Lisbon Cruise Port, on the Tagus River itself, gives you a wonderful view of the seven hills that Lisbon is built on, as soon as you sail into it. And Lisbon is a city where old-world charm meets modern vibrancy! From sun-drenched plazas, winding cobblestone streets in the Alfama District, to amazing views from St George’s Castle, let me share the top things to see and do nearby Lisbon Cruise Port. But first, note that there’s multiple cruise terminals in Lisbon! So I’ll cover how to get from Lisbon Cruise Port to Lisbon City Centre first, no matter where you’re docked, with my top tips to ride the iconic tram #28, too.
This is Part 1 of my Lisbon Cruise Port Series. Here are the other parts:
- Part 2 focuses on the Lisbon Baixa District – Lisbon Baixa District Guide: Grand Plazas, Lift & Funicular
- Part 3 is a half-day or full day trip to Belém – Lisbon to Belém: DIY Guide to Belém Tower & Custard Tarts
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Lisbon Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
Lisbon Cruise Port has always been popular with river cruises but it’s only in the past few years post pandemic that it’s become popular with ocean cruises, too. Even though there’s quite a few cruise terminals in Lisbon, I would still rate a DIY excursion as 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward. Here’s why:
- Walking Distance to Historic Alfama District: IHMO, the historic Alfama District can give you the essence of Lisbon in a day. There’s so much to see and do in Lisbon but for an overview version, it’s hard to beat the area around Lisbon Cruise Port.
- Easy access to public transport: Lisbon has a great network of trams, buses and metro. This means that if you’d like to venture further, other attractions are easily accessible via a quick bus or metro ride.
- “Concentrated” attractions near Cruise Port: If you’ve never been to Lisbon, then there’s enough to do for a full port day in Lisbon just within walking distance of Lisbon Cruise Port, making it ideal for a DIY shore excursion. There’s so much that I’ve had to write about what’s nearby Lisbon Cruise Port in this post and write about other districts in other posts.
Lisbon Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
Lisbon has multiple cruise ports! Let me cover them all here – you can see them all marked on my Lisbon Cruise Port Map below 🗺️📍👇:
- New Lisbon Cruise Terminal: Large cruise ships generally dock in the “new” Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which actually opened back in 2017. The cruise pier itself is over a mile long (1.6 km) and can accommodate multiple ships. The two terminals are:
- Jardim do Tabaco: Closest cruise terminal to the city centre. Large ships tend to dock here.
- Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal: Slightly smaller ships tend to dock here. It’s slightly further away from the city centre but is located close to both the Santa Apolónia metro station and Santa Apolónia train station. There’s also buses nearby.
- Gare Marítima: Smaller cruise ships may dock at Gare Marítima, west of Lisbon’s city centre. Transport-wise, your best bet is to catch the #728 bus outside Alcantara – Mar train station. You’ll see the train station as you walk out to the main road from the cruise terminal
- Gare Marítima de Alcântara Cruise Terminal: This is one of the two terminals at Gare Marítima and is walking distance to Alcantara – Mar train station.
- Gare Marítima da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos: This terminal is east of de Alcântara terminal.
- Currency: Euros
- Language: Portuguese
- Official Tourism Website: Visit Lisboa is the official tourism website
- Recommended Transport App: I prefer Citymapper but Google Maps works just fine, including live departure times for bus routes.
- eSIM for roaming in Portugal: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout
Lisbon Cruise Port to City Centre: Your Transport Options
If your ship is docking at one of the two terminals at the “new” Lisbon Cruise Terminal (see above), then you have a number of options to get from Lisbon Cruise port to Lisbon City Centre:
1. Walk from Lisbon Cruise Port to City Centre
The Jardim do Tabaco cruise terminal is slightly closer but you can walk from both terminals to the Alfama District. (In this blog post, I focus mostly on attractions in the Alfama District). But if you’d like to see other districts, or do a day trip to Belém or Sintra, then the tram stop and train stations aren’t far either. (I’ll be covering Belém and Sintra in other blog posts.)
