Lisbon on the other side of the river: What to do?

Although the Portuguese capital – Lisbon – includes a geographical area only in the north area of the Tagus river, the truth is the Lisbon Metropolitan Area encompasses several municipalities on both sides of the river.

In the south of the Tagus river, you find a quieter lifestyle than in the city of Lisbon, conducive to a greater sense of peace and tranquility, greater contact with nature and magnificent views of the Portuguese capital.

If you are tired of spending your holidays in busy cities, find out what to do in Lisbon on the other side of the river!

1. Dive into paradisiacal beaches

The south side of the Tagus River is full of crystalline and white sandy beaches, surrounded by stunning vegetation. Visiting Coelho Beach, Creiro Beach, Portinho da Arrábida or Galapinhos Beach, in Setúbal, or going to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach and Bicas Beach, in Sesimbra, will make you think you’ve arrived in the Caribbean when in fact you are in Portugal.

Although the water temperature is not the hottest, remember that it is summer, and a refreshing dive will always feel good!

2. Contemplate Lisbon from another perspective

Seeing Lisbon on the other side of the river will make you fall in love with the Portuguese capital! Lisbon is even more beautiful when viewed from the south of the Tagus river, giving you a broader perspective of the dimensions of the city. You will also be able to observe several of Lisbon’s monuments in Belém area, such as the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower.

The Panoramic Elevator of Boca do Vento and the Christ the King Monument, in Almada, are the best places for you to see Lisbon and the Tagus estuary from a new perspective!

3. A trip through the Arrábida mountain range

About 40 kilometers from the historic center of Lisbon is the Arrábida mountain range, an authentic paradise for nature lovers and perhaps one of the most visited places on the other side of the Tagus river.

You can cross Arrábida by car or even by bicycle, observing the characteristic fauna and flora of the mountain, beaches with breathtaking landscapes, caves and even convents and castles with hundreds of years. During the trip, you can also stop at several viewpoints just to enjoy the scenery and take some photos!

4. Explore the two shores of the Tagus river on a boat trip

To know Lisbon on the other side of the river, but also the whole coast of the city, take a trip on the Tagus river in one of the tour boats that depart daily from the Alcântara docks.

There are sailing routes for all tastes, including trips where you can observe both sides of the Tagus river and emblematic places like the Christ the King Monument, the  25^th of April Bridge, Terreiro do Paço and the Belém area.

These boat tours can be totally personalized to your needs, with bar and catering service and music on board, and you can organize various private events on board such as birthdays or bachelor/hen parties.

With so much to discover on the other side of the Tagus river in Lisbon, start packing now and visit these places during your holidays in Portugal!