12 Best day trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is a city full of history, culture, and beautiful landscapes, and it is also the perfect starting point for exploring some of Portugal’s most charming regions.

If you have one or more free days and want to escape Lisbon, we’ve gathered various day-trip options from Lisbon. The possibilities are endless, from stunning beaches to picturesque historic centers, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and even protected natural landscapes.

Whether you want to discover Sintra’s beauty, explore the cliffs of the Serra da Arrábida, or stroll through cities with unique charms like Évora or Tomar, the options are plentiful.

In this article, we present some of the best getaways from Lisbon, perfect for those who want to make the most of limited time and explore what this wonderful region offers just a few hours from the capital.

12 day trips from Lisbon

Sintra

Sintra is undoubtedly the most popular getaway from Lisbon. Located just 30km from the capital, it’s a perfect destination for a day trip or even a weekend getaway, with almost unique attractions in Portugal.

Some of the main points of interest include:

  • Castle of the Moors – Built during the Muslim occupation, it’s a wonderful place in the middle of the Sintra Mountains, surrounded by a charming forest, sparking the imagination and fascination of history.
  • Pena Palace – A colorful palace with architecture influenced by various styles, including Manueline, Moorish, and Neo-Gothic. One of the most famous images of Portugal.
  • Quinta da Regaleira – A Renaissance palace with beautiful gardens, conspiracy theories, and eccentric monuments. It is one of the most visited palaces in Sintra.
  • Monserrate Palace – A magical place where the palace blends Gothic, Indian, and Moorish styles. It is surrounded by a garden with exotic plants, lakes, and waterfalls.
  • Chalet and Garden of the Countess d’Edla—Located within the gardens of Pena Palace, this was Ferdinand II’s residence after the death of the Queen.

The best way to visit Sintra on your own is by train. It takes about an hour, but it takes you to the center of Sintra, so you won’t have to worry about parking or driving. Car circulation is extremely limited in Sintra, with many streets closed off and others one-way.

This article describes the best things to do in Sintra, where to eat, and how to get there in more detail.

A red and yellow castle sits atop a lush, tree-covered hill, offering a picturesque backdrop for visitors wondering what to do in Sintra. The sky above is partly cloudy with a mix of blue and white, perfectly framing the castle's multiple towers and architectural details.
Pena Palace – the most famous attraction in Sintra

Cascais

Cascais is another of the most popular destinations near Lisbon. It combines natural beauty, historical heritage, and a relaxing atmosphere, making it the ideal place for an unforgettable sunset in the late afternoon.

Located about 30km from the capital, Cascais is easily accessible by train, offering stunning views of the Tagus River and the Atlantic coast in just a 40-minute ride. It also has the advantage of being right in the center of Cascais, so you won’t have to worry about parking.

In Cascais, we suggest exploring the charming streets of the historical center, which is full of shops, cafés, and restaurants, and visiting the beautiful Cascais Bay, where you can relax by the sea. If the weather is good, you can even go to the beach, but be aware that these beaches are tiny and extremely popular.

If you enjoy more active outings, we suggest renting a bike and heading to Guincho Beach along the cycle path that runs along the coast. Alternatively, you can take a short walk to Boca do Inferno.

Cascais village near Lisbon - view of the beachfront with an old classic house, some houses, a cliff and some palm trees. The sea is turquoise and there are some fishing boats.
View of the Cascais waterfront | photo by sam741002 via Depositphotos

Mafra

Also about 30km from Lisbon is Mafra, the city known for its UNESCO World Heritage monumental Palace-Convent, one of the most impressive in Europe.

The National Palace of Mafra covers around 4 hectares and has 1,200 rooms, more than 4,700 doors and windows, 156 staircases, and 29 courtyards. Therefore, it can entertain visitors for many hours. Due to its size and exterior beauty, it is obviously an impressive building.

A tour of the interior must include the throne room, the guards’ room, Pedro VI’s room, the hunting room, the dining room, the south tower, the queen’s private chamber, and, of course, the famous Joanine Library, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.

If you still have energy after all of this, you should also visit the Tapada de Mafra. Created by King João V in 1747, the Tapada de Mafra covers an area of over 8 square kilometers and quickly became one of the favorite places for leisure and hunting by the Portuguese royalty and court.

Today, Tapada is a beautiful park where you can walk or bike. It boasts a rich habitat for deer, roe deer, wild boars, foxes, and even birds of prey.

If you only want to visit the palace, you can easily do so by bus, but if you want to visit both the palace and the Tapada, it’s much more manageable by car. Alternatively, you can take an Uber from the center to the Tapada. It’s too far to walk.

