Lisbon: Tram 28, Belém & Pastéis de Nata

Lisbon is one of Europe’s most underrated cruise ports — affordable, beautiful, and packed with character. The city sprawls across seven hills overlooking the Tagus River, with pastel-coloured buildings, rattling vintage trams, and a food scene that punches well above its price tag. It’s also one of the cheapest capital cities in Western Europe.

Port Overview

Location: Lisbon Cruise Terminal (Terminal de Cruzeiros de Lisboa) — located near the Santa Apolónia area, a short walk or taxi ride to the Alfama district Currency: Euro (€) Language: Portuguese — English widely spoken in tourist areas Getting Around: Trams, Metro, buses, taxis, and Uber (very cheap). The city is walkable but extremely hilly Typical Port Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (varies by itinerary) WiFi: Free WiFi in many cafés and public squares Budget Tip: Lisbon is remarkably affordable. A full meal with wine can cost €10-15, and many of the best experiences are free or nearly free Lisboa Card: 24-hour card (€22) includes unlimited Metro/tram/bus, free entry to 30+ museums, and discounts on others. Worth it if you plan to visit Belém and ride Tram 28

Free vs. Paid

Free Activities

Alfama district — Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood. Narrow winding streets, tiled facades (azulejos), laundry hanging between buildings, and fado music drifting from doorways. The most atmospheric walk in the city
Praça do Comércio — Grand waterfront square with yellow arcades opening to the Tagus River. The gateway to downtown Lisbon
Tram 28 route on foot — Can’t get a seat on the tram? Walk the route instead through Graça, Alfama, and Baixa. Same views, no crowds
Miradouros (viewpoints) — Free panoramic viewpoints across the city. Best ones: Miradouro da Graça, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Miradouro de Santa Luzia (Alfama)
Belém waterfront walk — Stroll along the Tagus past the Tower of Belém and the Monument to the Discoveries
Rossio Square & Baixa — Downtown Lisbon’s elegant squares and pedestrian streets. Great for people-watching
LX Factory — Converted industrial complex with independent shops, street art, bookshops, and food stalls. Free to wander, fun to browse
Street art in Mouraria — Multicultural neighbourhood next to Alfama with incredible murals and authentic local restaurants

Paid Experiences

Pastéis de Belém (€1.30 per tart)

THE original pastéis de nata shop, baking since 1837
The recipe is a closely guarded secret — only 3 people know it
Eat them warm, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar
Expect a queue outside, but the dining room inside is huge and moves fast. The line looks worse than it is

São Jorge Castle (€10)

Moorish castle perched on Lisbon’s highest hill
Incredible 360-degree views over the city and river
Worth the entry for the views alone, even if you skip the museum inside

Jerónimos Monastery (€10, free first Sunday of the month)

Stunning Manueline architecture in Belém
UNESCO World Heritage Site — the cloisters are breathtaking
Go early to avoid tour bus crowds

Tower of Belém (€8)

Iconic 16th-century riverside tower, symbol of Lisbon
Beautiful from outside (free). Interior is small — only worth entering if you want to climb for the view
Combo ticket: €12 for Tower + Monastery (saves €6)

Tram 28 (€3.00 single / free with Lisboa Card)

The famous yellow tram that rattles through Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods
Get on at Martim Moniz (the start of the line) for a seat. Mid-route stops are standing-room only
Watch for pickpockets — the crowded tram is a known target
Or skip the tram and walk the route. Honestly, it’s better on foot

Time Out Market (meal prices vary, €8-20 per dish)

Lisbon’s famous food hall at Cais do Sodré
Top chefs in market stall format — everything from seafood to steak to pastéis de nata
Busy at lunch, but worth it for the variety

Best Strategies

For First-Time Visitors

Start in Alfama — Walk uphill from the cruise terminal through the oldest streets in the city
São Jorge Castle — Views are unbeatable. Go early before tour groups arrive
Tram 28 or walk the route — Through Graça and Alfama
Lunch at Time Out Market — Try a little of everything
Afternoon in Belém — Tram 15E or taxi (20 min from downtown). Tower, Monastery, and pastéis de nata at the original shop
Walk back along the waterfront or taxi to the port

For Budget Travellers

Walk everywhere — Lisbon’s best experiences are in the streets, and they’re free
Alfama + miradouros — Spend the morning wandering and viewpoint-hopping
Lunch at a tasca — Local restaurants in Alfama and Mouraria serve full meals for €7-10
Pastéis de Belém — €1.30 for one of the best food experiences in Europe
Skip paid museums — The exterior of Belém Tower and the Monastery cloisters from outside are beautiful
LX Factory — Free to explore, great for photos and browsing

For Food Lovers

Pastéis de Belém — Non-negotiable. Eat at least two, warm, with cinnamon
Bacalhau (salt cod) — Portugal’s national dish, served 365 ways. Try bacalhau à brás (shredded with eggs and fries)
Bifana — Pork sandwich in a soft roll, drenched in garlic sauce. Street food perfection. Try it at Casa das Bifanas near Praça da Figueira
Ginjinha — Sour cherry liqueur served in a tiny cup at hole-in-the-wall bars. The most famous is A Ginjinha near Rossio Square (€1.50 a shot)
Time Out Market — Sample dishes from Lisbon’s top chefs
Seafood in Alfama — Grilled sardines, octopus, and fresh fish at tiny local restaurants

