Which Lisbon Marina?

It’s a long time since I was in Lisbon by boat, but I recall that the marina under the big suspension bridge was very noisy due to the bridge surface making a constant hum with traffic crossing.

The last couple of times, we’ve used Cascais and gone into Lisbon by train which is a frequent service, and cheap. The Maritime Museum (close to the railway) is particularly worth a visit.
 
As per Goldies reply, Cascais used to be lovely, it was possible to anchor in good holding outside the Cascais marina and we’ve done that several times although also berthed in the marina too. Frankly I’ve never felt a need to sail further up as public transport is good & cheap From Cascais to Lisbon. However, it’s several years (10?) since I’ve sailed that way so things may have changed.
 
You will find that there are only two marinas in Lisbon that will provide a short stay of a few days and only one of those usually has room. We thought they were a bit scruffy so we used Cascais Marina which is certainly more classy and a bit more expensive and out of town but we thought it was worth it. In the end we left the boat there for two months earlier this year.
 
First is Cascais, then Oeiras a little further in but rather isolated, then Alcântara (the one below the bridge, there is another one a couple of hundred meters away but usually they do not accept visitors) which has a train station nearby, and Parque das Nações after the town center. I visited them all, but once left the boat at Alcântara, sort of living near a bees nest by the noise of the cars, it's the one I prefer though.
Cascais is a bit like Sanxenxo in Galicia (if you have passed by it): upmarket restaurants, Helly Hansen shops with other kind of jewelleries, etc :D There are often sporting events like SailGP, world/european championships of all sort of boat classes.
 
We anchored off Cascais but I was too tight to pay the marina fees. No-one else had any space on the Lisbon side so we went to Seixel and moored on the pontoon there. Easy and cheap to take the nearby ferry to Lisbon itself. I liked Seixel (it was cheap and working class) but the mate preferred Cascais and it's Disney coloured shops and houses.
 
I stayed on Doca de Alcântara. Going up the river I was so busy taking in the sights that I nearly went into the wrong marina, I knew it was just past the 'Ponte 25 de Abril' suspension bridge, so started heading to the first one I saw which was Doca de Santo Amaro, not Doca de Alcântara, an error quickly rectified!
The access is via a swing bridge, IN on the hour, OUT on the half hour. Good bus service into City Center. The cost of my 5 night stay in 2017 (10mtr x 3.7mtr) was €137.64, not too bad €27.53 a night for a stay at a Capital City.
When I left I went across the Rio and anchor off Seixal, a nice sheltered spot. . It was only a 7 mile hop across and following the buoyed channel, then up past the moorings to anchor in the lee of the wind, you wouldn't think that it is blowing f5 or 6 in the Rio.

Seixal - Evening, LW
Seixal small.png
 
Last edited:
I stayed on Doca de Alcântara. Going up the river I was so busy taking in the sights that I nearly went into the wrong marina, I knew it was just past the 'Ponte 25 de Abril' suspension bridge, so started heading to the first one I saw which was Doca de Santo Amaro, not Doca de Alcântara, an error quickly rectified!
The access is via a swing bridge, IN on the hour, OUT on the half hour. Good bus service into City Center. The cost of my 5 night stay in 2017 (10mtr x 3.7mtr) was €137.64, not too bad €27.53 a night for a stay at a Capital City.
When I left I went across the Rio and anchor off Seixal, a nice sheltered spot. . It was only a 7 mile hop across and following the buoyed channel, then up past the moorings to anchor in the lee of the wind, you wouldn't think that it is blowing f5 or 6 in the Rio.

Yes, forgot it has moorings off the pontoon at Seixel.
 
Phoned all the marinas in Lisbon. All full. We’re in Cascais and my wallet is gasping for breath. Upmarket and expensive…. Cheap winter rates start tomorrow. Only 45 euros a night compared with 55 euros for tonight. Lots of boats anchored and I think I now know why.

You must have a very big boat if Winter rates are €45 a night.

We spent 6 months in Cascais and paid around €300 a month.

- W
 
Phoned all the marinas in Lisbon. All full. We’re in Cascais and my wallet is gasping for breath. Upmarket and expensive…. Cheap winter rates start tomorrow. Only 45 euros a night compared with 55 euros for tonight. Lots of boats anchored and I think I now know why.

That's why we anchor in the bay and dinghy into the marina, which is allowed. We usually use Doca de Belem or Bom Sucesso further down the river but likely full at this time of year when boats are back from the Algarve. Alges marina is fairly recent and Sopromar are involved so likely to be expensive but maybe worth a try - NAUTICAL CENTER OF ALGÉS - Lisbon Shipyard (cnalges.pt)
 
If there are no berths (alledgedly) of you boat size available, many marinas will bump you up to the next size bracket and pump the price. Its a practice I've seen in Spain and Portugal for more than 20 years. Annoying.
 
Top