Lisbon is one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals. When you visit you’ll see plenty of tiles, the historic trams that run along, and more boutique cafés and shops than you can imagine. However, I think that you can cover Lisbon in a few days. What is really exciting about this part of Europe are the day trips from Lisbon.
Within an hour, you could be standing inside some truly colourful castles, relaxing on a gorgeous beach or even just kicking back in nature. My quick guide on day trips from Lisbon has you covered for your next journey to this sunny little corner of Europe. Enjoy.
Day Trips from Lisbon
1. Sintra
Travel time: 40 minutes by train
The first day trip from Lisbon I’d recommend you take is to Sintra. This is a small town on the outskirts of Lisbon and is super accessible. Without a doubt, the most popular destination in this small town is the Pena Palace, and I promise that you will love this colourful castle. It is gorgeous from the outside, has some of the best views of Lisbon and of the Portuguese coastline, and boasts some very pretty gardens. If you want more information, check out my day trip to Pena Palace blog post. It covers all you need to know.
Sintra has a lot more to offer though and is famous for the many castles and palaces dotted around it. The Castelo dos Mouros has some of the most interesting architecture of any castle in Portugal. As the name suggests, it was originally a Moorish stronghold back in the 8th – 12th Century. Nowadays it is arguably a prime contender for the best viewpoint in Sintra. You also have the gothic Quinta da Regaleira (complete with excellent gardens), Palacio National de Sintra and the Monserrate Palace.
2. Cascais
Travel time: 40 minutes by train
Cascais is perfect for people wanting to escape to the seaside. Known as the Portuguese Riviera, this one-fishing village is now a playground for the country’s rich and famous.
I think that this is one of the best day trips from Lisbon. It is perfect for families, romantic days out and for people who just like exploring. There are plenty of beaches to choose from, each of which have their own charm and natural flair. For instance, Praia do Guincho is wild and rugged – not great for swimming, but excellent for waterspouts and beach walks. On the other hand, you can swim next to the iconic lighthouse in the calm waters of Praia Santa Maria.
The town also boasts other attractions too if swimming isn’t your thing. You can check out Boca de Inferno (mouth of hell), a natural archway carved in a cliff where turbulent white water runs through. I must say that this is beautiful, and definitely worth seeing. The town also has plenty of museums, amazing restaurants and cool cafés and markets.
I’ve written a quick guide of what to do in Cascais based upon my times exploring here. Check it out for more information on what to do and how to get here.
3. Estoril
Travel time: 35 minutes by train
This is one that you can either do separately or as part of a day trip to Cascais. In fact, if you choose to do the latter, there is a beautiful promenade walk that separates the two towns. It takes no more than 30 minutes and will give you some of the best views of the Atlantic around. I would also say that the walk isn’t too challenging and there are plenty of opportunities to stop at a café to grab a drink.
Estoril doesn’t have quite as much as Cascais; it is almost like its smaller, shabbier cousin. One big attraction here though is the Estoril Casino. It is one of Europe’s largest casinos but, in my opinion, now looks slightly dated. What attracts people here though is that this is allegedly the place which inspired the Fleming’s Casino Royale; the first James Bond book.
Another good thing about Estoril is that not many tourists venture here. Like I said, most people head to Cascais and stick to those beaches. This means that the many beautiful beaches surrounding this town – such as Tamariz – are much quieter and are more family-friendly.
4. Óbidos: The Medieval Walled Town
Travel time: 1 hour by bus or car
Óbidos is a must-see for anyone interested in European medieval history. The town has retained much of its historical charm; it even has well-preserved castle walls surrounding it. On the topic of the walls, let’s talk about what you need to know. Firstly, do not go anywhere near them if you are scared of heights. The concept of health and safety has not quite reached this attraction. There are no railings and the walkways are narrow. This, plus an up-to-13m drop can make many people uneasy. If you can brave it though, the walk is possibly the best way to see the town. Just make sure that you judge whether it is right for you and your family.
The town is absolutely jam-packed with history. Other great options for people to see include the beautiful Porta da Vila – the gates to the town, accompanied by a very colourful chapel – and, of course, the Óbidos Castle. You can visit parts of this magnificent fortress free of charge, however part of it is now only accessible to hotel guests.
