SOUTH OF THE RIVER TEJO

The most adventurous way to cross the mighty Tejo (Tagus) river is by ferry. It leaves the Cais do Sodré Ferry Terminal in Lisbon, ideally located on the green metro line and terminates at Cacilhas. The ferries are regular. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. These white and orange boats are known as Cacilheiros locally.

Weekdays: 06h00 – 22h45 | Weekends: 7h30 – 22h45
€1.20 | Timetable
Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa - Terminal Fluvial do Cais do Sodré, 1249-249 Lisboa, Portugal.
38° 44' 46.05" N | 09° 05' 50.8" W | +351 210 139 287 |  Website
Once you reach Cacilhas you can catch the number 101 bus from the bus stop opposite which drops you off at the Cristo Rei monument (buy ticket from driver). Timetable

You may wish to spend lunchtime or an evening at Cacilhas. Take advantage of some of the best fresh fish and seafood restaurants in the region. These restaurants have a huge array of dishes on offer, which will go well with a refreshing pint any time of the day. The cafés and restaurants are located alongside the promenade. Here there are amazing views over the river to Lisbon. The variety of dishes available here is extraordinary, however the dish that stands out is Cataplana, a stew cooked in a copper vessel of the same name.

On the water's edge is the former Lisnave Shipyard and is now a permanent home for the Fragata D. Fernando II e Glória wooden-hulled, 50 gun frigate. It was Portugal's last sailing warship, a lasting legacy of Portugal's maritime history. Built in India, it traversed the oceans between Portugal's Indian colonies and Lisbon, with a crew of 400. Sadly in 1963 it caught fire and lingered unattended until 1993. It was restored to its 19th-century glory in time for the World Expo in 1998. Today, the fully restored ship is a museum and sits in a quay at Cacilhas docks, just a few steps away from the ferry station. The ships neighbour in the dock is the Barracuda submarine. Both vessels are open to the public as part of the Almada Naval Museum.

Extending down the west coast South of the River Tejo is the 15 mile stretch of stunning beaches collectively known as the Costa da Caparica. A major draw for locals and their families, it is relatively unknown by foreigners. The majority of the beaches here are family-friendly and are especially busy during school holidays. However, be aware the Praia do Meco at the southern end of the Costa da Caparica beyond the Lagoa de Albufeira is a nudist beach. Also down the southern end is the Arriba Fóssil da Costa nature reserve, where the pristine beaches, along with rare fauna, are protected by law.

It is the northern end that is most built-up. The plethora of beach bars make for a lively night out. That said, the age-old fishing traditions continue here. The daily catch is hauled onto the beaches in colourful traditional small boats and sold directly to the public and local restaurants. The mini-train runs six miles from Costa de Caparica town through less accessible beaches to the small village of Fonte da Telha during the high season. Water sports here are also popular. The waves here offer good conditions for beginner surfers. Regular buses run central Lisbon, starting from Praca do Areeiro (on the Green Metro line) to Costa da Caparica everyday
Timetable | See More [ ► ]