CACILHAS: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER FOR THE BEST VIEW OF LISBON

Like any well-respected European city, Lisbon has its river: the Tagus (Tejo in portuguese). However, it is not simply a river, as Lisbon actually sits on a vast estuary where the Tagus meets the Atlantic Ocean, so what lies before you is an immense stretch of water — and reaching the opposite bank is not so simple. There are several ways to connect the two shores, including two main bridges that have become iconic symbols of the city.

The 25th of April Bridge

The most famous is undoubtedly the “San Francisco” bridge (you are allowed to trick your friends with misleading social-media tags, as it looks identical). This is the 25 de Abril Bridge, named after the date of the Carnation Revolution and now a national holiday. The bridge is exactly 2,277 meters long and provides easy access to Almada, making it the preferred route to reach the nearby beaches of Costa da Caparica. One thing to note: the toll is charged only when entering the bridge, not when exiting. So if you’re surprised to pay on your return, it doesn’t mean you got away with it on the way out, it’s simply a one-direction toll.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The second bridge worth mentioning is the Vasco da Gama Bridge, designed by Armando Rito and completed in 1998 for the Lisbon World Expo. At 12,345 meters long, it is the longest bridge in Europe, linking Lisbon to the A6 motorway toward Alentejo and to the A12, which connects to the A2 heading south to the sunny Algarve. After losing its record in 2018 to the Crimean Bridge, it recently reclaimed its title as Europe’s longest bridge following the latter’s bombing during the war in Ukraine in 2022.

The Ponto Final Restaurant has a gread view over the Tagus River.

That said, the easiest way to cross the river is by ferry. Boats depart every 15–20 minutes from the Cais do Sodré ferry terminal, located just behind the train station. Tickets can be purchased on the spot, or are included if you have a daily public transport pass. The ferry takes you to Cacilhas, the ferry terminal of Almada, a neighbourhood originally built in the 20th century as a residential area for workers in the shipbuilding and cork industries. From here, you can walk along the riverfront all the way to Parque do Rio, particularly enchanting at sunset, when you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Lisbon glowing in the warm colors of the pôr do sol. From the park, the Elevador da Boca do Vento will take you up and after a walk of 30 minutes you can reach the Cristo Rei statue, a smaller but faithful replica of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer.

Along the way, you’ll also find the restaurant Ponto Final, where I highly recommend ordering grilled sardines or the pescado do dia (fish of the day), paired with a refreshing cerveja. Here you will enjoy excellent traditional dishes accompanied by a spectacular view. And the photo you post from here? Guaranteed social-media success.