Beyond Lisbon lies a multitude of day trip options. Some of the most rewarding tourist destinations can be reached within an hour of the city center, by car, bus or train. Around Lisbon there are ancient castles, opulent palaces and a host of other historical monuments waiting to be explored. Along the coast you will find traditional fishing villages where the way of life has changed little over the centuries, as well as some of the region’s liveliest seaside resorts, lined with golden sandy beaches. Away from the crowds are unspoilt nature reserves, rivers and estuaries teeming with colorful flora and fauna – havens of wildlife that can be explored on foot or by boat. Whether you head north or south from the Portuguese capital, there is plenty to see and do on a day trip from Lisbon.
Read also: Top Sights Tourist Attractions in Belém
1 Sintra
Sintra
Perhaps the most rewarding day trip from Lisbon is to Sintra. About 30 kilometers northwest of the city center, the city is easily reached by train with direct connections running daily from Lisbon’s Rossio train station. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Sintra’s rugged, green beauty, ancient castle and collection of historic palaces are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape .
You can start your day of sightseeing by visiting the Palácio Nacional de Sintra . This impressive palace from the end of the 14th century is centrally located in the old town and is characterized by its tapering double chimneys. This former royal residence was once the summer retreat of Portugal’s kings and queens and makes a great first stop before exploring Sintra’s many other attractions. Allow a good hour to absorb its numerous halls, chambers and salons.
Unless you feel like going for a walk, consider taking a shuttle bus to the Castelo dos Mouros . Dating from the 8th century , the Moorish castle stands prominently above the old town. You can walk up the ancient battlements and the views over the river Serra de Sintra Mountains and the plains of Lisbon below are breathtaking. Crowning the Serra is the fantastic, Disney-esque Palácio da Pena . Considered by many to be the highlight of their visit to Sintra, the Pena Palace can also be reached by bus or on foot following the nature trail that winds steeply through a blanket of picturesque forests. Built in the mid-19th century by the German Baron von Eschwege , this also became a favorite retreat for holidaying monarchs, a fact reflected by its sumptuous interior and lavish furnishings. You can easily spend a few hours here, soaking up the atmosphere and taking in more incredible views.
If you’ve purchased a shuttle bus ticket, it’s quite easy to call Sintra’s other major palace into Monserrate . Here it’s the gardens that dazzle rather than the building itself, laid out in the late 18th century by English author William Beckford. Back in the old town and a pleasant walk from the main square along a relatively flat road is Quinta da Regaleira . Again, it’s the actual grounds that delight, although the brick-built mock-Manueline Palácio dos Milhões is certainly worth exploring. With plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from, you’ll definitely want to have lunch in Sintra. But dinner here can be particularly memorable, especially considering the great Romantic poet Lord Byron once declared the destination a “glorious Eden”.
If you’re not the do-it-yourself type and don’t want the hassle of catching a train and a bus and finding your way, book a Sintra and Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon. This tour takes you to Sintra, Sintra Natural Park, Pena National Palace and Pena Natural Park, the cliffs of Roca Cape at the westernmost point of continental Europe and a drive along the Atlantic coast, with a stop in the city of Cascais.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Sintra
2 Queluz National Palace
The National Palace of Queluz is located approximately 14 kilometers northwest of Lisbon and 16 kilometers southeast of Sintra. Built between 1747 and 1794 for King Pedro and his wife, later Queen Maria I, this is one of the most luxurious palaces in Portugal. Originally designed by Mateus Vicente , a student of Johann Friedrich Ludwig, who built the Mosteiro Pálacio Nacional de Mafra, the Palácio Nacional de Queluz is a landmark of both Portuguese architecture and landscape design, although French architect Jean-Baptiste Robillon later added lavish interior flourishes and the formal gardens.
