I love Lisbon, but I also love to explore the surrounding cities. Based on my personal experience, I have listed my favorite day trips.
So, whether you want beachy vibes from Cascais and Costa da Caparica or a more fairytale story from Sintra, I have you covered.
1. Cascais
Enjoy the best beach days by heading west to Cascais. When I visit Cascais, I usually take an Uber, but today, it’s become a bit expensive, so take the train. Trust me when I say it’s worth visiting Cascais.
Cascais has some incredible beaches, with beach volleyball, stations to work out, and ice-cold water to bathe in. You can also view the noble mansions lining the waterfront. Every summer, locals and tourists visit this town.
Bring your beach towel and a light umbrella and walk the cobbled streets. At Santini, enjoy homemade gelato, wander through the town’s main garden, or visit the 16th-century chapel and museum.
Other attractions include the Santa Marta Lighthouse and the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. For the best ocean views, head to Guincho Beach.
Hot Tip🔥: Make Cascais part of a 3-day trip in Lisbon. Remember sun protection. I caught my worst sunburn ever in Cascais.
2. Sintra
The first time I visited Sintra, I took the train to the station and walked from the station to the beautiful castles; I don’t recommend this, though, unless you’re up for a long walk.
Instead, take a bus to the city center; from there, you can walk. I do not recommend car travel, as the town has limited parking. Head to the old town to explore the 14th-century Palace of Sintra.
It used to be a summer retreat for the Portuguese royalty. From there, you can find other attractions like the:
- Biester 19th century Romantic palace
- Moorish Castle
- Monserrate Palace
- Pena Palace
- Praia das Maçãs Beach
- Or follow the Santa Maria Trail
Hot Tip🔥: Make it part of a 5-day trip in Lisbon.
3. Costa da Caparica
Visit Costa da Caparica for one of the best Lisbon day trips. It is my favorite beach spot, and I’ve been there numerous times.
If you’re a beginner at surfing, the beaches here are incredible. The beach is also beautiful, with 26km of beach; it’s so crazy to see in real life.
A pro tip is to take an Uber early in the morning to avoid the traffic over the bridge. When you return to Lisbon, leave early in the afternoon or late evening to avoid the traffic.
You’ll be stuck for up to an hour; it’s horrible. Taking the beach train is a great way to get around the town. You will enjoy many lively bars, seafood restaurants, and the sun and ocean here.
Walk along Rua dos Pescadors in Costa da Caparica, a historic street from the 18th century.
Hot Tip🔥: Check out these other great day trip destinations.
4. Óbidos
Catch a bus from Campo Grande for an unforgettable trip to Óbidos. The medieval village is within a fortified wall with a maze of cobblestone streets.
Head to the Moorish Castle, now a hotel, and walk along the battlements to get the best view of the town.
A must-try is ginjinha, served in a chocolate cup or glass and sold at gift shops and bars.
Also, check out the quirky bookshop inside a former church.
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5. Nazaré
The coastal town of Nazaré is a surfer’s paradise with giant waves. Taking the bus from Sete Rios makes for a great Lisbon day trip.
The coastal town has made many headlines, with its waves reaching 85 feet tall. The best time to catch these waves is between October and February.
Visit the beach closer to Praia da Nazaré for relaxed fun in the sun. Try some dried fish, a beloved tradition in this seaside town.
To learn more about the tradition, visit the Dry Fish Museum and hop on the funicular to climb the hill for incredible views.
Hot Tip🔥: Check out some great surfing spots near Lisbon.
7. Azenhas do Mar
Azenhas do Mar is about an hour’s drive by car, or you can take a bus from Sintra, which takes around 40 minutes.
No matter what transport you choose, you can enjoy the road trip. Azenhos do Mar is perched on a cliff with rows of whitewashed houses.
The village gets its name from the azenhas (old millstones) that used to stand there and its seaside location. Still, few tourists make it this far, as it is not easy to reach.
Here, you can enjoy the views at the top of the cliff or find a tiny beach 🏖 with a natural pool to cool down in the water.
Then treat yourself to a seafood meal at Restaurante Azenhas do Mar overlooking the ocean.
8. Ericeira and Mafra
Another of the best day trip destinations is Ericeira and Mafra, both popular surfing destinations.
You can take the bus to Campo Grande station from Lisbon, and the journey takes an hour.
Here, you find a mix of waves for surfers, but there are mighty reef breaks with plenty of surfing schools. You need not chase the waves; you can enjoy a swim at the beach.
The seaside town also has a slow-paced atmosphere, making it ideal for a few days away from the city bustle.
You see white houses with blue trimmings everywhere, and it is a popular day trip destination.
Hot Tip🔥: Give the town’s local delicacy, ourico do mar (sea urchin), a try.
Then, head to Mafra, which has a vast forest and an 18th-century royal palace (Mafra National Palace). But it is best done if you have a car for a one-day trip.
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9. Peniche and Berlengas
There are two ways to travel for these Lisbon day trips: by car or bus with the Rede Expresso from Sete Rios.
Then, take the ferry to Berlengas, which is only available during May and September. Peniche is a picturesque town that is also popular among surfers.
Beyond the glorious beaches, the Cabo Carvoeira Lighthouse and the 16th-century fortress, both on the cliff’s edge, are worth visiting.
