Lisbon Boat Tours
Lisbon Boat Tours
Enjoy a memorable experience sailing across the Lisbon’s Tagus River on a calm and relaxing boat tour!
This is a short guide about the Lisbon Boat Tours.
Types of boats in Lisbon
The most common option for the Lisbon Boat Tour is the sailing boat, as it is an amazing and relaxing experience on a silente boat with friendly crew to show you the great views over the city and it’s monuments. Below we present you three options for the tours.
Boat tour duration
Duration: 2 to 8 hours.
Suggested durations:
a) Regular boat tour: 2/3 hour
b) Family boat tour: 3 hours
c) Anniversary/boat party: 4 to 6 hours
d) Relax boat day: 4 to 8 hour
Routes of the boat tours
ROUTE 1
Duration: 2 or 3 hours
This route covers the most emblematic icons in Lisbon.
The boat will depart from Belém (close to the tower of Bélem) and you will enjoy from close the wonderfull views over the city.
Also, you will experience going under the bridge 25 April. The Commerce Square is another highlight seen on this route. Finally the Christ King monument is breath taking, absolutely amazing seen from the water.
ROUTE 2
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
This route considers the route 1 plus some extra miles, to visit the modern area of Lisbon “Parque das Nações“.
The departure happens from the same area. This big bay into the Tagus River, is known for having calm waters, different species of birds and fish and stunning views over the old part of Lisbon (called Alfama).
If you have time it’s an amazing option!
Beach Routes
Anchor Area 2
The beautiful village of Cascais is just 2 hours away from Lisbon, sailing close to the shore.
This area is wind protected most of the year which is great for a beach tour.
Anchor Area 1
From Belém to this location the boat will take around 45 minutes. It’s a calm area, mostly used for events between 3 to 6 hours.
It’s also wind protected area most of the year.
NOT SURE WHICH TOUR TO CHOOSE ?
For boat tours in Lisbon, we suggest the regular sailing trip, as it is the first choice for those visiting this city. The routes can be customized as the boat will be booked as a private event, however it is important to pay attention to the duration and distance you plan to do.
The triangle that we normally make between Belém-Lisboa-Cristo Rei takes about 2 hours at normal speed and 3 hours slowly. Now, if you want to take a trip to Parque das Nações, Oeiras or Cascais, these are longer events. If you are not sure which duration to choose, send us an email and we will respond as quickly as possible.
Boat Tour Itineraries in Lisbon
Tower of Belém, located in the estuary of the Tagus river in Lisbon, was built between 1514 and 1520. It was used as a defense tower in Lisbon. It’s windows close to the water were used to place the cannon in the direction of the lower part of the boat. The cannon balls would do a ricochet effect over the water, hitting the boat on the lower part, closer to the water, so it would sink faster.
This Tower is one of the main icons of Lisbon, it receives more than 1 million visitors each years and it was classified by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Furthermore, on this Lisbon boat tour, you will have the opportunity to view the city from the water, which is one of the best angles for pictures in Lisbon together with the beauty of the Tagus River!
This monument was first constructed in 1940, for the world Portuguese Exhibition.
As a matter of fact, it was originally build with wood as a temporary monument. Twenty years later it was rebuilt in cement and rose stone. It represents a ship with three sails, full of Portuguese historical figures from that time. In the front we have Infante Dom Henrique holding a small vessel called Caravela. He was the big mind behind the Portuguese Expeditions.
In addiction, there is also the poet Luis de Camões, Vasco da Gama, crusaders, monks and cosmographers. Inside you will find an space with temporary exhibits, and there i salso an elevator that can take visitors to the top of this monument. It’s the perfect view for a photograph of Belém area. Amazing pictures can be taken from the boat, for sure the best angles!
This monument is inscribed on the UNESCOS world heritage list. As a matter of fact, it was founded by King D.Manuel I and it’s located on one of Lisbon’s most noble areas in Belém. This monastery still preserves most of the structures that contributed for it’s world recognition, so it’s definatly a most go! Visits to the Jeronimos Monastery:
October to April -> From 10 am to 5:30 pm (last entry at 5 pm) May to September -> From 10 am to 6:30 pm (last entry at 6 pm) The monastery closes on Mondays and on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1st May and 25th December.
This amazing palace was constructed in the 18th century, when King John V planned to build a summer residence in Ajuda area, very close to Belém. After the big earthquake in 1755, which destroyed 70% of Lisbon, including the Royal family residence, in Praça do Comércio (Ribeira Palace), this building was used by the Royal family as the main residence, as it was higher and more protected from future natural threats. Inside you will find amazing collections of decorative arts from the 15th century to the 20th century. When to visit? The amazing Ajuda Palace is open from 10:00 until 17:00 every day, except for Monday and public holidays. Prices: Adult 5€, Child 3€ and free every Sundays between 10am and 2pm. The best way to get there is catching a tram, electric scooter of Tuk Tuk. Amazing pictures can be taken from the boat!
This bridge was inspired on the Gold Gate bridge in San Francisco. You will be amazed with the details of it.
Commerce Square is located in the city of Lisbon, near the Tagus river.
The name of this square is also known as Terreiro do Paço square, because here it was located the Royal Family residence, until it was destroyed in 1755. In the light of this tragic day, this square was reconstructed under the guidance of the architect Marquês de Pombal, also responsible to remodel all the destroyed parts of Lisbon. This square was build in the 16th century, when King D.Manuel I build a new royal residence, the Ribeira Palace, by the Tagus River.
Here it was also build the port Ribeira das Naus. The name, Square of Commerce, came from the importance of this port to the economy of Lisbon, as the boats were unloading it’s goods in there.
The bronze statue in the middle, represents King José I, it was inaugurated in 1775, designed by Joaquim Machado de Castro. This square has been classified as a National monument of Portugal since 1910.
The best way to see the square is from the river, it’s again, on a boat tour!
The boats stop right in front of the square, where you will be able to see the different hills of Lisbon and the St Jorge Castle, in Alfama.
The pictures taken from here are uniquely amazing, made for memorize this amazing experience!
The best pictures for this monument are from the water. The angles are stunning. On the picture gallery we will show you a few. A bit of history now: Construction of the Christ the King monument was first approved in a Portuguese Episcopate meeting, on April 1940. It represents mainly a plea to God for releasing Portugal from entering in World War II. However, this idea had originated earlier on a visit of the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1934, soon after the inauguration of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in 1931. In Brazil there is the famous Christ Statue called Cristo Redentor built in 1922 and finished on 1931.