Sample Day

Classic Lisbon Day

8:00 AM: Walk from cruise terminal into Alfama
8:30 AM: Wind through Alfama streets, stop at Miradouro de Santa Luzia for photos
9:30 AM: São Jorge Castle (opens 9:00 AM, arrive early)
11:00 AM: Walk downhill through Alfama to Praça do Comércio
11:30 AM: Ginjinha shot at A Ginjinha near Rossio
12:00 PM: Lunch at Time Out Market
1:30 PM: Tram 15E to Belém
2:00 PM: Jerónimos Monastery
3:00 PM: Pastéis de Belém — eat them warm with cinnamon
3:30 PM: Walk to Tower of Belém (photos from outside)
4:30 PM: Taxi or tram back to cruise terminal
5:30 PM: Return to ship

Budget-Friendly Walking Day

8:30 AM: Walk into Alfama, get lost in the streets (this is the plan)
10:00 AM: Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for panoramic views
11:00 AM: Walk the Tram 28 route downhill through Alfama and Baixa
12:00 PM: Cheap lunch at a local tasca in Mouraria (full meal under €10)
1:00 PM: Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta arch
2:00 PM: Walk or cheap tram to Belém
3:00 PM: Pastéis de Belém (€1.30 each — budget-friendly bliss)
3:30 PM: Walk the Belém waterfront — Tower and Monument from outside (free)
4:30 PM: Return to port
5:00 PM: Back on ship

Practical Tips

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes with grip — This is critical. Lisbon is built on seven steep hills, and the cobblestone sidewalks (calçada portuguesa) are beautiful but slippery, especially when wet
Sunscreen — The sun reflects off all those white and pastel buildings
Light layers — Lisbon can be breezy near the water, even on warm days
Small crossbody bag — Pickpockets operate on Tram 28 and in crowded tourist areas
Cash — Small shops, ginjinha bars, and some tascas are cash-only. €30-40 is plenty

What NOT to Bring

High heels or sandals without grip — You will regret this on the cobblestones
Heavy backpacks — You’re climbing hills all day. Go light
Expectations of flat terrain — Accept the hills. Embrace the hills. The views are the reward

Getting Around

Walking — The best way to experience Alfama, the Gothic Quarter, and Baixa. But be prepared for hills
Tram 15E — Runs from Praça do Comércio to Belém. Flat route along the waterfront
Tram 28 — Famous but extremely crowded. If you ride it, board at Martim Moniz for a seat
Metro — Clean and efficient, but doesn’t reach Alfama or Belém well
Uber/Bolt — Very cheap in Lisbon (€5-8 across the city). Great option when your legs give out on the hills
Lisboa Card — Worth it if you plan to visit Belém attractions + ride trams. Otherwise skip it

Food & Drink

Pastéis de nata — Custard tarts with crispy, flaky pastry. Pastéis de Belém is the original, but every bakery in Lisbon makes them. Always eat warm
Bacalhau — Salt cod prepared in hundreds of ways. Try bacalhau à brás (shredded with eggs, onions, and fries) or pastéis de bacalhau (cod fritters)
Bifana — Thin pork cutlet in a garlic-sauce-soaked roll. Portugal’s best street food
Ginjinha — Cherry liqueur. A shot costs €1.50 at the famous A Ginjinha bar. Ask for “com ginja” (with a cherry) or “sem ginja” (without)
Grilled sardines — Iconic in summer, especially during June’s Santo Antonio festival. Smoky, oily, perfect with bread
Vinho verde — Light, slightly sparkling Portuguese white wine. Refreshing and cheap
Francesinha — A Porto specialty but available in Lisbon. Meat-stuffed sandwich drenched in cheese and beer sauce. Not light, but incredible

Don’t Miss

Pastéis de Belém — The original custard tart shop. Warm, dusted with cinnamon, absolutely perfect
Alfama streets — Get lost on purpose. Every turn reveals tiled walls, hidden squares, and laundry lines
Miradouro da Graça — The best free viewpoint in the city, overlooking the castle and river
Ginjinha shot — €1.50 for a uniquely Portuguese experience at a 200-year-old bar
São Jorge Castle — For the views, not the museum
Praça do Comércio — The grand waterfront square that makes you fall in love with Lisbon

Skip If Short on Time

Sintra day trip (gorgeous but takes a full day — save it for an extended stay)
Oceanarium (excellent, but far from the centre and takes 2+ hours)
Bairro Alto nightlife (only comes alive after 10 PM — not a port day activity)
Elevador de Santa Justa (the famous lift has a 45-minute queue for a 1-minute ride — walk up instead for free)
National Tile Museum (interesting but niche — skip unless you’re passionate about azulejos)

Lisbon is pure charm — a city that feels like a village, where a €1.30 custard tart can be the highlight of your day. Wear good shoes, embrace the hills, eat everything, and don’t rush. The best moments here happen when you wander without a plan.

Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Tram 28, Belém & Pastéis de Nata