2. Metro from Lisbon Cruise Port to City Centre
The “new” Lisbon Cruise Terminals are sandwiched between two metro stations, “Terreiro do Paço” and “Santa Apolónia“. Metro rides are €1.80 one-way and the easiest to pay for your ride is to tap in with a contactless card.
The metro is the easiest way to get to the Baixa district or if you ride the trams from Praça Luís de Camões – I’ll share more below about the famous #28 route, as well as the lesser known #12 route. Praça Luís de Camões is located just a few minutes away from Baixa-Chicado metro station. It’s also within walking distance of the famous Elevador de Santa Justa. So if these interest you, be sure to the 24h ticket from the metro station ticket machines – it costs €6.80 + €0.50 for the Navegante Occasional fare card to load the fare on. Then you’ll have your tickets for the tram ride and the Santa Justa ride sorted!
Lisbon Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
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- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Tip – Disable Layers: I’ve structured the map in “layers” and you can check or uncheck the layers on the left hand corner. You can uncheck all layers besides this itinerary, called “Lisbon Cruise Port: Things to See & Do Nearby” and you’ll only see the map markers for this itinerary.
Lisbon Cruise Port: Top Things to See & Do Nearby
Lisbon is definitely not a city where you can see everything in a day! It is one of my favourite cities in Europe and I’d say that one can easily spend weeks here! So in this blog post, I’ve decided to put together an itinerary with all the great things to see & do near Lisbon Cruise Port (the two major ones I mention above). You can just walk from the cruise port to all of the following but I’ll also point out some transport options, as Lisbon is hilly! The attractions further away will be in a separate blog post.
1. Alfama District
Immediately opposite the main road “Av. Infante Dom Henrique” which runs along Lisbon Cruise Port’s waterfront, is the start of the Alfama District. The Alfama District is the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, with its origins tracing back to the Moors who ruled the city from the 8th to the 12th centuries. Alfama’s name derives from the Arabic “al-hamma,” meaning “baths” or “hot springs,” referring to the thermal baths that once existed in the area.
Alfama is a maze of narrow streets and alleys and still retains a medieval atmosphere. It was largely untouched by the devastating 1755 earthquake that destroyed much of Lisbon. Alfama is the birthplace of Fado, the melancholic music genre recognised by UNESCO as “Intangible Cultural Heritage”. Fado houses (Casas de Fado) are tucked away in its corners, offering intimate performances of soulful melodies of this traditional music.
Alfama’s colourful tiled buildings, hidden courtyards and panoramic viewpoints (miradouros) make it incredibly photogenic. Add on the iconic #28 vintage tram and you can get an essence of Lisbon in a few hours.
I’ll point out a few must-see attractions in the Alfama District below but reserve some time to walk around and enjoy the district before you return to Lisbon Cruise Port.
2. Lisbon Cathedral
Lisbon Cathedral, also known as the Sé de Lisboa, is the oldest church in Lisbon. Built between 1147 and early 13th century, it’s the iconic landmark of the Alfama District (and also on the #28 Tram route). The imposing twin towers flank the main entrance and there’s beautiful rose windows on the west facade. Once inside, you can see the rose window at its best from the High Choir.
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 7pm (June to October), 10am to 6pm (November to May). Closed Sundays.
- Tickets: €5 adults, €3 for kids aged 7-12 – ticket includes entry to the Treasury Museum
3. Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon
Just opposite the Lisbon Cathedral is the Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon (Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa). The church is built on the supposedly birthplace of Saint Anthony of Lisbon – the patron saint of Lisbon. The original church on the site was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and the current church was rebuilt in a Baroque-Rococo style, eventually completed in 1767.
Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, in 1195, Saint Anthony spent much of his adult life in Padua, Italy and died there in 1231. So Saint Anthony is also known as Saint Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony is often referred to as the “Saint of Miracles” or the “Wonder-Worker”, due to the numerous miracles attributed to him both during his lifetime and his death. June 13th is the Feast of Saint Anthony and it’s a huge deal in Lisbon!
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 7pm. The church is free to enter.
