In a nutshell
- A boat tour is simply part of a city trip to Lisbon, as the wide Tagus River flows through the middle of the city.
- Our favorite is a sailboat trip at sunset – in the evening, Lisbon looks even more beautiful than the city already is.
- We now present the 7 most beautiful boat tours in Lisbon: from sightseeing trips to dolphin watching tours and amphibious vehicles – yes, you read that right!
Is a Boat Tour in Lisbon Worth it?
Yes, definitely. No matter which boat tour you book, they all take a similar route on the Tagus – and it’s really beautiful.
You can see the center of Lisbon from the boat, sail past the Statue of Christ and under the Ponte 25 de Abril.
You will also discover highlights in Belém such as the Torre de Belém and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument.
When it comes to boat trips in Lisbon, you have many different options – we show you the 7 coolest boat tours.
Sunset Sailboat Tour
Our top tip is to take a boat tour in Lisbon in the evening. The sunsets in Lisbon are unique and bathe the city in beautiful colors.
This not only looks really great from the boat, but also makes the atmosphere totally special.
The sailing tour from GetYourGuide starts in Belém and you are on the boat for two hours. A drink, small snacks and unlimited water are included in the tour.
If you like, you can even help the crew with the sailing, but you can also simply enjoy the view.
Book a sunset sailing boat tour
Yellow Boat Lisbon
We particularly recommend the Yellow Bus boat tour if you are traveling with hop-on/hop-off buses in Lisbon.
There are combination tickets from Yellow Boat Lisbon with the hop-on hop-off buses.
The boat trip starts at the Praça do Comércio in the center of Lisbon and takes just under two hours. Audio guides in English are included – so you’ll learn something while you’re out and about.
A real plus point of this boat trip is that you can use the tram, funicular and the Elevador de Santa Justa with your ticket. You can also take the popular streetcar line 28E.
Private Boat Tour in Lisbon
If you prefer to go on a boat trip in Lisbon without other tourists, it’s best to book a private boat tour in Lisbon. You’ll have your own personal crew on board and can see the sights at your own pace.
If you like, you can even spend the whole day on the Tagus and go ashore at various highlights – almost like a private cruise on a sailing boat.
Small snacks and a welcome drink are included, but you can also book catering.
We recommend the private boat tour, especially if you are in Lisbon with a group or your family.
Book a private boat tour in Lisbon
Party Boat in Lisbon with DJ
Would you rather party than enjoy the peace and quiet? Then book the boat trip in Lisbon at sunset with DJ and open bar.
As the name of the tour suggests, good music and mood are provided on the boat. You can help yourself to wine, beer, sangria and soft drinks and celebrate the sunset together with the other guests.
Highlights in Lisbon such as the Ponte 25 de Abril and the Belém Tower can of course also be seen on this boat trip.
Amphibious Sightseeing
Now comes the most extraordinary of all boat tours in Lisbon: the amphibious sightseeing tour. Here you are traveling in a vehicle that is a bus and boat in one.
The tour takes a total of 1.5 hours and you first travel by bus through the beautiful streets of Lisbon to Belém. From there, you will take to the water and explore Belém from the river.
A guide will be with you in the vehicle the whole time, so you’ll also learn a lot about Lisbon – a really cool experience!
Book amphibious sightseeing in Lisbon
Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching
On the Tagus river cruise and dolphin watching tour from Lisbon, you will first sail past the highlights in Belém and Lisbon and then out to sea.
There you have the opportunity to see dolphins – unfortunately there is no guarantee, but it is possible all year round. The best chance is between March and November.
The tour starts at Praça do Comércio and takes around three hours. A guide who will tell you more about dolphins and Lisbon is also included.
Book a dolphin watching tour from Lisbon
Saving Tip: Crossing by Ferry
Don’t feel like spending a lot of money on a boat tour, but still want to cross the Tagus River? Then take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas on the other side of the river.
The ferries depart approximately every 15 minutes and the journey takes around 15 minutes. One way costs 1.50 euros and you can pay with the Metrocard Navegante.
On the other side of the river, you can visit the Statue of Christ in Lisbon or take the bus to one of Lisbon’s most beautiful beaches, the Costa da Caparica.
These were our tips for the best boat trips in Lisbon
Have you also done a boat trip in Lisbon? How did you like it? Share your experiences in the comments.