The Europe CruiseFor the American voyager

Lisbon

Gateway to Alfama, Baixa, Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Sintra.

Photo: Rodrigo.Argenton, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Most ships dock at Santa Apolónia, next to the old Alfama district, you can walk. If you dock at Alcântara, use the Cascais-line train (4-5 minutes from Cais do Sodré), a tram or a taxi. Lisbon is very hilly.

Getting ashoreShip docks
Distance to townSanta Apolónia: walking distance to Alfama and Baixa (unverified ~15-20 min to Praça do Comércio). Alcântara: about an hour's walk; train/tram/taxi instead.
Gateway forAlfama, Baixa, Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Sintra.
Walk to Baixa / Praça do Comércio from Santa Apolónia15-20 minutes (unverified) · Free
On the chart

Where Lisbon lies

Antique-style chart of The Atlantic Coast with ports markedLisbonAvignonBarcelonaDoverLyonMarseilleParisPortoRotterdamSouthamptonA CoruñaAlicanteBilbaoCartagenaCherbourgCobhFalmouthGuernseyHonfleurIbizaLe HavreMahón, MenorcaPalma de MallorcaPortlandSaint-MaloSèteTarragonaValenciaVigoWaterfordZeebrugge

Where your ship docks

Most ships use the Lisbon Cruise Terminal at Santa Apolónia, next to the Alfama district and Santa Apolónia train station. Some use the Alcântara terminals (Cais de Alcântara, Cais da Rocha Conde de Óbidos) near the 25 de Abril bridge, farther west.

Shuttle. Some lines offer shuttles from Alcântara.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Walk to Baixa / Praça do Comércio from Santa Apolónia15-20 minutes (unverified)Free
Cascais-line train from Alcântara-Mar to Cais do Sodré, tram along the waterfront, or taxi to Center from AlcântaraTrain 4-5 minutesTaxi from Baixa about €6 per one guide (unverified)
Tram 15 or train (unverified) to Belém20-30 minutes (unverified)Unverified

Walk to Baixa / Praça do Comércio from Santa Apolónia

Time 15-20 minutes (unverified)Cost Free
  1. Walk west along the river.

Flat along the river; Alfama behind is steep.

Cascais-line train from Alcântara-Mar to Cais do Sodré, tram along the waterfront, or taxi to Center from Alcântara

Time Train 4-5 minutesCost Taxi from Baixa about €6 per one guide (unverified)
  1. Walk to Alcântara-Mar station.
  2. Train to Cais do Sodré.

Make sure the taxi meter is on.

Tram 15 or train (unverified) to Belém

Time 20-30 minutes (unverified)Cost Unverified
  1. From Praça do Comércio/Cais do Sodré.
Worth the trip

What to see

Alfama and São Jorge Castle

Oldest district; castle views.

How
Walk uphill or tram 28.
Time
2-3 hours
Tickets
Castle paid; unverified

Jerónimos Monastery

Manueline masterpiece (UNESCO).

How
Tram/train to Belém.
Time
1.5 hours
Tickets
Book ahead; Monday closure (unverified)

Belém Tower

Riverside fortress (UNESCO).

How
Belém.
Time
45 minutes
Tickets
Unverified

Praça do Comércio and Baixa

Grand riverside square.

How
Walk.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Free
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. Walk to Baixa.
  2. Tram/taxi up to the castle; walk down through Alfama.
  3. Lunch.
  4. Afternoon Belém.
  5. Back 45-60 minutes early.
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • Steep hills and slippery stone sidewalks.
  • Pickpockets on tram 28.

Do this

  • Wear shoes with good grip.
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

  • Lisbon charges a city tourist tax on overnight stays and a fee for disembarking cruise passengers (amount unverified).

Accessibility

Hills are tough; use taxis/tuk-tuks for the climbs.

Money

Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted. Carry a little cash for small cafes, toilets, and markets.

Onward

More of the The Atlantic Coast

Le HavreFrance Ship docksZeebruggeBelgium Ship docksBilbaoSpain Ship docksA CoruñaSpain Ship docksVigoSpain Ship docksPortoPortugal Ship docksCherbourgFrance Ship docksHonfleurFrance Ship docks
Sources & what we could not confirm · 1 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • Walking times
  • Tram/train prices
  • Cruise passenger city fee amount
  • Monument hours