If you’re coming to Lisbon on a cruise, you’ll arrive at one of two cruise docks: Santa Apolónia, 1km east of the city’s main attractions, or Alcântara about 3km to the west of the city centre.
While some cruises provide shuttle services between the cruise dock and the city centre, others leave guests free to find their way into Lisbon.
Both cruise docks usually have taxi ranks whenever a ship arrives, and you can return by the same means. There are also hop-on hop-off buses waiting for you, as well as tuk tuks, since these vehicles have become popular among tourists in Lisbon.
Finally, you can use Lisbon’s public transport system, in which case you may need to get a Viva Viagem card.
Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal
Hop-on hop-off buses at Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal
The port in Santa Apolónia is actually walking distance from the city centre – about 10 minutes from Terreiro do Paço and the Baixa neighbourhood. Alternatively, take those hop-on-hop-off buses or tuk-tuk tours to comfortably see all important sites, or use public transport.
Metro: Santa Apolónia (blue line)
Bus: several routes heading west
Alcântara Dock
Besides taxis, hop-on-hop-off buses and tuk-tuk tours waiting for the cruise, there are regular buses and trams on the main road north of the dock. You’ll need to cross the railway track outside the terminal and then cross the square. Head east to the city centre, getting off at Praça do Comércio (aka Terreiro do Paço), or west to the Belém area.
You can also take the urban train from the Alcântara Mar station west to Belém, or east getting off at Cais do Sodré from where you can either walk to the Baixa, or take the metro to your final destination.
Tram: 15, 18
Bus: 728, 714, 732
Train: Alcântara station on Cascais/Cais do Sodré line
Taxi: approx. €5 to city centre
Port of Lisbon’s Website: www.portodelisboa.pt
