Lisbon for cruise passengers: What to see and do on a port day

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The mishmash of Gothic grandeur, medieval facades and contemporary conveniences is what makes Lisbon such a thriving holiday destination, especially for cruisers. If you’ve only got a few hours in this ancient port, you’ll need to be savvy with your planning so you can fit in the city’s best attractions during your short trip. Here’s what you need to know.

Here's our handy guide to Portugal's beautiful capital city

Getting your bearings

Lisbon is a popular stop on many Mediterranean and Atlantic cruises, and for good reason. Before you start planning where you’ll be spending your day in this historical melting pot, it’s worth bearing in mind where exactly you’ll be docking and how easy it is to reach the city centre.

There are three main cruise terminals in Lisbon: Alcântara and neighbouring Roche Conde de Óbidos west of the city centre and Santa Apolónia to the east. Both of the former are well connected to the city by the Linha de Cascais commuter train line that takes you to Cais do Sodré metro station, while the latter is just seconds away from Santa Apolónia metro station.

Where to visit

Explore the ruins of Castelo de S. Jorge

Built in the 11th century, the iconic Castelo de S. Jorge sits high up on one of the city’s seven hills and offers not only brilliant views but a chance to learn more about Lisbon’s past. It’s only a short metro ride and walk away from all the cruise terminals, and it’s well worth a visit if you’re a history or architecture lover. As well as the stone battlements and impressive ruins of a former royal residence, it also houses the city’s archaeological museum, as well as a family of peacocks that roam around its beautiful gardens. It’s a bit of walk up the hill to reach Castelo de S. Jorge so make sure you wear comfy shoes. Open Monday–Sunday 0900–1800.

Metro: If you’re leaving from Santa Apolónia, get off at Terriero de Paco station and walk 15 minutes up the hill. From Alcântara and Roche do Conde de Óbidos, get the metro to Rossio and walk the rest of the way.

Have lunch in Bairro Alto

While usually the place to be after sundown, Bairro Alto is also a charming neighbourhood to visit in the daytime too, thanks to its picture-perfect cobbled alleys and range of authentic eateries. Tuck into local tapas that’s infused with exotic spices, enjoy fresh seafood from the Atlantic or try regional specials like bacalhau à Brás, a cod dish served with eggs and potatoes.

Metro: Lisboa Rossio or Baixa-Chiado

Hop on a vintage tram and experience Lisbon like a local 

Take a ride on the quaint trams of the 28 route

Once you’ve filled up on mouth-watering Portuguese fare, hop on one of the famous yellow trams that navigate the twists and turns of the historic 28 route. They’ve been running since the 1930s and take passengers on a journey through some of Lisbon’s most interesting neighbourhoods, from the elegant Estrela with its baroque basilica to the more local Graca. A great way to see the sites, it’s best to board at one of the departure stations like Martim Moniz if you want a seat. Aim to take the tram early or late in the day to avoid crowds. Open Monday–Sunday 0700–2300.

Metro: Get off at Martim Moniz for the departure station.

Eat some Pastel de Nata at Manteigaria

There are plenty of places in Lisbon to sample this famous Portuguese pastry but none do it quite like Manteigaria. It’s a fairly new but small pastelaria near Largo do Camões that just specialises in melt in the mouth pastel de nata. Filled with creamy custard spiced with fresh cinnamon, Manteigaria bake their tarts right in front of you so you know they’re fresh from that day. The café is open Monday–Sunday 0800–0000.

Metro: Closest metro stop is Baixa-Chiado and it’s then a seven-minute walk from there.

The ruins of a Gothic Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

And if you’ve got time, soak up some history at Torre de Belém

As one of Lisbon’s most popular attractions and a UNESCO world heritage site, it would be a shame to miss Torre de Belém. It’s located a little further away from the cruise terminals so it’s best to only visit if you have a whole day to kill or if it’s the only thing you want to see. A 16th century tower that looms down over the estuary of the river Tejo, it was once a defence fortification and played an important role in Portugal’s maritime discoveries. The tour is open Tuesday–Sunday 1000–1730 (October–April), Tuesday–Sunday 1000–1830 (May–September)

Metro: Torre de Belem is best reached by bus. You can take the 728 bus from all three cruise terminals and get off at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. It’s then a 15-minute walk.