As well as a museum as a historical monument, the important collection reflects the extravagant taste of the 18th and 19th century courts and includes Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical pieces. Highlights of the tour include the elegant Throne Room , which dates from 1774. Decorated with mirrors, paintings and gilded statues, all under a beautiful ceiling, this is the largest of the palace’s three state rooms. The grand Sala do Embaixadores , with its carved gilded pine decoration, porcelain chinoiserie and beautiful trompe l’oeil ceiling is where diplomats and foreign ministers were received. The beautifully decorated Dressing Room and Dom Quixote Room , where King Pedro VI was born and died, are especially exotic in their decoration.
Outside, the serene gardens , which were used to host concerts and other royal get-togethers, are decorated with topiary, fountains and the largest collection of sculptures by the English John Cheere (1709-1787) outside England. On certain days the grounds provide the setting for virtuoso demonstrations of horsemanship by the Portuguese School of Equestrianism , which is based at the palace. In addition, there are displays of falconry in the palace .
Palácio Nacional de Queluz can be reached by taking the Sintra line train from Rossio to Queluz-Belas station. After a 15-minute walk, follow the signs to the palace and gardens.
Address: Largo do Palácio, Queluz
Official site: www.parquesdesintra.pt
3 Cascais
The lively seaside resort of Cascais is located 25 kilometers west of Lisbon. It is a popular destination for holidaymakers and visitors alike and is conveniently located at the end of the Cais do Sodré-Cascais railway line. The excursion itself is a pleasant experience, with the line hugging the coast, and trains passing through several coastal towns including Carcavelos and Estoril .
Cascais is draped around a shallow bay with its own sandy beach and combines tradition with nobility. A busy fishing port since the Middle Ages, Cascais evolved in the 19th century when King Luís I moved his summer activities to the Palácio da Cidadela , the 17th-century fortress on the city’s waterfront. Soon after, a number of grand mansions sprang up in and around the city as Cascais benefited from the royal seal of approval. Today, these opulent buildings stand side by side with rows of former fishermen’s houses. The citadel is now a luxurious hotel and thriving cultural space open to the public, and Cascais still enjoys a rather glamorous, cosmopolitan reputation.
The resort is easy to explore on foot and the old town is particularly attractive. Get deliberately lost by wandering around the narrow streets that wind from the harbor before heading to the leafy area of Parque do Marechal Carmona and the nearby fir and captivating Museu do Mar-Rei D. Carlos , where the association between the city and the sea is creatively illustrated by a collection of model boats, old maps and treasures from ships that sank along the coast. Nearby is the modernist landmark Casa das Histórias , a museum dedicated to Paula Rego , Portugal’s most controversial living artist. The permanent collection of vibrant pastels, engravings and collages are compelling but sometimes disturbing and better suited to an adult audience. Works by Rego’s late husband, Victor Willing , are also displayed. The Sea Museum and the Paula Rego House of Stories and Pictures are both free to enter.
From the park it is a pleasant walk to the Marina de Cascais . The marina esplanade lies beneath the impressive walls of the fortress and is lined with an assortment of cafes and restaurants. After admiring the expensive yachts and motorboats, continue to the Santa Marta Lighthouse , with a modest but fascinating museum. It is possible to climb the distinctive blue and white striped tower for a beautiful coastal panorama. Nearby, another free visitor attraction, the Museu-Biblioteca Conde Castro Guimarães , is worth a diversion for its ornate rooms furnished with beautiful Indo-Portuguese furniture, paintings and antiques. The library houses a number of rare, illuminated 16th-century manuscripts , dating back to 1505.
About three kilometers west of the center of Cascais, along the wide Avenida Rei Humberto de Itália coastal road, is Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell), a gorge carved into the cliffs. Seawater crashes into the caves, sending a spectacular jet of spray high into the sky. The accompanying boom resembles the sound of cannon fire.
Further north is Praia do Guincho , one of the region’s most spectacular beaches and famous as a world-class surfing and windsurfing destination . In the distance, along the Sintra coast, is Cabo da Rocha , the westernmost point of mainland Europe. A lighthouse above the windswept headland.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Cascais
4 Évora
Évora
Long a favorite with tourists, Évora, the regional capital of the Alentejo, is blessed with some of the most impressive tourist attractions in Portugal. Indeed, UNESCO has awarded the status of the old center as World Heritage, such as the richness and rarity of the historical monuments located in and around the city center. An easy hour southeast of Lisbon, the city’s must-see attractions include the Sé , its mighty 12th-century cathedral; absorbing the Museu de Évora ; and the iconic Roman temple . All these sights and more can be explored at your leisure by joining the Small-Group Évora Day Trip from Lisbon with Olive Oil Tastings – a wonderful introduction to the destination.
