Lisbon Afloat

One of the most extensive waterways in the Iberian Peninsula, the mighty River Tagus cuts through Lisbon on its route to the Atlantic, creating an abundance of opportunity and experiences. It is the flowing heart of the city and plays host to several activities and attractions for locals and visitors alike. Here, the team at Visit Lisboa (visitlisboa.com) highlight some of the best things to do on its banks and waters.

Step back in time in Belém

Home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the pretty riverside district of Belém gives a fascinating window into Lisbon’s past. Home to many of the city’s most popular attractions, including the iconic Torre de Belém which was once a gateway to the city, the breathtaking Mosteiro dos Jerónimos which dates back to the 1500s and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) on the water’s edge, the district also boasts a number of picturesque parks, tree-lined plazas and scenic riverside walks.

A riverside neighbourhood of futuristic design

Redeveloped in 1998 to accommodate that year’s World Expo, Parque das Nações (Park of Nations) is one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods. Known for its futuristic design and striking examples of contemporary architecture, the area offers wonderful views of the Tagus from its waterfront promenade. In the area, visitors can discover Europe’s longest bridge – the Vasco da Gama Bridge, and largest indoor aquarium – the Oceanário, alongside a wealth of striking urban art and enchanting gardens. For a birds-eye view, the Telecabine Lisboa cable car runs between the Oceanarium and Vasco da Gama Tower offering 10 minutes of uninterrupted river vistas. 

Get close to nature

South of the river on the city’s doorstep is the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve, Portugal’s biggest wetland and one of the most important refuges for migratory birds in Europe. A sizeable area of marshes and freshwater lagoons, the area provides a home to hundreds of bird species with more joining as they rest on their migration south. In autumn, thousands of brightly coloured wild flamingos flock to the reserve, alongside egrets and eagles that hunt along the river banks. To catch a glimpse of this natural spectacle, visitors can walk the 5km of trails throughout the area, dotted with hidden hides for secret viewpoints to watch the birds in their natural habitat. A visitor centre is also available for those wanting to learn more about the area and local conservation work.

Take the water from the Sul Sueste Station

The art deco-inspired Sul Sueste Station on the Tagus riverfront, first opened in 1932 but more recently renovated in 2021, is home to a fleet of tour providers offering sightseeing excursions, taxi boats and hop-on hop-off trips along the river. Inside the station is the Tagus Centre, an interactive space that explores the history of the river, using technology such as multimedia presentations and holograms of people connected to the river to bring the waterway’s past to life.

Enjoy some downtime at the Doca da Marinha

In recent years, the Doca da Marinha on the north bank of the river opened to the public for the first time in its history and is now a popular space for both Lisbon locals and visitors to relax by the water. The space provides fantastic views of the water and features a large lawn, cycling path, event space and kiosks serving an array of snacks and light meals. In the marina, a fleet of traditional boats provide a diverse range of river journeys from floating pontoons.

Waterside dining

Many of Lisbon’s waterside neighbourhoods offer fantastic dining options, from the restaurants and cafes of Praça do Comércio Square to the lively waterfront bars and eateries of Parque das Nações, but one of the trendiest places to dine by the river is in the old port district of Alcântara. Sitting beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge, the area is known for its series of early-20th-century warehouses in the Docas de Santo Amaro marina. Restored in 1995 and transformed into an array of eateries and cool rooftop bars, many of the warehouses showcase views across the water to the 110m tall Santuário do Cristo Rei statue of Christ on the south bank of the Tagus. A short walk from the marina is the LX Factory, a renovated former industrial complex and one of Lisbon’s hottest foodie addresses, home to restaurants, coffee shops, stores and art exhibits.  

For more information, ideas and inspiration on visiting Lisbon, please go to www.visitlisboa.com.