15 Places to Visit Near Lisbon

Planning a trip to Lisbon allows you to explore many attractions within the city.

But once you are done exploring the city, there are other places to visit near Lisbon.

Whether you head to the Sintra fairytale village, the beaches of Cascais, or a vineyard in Evora, you will always find something to do around the sunny city.

So, let’s explore some of these places, which will make for the best day trip from Lisbon ever.

1. Cascais

Cascais is a fabulous beach destination easily reached by train, departing from Cais do Sodre Station.

It is fascinating that during the 19th century, the royals flocked to this resort town to enjoy a day in the sun.

Still, a warning: the town gets busy with tourists during summer. Grab your beach towel, umbrella, and surfboard to enjoy a beautiful beach.

You can also head towards the town center to grab a homemade gelato at Santini before taking the cobblestone streets to the marina.

Other Places to Explore:

• Visit the central garden of Parque Marechal Carmona to see the wandering peacocks.
• Explore the 16th-century chapel and museum with its tiled-covered rooms.
• Or ensure that you are here in July to be part of the Cool Jazz Festival.
• Also, visit the Santa Mara Lighthouse and pay Casa das Historias Paula Rego for a visit.

Then, head out to the beach or rent a bike to Boca do Inferno to enjoy the beautiful ocean views.

2. Sintra

In the fairytale village Sintra, you can reach by car, but vehicles are only allowed in certain areas, and parking is limited.

You can take a train from Rossio Station to Sintra to reach the town within an hour.

The town is the home to Pena Palace, the National Palace of Sintra, with majestic mountains and romantic spots.

Once you reach the palace, most of the other attractions are within reach.

Other Places to Explore:

• Visit the mystical park Quinta da Regaleira, which has an initiation well and hidden tunnels.
• Biester Palace is a 19th-century palace with lush gardens.
• In the center of town, Casa Pirigquita is a pastry shop that sells travesseiros, puff pastry with a sweet filling of egg yolk and almond.
• Further, you can explore the picturesque town to see the Moorish Castle, Monserrate Palace.

Hot Tip🔥: While you can explore most of the attractions on foot, it can be strenuous, as the town is on a hilly terrain with narrow streets. It’s best to use a bus or book a tuk-tuk ride. 

3. Azenhas do Mar

Azenhas do Mar is an hour’s drive from Lisbon, or you can catch a bus from Avenida Dr. Desidério Cambournac in Sintra, which takes 40 minutes and costs €6 for a roundtrip.

It is on a cliff with whitewashed houses that tumble towards the sea. The name comes from the azenhas (old millstones) used in the location. Still, it is not an easy town to reach.

You will need a car or public transport, but it is with visiting. You can explore the beach when heading down the viewpoint, where there is a natural pool. After swimming, you can enjoy a seafood meal at the Restaurant Azenhas do Mar.

4. Costa da Caparica

Travel with the 3710 bus from Sete Rios terminal to this beach town destination. Here you can enjoy sandy beaches and plenty of space to park if you travel by car.

A favorite spot for families and surfers is Fonte da Telha, where you can also find some surf schools.

There is a seasonal train 🚉 Transpraia, that is a fun way to get to town. Praia do Castelo is a hit with young travelers, and nudists prefer Praia Adica.

Here, you will find a coastline filled with seafood restaurants where you can grab a meal. Also, stroll the historic street Rua dos Pescadores, which dates back to the 18th century.

Hot Tip🔥: To explore other beaches, check out some great surf spots. 

5. Ericeira and Mafra

Other popular day trips are busing to Ericeira and Mafra at Campo Grande Station in Lisbon.

If you want to cover both towns, it is best to rent a car. Ericeira is northwest of Lisbon and the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe.

Here, you get powerful reef breaks and plenty of surf schools to book lessons. The city center is slow-paced and ideal for a few days away from the city bustle.

There are many seafood restaurants here, and sea urchin is a highlight on the menu in spring.

Once you’ve done this, travel to Mafra, which has a vast forest, deer, and a royal palace.

