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At the westernmost point of Europe, Portugal has always had one foot in the sea. In the 15th century, intrepid explorers including Vasco de Gama set forth to discover new continents from its Atlantic ports. Today, those same harbours provide increasingly popular ports of call for cruise ships, their passengers discovering Porto and Lisbon – cosmopolitan, cultural cities ready to welcome them with fine cuisine and fascinating sights.
Cruisers disembarking in Lisbon find themselves at the heart of a city centred on its waterfront. Within a short wander are the narrow, cobbled streets of historic Alfama, Bairro Alto and Chiado neighbourhoods, where signature yellow trams and funiculars will take the strain as they ascend to the many ‘Miradouro’ viewpoints in this city built on seven hills. To the west lies Belem, birthplace of Portugal’s delicious pastel de nata custard tarts, and home to the Maritime Museum and the iconic Monument to Discoveries. To the east lies the Parque das Nações, a striking, modern quarter dotted with green spaces, public art and a host of sights including a vast oceanarium and a science museum. Just half an hour outside the city centre, the beaches of Cascais
PORTUGAL’S CRUISE SUCCESS
Sailing up the Tagus River to Lisbon is a thrilling experience, so it’s no wonder it has been voted Europe’s leading cruise port for the last three years running at the World Travel Awards.
and the fairytale-pretty town of Sintra await.
Colourful Porto pops up from the banks of the Douro, and cruise passengers visiting the old centre can call at the impressive Se Cathedral, opulent Stock Exchange Palace, and the azulejo-lined São Bento Station. Facing this is Vila Nova de Gaia, home to barrel-filled cellars where visitors can taste the port wine named after the city. For those with more time, the charming historic cities of Guimarães, Braga and Viana do Castelo are just an hour away – or the Douro Valley itself, which can be accessed by road or river, if they swap their ocean-going giant for a smaller vessel.
In 2017, Lisbon welcomed 521,000 cruise passengers, 40.5% of whom were British. Of those surveyed by Lisbon Tourism Observatory, 100% recommended the destination, and 97.7% said they intended to return.
Porto Leixões Cruise
Terminal opened in 2015, and its swooping curves have already picked up architectural awards. Welcoming 95,500 passengers last year, this port has the range to grow yet further, with no limits on capacity of passengers in transit and the ability to process 2,500 passengers in turnaround. Its purpose- built long quays have already hosted the biggest ships in the world, up to 320 metres long.
Can’t Skip Portugal World’s Leading Destination
WWW.VISITPORTUGAL.COM
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