Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Best Things to Do & Day Trips

LAST UPDATED July 31, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

Lisbon is a large and lively city, but much of it is walkable, especially the historic center.

However, the city is built on hills, and some top sights, like the Belém district, sit a few miles from the cruise terminal. That’s where public transportation can help.

🚋 Public Transport in Lisbon

Lisbon has a well-developed and affordable public transportation network that includes trams, buses, and metro lines. You can check official schedules and maps at carris.pt.

Lisbon Trams

Lisbon’s vintage trams aren’t just practical—they’re one of the city’s most iconic attractions.

• Tram #15 connects Commerce Square to the Belém district. It’s a modern tram and the fastest way to reach Belém. Catch it at Commerce Square, about a 10-minute walk from the New Cruise Terminal.
• Tram #28 is the famous yellow wooden tram. It winds through the historic districts like Bairro Alto, Graça, Mouraria, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, and Madragoa. You can catch it near Rua da Conceição, close to the Fado Museum and Commerce Square.

Lisbon Metro

The Lisbon Metro is one of the cleanest in Europe and the fastest way to cross the city. It has four color-coded lines: Blue, Yellow, Green, and Red.

However, it doesn’t serve the Belém area or some historic parts of town.

• Terreiro do Paço is the nearest metro station to the New Cruise Terminal (just across Commerce Square).
• Santa Apolónia metro station is close to the Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal.

If you want to explore the old town or major landmarks, tram or walking is often a better choice.

Lisbon Buses

Lisbon’s bus network is extensive, and there’s a stop right outside the New Cruise Terminal. You can take the bus to Belém and other areas not served by the metro.

However, buses aren’t ideal for exploring the old town due to narrow, cobbled streets that are inaccessible to larger vehicles. For more info, visit lisbon.net/bus

🚖 Taxis and Rideshare

Taxis in Lisbon are relatively affordable and easy to find. Most are beige, metered, and available outside the cruise terminals. Uber also operates throughout the city and is often slightly cheaper.

🚌 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Lisbon has several Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus services. These are a good option if you want a relaxed way to visit the city’s top landmarks.

• The main operator offers Red, Green, and Blue lines that stop at major attractions.
• Tickets are available through Viator and GetYourGuide.

Practical Info for Cruise Passengers

💳 Currency & Payments

Portugal uses the euro (€). ATMs and currency exchange offices are available at the cruise terminals and in the city. Most shops, restaurants, and taxis accept credit cards.

📶 Wi-Fi & Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi is available at the main cruise terminal and in many cafés around Lisbon. Most tourist areas have strong mobile signal.

I personally always use Airalo eSIM cards when I travel — they’re reliable and easy to set up.

👉 Check Airalo eSIM options for Portugal

✈️ Airport Transfers

Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport) is about 8 km (5 miles) from the cruise port. Travel time by taxi or Uber is around 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

👉 Book a private transfer from the port or airport

🏨 Where to Stay

If you’re spending a night before or after your cruise, neighborhoods like Baixa, Chiado, or Alfama are ideal for sightseeing.

👉 Find hotels near the Lisbon cruise port

🚗 Tours & Car Rentals

Whether you’re staying in town or heading out on a day trip, Lisbon offers plenty of guided tours and rental options.

👉 Explore Lisbon tours and shore excursions
👉 Compare rental cars in Lisbon

🧳 Want More Cruise Port Tips?

My Lisbon guide is just one of many featured in my Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide eBook — packed with practical tips, maps, and local advice for each stop.

👉 Check out the eBook here

Top Things to Do in Lisbon (Near the Cruise Port)

Lisbon is full of history, flavors, and character — and many of its best sights are within walking distance or a short tram ride from the cruise terminal. Here are the top spots to explore during your stop.

🏘️ Explore Alfama (Lisbon’s Historic Old Town)

If you want to experience the real Lisbon, start with Alfama. It’s the city’s oldest district, full of winding streets, tiled houses, and local life.

The cruise terminal is right next to Alfama, so you can walk straight from the ship and dive in.

This area has deep roots — once home to fishermen and sailors during the Moorish and the Age of Discovery times. It’s also the birthplace of Fado, Lisbon’s famous melancholic music.

Alfama is all about atmosphere: small cafés serving traditional food, hidden squares, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Tagus River.

Don’t miss:

• Lisbon Cathedral (Sé) – 12th-century Romanesque church
• São Jorge Castle – sits high above the city with panoramic views
• National Pantheon and São Vicente de Fora Monastery
• Fado Museum – a great stop to learn about Portugal’s iconic music

👉 Browse top-rated Alfama tours here

🏰 Visit Belém (Lisbon’s Monument-Filled Riverside District)

Belém is one of Lisbon’s most popular neighborhoods, sitting along the Tagus River about 8 km (5 miles) from the cruise port.

