Lisbon is a departure city for many cruise lines because of its location on the Atlantic. It is the capital of Portugal and boasts beautiful architecture, green boulevards, museums and shopping districts. It makes for an accessible departure point and as a port of call it offers many diverse attractions.

Major Cruise Lines

Lisbon is the departure city for many well known cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Windstar and Crystal. Other cruise lines know to the avid “cruiser” that depart from Lisbon are UniWorld, MSC Italian, Pull Mantur, Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania. All offer the amenities one would expect from a full service cruise ship and offer 8 night cruises on up to 30 night voyages. Exotic ports of call may include Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, the Caribbean Isles, Monte Carlo and Rome. One such cruise to check out is Crystal’s “Connoisseur Adventure” that concentrates on locales know for the wine, architecture, and flair. Cities such as Lisbon, Barcelona, Tangiers and Bordeaux are among the highlights on this ship.

Mini Cruises

If Lisbon is your destination, try a Tagus River cruise or “mini cruise”. These cruises are about 4 hours in duration and take you down the Tagus River, the largest river on the Iberian Peninsula. Lisbon overlooks the Atlantic and the Tagus so a river cruise is an ideal means of viewing some of the city’s most impressive features. Cristo Rei, the huge statue of Christ, is best seen from the river and Belem Tower, erected to defend the city in the 1500’s, is also on the river. Mini cruise information can be found at most of Lisbon’s major hotels. Pick up and departure is scheduled from these same hotels and the cruises run upwards of about $40 per person.

Sailing

Whether you like to sail or just like being out on the ocean, these cruises are a gorgeous way to enjoy the sights of Lisbon. Choose from an afternoon cruise for 2 (plus the skipper) or a 1-day cruise. Want to sail for a longer period? Sailing cruises are also offered up to 7 days. Be as involved as you wish to be or just sit back and relax. Sail on the Atlantic or up the River Tagas, or both. Sailing lessons are offered if you need to learn or just need a refresher on the basics. These cruises run from April through October and information may be found at any local hotel or tourist information center. Motorboat tours are also available.