The Baroque masterpiece has Italian and Portuguese artworks; inside is a library with over 38,000 books.

6. Setúbal

Setúbal is a charming fishing town with delicious seafood like Choco Frito (fried cuttlefish.) Here, you find a lot of grilled fish spots, and during the 20th century, it was the largest canning center globally.

Visit Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti to learn about the town’s old canning industry. Another highlight is Mercado do Livramento, a food market.

Also, dolphin watching with a boat tour departing from Setúbal or Troia peninsula.

7. Sesimbra & Arrábida Natural Park

Traveling by car on the 3721 bus from Sete Rios to Sesimbra takes around an hour and 40 minutes.

The seaside town is surrounded by the Arrábida Natural Park, with a mountain range spanning 70 square miles. Here, you get chalk cliffs with shrubland and spectacular views.

A huge sport in the area is diving, mountain climbing, and coasteering by traversing the coastline, walking, or swimming.

The town is famous for its beaches and crystal-clear waters. Some beaches can only be reached by boat or by walking rocky paths.

Beyond the beaches, there is a medieval castle and many seafood restaurants. When visiting in June, sardines are on the menu. 

8. Óbidos

While you can take a train to Óbidos, traveling by bus is closer to town. You can depart in Lisbon from Campo Grande, which takes about an hour.

The town is a small medieval village north of Lisbon surrounded by a fortified wall and a maze of cobbled streets.

On top of the hill is a Moorish castle dating back to the 12th century, now converted into a hotel. You can still walk along the walls to admire the town.

While there, try the traditional ginjinha at the gift shops and bars. It is a delicious 😋 sour cherry liqueur from the region dating back to the 17th century. Enjoy its service in a small glass or chocolate cup.

The town also hosts many events throughout the year that include:

• The Literary Festival is in October, with live concerts and a mix of readings.
• The medieval fair attracts visitors in July who enjoy road trips to this special occasion.

9. Peniche & Berlengas

You can drive to Peniche or take the Rede Expresso bus to Sete Rios. A note is that the ferry to Berlengas departs at the marina in Peniche and only runs from mid-May to the beginning of September, and tickets cost €15 roundtrip.

A few miles west of Óbidos lies Peniche, a charming seaside town beloved by surfers and divers. The transparent waters and rich marine life, including streaked gurnard, sunfish, and octopus, make it a unique destination.

Beyond its beaches, Peniche boasts a 16th-century fortress and the Cabo Carvoeiro Lighthouse, perched on cliff edges. Although the fort is temporarily closed, it can still be admired from a distance.

While you can’t enter the lighthouse, walking around offers stunning sea views and is perfect for sunsets.

From the Peniche Marina, you can take a 30-minute ferry ride (45 minutes if the sea is choppy) to Berlenga Grande, the only inhabited island in the Berlengas archipelago.

Known for powerful storms and shipwrecks, the area features a military fort built on the site of a former monastery that sheltered shipwrecked sailors. 

Book your boat tickets in advance to ensure a spot. The surrounding sea caves are perfect for scuba diving, including dives into shipwrecks.

10. Évora

East of Lisbon is Évora, which is easy to reach by the Rede Expressos bus or the train at Sete Rios train station.

Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Between the city center is a 1st-century Roman temple with megalithic monuments.

Travel to Igreja Igreja de São Francisco. Or see thousands of artifacts inside the Evora Museum.

Other famous attractions are:

• The Roman Temple of Évora, also known as the Temple of Diana, is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the Iberian Peninsula.
• Évora Cathedral is an impressive Gothic cathedral built in the 13th century. Its roof offers stunning views and houses an intriguing museum.
• The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) is a macabre yet fascinating site. Its interior walls are lined with human skulls and bones.
• The central square of Évora is a lively spot surrounded by historic buildings, cafes, and shops, making it a great place to relax and soak in the atmosphere.
• The University of Évora is one of the oldest universities in Portugal; it features beautiful cloisters and a historical library.

11. Fátima

To reach Fátima, the best way is to travel by car or bus. You can get a bus at the Oriente and Sete Rios terminals.