Then, take a 30-minute ferry ride from Peniche Marina to Berlenga Grande, a military fort built on a former monastery site.
If you plan to spend the night there, you must bring your bedding along so you can wake up to the ocean views. It is part of a nature reserve, and daily visits are limited.
You can also scuba dive in the surroundings, but it is best to book a diving boat trip.
Hot Tip🔥: I have a detailed guide on using the ferry around Lisbon, so check it out.
10. Setúbal
To reach Setúbal, you can take a bus, the Carris Metropolitana, or Rede Expressos departing from Sete Rios, or a train.
The charming fishing town is the best place to enjoy seafood. A top dish here is chocolate frito, a fried cuttlefish, but plenty of other options are available.
To learn more about the trade, visit the Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti, the town’s canning industry.
You can also visit the bustling food market Mercado do Livramento, which supplies the historic town with fresh produce. You can also go dolphin-watching or take boat tours.
The common bottlenose dolphin with the short-beaked dolphin is the main species around this area.
11. Évora
Break away on a day trip to Évora by bus or train from Sete Rios station. The historic town center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here, you find a 1st-century Roman Temple with ties to Portuguese royalty. Visit the cathedral and climb to the top for spectacular views of the town and its cobblestone streets.
Visit the bone chapel at São Francisco or some of the region’s wine farms.
12. Sesimbra
Take the 3721 bus from Sete Rios or travel by car to Sesimbra, a seaside town surrounded by the Arrábida Natural Park.
You can enjoy mountain climbing, diving, and coasteering in the surroundings. Visit the beaches with crystal-clear waters.
You can explore the medieval castle while enjoying the seafood restaurants in the area, or you can book a boat tour to go dolphin watching.
Hot Tip🔥: Be here around February for the Sesimbra festival.
12. Fátima
Fátima can easily be reached by car or bus when enjoying Lisbon day trips. The town has a strong religious background.
One of the most important sites is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, which started as a small chapel and is now a massive shrine with multiple chapels.
Most sites in the town are sacred and off-limits during masses or religious ceremonies.
Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the oldest monument marking where the apparitions occurred.
13. Tomar
Tomar is a small riverside town you can reach by car or train from Santa Apolónia station.
The town has a prized monument, the Convento de Christo, a 12th-century stone castle founded by a crusader, Gualdim Pais.
You can also explore the UNESCO World Heritage site features in films like The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.
There are many churches to explore, such as Santa Maria do Olival, where you will find the tomb of Gualdim Pais.
14. Aveiro
Aveiro is called the Portuguese Venice as it has colorful gondola-style boats. You can embark on one of the moliceiros to navigate the canals and arched bridges.
On the waterfront, you find Art Nouveau buildings with cafes. Here, you can enjoy ovos moles, a sweet made of sugar and egg yolks.
If you come to the town by car, you can visit the ceramics factory Vista Alegre to admire porcelain exhibits from centuries ago.
15. Batalha and Alcobaça
Another excellent day trip from Lisbon is to visit Batalha and Alcobaça, renowned for their Gothic-style monasteries. The two towns are about 30 minutes apart.
In Batalha, you can find the Monastery of Batalha, the first building in Portugal to welcome stained glass windows.
The Monastery of Alcobaça is one of Europe’s most significant Cistercian buildings.
Transportation Options
When planning your Lisbon day trips, how to get there is a big factor. Luckily, Lisbon is well-connected to these cities by train, bus, or car.
Traveling by Train
The fastest way to reach your destination is by train. You can go places like Cascais, Sintra, and Évora within an hour, while the high-speed trains will get you to Coimbra faster.
Still, some places in my guide are not easy to reach by train, especially the small coastal sites, as they do not have a train station and are better off taking the bus or car.
Portugal also has two trains: the Alfa Pendular, which is the high-speed train, and you have your regional trains.
The best to check the train timetables and book tickets is on the official site Comboios de Portugal.
Hot Tip🔥 Check out my guide on the Lisbon metro 🚇 here.
Traveling by Bus
The cheapest option for Lisbon day trips is the bus, but it is the slowest mode of transport. Lisbon buses travel to most towns that are not reached by train.
Traveling by Car
Another great option is to rent a car as you can travel at your own pace. You can visit more than one place in a day with rental cars.
Still, Lisbon has Emission-reduced Zones (ZERs), and only vehicles with emission standards that correspond to those set can drive in these zones.
Traveling With a Tour
Another great way to take day trips from Lisbon if you have limited time is by tour. Check out these tours, which are available at Get Your Guide.
Hot Tip🔥: Check out my detailed guide on traveling from Lisbon to Belem to plan a spectacular day trip with loads to see.
Wrap-Up: Lisbon Day Trips
After exploring Lisbon’s stunning surroundings on these incredible day trips, it’s clear that this vibrant city serves as the perfect starting point for unforgettable adventures.
Whether you visit the fairytale city of Sintra, the beautiful beaches of Cascais and Costa da Caparica, the medieval village of Óbidos, or the surfing paradise of Nazaré, each day’s trip offers its unique charm and experiences.
These destinations truly complement any visit to Lisbon and provide a diverse range of activities and sights for every traveler.
