The point-to-point journey takes about 12 minutes, and the cost of a one-way ride is 6 euros per adult passenger. The valley terminal, located at Rittner Strasse 12, also offers parking facilities. Online: tinyurl.com/4678hx2h

Water bus

A fun and environmentally friendly way to get to know Copenhagen, Denmark, is by means of its so-called water busses. These cheery yellow, electricity-powered vessels allow passengers to travel from Sluseholmen in the south to Orientkajen in the northernmost end of the Copenhagen harbor at the cost of a bus ticket. The route has nine stops, including one close to the Amalienborg Palace. Online: tinyurl.com/2tdeu6xh

Bike lift

The Trampe Bicycle Lift in Trondheim, Norway, allows cyclists to get a 400-foot uphill lift without ever dismounting. Essentially a rolling track embedded in a sidewalk, the lift has been in operation since 1993 and carries up to 30,000 riders annually. As operation can be tricky for first timers, the lift has a slower speed just for newbies. Bikers must keep their left foot on their own bike’s pedal as they push a start button which makes a footplate appear. The rider must then hop onboard and keep his right leg outstretched and bent forward throughout the journey—no easy feat for beginners. Online: tinyurl.com/mwh79ydf