Yacht Charter Lisbon

Yacht Charter Lisbon

Yacht Charter In Lisbon

On a Lisbon yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore much of the Portuguese Riviera and Atlantic Coast of Portugal within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Portugal yacht charter, from enjoying the vibrant culture to beautiful beaches, a Lisbon sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

Regularly voted to be among the top five city break capitals of Europe, Lisbon's ancient streets and cosmopolitan culture make for a great place to unwind. One of the great things about the city is that it isn't as popular as other major capitals like Barcelona or Paris. This means that you will see an authentic side of Portugal right from the start.

Inhabited for Millennia thanks to its strategic position on the Atlantic Coast and the sheltered Tagus River, Lisbon has been an important maritime trading capital for much of human history. In the 1500s Ferdinand Magellan completed the world's first round the world voyage out of the city, both a product of the country's maritime might and enabling Portugal to forever be one of the world's most important trading nations.

Today you will find narrow, hilly streets with all sorts of trappings of wealth from empires past, traditional dining and cuisine that will suit every pocket and taste! For those on a yachting holiday you should pay a visit to the riverside district of Belem that is both the greenest part of Lisbon in terms of parks and has the most maritime trading and historical sites in the city. Though it can be a bit busy in high summer, if you enjoy a culture fix, this is not to be missed.

Explore Lisbon By Renting A Yacht

There is so much to take in on a Lisbon yacht charter you are genuinely spoiled for choice. While a sailing holiday to the far off islands of Madeira or the Azores would be better done on a separate sailing holiday, there is plenty to see closer to your Lisbon base.

Sailing from one of the many marinas on the Tagus River you can firstly get to the renowned seaside town of Cascais with its small town feel right next to the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic Ocean coast of the Portuguese Riviera.

The Ria Formosa islands and the nearby port city of Faro, to the south of Lisbon are another great destination on your sailing holiday. The Ria Formosa river estuary and islands, just off the Algarve, are kept for a large part as a national park - in the subtropical climate, a quiet paradise. Faro itself is the capital of the region and though smaller than Lisbon itself is a worthwhile midpoint of a longer sailing holiday out of Lisbon.

To the north of Lisbon is the Douro Valley, the centre of Britain's favourite Port wine production and almost worth a week or two exploring in its own right. Porto is the main urban centre and with the NE trade winds a worthy destination after blasting up the West Coast of the country.

How To Get To Lisbon

Lisbon Airport

Airlines from all over Europe, the US and beyond fly into Lisbon Airport that is just five miles from the heart of the city.

Trains

Lisbon's main train station has national and international services running into it daily - for those who may have a little more time this could be an interesting (and less stressful) way of getting to your charter yacht.

Marinas In Lisbon

As one would expect in such an important maritime city, sailing is a major pasttime here! There are five marinas in Lisbon of any decent size and several smaller anchorages. Let's look at these marinas from the largest to the smallest.

Marina Parque das Nações

Marina Parque das Nações is the newest and largest in Lisbon, capable of taking the biggest mega yachts in the world. It is a yacht charter hub with charter company offering crewed charter and bareboat charter of luxury catamaran, monohull sailing yacht, luxury yacht charter and motorboat charter.

Berth Characteristics:

600 berths

Max Length 230m (754 Feet)

Max Draught 2.4m (7 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Doca de Alcantara

Doca de Alcantara is the next largest in Lisbon. It is a yacht charter hub with charter companies offering crewed charter and bareboat yacht charter of luxury catamaran charter, monohull sailing yacht, luxury yacht charter and motor yacht rental.

Berth Characteristics:

425 berths

Max Length 20m (65 Feet)

Max Draught 7m (22 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Doca de Belem

Doca de Belem is right in the centre of Lisbon and sits within the buzzing Lisbon coast district of Belem. It is a yacht charter hub with charter companies offering crewed charter and bareboat charter of luxury catamaran, monohull sailing yacht, luxury yacht charter and motor boat rental.