5 Battle
Battle
One of the jewels in the crown of Portugal’s cultural heritage is located in this quiet provincial town – Mosteiro da Batalha (Battle Abbey). A deserved attraction on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Santa Maria da Vitória is entirely dedicated to the Portuguese Gothic, with dazzling Manueline scenes. Built of limestone with honey-colored lizard to commemorate João I’s 1385 victory over Castile in Aljubarrota, construction began in 1388 and took almost a century to complete.
Visitors enter through an impressive portal decorated with religious motifs and statues of the apostles in an intricate late Gothic style. The Gothic character is further underlined in the Claustro Real (Royal Cloister), where a series of arches are embellished by delicate daisies. João’s son, Dom Duarte, is responsible for the Capelas Imperfeitas , the so-called Unfinished Chapels, although later Manueline-influenced add-ons are the architecture that really impresses: look out for the towering 15-metre-high portal with its filigree lattice work. Another highlight is the Capela do Fundador (Founder’s Chapel), which houses a royal pantheon. Here you should pause at the tomb of João I and his English wife, Philippa of Lancaster, before visiting Batalha’s other revered charnel house, that of Prince Henry the Navigator .
Afterwards, if time permits, make a point of visiting the small hamlet of São Jorge , four kilometers south of Batalha. It is nearby that the Battle of Aljubarrota took place and the reason why the abbey was built in the first place. A handy interpretation center explains the background behind the bloody encounter.
Location: Largo Infante Dom Henriques, Batalha
6 Fatima
Shrine of Fátima
One of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Catholic world, the Santuário de Fátima (Sanctuary of Fátima) is a devotional shrine that attracts thousands of devotees on May 12 and 13 and October during the annual pilgrimage to this small farming village, deep in the heart of Portugal’s Estremadura region. The religious event, the largest of its kind in the country and on par with Lourdes in France, commemorates the much-loved appearance of the Virgin to three shepherd children on May 13, 1917. The children, Lúcia Santos and her young cousins, Jacinta and Francisco, were instructed by a shining figure in an oak tree to return to the same tree on the same day for six months, with the apparition appearing five more times. By now word had spread about the divine visit and at their last appointment the young people were joined by 70,000 pilgrims.
The sanctuary is dominated by the mighty Neo-Baroque Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fátima , where the tombs of the venerated trio are in the Capela das Aparições (Chapel of the Apparitions), built on the site where the Virgin supposedly appeared. In front is a vast esplanade that is twice the size of St. Peter’s Square in Rome. It is at this huge gathering that the faithful gather each year to celebrate the earthly excursion of the apparition. Every hotel, hostel, campsite, café and restaurant in the area is floating under the weight of the crowd. However, the basilica attracts a steady stream of worshipers and religious tourists all year round, drawn by their faith and a desire to rise in one of the most revered destinations in Christendom.
You can take a half-day pilgrimage to Fátima from Lisbon to learn about the holy sites. This small-group tour provides transportation, a guided tour of the historic center and religious sites, and also leaves some free time to explore on your own.
Location: Avenida Dom José Alves Correia da Silva, Fátima
Official site: https://www.fatima.pt
7 Mafra National Palace Monastery
The remains of Portugal’s most impressive historical monuments – and certainly one of the largest – the vast Mosteiro Pálacio Nacional de Mafra overwhelms the small town of Mafra, 40 kilometers northwest of Lisbon. This mighty Baroque palace dates from the early 18th century. Commissioned by King Joao V, it was originally intended as a simple monastery, but when royal coffers overflowed with wealth from Brazil, the extravagant monarch expanded the plans to include a lavish palace and a beautiful basilica. Exploring this enormous building will require a good two hours of your time, but you can make the day by combining a guided tour with a visit to the lively seaside town of Ericeira , just 12 kilometers west of Mafra. Blessed with a string of fine sandy beaches and a picturesque waterfront, Ericeira’s association with Mafra is palpable – Portugal’s last king, King Manuel II , fled the palace on October 5, 1910 and boarded a ship in the harbor for England, on the fled exile when the Portuguese monarchy finally collapsed.
