Lisbon: Sunset Yacht Sailing Tour with Drinks & Cheese

Summary

Sunset sailing by Lisbon’s icons with wine and local crew

You’ll board a luxury yacht in Lisbon for a sunset sailing tour led by a friendly local crew. Sip two drinks and snack on Portuguese cheese as you glide past landmarks like Belém Tower and Commerce Square, hearing stories in your language. The city glows differently from the river—you’ll feel both welcome and quietly awed by Lisbon at dusk.

What’s the experience like?

João, our captain, greeted us with this wide grin—he looked like he’d been on the water his whole life. He handed me a glass of vinho verde before we even left the dock (I probably looked nervous). The boat itself was bigger than I expected, smooth under my feet, and there was this faint smell of salt and something floral—maybe from someone’s perfume drifting in the breeze. Our host switched between English and French without missing a beat; she pointed out Belém Tower as we passed, telling us how it once guarded the city against pirates. I kept thinking about how different Lisbon looks from the water—like you’re sneaking up on it.

The sun started dipping behind the 25th of April Bridge just as we reached Commerce Square. Someone else asked about the huge statue across the river—Cristo Rei—and João told us his grandmother still remembers when it was built. We drifted past Alfama, all those pastel buildings stacked up like they might tumble down any second. There were little pockets of laughter as people tried to pronounce “Padrão dos Descobrimentos” (I gave up after three tries). The cheese plate came out halfway through—salty queijo and slices of chouriço—and honestly, eating that while watching the sky go orange felt kind of unreal.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed. Maybe it was the wine or maybe just being away from traffic for once. The city lights started flickering on as we sailed back; someone played soft fado from their phone but kept it low enough that you could still hear the water slapping against the hull. I caught myself staring at São Jorge Castle up on its hill, thinking about how old everything is here. It’s funny—I booked this sunset sailing tour mostly for photos, but what sticks is that feeling of floating quietly past centuries of stories. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lisbon sunset sailing and sightseeing

• Board luxury sailing yacht
• Receive safety briefing from crew
• Sail past Discoveries Monument
• View Belem Tower
• Pass under 25th April Bridge
• See National Sanctuary of Christ the King
• Explore Bairro Alto and Chiado views
• View St Jorge Castle and Cathedral
• Pass Commerce Square and Old Shipyards
• See National Pantheon
• Enjoy drinks and Portuguese appetizers
• Watch sunset over the water

Top questions

Is this Lisbon sunset sailing tour suitable for families?

Yes, children can join and infants may ride in a stroller or sit on an adult’s lap.

How long does the sunset sailing cruise last?

The Lisbon sunset sailing tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Are drinks included on this yacht tour?

Yes, each guest receives two drinks—options include Portuguese wine, beer, juice, soda or water.

What food is served during the cruise?

You’ll be served typical Portuguese appetizers such as cheese cubes and chouriço sausage.

Which landmarks will we see during the sailing tour?

You’ll pass Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, 25th of April Bridge, Cristo Rei statue, Commerce Square and more.

Is there a guide onboard?

Yes, there are always two crew members: a captain and a multilingual host who provides guided explanations.

Do I need to speak Portuguese to join?

No—the crew offers guided explanations in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you’ll meet directly at the marina for boarding.

What’s included

Your ticket covers two drinks per person (wine, beer or soft drinks), personalized guiding in multiple languages by a local crew of two aboard one of Lisbon’s top-quality yachts (50–58 feet), plus Portuguese cheese cubes served during your sunset cruise before returning to shore together.