4.7.5 Cacilhas and Cristo Rei
Across the river from Cais do Sodré, via the shortest ferry crossing in town, Cacilhas is a ferry terminal, part of the city of Almada, with a tram and bus station next to the ferry berth. There are cafés and restaurants just back from the waterfront, plus a small maritime museum which houses the sailing ship Dom Fernando II e Glória, and submarine S164 (these are pay attractions).
But the main attraction for those making the ferry trip over from Cais do Sodré is to visit Santuário de Cristo Rei (Sanctuary of Christ the King), located on a nearby hilltop.
This is outside Zone L, so best bet for those using public transport is to get a separate cardboard Navegante ticket, load it with credit, and use it in Zapping mode. CAUTION if you’re on a Lisboa Card, I’m not sure if it includes the ferry, but it certainly doesn’t include the bus from Cacilhas to Cristo Rei.
Ferry schedule HERE.
Bus 3001 schedule HERE.
The bus terminus at Cacilhas is on the east side of the tram stops.
The bus will accept contactless, and many punters accept the one-off payment of €1.30, rather than the Zapping rate of €0.85. One way on the ferry costs just €1.60.
CAUTION The 3001 is operated by minibuses, which have 24 seats, some tip-up seats at the back, and standing space. They can get very full: standing loads are the rule when the weather is fine, and crush loads happen at popular times. Go early if you can.
The bus terminus at Cristo Rei is outside the entrance to the Sanctuary, which has lots of seating, a picnic area, and a terrace overlooking The Bridge, with views across to the Lisbon waterfront.
THE MONUMENT
For the more adventurous, and not just the religiously inclined, this visit is not complete without a trip up the monument.
The pedestal on which the statue of Cristo Rei is mounted is 82 metres tall, or around 270 feet. The statue, an echo of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) in Rio de Janeiro, rises a further 28 metres. As the monument sits on top of a hill 133 metres above sea level, the view from the platform is, for many, well worth the €8 cost of admission.
CAUTION 1 There will be a queue (line if you prefer) to go up the monument. Mid-week will see waiting times between an hour and an hour and a half. At this level, those waiting will, at least, be on the shady side of the tower. At busy times, the wait can be more than two hours, with many of those waiting out in direct sunlight.
CAUTION 2 The lift (elevator if you prefer) does not go all the way to the viewing platform. There are 74 steps to tackle, and older people may be warned about this beforehand. 58 of those steps must be tackled without rest, as those exiting the lift need to reach the level under the viewing platform before the next group taking the lift back down can descend them.
Why? Because there is very little space outside the top exit from the lift.
What may surprise visitors is that, once the level below the viewing platform is reached, there is plenty of circulating space - and a souvenir shop! A brief rest, then another 16 steps brings you those views over Almada, and over to Lisbon and beyond.
Plus there is the knowledge that the queue for the lift back down to ground level is rather shorter than the queue you had to stand in to go up. As with the shuttle bus from Cacilhas, best get there early.
But the main attraction for those making the ferry trip over from Cais do Sodré is to visit Santuário de Cristo Rei (Sanctuary of Christ the King), located on a nearby hilltop.
View from the terrace
Ferry schedule HERE.
Bus 3001 schedule HERE.
The bus terminus at Cacilhas is on the east side of the tram stops.
The bus will accept contactless, and many punters accept the one-off payment of €1.30, rather than the Zapping rate of €0.85. One way on the ferry costs just €1.60.
The bus terminus at Cristo Rei is outside the entrance to the Sanctuary, which has lots of seating, a picnic area, and a terrace overlooking The Bridge, with views across to the Lisbon waterfront.
For the more adventurous, and not just the religiously inclined, this visit is not complete without a trip up the monument.
The pedestal on which the statue of Cristo Rei is mounted is 82 metres tall, or around 270 feet. The statue, an echo of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) in Rio de Janeiro, rises a further 28 metres. As the monument sits on top of a hill 133 metres above sea level, the view from the platform is, for many, well worth the €8 cost of admission.
CAUTION 1 There will be a queue (line if you prefer) to go up the monument. Mid-week will see waiting times between an hour and an hour and a half. At this level, those waiting will, at least, be on the shady side of the tower. At busy times, the wait can be more than two hours, with many of those waiting out in direct sunlight.
View from the top
Why? Because there is very little space outside the top exit from the lift.
What may surprise visitors is that, once the level below the viewing platform is reached, there is plenty of circulating space - and a souvenir shop! A brief rest, then another 16 steps brings you those views over Almada, and over to Lisbon and beyond.
Plus there is the knowledge that the queue for the lift back down to ground level is rather shorter than the queue you had to stand in to go up. As with the shuttle bus from Cacilhas, best get there early.
[HOME]
Comments
Post a Comment