4. Iconic Vintage Tram #28
Tram #28, officially known as the “Elétrico 28”, has become the iconic symbol of Lisbon. The trams used on this route are remodelados, beautifully restored vintage carriages from the 1930s. Their wooden interiors, polished brass fittings, and clanging bells evoke a nostalgic charm, transporting passengers back in time.
The route itself is equally iconic. The route winds its way through Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, including Alfama, Graça, and Baixa. It navigates narrow, cobbled streets, steep hills, and tight corners, offering a unique perspective of the city. The streets the tram goes through are at times so narrow, you can almost lean out and touch the buildings on the side of the street.
My Top Tips on Riding Tram #28
Unfortunately, its fame has also meant that it’s almost impossible to get on one of these trams during summer months. If you’d like to ride this tram, here’s my top tips and how to fit it into your itinerary:
- Hop On at Final Stops: Your best chances of getting on is at the either end of the #28 tram route – Martim Moniz, within walking distance of Castelo de S. Jorge, or at the other end of the route, at Praça Luís de Camões – both are marked on my Lisbon Cruise Port map above.
- Martim Moniz stop is so famous that you’ll usually see a line of tourists waiting to hop on to the next tram. So be prepared to wait or consider riding the tram from Praça Luís de Camões.
- If you stand at a stop in the middle of the route, you may see one completely full tram after another, especially during summer months.
- Be Prepared to Stand: Most tourists, once they get on, ride the entire route. Unfortunately, these trams don’t have many seats. If you don’t get a seat when you hop onto the tram, the chances are you won’t, because not that many tourists will get off mid-way through the ride.
- Early or Late Is Best: If your ship docks early, then consider disembarking early and making this the first thing on your itinerary. Alternatively, if your ship is leaving late and some itineraries even dock overnight in Lisbon, it’s also a lovely trip to do at dusk or at night. I did my ride on an early Sunday morning and I was able to grab a seat.
- Beware of Pickpockets: Unfortunately, wherever a lot of tourists go, so follow pickpockets. So keep your belongings with you on the tram!
- Ride #12 Tram Instead: If you’d just like the vintage tram experience riding through the historic district of Alfama, then ride #12 tram instead. Many tourists don’t know this but the #12 tram also starts from Martim Moniz and ends at Praça Luís de Camões. It’s a shorter route and doesn’t do a big loop up north as Tram #28 but otherwise, drives through exactly the same section of tram tracks in Alfama. It also uses the same vintage trams – see photo above 👆
- Timetables & Routes: See the full tram route on the Carris website here. Timetables here (PDF). Trams run approximately every 7-10 minutes during day time. You can compare #12 routes here.
Tram Tickets:
- Buy Onboard: You can buy tickets on the tram for €3.10 one-way, cash only. You board the tram from the front and alight from the back, so have your cash ready when you board.
- Best Value All Day Ticket: If the tram ride is not the only public transit ride you’ve got planned for your port day, then by far the best value ticket is the 24h Carris / Metro ticket – valid for all buses, trams, metro and funiculars plus the Elevator de Santa Justa.
- Buy It at a Metro Station Machine: You can buy it from any metro station for €6.80 plus €0.50 for a paper Navegante Occasional card to load the fare on. If you’re visiting the Lisbon Cathedral, pop into Terreiro do Paço metro station, a short detour away, to get one. Alternatively, if your ship is docked at Santa Apolonia cruise terminal, then get it at the metro station opposite the road from the cruise terminal.
5. Castelo de São Jorge
Perched atop the highest hill in Lisbon’s historic centre, the Castelo de São Jorge (St George’s Castle) offers panoramic views of Lisbon and the Tagus River. The hill has been fortified since at least the 2nd century BC, with evidence of settlements dating back even further. The Moors significantly expanded the fortifications in the 11th century, establishing it as a powerful stronghold. Following the Christian reconquest in 1147, the castle became the residence of Portuguese kings until 16th century. It’s now a national monument and there’s quite a bit to do:
- Explore the Ramparts: You can walk along the castle walls and enjoy panoramic vistas of Lisbon, the river and the surrounding hills
- Wander the Gardens: Stroll through the lush gardens within the castle walls
- Archaeological Site: Included in the admission ticket is a short guided tour of the archaeological site, to see remnants of earlier settlements, including Roman and Moorish structures
- See the Camera Obscura: Also included in the admission ticket is a 15-minute tour of this unique optical device projecting a 360 degree view of Lisbon (real-time) onto a white surface within a dark room.