Aside from castles and walls, you can wander along medieval streets and explore the various shops along the way. Òbidos is just beautiful and is well-worth seeing for any tourist.
5. Évora
Travel time: 1.5 hours by train or car
Whilst slightly further afield than some of the others on this list, don’t leave out Évora if you have time. Here, you’ll find a peaceful, small city which is steeped in history dating back to the Romans. There are authentic cobblestone streets adjoined by bright houses which look directly out of a high-end travel magazine.
The feeling of simplicity and relaxation doesn’t end here. If you love your wine, then it might interest you to know that the city is surrounded by vineyards. Whilst obviously they serve plenty of vino, you can also find delicious meals here too.
Aside from wine-lovers, history buffs are also treated in Évora. The Roman Temple is impressive by itself, as is the Cathedral. One quirky addition is the Chapel of Bones, so-called as it is complete with parts of over 500 skeletons.
Top Tip: Whilst one of the best day trips from Lisbon, the city of Évora is a great place to base yourself. There are some really cute villages nearby which are perfect for exploring.
6. Nazaré
Travel time: 1.5 hours by car or bus
Nazaré is a bit of a challenge to get to (you’ll need a car or to take a bus), but it is certainly worth the hassle. Without a doubt, this place is Portugal’s answer to Newquay in Cornwall; it is a surfer’s paradise.
If you aren’t in the mood for watching surfers, or even trying your own hand at it, then this place might still interest you. The seafront is pretty lively and has a really relaxed-vibe. Plus, the waves that can be seen from the various vantage points are absolutely colossal; some of them are even record-breaking.
The town is also what I would call traditionally Portuguese and the architecture is exactly what you’re thinking when you imagine a quaint town in this country. For the best views though, make sure that you catch the funicular up to the Sitio-clifftop. You won’t regret it.
7. Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
Travel time: 50 minutes by car or train
You’ll find Setúbal to the south of Lisbon. It’s a tradition fishing / port city which is excellent for seafood and enjoying a drink by the sea.
If I’m honest though, I wouldn’t spend too much time in the city. The main attraction here has to be the incredible Arrábina Natural Park. The Park mostly comprises of the large mountain range which are covered in lush, green vegetation. As you’d expect, it is highly biodiverse and very beautiful.
The Park is arguably best known for its marine life though and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters here is thoroughly recommended. You can also take boat trips out to see the famous Sado dolphins.
8. Fátima
Travel time: 1.5 hours by car or bus
Fàtima is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites for Catholics. In fact, millions of people visit here every year to honour the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, reported back in 1917.
Whilst this may seem like it is one of those day trips from Lisbon for certain people, I would say that it is worth going even if you are not a believer. The Sanctuary of Our Lady is beautiful, as is the Chapel of the Apparations. It offers something very different when compared with the other day trips on this list.
9. Tomar
Travel time: 1.5 hours by car or train
Portugal once was ruled by the Moors and, as shown above, many of the cities reflect this. However, the Knights Templar overthrew them and established a Christian country here. One of the main powerhouses of the Knights Templar was Tomar.
If you like this part of history, then Tomar is perfect for you. The main attraction is the Covent of Christ, the previous home of the Order. It is a truly impressive building and seemingly goes on forever. Inside you can learn more about the mysterious knights that once lived here and visit their places of worship. Nearby is also the famous Tomar Castle, another highly-impressive building which was strategically placed to prevent the Moors advancing deeper into Europe. Nowadays you can also walk the walls to get impressive views over the surrounding country.
Aside from history, Tomar has lots of other things going for it. You have the main street – Rua Serpa Pinta – where you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants.
10. Mafra National Palace
Travel time: 50 minutes by car or bus
Last but not least, we have Mafra. The main attraction here is of course the Mafra National Palace, one of the most famous and grandest in all of Portugal. The site itself is vast and the architecture is a perfect baroque example. Inside, there is also one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Seriously, I cannot explain how beautiful it is – you just have to see it.
Final Thoughts | Day Trips from Lisbon
There are so many good day trips from Lisbon; you really have everything you could want. There are nearby beaches, famous landmarks, surfer paradises, history hotspots… The list goes on!
If you’re reading this, why not check out my ultimate guide on what to do in Lisbon? It goes over everything you need to know and is the perfect accompaniment to this post.
