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Lisbon: when your ship stops here

A tower on the Tagus, a monastery with a 55 metre cloister, and a hilltop castle over the old quarter.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Lisbon has an estimated 658,236 people within its city limits as of 2025. A cruise port guide says the port has five docking areas on the north bank of the Tagus. The Alcantara terminal is 4.8 km (3 miles) from the city centre and has a shuttle bus and a taxi rank, while the Jardim do Tabaco quay is the closest berth, with a walk of less than 15 minutes.

Sources: Wikipedia: Lisbon; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Lisbon

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Belem Tower

    A 30 m (100 foot) tower of four storeys in the Portuguese Manueline style, finished in 1519 to guard the mouth of the Tagus. It was also the place explorers sailed from and returned to. It joined the UNESCO list in 1983 with the Jeronimos Monastery.

    Tip: Our sources do not say how far Belem is from the berths, so ask your ship before you set out.

    Source: Wikipedia: Tower of Belem

  2. 2. The Jeronimos Monastery

    Begun on 6 January 1501 for the Hieronymite monks, who stayed until 1833, in late Gothic and Manueline style. Vasco da Gama's tomb is in the lower choir of the church, and the square cloister measures 55 by 55 m.

    Tip: The monastery and the tower are both in Belem, so plan them as one outing.

    Source: Wikipedia: Jeronimos Monastery

  3. 3. Sao Jorge Castle and Alfama

    The castle stands on a hill in the centre of the city, with walkways on its walls and towers and a large terraced square with a panorama of Lisbon. Beneath it lies Alfama, the oldest district of the city, which survived the earthquake of 1755.

    Tip: Wear shoes for hills and old paving, since the castle is on a hill.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Sao Jorge Castle; Wikipedia: Lisbon

What to skip

  • Sintra on a short call

    Sintra lies west of the city, and our sources give no travel time from the port. Only book it as a ship tour with a guaranteed return.

    Source: Wikipedia: Lisbon

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Lisbon

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Lisbon, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 5, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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