Portugal Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
160 ships from 35 cruise lines
Portugal cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 1,048 upcoming sailings on 160 ships from 35 cruise lines visiting Portugal, calling at 26 places. Cruises can start in Lisbon, Porto, Funchal and Ponta Delgada and end in Lisbon, Porto, Funchal and Ponta Delgada. Of 1,057 upcoming sailings, 359 start in Portugal and 343 end there. More Western Europe cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Portugal cruise lines
See every Portugal cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Portugal
Portugal offers a compact, culturally rich river-cruise experience centered on the Douro Valley, bookended by the Atlantic charm of Porto and Lisbon. The Douro is an intimate, small-ship river with terraced vineyards, quintas, and a relaxed pace that suits milestone travelers who want depth without crowds. Add a few independent days in Lisbon and Porto, and you have one of Europe's most rewarding journeys.
Typical routes
- Douro River Cruises: Porto/Gaia to Barca d'Alva and back, passing Régua and Pinhão, often with a motorcoach excursion to Salamanca.
- Iberian Atlantic Coastal Cruises: Lisbon, Porto (Leixões), and Funchal as ports on Atlantic, transatlantic, or Iberia itineraries.
Ports overview
Portugal's river cruising is centered on the Douro, a narrow, terraced river flowing from the Spanish border to the Atlantic at Porto. Ocean cruises call at Lisbon, Funchal, and sometimes Faro/Portimão or Leixões. The Douro is an intimate, small-ship experience—not a mega-ship river.
Cruise season
River cruising runs roughly March through November. The prime months are April–June and September–October, when temperatures are pleasant and the vineyards are green or turning autumn gold. July–August can be hot; November–March has fewer departures and cooler, rainier weather.
Find your Portugal sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Portugal, earliest departure first.
8 Days One-Way from Barcelona to Lisbon
Ends in Portugal. Also visits Spain
L'Austral
13 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Dublin
Starts in Portugal. Also visits United Kingdom, Ireland
Silver Endeavour
13 Days One-Way from Southampton to Barcelona
Visits Portugal. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco
Queen Elizabeth
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19 Days One-Way from Southampton to Istanbul
Visits Portugal. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco
Queen Elizabeth
27 Days One-Way from Southampton to Civitavecchia-Rome
Visits Portugal. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco
Queen Elizabeth
34 Days One-Way from Southampton to Trieste
Visits Portugal. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco
Queen Elizabeth
41 Days One-Way from Southampton to Barcelona
Visits Portugal. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco
Queen Elizabeth
11 Days One-Way from Funchal to Ponta Delgada
Starts and ends in Portugal
Hanseatic Nature
20 Days One-Way from Madrid to Porto-Leixoes
Ends in Portugal. Also visits Spain
SS Sao Gabriel
12 Days One-Way from Rome City to Lisbon
Ends in Portugal. Also visits Italy, Malta, Tunisia
Scenic Eclipse
23 Days One-Way from Rome City to Dublin
Visits Portugal. Also visits Italy, Malta, Tunisia
Scenic Eclipse
17 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Copenhagen
Starts in Portugal. Also visits Spain, France, Belgium
Silver Spirit
Where Portugal cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (4)
Funchal (297) (cruises from) · Lisbon (784) (cruises from) · Ponta Delgada (132) (cruises from) · Porto (274) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (4)
Funchal (297) · Lisbon (784) · Ponta Delgada (132) · Porto (274)
Ships by type: 129 ocean 24 river 14 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Portugal cruise
Portugal cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Portugal cruise port guide →More Western Europe cruises
France · Germany · Netherlands · Spain · Italy · Belgium · Austria · Switzerland
Frequently asked questions about Portugal cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Portugal?
26 Portugal places are visited by 160 ships from 35 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Portugal cruise?
River cruising runs roughly March through November. The prime months are April–June and September–October, when temperatures are pleasant and the vineyards are green or turning autumn gold. July–August can be hot; November–March has fewer departures and cooler, rainier weather.
Sources and further reading
Background on Portugal draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Portugal
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Portugal
- Visit Portugal: Official Tourism Website
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Alto Douro Wine Region
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
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