Cais do Sodre, Lisbon: Pink Street, Market and River

Cais do Sodré is Lisbon’s riverside transport hub and nightlife district. Trains leave from here for Cascais, ferries cross the Tagus, and Pink Street fills up after dark. It’s also home to the Time Out Market and a long riverside promenade.

Quick answer: come to Cais do Sodré to eat at the Time Out Market, drink on Pink Street, take the train to Cascais or Belém, catch the ferry to Cacilhas, and walk the riverside to Praça do Comércio. See places to stay near Cais do Sodré.

Why go

Sooner or later, almost every visitor passes through Cais do Sodré. It was once a rough port district full of sailors’ bars, and it has turned into one of the liveliest corners of Lisbon. By day it’s about food, the river and transport. By night it’s about bars. It also sits on the flat land by the Tagus, which is a relief in such a hilly city.

Many of the old bars and neon signs are still there, and so many transport links meet here that it’s a good place to get your bearings on your first day.

Things to do

• Time Out Market: a big food hall inside the Mercado da Ribeira, the city’s old market building, with stalls from well-known Lisbon chefs and restaurants. It opened in 2014 and is usually open every day from 10am until midnight, a little later at weekends. It gets very busy at lunch and dinner, so go early or mid-afternoon. See the Time Out Market guide.
• Pink Street (Rua Nova do Carvalho): a street painted pink in 2011 as part of a project to revive the area, lined with bars and clubs. It’s quiet by day and busy late at night, especially at weekends. See Lisbon nightlife.
• Ribeira das Naus: a riverside promenade with steps down to the water, leading to Praça do Comércio. It stands on the site of the old royal shipyards, and it’s a great place to sit with a drink at sunset. The walk takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
• The ferry to Cacilhas: a short, cheap crossing of about 10 minutes, with great views back to the city. From Cacilhas you can eat seafood by the water or take a bus up to the Cristo Rei statue, about 20 minutes away. See ferries in Portugal and Cristo Rei.
• The train to Cascais: a scenic coastal line via Belém and Estoril. The full trip usually takes about 40 minutes, and trains run often throughout the day. See Cascais and Belém.
• Rooftop bars nearby. See Lisbon rooftop bars.
• The Bica lift: the Elevador da Bica, a funicular on Rua de São Paulo, has been closed since the Glória funicular accident in September 2025, along with Lisbon’s other historic lifts. Its steep, photogenic street is still worth a look, but the climb up to Bairro Alto on foot is hard work.

How long to spend

Allow two or three hours by day for the market, the riverside walk and a look around, or plan an evening here. It also makes a natural start or end point for day trips to Cascais and Belém.

A half-day route

• Late morning: walk from Praça do Comércio along Ribeira das Naus.
• Lunch: eat at the Time Out Market.
• Afternoon: take the ferry to Cacilhas and back for the views.
• Evening: sunset by the river, then drinks on Pink Street.

Getting there

Cais do Sodré is on the green metro line and is the terminus of the Cascais train line. Trams 15 and 25 and ferries also stop here, and tram 18 starts here. In 2025 trams 15 and 25 were cut back to Cais do Sodré for a time because of subsidence on Rua da Prata, but in October 2026 tram 15 was running from Praça da Figueira again. Check Carris service changes for the current routes. See Lisbon public transport and Lisbon trams.

• Tickets: a rechargeable Navegante card works on the metro, trains, trams, buses and ferries.
• Cascais line works: in 2026, modernisation works between Caxias and Cascais mean that in the evenings, replacement buses cover that stretch. Check the CP website before a late trip to the coast.
• Driving: don’t. Parking is scarce and expensive, and public transport is better.

Food and drink

Besides the market, the area has plenty of tascas (simple local restaurants) serving grilled fish, bifanas (pork sandwiches) and petiscos (small plates). Try a glass of ginjinha, Lisbon’s cherry liqueur. On the far side of the river, Cacilhas is known for its seafood restaurants.

Drinking on the street is part of the scene, but there are rules. Since 14 February 2026, shops in Lisbon can’t sell alcohol to drink outside after 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, or after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Bars carry on serving inside as normal.

When to go

The riverside is at its best from spring to early autumn, when the evenings are warm. In June, the city celebrates the Santo António festival, with street parties around the old neighbourhoods, especially on the night of 12 June. See the Santo António festival. Pink Street is busiest on Friday and Saturday nights all year round.

Stay here?

It’s central and well connected, but noisy at night around Pink Street. Light sleepers should choose Chiado or the Baixa. See where to stay in Lisbon.

• Tip: watch your belongings in the crowds at night and on busy trams.
• Street sellers: you may be offered drugs on the street at night. Just keep walking.
• Getting home late: taxis, Uber and Bolt are easy to find around the station.

FAQ

Is Cais do Sodré safe at night?

It’s busy and generally fine, but the crowds on Pink Street attract pickpockets. Keep your phone and wallet out of sight, and stay aware if you’ve been drinking.

How do I get from Cais do Sodré to Cascais?

Take the CP train from Cais do Sodré station. The trip usually takes about 40 minutes and you can pay with a Navegante card. In the evenings in 2026, replacement buses run between Caxias and Cascais because of works on the line.

How long does the ferry to Cacilhas take?

About 10 minutes. Boats run frequently through the day, and you can pay with a Navegante card.

Is the Time Out Market worth it?

It’s a handy way to try many Lisbon dishes in one place, but it’s pricier than a local tasca and seats are hard to find at peak times. Go mid-afternoon for a calmer visit.

More: Chiado and Bairro Alto and Lisbon sunset cruises.

See also: the best restaurants in Lisbon and Estrela and Lapa.

Some links in this guide are affiliate or referral links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars, Welcome Pickups, Airalo, Yesim, Saily, Tiqets, Radical Storage, EKTA, AirHelp, Uber). If you book or sign up through them we may earn a small commission or ride credit at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.