It’s known for leafy parks, colorful tiled buildings, seafood spots, and three of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks — all within a short walk of each other.

You can reach Belém by tram #15 from Commerce Square, or get there by bus, bike, tuk-tuk, or even a segway for something a bit different.

Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)

Built in the early 1500s to defend the city, this riverside tower is a symbol of Lisbon’s Age of Discovery. Portuguese explorers once set sail from these very docks.

It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can visit inside for a view over the Tagus.

👉 Book skip-the-line entry or a guided tour

Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)

Just a 10-minute walk from the tower, this striking 52-meter-tall monument was built in 1940 to honor Portugal’s great explorers.

It commemorates the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death, the man who helped lead Portugal’s early maritime expansion and sponsored voyages that led to the discovery of the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde.

Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)

Another UNESCO site, this ornate monastery is one of Lisbon’s most important buildings.

Inside, you’ll find the Maritime Museum, which showcases Portugal’s seafaring history and is worth a visit while you’re there.

👉 Join a small-group Belém walking tour with tickets included

All three landmarks — Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and the Monument to the Discoveries — are within a short 10–15 minute walk of each other, and are easy to explore on foot.

Belém also has botanical gardens, local markets, and plenty of cafés and restaurants along the river where you can take a break and soak up the view.

If you want to see more in less time, consider exploring by bike, tuk-tuk, or segway — a fun way to cover the area.

👉 Check out Belém tours and experiences

🏙️ Baixa District (Downtown Lisbon)

Baixa is Lisbon’s historic downtown, located right next to Alfama and packed with grand squares, pedestrian streets, and some of the city’s most important landmarks.

Start at Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), once the city’s main trading hub. It opens to the Tagus River and features a large statue of King Joseph I.

From there, walk through the Rua Augusta Arch, a symbol of Lisbon’s rebirth after the 1755 earthquake, leading to the city’s main shopping street — Rua Augusta, lined with shops, cafés, and pastry spots.

Nearby, you’ll find:

• Rossio Square, home to the Column of Pedro IV and the National Theatre
• Figueira Square, marked by the statue of King John I
• Avenida da Liberdade, a beautiful, tree-lined boulevard with high-end stores

The cruise terminal is just a 10–15 minute walk from Commerce Square, along a scenic riverside promenade.

If you keep walking for about 1.5 hours, you’ll reach Belém and the 25th April Bridge, one of Lisbon’s most iconic sights.

I’ve seen it at every hour of the day, but sunset is by far the most spectacular.

👉 Check out Lisbon walking tours and activities

🛺 Explore Lisbon by Tuk-Tuk

Lisbon is full of narrow, steep cobbled streets that buses and cars can’t reach — and walking uphill in the heat isn’t always fun. That’s why tuk-tuks are such a popular (and fun) way to get around.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, you’ll see plenty of tuk-tuk drivers waiting just outside the terminal, offering all kinds of tours. Most of them are locals who know the city well and will take you to some of the best viewpoints and districts.

Places often included on tuk-tuk tours:

• Miradouro da Graça – one of the best viewpoints in Lisbon, set on the city’s highest hill
• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte – peaceful and panoramic
• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara – with great views over Baixa and the castle
• Rossio Square – one of Lisbon’s busiest spots, home to the Column of Pedro IV, the National Theatre, and the beautiful Rossio Train Station
• Belém District – many tuk-tuk tours also include Belém with its three must-sees: Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, and Jerónimos Monastery

👉 Check out Lisbon tuk-tuk tours and activities

🌊 Hippotrip Amphibious Bus Ride

If you want a fun and different way to see Lisbon, Hippotrip is it. This bright amphibious vehicle takes you on a 2-hour city tour — half on land, half on the water.

You’ll pass landmarks like Commerce Square, Rossio, and Avenida da Liberdade, then head toward Belém. If you’re on a cruise excursion, the tour usually includes a stop to try the famous pastel de nata and sometimes a visit to Jerónimos Monastery.

Then comes the best part — the bus literally drives into the Tagus River. From there, you’ll cruise past the Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, and other riverside sights.

The tour is really popular and spots are limited, so it’s best to book in advance.

👉 Check out Hippotrip tours and tickets

🥮 Taste the Original Pastel de Nata

You can’t leave Lisbon without trying a pastel de nata — a warm, flaky custard tart dusted with cinnamon.

The recipe dates back to the 18th century when monks at Jerónimos Monastery created it using leftover egg yolks.

The original recipe has never been written down, and only a few people know it. Today, the only place that makes them the traditional way is Pastéis de Belém, just down the street from the monastery.

I tried them — and yes, they’re as good as everyone says. 😋

👉 Check out Lisbon food tours and tastings