While you’re in Lisbon, don’t miss a cruise on the Tagus River. You’ll discover another facet of the Portuguese capital…
The Tagus is without doubt the emblem of Lisbon. More than a thousand kilometers long, it crosses Spain and Portugal; in the bay of Lisbon, it becomes the « Sea of Straw ». It’s called that because of the golden hues it takes on at sunset…
A cruise on the Tagus River is an opportunity to see Lisbon from another angle: from the water, you can admire the different districts, better understand the geography of the city of seven hills, and learn about Portuguese history with a guided tour…
A boat trip on the Tagus River
Photo credit: Flickr – Maria Eklind
Boat trips on the Tagus often start from the port of Bélem, where the city’s guardian, the Tour de Bélem, stands. Nearby, you’ll see the Monument to the Discoveries, built in honor of the Portuguese explorers.
You’ll then explore the north bank – the heart of Lisbon. Here, on the banks of the Tagus, you’ll admire the Baixa district and the immense Praça do Comércio (Trade Square). At the far end is the Quai des Colonnes, a marble staircase leading down into the Tagus. Further up, you’ll pass the historic Alfama district, home to many of the city’s most emblematic monuments. This is where you’ll find St. George’s Castle, which proudly dominates the city from the top of the hill.
On the south bank, you can admire the statue of Cristo Rei (Christ the King), which embraces the Portuguese sky from a height of 110 metres. In front of it is the April 25th Bridge: a suspension bridge built from American steel.
How to choose your Tagus river cruise
Depending on the cruise, prices range from €20 to €45 (approx.). The price of a cruise on the Tagus varies according to several parameters:
- Type of boat: sailboat or motorboat
- Boat size, for more or less intimate cruises (and therefore more or less expensive)
- The length of the tour: companies often offer a choice between a short one-hour loop and a two-hour tour. We recommend you opt for the two-hour tour, which will allow you to explore the entire length of the North Shore.
- Time of day: cruises are often more expensive at sunset… But frankly, paying a little more is worth it: sunset over the Tagus will leave you with incredible memories.
- Extras: some offer a small aperitif
When booking your boat trip on the Tagus, be sure to ask for confirmation that the tour can be taken in French.
One of the most popular cruises is the sunset cruise, where you can enjoy a beautiful evening watching the sun fall over Lisbon from the Tagus.
Photo credit: WikiMedia – Pedro Simões
How do I get to the starting point of the Tagus river cruise?
Once you’ve booked your cruise, you’ll need to get to the departure point. To help you get around, read our article on transport in Lisbon.
- If your point of departure is the port of Bélem, you can get there by bus lines 727, 28, 729, 714 and 751, or by streetcar (the port is not served by the metro).
- If your starting point is the Cais do Sodré terminal, you can reach it by the green metro line.