- How To Get There:
- Walk: If you’d like to maximise views, the best route to take is to walk through the “Arch do Castelo” (a historical archway) and then follow the pedestrian only path up. You can also take bus #737 (see below) to Castello, then through Arch do Castelo & around the castle. The walk is uphill but it’s not that steep.
- Bus: Bus #737’s final stop is “Castello“, at Rue do Chão da Feira. You can walk up Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo – see the stop marked on my Lisbon Cruise Port Map above. The entrance to the castle is a few minutes’ walk from the bus stop. One-way bus tickets are €2.10
- The bus is the easiest way, with the fewest number of steps to get to the castle. The easiest stop in Alfama is “Sé”, outside Lisbon Cathedral. The last stop is “Castello”. (Route & Timetables here)
- Tram #28: There’s two stops that you can get off to walk from – Santa Luzia Viewpoint or Largo Portas do Sol tram stop. Both are about a 5-minute walk to the castle.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 9pm from March to October, daily 9am to 6pm from November to February
- Tickets: Admission to the castle is €15 adults, €12.50 seniors 65+, €7.50 youth aged 13-25, free for kids 12 or under.
6. Igreja de São Vicente de Fora
Igreja de São Vicente de Fora or the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, was built in the late 16th century. The imposing facade features a central portal flanked by two bell towers. The monastery is most well known for the Royal Pantheon, the final resting place of many Portuguese monarchs and their families. The bell tower & terrace has great panoramic views of Lisbon.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
- Tickets: €8 adults, €6 seniors 65+, €4 youth 25 or under. Free for kids under 12.
7. Miradouro de Santa Luzia
The Miradouro de Santa Luzia may not be the highest miradouro (viewpoint) in Lisbon but it’s certainly one of the most charming and romantic ones. It’s right in the heart of Alfama, on the way back to Lisbon Cruise Port.
The miradouro itself is a beautifully landscaped terrace adorned with traditional Portuguese azulejo (tile) panels. These colourful tiles depict scenes of Lisbon’s history, including the Praça do Comércio before the 1755 earthquake and the Siege of Lisbon. A charming pergola covered in vibrant bougainvillea provides a shaded spot to sit and admire the view. You can also see your ship docked at Lisbon Cruise Port from here.
Adjacent to the viewpoint is the charming Church of Santa Luzia, the headquarters of the Order of Malta in Portugal. Its interior is also adorned with beautiful azulejo panels. The easiest way to get there is by walking downhill after your visit to St George’s Castle. The Miradouro is free to enter.
8. Museu do Fado
Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre characterised by its melancholic melodies, expressive lyrics and poignant vocals. Songs are typically about love, loss, longing and the struggles of everyday life. The Museu do Fado explores Fado’s history, evolution and cultural impact through various interactive displays. There’s historical photographs, musical instruments, costumes and personal belongings of famous Fado singers.
And of course, you can listen to recordings of iconic Fado performances and watch documentaries that delve into the genre’s cultural and social context. Live performances at Fado houses typically start between 6pm to 9pm, which means that many cruisers won’t make it. But if your ship is at port till late (or overnight), here’s one with a 6pm 50-minute show within walking distance of Lisbon Cathedral and another with a 7pm 50-minute show around the corner from Praça Luís de Camões, the end of the Tram #28 or tram #12 route.
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. Open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday.
- Tickets: €5 adults, €4.30 seniors 65+, €2.50 youth aged 13-25 and free for kids 12 or under
Featured Photo by Mo Eid
If you’ve got a port day coming up in Lisbon, I hope that this guide has helped you plan your port day in Lisbon. Stay tuned, as there’s more blog posts coming up shortly about Lisbon! Safe travels and happy cruising! And drop me a line below if you have any questions!