Portugal has a strong religious heritage, with nearly 80% of the population identifying as Catholic. While churches are found throughout the country, the most significant site is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima.

Originating as a small chapel in 1919, it has expanded into a vast shrine with multiple chapels and basilicas to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit Fátima, where three young shepherds reportedly witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1917. The primary attractions include sacred sites like:

• The Chapel of the Apparitions, marking the spot of the apparitions
• The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is notable for its 213-foot bell tower and classical colonnade.
• The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, designed by Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis and opened in 2007, is the newest addition.

Some sites may be off-limits during masses or religious ceremonies. If you’re driving, consider adding a guided tour of the nearby Grutas da Moeda, an impressive limestone cave stretching about 1,000 feet, to your itinerary.

12. Tomar

If you do not want to rent a car, you can take a train from Santa Apolónia station, and it takes a couple of hours to reach the town.

Tomar is a small riverside town and was once the seat of the medieval crusaders, the Knights Templar. The prized monument is the Convento de Cristo, dating back to the 12th century.

It is another UNESCO World Heritage site you can explore. Other attractions include:

• Igreja de São João Baptista
• Santa Maria do Olival to see the Gualdim Pais tomb
• A synagogue and museum with a collection of matchboxes

If you are lucky enough to be in the town in July, you can enjoy a colorful parade for Festa dos Tabuleiros (Festival of the Trays).

The women wear long white dresses while carrying trays on their heads covered with bread and paper flowers.

13. Nazaré

If you want to head to Nazaré, with giant waves reaching up to 85 feet tall and a surfer’s haven. The best time to catch these waves is from October to February.

If you only want to experience others surfing 🏄 watching from a distance, head to Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo.

Or enjoy a relaxed atmosphere closer to the vibrant city of Praia da Nazaré. Walk to the beautiful town to try dried fish hanging on racks.

Once done exploring the downtown to learn more about drying fish at the Dry Fish Museum, hop on a funicular in the Rua do elevator to the Sitio district and head up the hill for incredible views.

Hot Tip🔥: For more information on how to reach Nazaré, check out my complete guide to get to this coastal town.

14. Batalha and Alcobaça

Located about 75 miles north of Lisbon, the towns of Batalha and Alcobaça are famous for their Gothic-style monasteries. A 30-minute drive apart, they can be easily visited in a single day with a car.

The Monastery of Batalha was one of the first buildings in Portugal to feature stained glass windows, introduced in the late 1430s.

These windows display a mix of figurative compositions, vegetal motifs, geometric shapes, and heraldic symbols. Madonna filmed her “Dark Ballet” music video here in 2019.

Meanwhile, the Monastery of Alcobaça is one of the largest Cistercian buildings in Europe.

Founded by Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, it is known for its simplicity and austerity, with less ornate decoration and a focus on clean lines and spacious interiors.

15. Aveiro

For a perfect day trip destination, head to Aveiro. Often referred to as the Portuguese Venice, Aveiro captivates visitors with its colorful gondola-style boats and scenic canals.

The traditional boats, known as moliceiros, were once used to harvest seaweed but now primarily offer boat tours. A ride on one of these boats takes you through narrow canals and under arched bridges, such as the Ponte dos Carcavelos, leading to the city’s salt pans.

The waterfront is lined with stunning Art Nouveau buildings and cozy cafés where you can try ovos moles, a local sweet made from sugar and egg yolks.

If driving to Aveiro, consider stopping at the Vista Alegre ceramics factory. Inside, you can admire exhibits of Portuguese porcelain from the 19th and 20th centuries and watch factory workers hand-paint new pieces.

The factory also has several on-site shops where you can buy unique souvenirs.

Wrap-Up: Places to Visit Near Lisbon

There are many fantastic day trip options near Lisbon, each offering unique experiences and beautiful landscapes.

Whether you are looking for a beach day in Cascais, a visit to the fairytale village of Sintra, or a seafood adventure in Azenhas do Mar, there’s something for everyone.

These excursions provide a perfect opportunity to take a break from the city and immerse oneself in Portugal’s rich culture and natural beauty.

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