Arco da Rua Augusta

The Arco da Rua Augusta is the quickest paid viewpoint to reach from the ship. Walk about 1 km west from the Lisbon Cruise Terminal along the flat riverside road to Praça do Comércio (around 14 minutes); the arch is on the far, north side of the square. The ticket desk and entrance are at Rua Augusta 2, on the Baixa side of the arch rather than facing the square. The arch was completed in 1875 as the ceremonial gateway between the rebuilt Baixa and the river. The interior has been open to visitors only since 2013. A visit is short and predictable. A lift takes you up to the Clock Room, where you can see the clock mechanism and a small exhibition on the arch's history. From there a narrow spiral staircase leads to the rooftop terrace, beside the statues of Glory, Genius and Valour. The view takes in the whole of Praça do Comércio, the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge, the castle hill and the straight streets of the Baixa running north to Rossio. Looking east along the river, you may be able to pick out your ship at the terminal. If your time is short, go straight to the top, take your photos and come down: 30 minutes is enough. Tickets cost €5 on site or online; children up to 5 and Lisboa Card holders go free. It opens at 10:00, and the first hour is the calmest. From late morning to mid-afternoon the small terrace fills up; a traffic-light system controls how many people go up, so you may wait at the stairs. If you are there on the hour, you will hear the clock bell strike at close range. Worth knowing before you pay: this is a relatively low viewpoint. If you plan to go up to the castle or a hilltop miradouro later, you will get a higher, wider view there. The arch's advantage is that it needs no climbing on foot and sits on the flat route between the ship and the Baixa.