Lisbon's cruise terminals are about as central as it gets: the main Jardim do Tabaco terminal and the older Santa Apolónia berth sit right on the Tagus waterfront, within walking distance of Alfama and the historic centre. Most passengers simply walk in, though the metro's Blue Line and taxis are both close at hand if the hill up into Alfama puts you off.
Where ships actually dock
Lisbon operates two adjoining cruise facilities. The purpose-built Terminal de Cruzeiros de Lisboa at Jardim do Tabaco, opened in 2017, handles most modern calls and has its own terminal building with duty-free shops and a rooftop terrace giving a 360-degree view over the river, worth a look if you're waiting to disembark. The older Santa Apolónia berth sits a short walk away, right across from Santa Apolónia railway station. Both are only around a kilometre from the edge of the historic centre — considerably closer to the action than most European cruise ports, and one of the reasons Lisbon is an easy port to do independently.
Walking into Alfama and Baixa
From either terminal, it's a walkable 15–20 minutes along the riverfront into the lower streets of Alfama, and not much further to the Baixa grid and Praça do Comércio. The catch is the hill: Alfama's oldest lanes climb steeply from the water, so while getting to the foot of the old town is flat and easy, exploring it on foot from the port means tackling some genuinely steep, cobbled streets. Comfortable shoes matter more in Lisbon than in most cruise ports.
Metro and the famous tram 28
The Blue Line of the Metropolitano de Lisboa has stations at Santa Apolónia and Terreiro do Paço, both within easy walking distance of the terminals, and connects onward to Baixa-Chiado and the rest of the network in a few stops. If you'd rather ride than walk the hills, tram 28 — Lisbon's famous vintage route through Alfama, Graça and the Baixa — can be picked up from stops a short walk from the port, though it gets crowded fast in peak season and pickpocketing is a known risk on the busiest carriages. See our guide to Lisbon's trams and metro for routes and tickets.
Taxis and rideshare
Taxis and ride-hailing pick up at both terminal buildings and are the easiest way to reach a hotel, the airport, or a viewpoint like Miradouro da Graça without the climb. Fares are metered and short rides within the centre are inexpensive; agree or confirm the fare basis before you set off if you're using an unmetered private transfer instead. For groups or anyone with mobility concerns, a taxi from the gangway is by far the most comfortable way to start a port day in a hilly city.
Onward from Santa Apolónia by rail
Santa Apolónia isn't just a metro stop — it's also one of Lisbon's main railway stations, sitting right beside the cruise berth. If you're extending your trip in Portugal either side of the sailing rather than flying straight in or out, this is where trains north to Coimbra and Porto depart from, making a rail add-on genuinely convenient on an embarkation or disembarkation day. See our guide to Lisbon to Porto for timings and ticket options.
A realistic port-day plan
Alfama, the Sé Cathedral and the Castelo de São Jorge viewpoint are all realistic on foot from the port if you have most of a day and don't mind the climb — budget more time than the map suggests, since Lisbon's hills slow everyone down. Praça do Comércio and the Baixa shopping streets are flatter and closer, a better bet if your call is short or the weather is hot. Belém, with the Jerónimos Monastery and the famous pastéis de nata, is a genuine highlight but sits several kilometres west along the river and needs a tram, bus or taxi each way — only realistic on a longer call, and worth building the return journey time into your plan rather than assuming you can walk it.
If Lisbon is your embarkation or disembarkation port
Many transatlantic and Iberian cruises start or end in Lisbon, and the airport is only around 8 km from the port — a taxi takes roughly 15–20 minutes depending on traffic, making it easy to combine with a same-day flight. See our guide to Lisbon airport to the city if you're spending a night before or after your sailing, and our Lisbon to Sintra guide if you have a full extra day to add the palaces to your trip.
Combining Lisbon with other Atlantic and Iberian ports
Lisbon often appears on itineraries alongside Southampton on repositioning and transatlantic routes, or alongside Palma and the western Mediterranean on Iberian coastal cruises. See our guides to the Southampton cruise port and the Palma de Mallorca cruise port for the same kind of honest, port-day planning elsewhere on the same kind of routes.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the cruise terminal from central Lisbon?
Only around a kilometre. Both the Jardim do Tabaco and Santa Apolónia terminals sit right on the waterfront at the edge of Alfama, an easy walk into the historic centre.
Can I walk from the cruise port into the old town?
Yes — it's flat along the riverfront and takes 15–20 minutes to reach the foot of Alfama. Exploring the old town itself involves steep, hilly streets, so pace yourself.
Does the metro go to the cruise terminals?
The Blue Line's Santa Apolónia and Terreiro do Paço stations are both within easy walking distance of the terminals, giving quick onward connections into the rest of Lisbon's metro network.
How do I get from Lisbon airport to the cruise port?
A taxi is the simplest option and takes roughly 15–20 minutes over about 8 km. Public transport is possible but usually means a metro ride plus a walk, so most passengers with luggage choose a taxi.
Sources and further reading:
- Port and terminal information: Porto de Lisboa.
- Metro routes and tickets: Metropolitano de Lisboa.
- Trams and buses: Carris.