Things to do in Lisbon: Tagus River Sunset Sailing

Lisbon is Portugal’s hilly and coastal capital city. From its imposing São Jorge Castle, the view surrounds the city’s pastel-colored buildings, Tagus Estuary and also Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge.

Tourists fall in love with the old districts like Mouraria, Graça and Alfama and you will soon understand why. Visitors here wander the steep cobbled streets of the bohemian Bairro Alto to ride the Bica Funicular, then they visit the lavish São Roque Church and later on take in the views from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Many of the houses from the old Lisbon are decorated with vivid street art. Moreover, after sundown, a diverse crowd fills the city and the quirky bars, while the sound of Fado music is heard from traditional restaurants.

Photo: Tagus River Sunset Sailing.

Although it is placed on seven hills, Lisbon is a pedestrian-friendly city and you can truly appreciate its charm by walking. Still, one day is not nearly enough time to experience the wonders of this ancient and majestic city.

Photo: The Jeronimos Monastery. Lisbon.

Lisbon´s Alfama quarter is one of the oldest and the most historical part of the Portuguese capital. Medieval in character, the Alfama is the most atmospheric neighborhood and it is the ideal place for visitors who want to get their first impressions for this city.

In this quarter you can visit the imposing Castle of São Jorge, the Sé Cathedral, or the church of Santo António (which is the city’s favorite saint), among other places. Besides, Lisbon’s most popular flea market can be found in the heart of the Alfama.

Photo: Street Artists in Lisbon.

The trams in Lisbon are a very useful mean of transport and at the same time are one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Portuguese capital counts with 5 different routes and 58 trams, out of which 40 are vintage streetcars. The most famous tram in Lisbon is Tram 28 that goes from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique.

Photo: Lisbon´s tramway.

The lifts or elevators from Lisbon are funiculars that help people climb the steep and long slopes from the city in a comfortable and convenient way. Listed as national monuments, they have survived due to the hills of the capital.

Lisbon counts with 3 funicular railways: Glória, Bica, and Lavra.

The streets in the Portuguese capital make for great vintage photos. As a matter of fact, the photos in Lisbon that include the funicular trams are very representative.

Whether you love dancing or you prefer laid-back socializing, there are many great things to do in Lisbon at night. Artistic, multicultural, and progressive, Lisbon has something for everyone.

Photo: Lisbon at night. Yann Cœuru. Adapted under license (CC BY 2.0)

Photo: Lisbon’s Pink Street.

Known as Rio Tejo in Portuguese, the Tagus River is one of the longest rivers from the Iberian Peninsula. This river has been important for both Spain and Portugal from the economical point of view.

The Tagus River is one of the top attractions in Portugal. Due to the stunning views that it offers, it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. If you want to enjoy the river, take a ride on a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing boat, bike along, or book a sunset cruise.

Photo: The Tagus River. Lisbon.

The Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge) is a steel suspension bridge that crosses the Tagus River in Lisbon and connects the city with Almada. Very similar in design and coloring with the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, this bridge was inaugurated in 1966 and it is the 23rd largest suspension bridge in the world.

In 1969, various scenes from James Bond were shot on this bridge. Nowadays tourists are looking at this landmark as something worth seeing.

Photo: 25th of April Bridge. Lisbon.

A city seen from the water has a different charm and Lisbon makes no exception. The Tagus River crosses the city and flows into the ocean at its end. So, it comes as no surprise that there are several boat services crossing it.

A cruise on the Tagus River is the most charming way to discover Lisbon and the beauties of the city.

As you may guess, there are several companies offering cruises along this river. So, itineraries, time, and rates may change. Some cruises only last 90 minutes, while others can last up to 2-3 hours. Moreover, some evening cruises include an appetizer and wine tasting, or dinner with local products.

Photo: A cruise on the Tagus River.

A sunset cruise will reveal you the main highlights of Lisbon by boat. The cruise should take place during the most magical time of the day: sunset. While relaxing on board, this cruise in Lisbon will take you near some of the most important monuments of the Portuguese capital.

This way, you can discover the Castle, Alfama, and the Cathedral. Going forward, you´ll pass by the Belém Tower, the Electricity Museum, the Bridge 25th of April, and the “Christ the king” from Lisbon. As you can see, you will admire important monuments while you see an unforgettable sunset.

Photo: Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Lisbon.

Discover the magic of seeing the end of the day aboard and experience unforgettable moments. Discover Lisbon from a different perspective as you sail on the calm waters of the Tagus River. This trip can be perfect for couples or groups that want to see the beauties of Lisbon in the evening. On a calm evening, sailing the river may be a great way settle yourself after a long day.

Photo: Sailing in Lisbon.