Mafra Palace Library with shelves on both sides, it is a place with classic decoration with marble lamps and worked balconies.
One of the most beautiful libraries in Europe is in the Mafra Palace.

Ericeira

Ericeira is one of the best beach destinations near Lisbon. Ericeira is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy the beach. In addition to its beaches, the town boasts a beautiful historic center, cliffs, escarpments, and caves.

Moreover, it is also one of the most iconic surf destinations in Portugal, being one of the few World Surfing Reserves. The region offers waves for all tastes, from world-renowned waves for experienced surfers to surf lessons starting at the beach.

Ericeira is only 60 km from Lisbon, which can be reached by car (in just under 1 hour) or public transport (between 1 and 1.5 hours). If you choose to rent a car, you’ll be able to visit everything easily, but if you travel by bus, you can always rent a bike and explore the area at your own pace along the coastal paths.

Check out our guide to Ericeira here.

Beach and cliff in Ericeira with golden sunset light. It is a beach with white sand and some umbrellas. There are some boats and cars parked on the beach. There is no one on the beach
Fishermen’s beach – the central beach of Ericeira is a beach for bathers and not for surfing.

Peniche (and Berlengas)

Peniche is a fishing village located about 100 km north of Lisbon, a distance that can be covered in about 1.5 hours by car or just a few minutes longer by bus. One interesting fact about Peniche is that it sits on a beautiful peninsula. Did you know that it was an island centuries ago and only later joined the mainland?

Some of the must-see attractions in Peniche include the Peniche Fortress, the bobbin lace museum, the historic center, and, of course, the numerous and varied beaches around the town. Check out our Peniche guide here.

However, if you have time, the biggest attraction in Peniche is Berlengas, a group of islands just a few kilometers off the coast. Berlenga Grande is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal and one of our favorites for hiking, photography, and even the beach. See here how to get to the Berlengas.

Berlenga Island near Peniche. View of the coast with several walking trails, a campsite, a beach with blue water and green vegetation.
Berlengas Island is located a few km off the coast of Peniche.

Nazaré

Nazaré is about 120 km from Lisbon, a distance that can be covered by car in about 1.5 hours or by bus in just under 2 hours via the express network.

Like Peniche and Ericeira, Nazaré is primarily known for its beach and surfing. However, unlike the others, the waves in Nazaré are… scary! During the winter, they regularly reach heights between 25 and 30 meters, and they are even considered the largest surfable waves in the world.

This unique feature attracts big-wave surfers looking to challenge the sea and their courage. Due to the unique properties of the coastline and the promontory formed near the lighthouse, it is possible to watch both the waves and the surfers up close, which attracts many people to this location every year.

In addition to the giant waves, Nazaré is also a beautiful Portuguese village with white houses and narrow streets. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Portugal, both in winter due to the waves and in summer because of the beach. Check out our Nazaré guide here.

view from the Nazare viewpoint: the beach with extensive yellow sand, sea with waves and white foam and many white houses with orange tiles.
View from the Sítio da Praia da Nazaré viewpoint and the village with white houses.

Óbidos

Óbidos is about 85 km from Lisbon but only 25 km from Peniche, a distance that can be covered in less than half an hour. For this reason, it is often visited together with Peniche, both on organized tours and independent road trips. However, using public transportation is a bit more complicated.

Óbidos is known for its cobblestone streets, white houses adorned with flowers, impressive medieval walls surrounding the entire town, and, of course, the castle – an imposing 13th-century structure offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Walking along the walls is an unforgettable experience, but be prepared for narrow paths and high altitudes. In addition to its historical architecture, Óbidos is famous for Ginjinha, a cherry liqueur traditionally served in chocolate cups, the chocolate festival, and its Vila Natal (Christmas Village).

Medieval city of Óbidos, surrounded by stone walls. There is a castle in the city center that is surrounded by white houses and a church. There are some trees scattered around the city
The walled city of Óbidos, about 85 km from Lisbon | photo of Violin via Depositphotos

Serra da Arrábida

Less than an hour south of Lisbon, we find one of Portugal’s most beautiful natural landscapes: the Serra da Arrábida. Foreign tourists sometimes overlook this destination, but the Portuguese are well acquainted with the secrets of this mountain range.

Located between Setúbal and Sesimbra, this region is famous for its lush slopes, crystal-clear waters, and paradise-like beaches, such as Portinho da Arrábida and Praia dos Galapinhos, which are often considered some of the most beautiful in Europe.

