Turnaround Traffic More Than Doubles Compared to August 2025
The Port of Lisbon achieved its best-ever August for cruise activity in August 2026, setting new all-time records for total passenger numbers, transit passengers, turnaround passengers, transit calls, and turnaround calls.
During the month, the Port of Lisbon welcomed 86,322 cruise passengers, an increase of 23% compared with August 2025 and above the previous August record of 73,949 passengers, set in 2024.
The number of port calls also reached a new all-time high, with 33 calls, representing a 32% increase year-on-year and surpassing the previous record of 29 calls, set in August 2008.
The turnaround passenger segment recorded particularly strong growth, with 24,633 embarkation and disembarkation movements, up 117% compared with August 2025. This result exceeds the previous record of 21,292 passengers, achieved in August 2023.
The increase in turnaround operations resulted from significant growth in both embarkations and disembarkations. The number of embarking passengers rose from 5,701 to 12,090 (+112%), while disembarking passengers increased from 5,663 to 12,543 (+121%).
Transit passenger traffic also reached a new August record, with 61,689 passengers, surpassing the previous record of 60,132, set in 2024.
More Turnaround Calls and Reduced Seasonality
August also established a new record for the number of turnaround calls, with nine turnaround calls, exceeding the previous high of eight, recorded in 2009.
As a result of this performance, turnaround traffic accounted for 28.5% of total monthly passenger movements, compared with 16.2% in August 2025.
The strong performance achieved during August also highlights a gradual reduction in the seasonality of Lisbon’s cruise activity, with the summer months attracting increasing demand from major international cruise lines.
During August, the Port of Lisbon also welcomed two vessels on their maiden calls: Explora III, which included Lisbon on the itinerary of its inaugural voyage, and Mein Schiff Flow.
Year-to-Date Results Continue Growth Trend
In the first eight months of 2026, the Port of Lisbon recorded 220 cruise calls, a 6% increase compared with the same period in 2025, and welcomed 448,037 passengers, representing a 2% growth.
The turnaround segment continued to stand out, with 127,194 passengers between January and August, up 13% year-on-year. This segment accounted for 28.4% of total passenger traffic, an increase of 2.8 percentage points compared with the same period in 2025.
The results achieved confirm the positive development of cruise activity at the Port of Lisbon, further strengthening Lisbon’s competitiveness and international appeal as a cruise destination.
