Making the most of Lisbon
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The 15 km sail up the Tagus River into Lisbon is a highlight in itself. Three landmark monuments are especially visible from the water: Belém Tower, built in 1520 to protect the city; the Monument to the Discoveries, built in 1960 for Portugal's explorers; and Cristo Rei, the vast Christ statue reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro. The great suspension bridge over the river also recalls the Golden Gate, having been built by the same company.
Lisbon has four cruise terminals: 1. Alcântara (TPA), 2. Rocha Conde de Óbidos (TPR), 3. Jardim do Tabaco (JTAB), and 4. Santa Apolónia (TPSA and TPSAJ). Terminals 3 and 4 are also known as the (New) Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which is the one used most often.
Use this information to check which terminal your ship is due to use.
Buses, the 15E tram and the underground connect the docks with town. A hop-on/hop-off bus is usually the easiest choice.
Call at the staffed tourist desk for tickets, complimentary maps and answers to your questions.
Airport transport is available in both directions.
Take a printable map with you.
A ride on Lisbon's old wooden trams is memorable. No. 15 runs from the centre to Belém, while No. 28 heads to Alfama; both are among the most scenic routes. They can be crowded when a large cruise ship is in port, so travel early or later in the afternoon.
Fado is Lisbon's defining song, born from a distinctive feeling and a soul that is better experienced than explained. It remains one of Portuguese popular culture's most genuine and distinguished expressions, and its singular character often surprises visitors to Lisboa.
A straightforward Lisbon guidebook can be useful, as this great city offers so much to see and taste.
Getting around
Lisbon is a world-class city with a great deal to see. The Lisbon Hop-on Hop-off Tour may be the most effective way to cover the highlights in one day, with a stop directly outside each of the four cruise terminals: Map.
Red line: Alcântara and Rocha Conde de Óbidos terminals. Blue line: Apolonia terminal.
3 tours generally cost about 20 euro in total: a general city route and journey down from the bridge (Red tour); a route to the Expo site and its very large shopping centre, stopping at 10 (Blue tour); and a tour through the old town (Green or Purple tour). Note that both the red and blue tours use red buses, so check the sign carefully.
Public transport can be the cheapest and most efficient way to move around Lisbon. Buses serve much of the city, antique electric trolley cars run through districts including Alfama and Baixa, and funiculars handle the steep hills. The Metro is modern, fast and efficient. For a Lisbon in one day itinerary, bus 728 serves every cruise terminal; leave it at Praça do Comércio, the waterfront centre, and buy your ticket from the driver. Bus 728 also calls at Parque des Nacues, the Oceanarium, the telecabins and the casino.
Oriente Station has multilingual ticket machines and staffed ticket offices, with a modern shopping centre next door.
For better value, buy an unlimited 24 hour pass covering metro, tram and bus services. It costs €6.00 and is available at metro stations, but not on the tram.
Lisbon is hilly, and its pavements are largely cobbled, making them unsuitable for wheelchairs and similar needs.
Taxis are plentiful and comparatively inexpensive for independent travel. A car is more hindrance than help within Lisbon, although a hire car can be worth considering for trips beyond the city, including Queluz's sumptuous summer palace, elegant Sintra, and the coastal-resort beaches of Cascais, Estoril and Guincho.
Trains for Sintra leave Rossio station and several other Lisbon stations every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 40 minutes. Given the limited time in port, a cruise excursion may be the better choice.
From Alcantara Mar, address: Av. da Índia, trains run to Cascais and Estoril in 30 minutes.
Nearby places
Consider Cascais, Estoril and Sintra for nearby visits.
Do not miss Lisbon's vast underground art gallery, which artists have been extending for about 5 years across the whole city.
Food and shopping
Baixa is Lisbon's main shopping district, close to de Praca do Comercio, where shuttle buses set passengers down.
Bairro Alto, the upper city, is the most popular area for eating out. Its typical small local restaurants are called tascas, offering a real taste of Lisbon life.
The waterfront at Doca de Santo Amaro also has many lively fish restaurants.
Lisbon's food ranges from polished city-restaurant menus to simple fishermen's home cooking. Fresh fish and shellfish are abundant, so seafood lovers are especially well served.
Pork, lamb and steak are common on menus alongside dishes shaped by Portugal's former African, Asian and Oriental colonies, which may appeal to more adventurous diners.
Portuguese wines and ports are highly drinkable, while fresh fruit and vegetables add to the varied food scene. Pastry lovers should not leave Lisbon without trying Pasteis do Belem, flaky tartlets filled with a custard-like cream.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
Portuguese is the local language.
WiFi is provided at the cruise terminal.
The Lisboa Welcome center stands in Baixa's old quarter at Praca do Comercio. It includes an "Ask Me" tourist-information desk, the gourmet restaurant "Terreiro do Paço", the café "Espaço Contínuo" and an art gallery. At the Artesanato do Tejo handicraft shop, find paintings, ceramics, fire arts, woven pieces, lace, CDs and books on Lisbon, Portuguese gastronomy and tourist guides.
An internet cafe is on the second floor of the Tourist Information Office at Palacio Foz, Praca dos Restauradores.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are generally Mon-Fri 0900-1900 and Sat 0900-1300. Shopping centres usually open Mon-Sun 1000-1900 or later, and major city stores follow the Sunday hours used by the centres.
Banking hours are generally Mon-Fri 0830-1500, although certain Lisbon banks stay open until 1800.