Lisbon is, among other things, famous for its beautiful old city, its cute, colourful buildings and spectacular food. But where should you start your visit? An unusual but effective way to discover this capital is going aboard a Lisbon river cruise. Take advantage of its good weather and travel a different way without getting tired.
Why travel to Lisbon?
If you plan your next trip to Europe, let yourself fall in love with Lisbon, a historic city with a lot to tell. It is a place where the sun reigns up to 290 days a year and its temperature seldom drops below 15ºC.
In Lisbon, you can feel safe walking during the day and going out at night. Here you will learn that the beloved bacalhau (salted cod) can be cooked in a thousand different ways. In addition, in this city you can choose hotels and restaurants for all tastes, budgets and criteria.
Venture into Lisbon, a unique capital where ancestral customs, cultural life and technological innovation intersect: Lisbon is ageless, known for its hospitality and also for the Tagus River.
Tagus River
Even if in many of the photographs of Lisbon, water is an essential element, the truth is that Lisbon does not have a sea. In fact, the water that bathes the banks of its historic centre belongs to the Tagus River estuary (“Tejo” in Portuguese).
What can you see on a Lisbon river cruise?
On a Lisbon river cruise, you’ll enjoy a pleasant journey on the Tagus River while admiring emblematic landmarks of the capital of Portugal such as:
- Praça do Comércio. Where you’ll have the chance to gaze at the sculpture of José I of Portugal and the Arch of Rua Augusta.
- Bridge of April 25. A construction whose materials and red colour are very similar to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It has a length of 2,278 meters, being the world’s third largest suspension bridge over which trains and cars can pass.
- Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT). A futuristic architecture worthy of admiration. Its facade is made up of reflective tiles that show different lighting depending on the time of year and day. Some say that it is a modern interpretation of the tile images so distinctive of Lisbon, the Azulejos.
- Padrão dos Descobrimentos. It means “Monument of the Discoveries” in English. It was built half a century after the death of Prince Henry the Navigator (in 1460). His statue is directly facing the water since he financed an endless number of voyages of discovery, which made Portugal renowned as a historical maritime power.
- Belem Lighthouse. A splendid stone and brick building. It stands at the waterfront, near the Belem Tower. Although it’s closed, it’s preserved as a souvenir of the former navigation system.
- Belem Tower. A 16th-century fortress that has served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to the city.
In other words, it’s a perfect opportunity to watch the city from a new angle, apart from its most iconic places.
Why take a cruise on the Tagus River in Lisbon?
A river cruise is a relaxing, immersive and very pleasant way to travel along inland waterways where you can appreciate amazing landscapes.
In this type of cruise, you can get away from the noise of the streets. On the other hand, you can go sightseeing while having a snack and a drink.
Another advantage that you can find on a river cruise, and that you probably won’t enjoy on another kind of cruise, is the ability to fully immerse yourself in the destinations. This is because small ships can dock directly in the centre of cities.
Conclusion
Now you know why to travel to Lisbon and what to see there. But even more important is that you have learned an excellent way to get to know the city: comfortable, fast and complete. This is how we describe a Lisbon river cruise. If you are going on a trip, do not miss the opportunity to discover your destination on a boat. You won’t regret it!