Berth Characteristics:

194 berths

Max Length 12m (40 Feet)

Max Draught 3m (10 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Doca de Santo Amaro

Doca de Santo Amaro is the fourth largest in the Lisbon and sits beneath the very busy Ponte 25 di Abril suspension bridge. It is a yacht charter hub with charter company offering crewed charter and bareboat yacht charter of luxury catamaran, monohull sailing yacht, luxury yacht charter and motor yacht rental.

Berth Characteristics:

176 berths

Max Length 20m (65 Feet)

Max Draught 4m (13 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Doca do Bom Sucesso

Doca do Bom Sucesso is the final Lisbon marina of substance and also the westernmost in the city. It is a yacht charter hub with charter company offering crewed charter and bareboat charter of luxury catamaran, monohull sailing yacht, luxury yacht charter and motor yacht rental.

Berth Characteristics:

160 berths

Max Length 15m (19 Feet)

Max Draught 3m (10 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Suggested Sailing Routes From Lisbon

On a longer bareboat charter or crewed yacht charter out of Lisbon you could make the Ria Formosa and Faro or the Porto and the Douro Valley. There is plenty to see on a week long sailing holiday up the Atlantic Coast out of Lisbon. Let's look at a seven day route from the Lisbon coast.

7 Days - Lisbon coast: The first couple of days you will coast hop to Cascais with relatively short sail to Oeiras and day one and then the Portuguese Riviera capital with its beaches on day 2-3. Day 4 is a longer 43NM leg south to Sines on the west coast where you can see the supposed home town of legendary explorer Vasco de Gama. Day 5 you will be doing less time at sea - just 27NM - north to Troia, a beautiful Atlantic Ocean resort. Sesimbra, a quiet yet picturesque fishing village, will be your final port before returning to base on the Tagus.

14 days - the Algarve: This is an opportunity to get to the world-famous Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. Coast hopping to towns on the west coast like Sesimbra and Sines you can then spend time at the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina with its 100km of protected coastal wilderness before turning east and getting as far as Lagos or Portimao on the Algarve. Head back west and then north to Lisbon, having seen some of the best sailing mainland Portugal has to offer.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Lisbon

The hottest time - and the most expensive time of year are the school holiday months of July and August. If you are limited to these months then be prepared to pay a premium on the boat you are hiring and in the marinas you visit.

The sailing season in the country runs from April to October so it may pay to go earlier or later in the year. The weather is still a lot warmer than in Northern Europe - be prepared to smile in your tee shirt as you see locals bundled up in their winter jackets - but you will find the locals warmer toward you, the marinas cheaper and to have parted with less cash on the holiday in the first place. As a tip? October is better than April as the Atlantic Ocean is still warm from the summer months.

The Climate

Portuguese Trade Winds

These build from the morning and can peak at around Force 6 in the afternoon on a summer's day in northern Portugal. This can be boisterous but given the warm weather, always fun! Towards Lisbon and the Algarve Coast you can expect north-westerlies in summer but a lot lighter than what you'd find to the north.

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

What are the Marinas in Lisbon?

There are five large marinas in Lisbon. These are: Marina Parque das Nações (the biggest with 600 berths), Doca de Alcantra (425 berths), Doca de Belem (194 berths), Doca de Santo Amarro (176 berths) and Doca de Bom Successo (160 berths).

When are the best times to hire a boat in Lisbon?

The sailing season in the country runs from April to October so it may pay to go earlier or later in the year. The weather is still a lot warmer than in Northern Europe - be prepared to smile in your tee shirt as you see locals bundled up in their winter jackets - but you will find the locals warmer toward you, the marinas cheaper and to have parted with less cash on the holiday in the first place. Try April or October to avoid the worst of the heat!

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Lisbon?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Lisbon?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Dress for warm weather but do have something for tropical rains - light but waterproof.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a crewed yacht charter you typically don't require licences.