The beaches alone would be reason enough to visit the Serra da Arrábida. Still, there are many other attractions, such as the Convento da Arrábida, a 16th-century monastery hidden among the mountains, or the village of Azeitão, known for its Moscatel wine, delicious cheeses, and the famous Torta de Azeitão.

Finally, the Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida and the mountain summit offer unforgettable views of the turquoise-blue sea. It is ideal to have a car to visit all these places, as using public transport would be quite complicated.

A cliff with green vegetation that leads to the turquoise sea with a small white sand beach - To Portinho de Arrábida in Portugal
The beautiful beach of Portinho de Arrábida in the Arrábida Mountains | photo by zittto via Depoisitphotos.

Évora

Évora is the “capital” of the Alentejo and one of our favorite cities in Portugal. It offers various landmarks, attractions, and things to do. Additionally, it is one of the best places to savor traditional Alentejo cuisine.

Évora has roots in various civilizations and peoples, including the Romans, Arabs, Jews, and Christians. Since it was not affected by the 1755 earthquake, it is considered one of the best-preserved examples of a Portuguese city from the 14th and 16th centuries. For this reason, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.

Some of the must-see places in Évora include:

  • Praça do Giraldo – The central square of the city.
  • Rua 5 de Outubro – A historic street full of shops and some restaurants.
  • Aqueduto da Prata – A remarkable 16th-century aqueduct that brought water to the city.
  • Roman Temple – A well-preserved Roman temple despite being nearly 2,000 years old.
  • Chapel of Bones – Perhaps the most famous place in Évora due to its sinister and intriguing nature.
  • Évora Cathedral – One of the most imposing buildings in the city.
  • University of Évora – One of Portugal’s oldest and most important universities.

Évora is over 130 km from Lisbon, making it a relatively long trip, taking about 1.5 hours by either bus or car. There are also many organized tours, as it is an essential destination in Portugal.

We typically suggest spending the night in Évora, either on the way to the Algarve or for a longer getaway. However, if you don’t have time, you can visit the city in a day and see most of it.

Roman temple in Évora made of several white stone columns. The building has no roof, just the external facade. It's a sunny day with blue sky.
Roman Temple in Évora

Almourol Castle

Almourol Castle is one of the most beautiful and iconic castles in Portugal. Its unique location on the Tagus River makes it magical and highly popular. The castle’s history is also quite fascinating, beginning before the birth of Portugal and involving the legendary Order of the Templars.

The castle is well preserved and can be easily visited, but a boat ride is required since it is located on the Tagus River. Here, you can learn how to see the castle and its history.

You can reach the castle by public transport or car. Although the Beira Baixa railway line passes very close to the castle, it is much easier to get there by car. It’s about 130 km from Lisbon, taking roughly two hours by car. By train, you need to change trains at Entroncamento and walk from Tancos (the nearest station).

Almourol Castle is surrounded by water. It is a light brown stone castle built on top of a small hill.
To visit Almourol Castle, you need to take a boat.

Tomar

Located about 140 km from Lisbon, Tomar is one of the farthest destinations on this list, but the journey takes just over 1 hour and 30 minutes. By train, it’s equally straightforward, with direct routes from Lisbon to Tomar that take just under 2 hours.

The main attraction in Tomar is undoubtedly the Convent of Christ, one of the most iconic monuments in Portugal. Founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, this convent showcases an impressive blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architectural styles. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Beyond the convent, the city itself is quite charming, with a medieval-style historic center filled with narrow, picturesque streets. The Castle of Tomar, perched at the top of the city, is another must-visit spot.

Convent of Tomar with several floors and rooms. It is elaborately decorated.
Convent of Christ in Tomar

Fátima

Fátima is located very close to Tomar, making it common to visit both on the same trip. The two towns are about 30 km apart, a distance that can be covered in approximately 30 minutes by car. If you don’t have your own transportation, visiting both in one day might be more challenging, but it’s manageable with Uber or taxis.

The main attraction in Fátima is its sanctuary, which draws millions of visitors annually. The town is globally recognized as a Catholic pilgrimage site due to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in 1917.

The sanctuary complex includes the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Chapel of the Apparitions (where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared), the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, and a vast esplanade that hosts large-scale religious events.

Fátima is primarily a religious destination and tends to resonate more with believers than non-believers. Nevertheless, it’s an important place to understand the role of religion in Portuguese culture.

Sanctuary of Fátima, with a large white church, stairs and several religious statues. In the center of the sanctuary there is a white altar where ceremonies are performed.
Sanctuary of Fatima – place of pilgrimage in Portugal

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