In a nutshell
- A boat tour is one of the coolest things to do in Lisbon — the wide Tagus River flows right through the city and the views from the water are seriously stunning.
- We’re walking you through the 7 best Lisbon boat trips: from sightseeing cruises to dolphin-watching tours and even an amphibious vehicle — yes, you read that right!
- Our personal favorite is the sunset sailing tour — that’s when Lisbon looks even more beautiful than it already does.
Is a Boat Tour in Lisbon Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. No matter which boat tour you book, they all follow a similar route along the Tagus River — and it’s seriously beautiful.
You’ll see the city center from the water, cruise past Lisbon’s top attractions like the Christ the King statue, and pass under the Ponte 25 de Abril.
You’ll also take in highlights in Belém like the Torre de Belém and the monument Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
When it comes to Lisbon boat trips, you have plenty of options — we’ll walk you through the coolest ones right now.
Sunset Sailing Tour
Our top pick for Lisbon boat trips is heading out in the evening. The sunsets here are one of a kind and bathe the city in gorgeous warm colors.
From the water, it not only looks absolutely stunning — it makes the whole atmosphere feel truly special.
The sunset sailing tour on GetYourGuide departs from Belém and you’ll spend just under two hours on the water. A drink, small snacks, and unlimited water are included.
If you feel like it, you can even help the crew sail — or just sit back and soak up the views.
Book the sunset sailing tour
Yellow Boat Lisbon
We especially recommend the Yellow Boat tour if you’re already planning to use the hop-on/hop-off buses in Lisbon.
There are combo tickets that bundle the Yellow Boat with the hop-on/hop-off buses — great value if you want to cover a lot of ground.
The Tagus river cruise starts at Praça do Comércio in the city center and lasts just under two hours. Audio guides in English are included, so you’ll pick up some interesting facts along the way.
A real bonus: your ticket also gets you free rides on the tram, funicular, and the Elevador de Santa Justa. That means you can hop on the popular Tram Line 28E without paying extra.
Private Boat Tour in Lisbon
If you’d rather not share the boat with strangers, your best bet is a private boat tour in Lisbon. You get your own personal crew and can explore the sights completely at your own pace.
If you want, you can even spend the whole day on the Tagus and go ashore at various highlights — almost like a private sailing cruise.
Small snacks and a welcome drink are included, and you can add catering as an extra if you want to make a real occasion of it.
We’d especially recommend this one if you’re visiting Lisbon with a group or your family.
Book a private boat tour in Lisbon
Party Boat in Lisbon with DJ
Rather skip the tranquility and party instead? Then book the Lisbon sunset cruise with DJ and open bar. Honestly, the value for money is incredible.
As the name suggests, this one is all about great music and good vibes. Help yourself to wine, beer, sangria, and soft drinks, and celebrate the sunset together with the other guests.
You’ll still cruise past Lisbon’s best-known sights like the Ponte 25 de Abril and the Torre de Belém on this two-hour ride — just with a better soundtrack.
Amphibious Sightseeing
Now for the most unique of all the best boat tours in Lisbon: the amphibious sightseeing tour. You travel in a vehicle that’s both a bus and a boat — yes, really.
The tour lasts 1.5 hours in total. You start by riding the bus through Lisbon’s charming streets all the way to Belém, then take to the water to explore Belém from the river. It’s also a really fun experience if you’re visiting Lisbon with kids.
A guide is on board the whole time, so you’ll learn plenty about Lisbon along the way — a genuinely awesome experience!
Book the amphibious sightseeing tour in Lisbon
Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching
On the dolphin watching tour from Lisbon, you’ll first cruise past the highlights in Belém before heading out into the open ocean.
Out there, you’ll have the chance to spot dolphins — there’s no guarantee, of course, but sightings are possible year-round. Your best odds are between March and November.
Departure is from Praça do Comércio and you’ll be out for about three hours. A guide who shares facts about both the dolphins and Lisbon is also on board.
Book the dolphin watching tour from Lisbon
Budget Tip: Cross by Ferry
Don’t want to spend a lot but still want to get out on the Tagus? Just take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas on the other side of the river.
Ferries run about every 15 minutes and the crossing takes around 15 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €1.50 and you can pay with the Navegante metro card.
On the far bank, you can visit the Christ the King statue or catch the bus to one of Lisbon’s most beautiful beaches, Costa da Caparica.
