Lisbon Cruise Port: How to Spend a Day Ashore

Lisbon is one of Europe’s best cruise ports. Most ships dock right beside the old town, so you can walk off the gangway and into Alfama. Here’s how to make the most of a day in Lisbon from your cruise ship, whether you go it alone or book a shore excursion.

Quick answer: most ships dock at the Lisbon Cruise Terminal by Santa Apólonia, a short walk from Alfama and the Baixa. Some use the Alcântara terminal further west, closer to Belém. With a day in port, walk Alfama and the Baixa, take tram 28 or a tuk-tuk, and head out to Belém. Or book a Sintra trip, but leave plenty of time to get back. See Lisbon shore excursions.

Where ships dock

• Lisbon Cruise Terminal (Santa Apólonia/Jardim do Tabaco): on the riverfront below Alfama. Walk into Alfama in minutes, or to Praça do Comércio in about 15 minutes along the river. Santa Apólonia metro and train station is next door.
• Alcântara and Rocha Conde de Óbidos: further west, used when the main terminal is busy. Take a taxi or the riverside train into the centre, or head west to Belém.

Check your cruise documents, as the terminal can change.

A day in Lisbon on your own

1. Alfama: wander up through the lanes to the cathedral, the Portas do Sol viewpoint and São Jorge Castle. See Alfama.
2. The Baixa: walk down to Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta and Rossio.
3. Chiado: cafés and pastel de nata. See the best pastel de nata.
4. Belém: take tram 15 to the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower and the original custard tarts. See Belém.

For more ideas, see Lisbon in one day.

Easy ways to see more

• Tuk-tuk tour: covers the hills in an hour or two, and many pick up near the terminal. See Lisbon tuk-tuk tours.
• Hop-on hop-off bus: links the centre and Belém.
• Walking or food tour: see the best Lisbon tours.

Sintra from the ship?

Sintra is about 40 minutes away by car, or longer by train from Rossio station. It’s doable in a long port day, but palace queues and traffic make it tight. A guided tour or private half-day tour with fixed timings is safer than going it alone. See Lisbon to Sintra.

Tips

• All aboard: aim to be back an hour before departure.
• Shoes: Lisbon’s hills and slippery cobbles need good grip.
• Pickpockets: watch your bag on tram 28. See is Portugal safe?
• Money: cards are widely accepted, and contactless works on the metro gates.

More: Porto’s cruise port, Funchal and Ponta Delgada.

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