An irregular bus service connects Lisbon and Sintra with Ericeira and Mafra, so it is more convenient to travel by car.
8 Costa da Caparica
The long, wide band of sand known as the Costa da Caparica is Lisbon’s most popular summer playground. The seaside resort of Caparica is located at the junction. During high season and weekends this place is packed with locals escaping the heat of the city. There is a relaxed family atmosphere and if you don’t mind, this is definitely a holiday destination worth investigating.
Caparica is located across the river, 18 kilometers south of Lisbon. Regular express buses leave from Cacilhas, on the south bank, and the journey (traffic permitting) takes about 30-40 minutes. A slower service that will take you there in about an hour leaves from Praça de Espanha, in the city center. If you are driving, be aware that the parking lot at Caparica is hotly claimed. The stretch of sand is immense and backed by rolling dunes. The beaches closest to the resort fill up quickly and if you’re looking for solitude, you’ll need to head to the Costa’s southern reaches . A mini railway (Comboio da Praia) runs along the dunes to Fonte da Telha . Get off at the end of the line for peace and quiet.
Some excellent beachside cafes and restaurants serve Costa da Caparica, and many remain open during the slower winter months. Out of season the water is too cold to swim in, although that doesn’t deter die-hard surfers. The upside, however, is that the blissfully empty beaches make for some exciting walks.
The south bank of the Tagus River is also the location of one of Lisbon’s more unusual visitor attractions, the giant Cristo Rei (Christ the King) monument, a mirror image of the better known and much larger statue of Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro. Near the town of Almada and the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge, the towering statue, inaugurated in 1959 as part of a chapel and library complex, was commissioned by the church in 1940 in recognition of Portugal’s decision not to enter World War II to access. Standing 28 meters high, the statue of Christ , arms outstretched like its Brazilian counterpart, is itself mounted on a huge pedestal of 82 meters. The monument is visible from various viewpoints in the city and is illuminated at night. But to really appreciate this mini Christ the Redeemer, take the elevator and climb the few steps to the top of the pedestal. From here the panorama over the bridge, the river and the Portuguese capital is truly dramatic (the best time to photograph the city is during the afternoon, when the sun is behind you). The easiest way to get to the monument is via the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas . You can then take a bus or taxi to the statue. Alternatively, you can walk the four kilometers from the port.
Address: National Sanctuary of Christ the King, Avenida Cristo Rei, Alto do Pragal, Almada
Official site: www.cristorei.pt
9 Serra da Arrábida
Serra da Arrábida
A road trip through the eerily beautiful Serra da Arrábida is one of the best ways to spend a day in Lisbon. The wild, rugged mountain range rises 500 meters above the Bay of Setúbal, about 38 kilometers south of the Portuguese capital, and includes the protected Parque Natural da Arrábida . Covered with green forest and scrub, this beautiful landscape is home to a fascinating variety of flora and fauna, and it is possible to park the car and follow a number of signed nature trails. While the region is served by bus, public transport is limited, so to do the region justice you really need a vehicle. For the most dramatic views, follow the Estrada de Escarpa (N379-1), a narrow winding coastal road that winds sesimbra all the way to Cabo Espichel , a steep headland topped by a lighthouse.
10 sesimbra
sesimbra
The traditional fishing village of Sesimbra is an enchanting day trip destination that is immediately attractive for its busy little harbor and the 17th century Fortaleza de Santiago , which houses the beautiful Museu do Mar (Museum of the Sea). Sesimbra is a working port and is home to a colorful fleet of trawlers and smaller boats. The attractive old town center is a warren of narrow streets and winding alleys lined with restaurants, where the aroma of grilled sardines drifts on the sweetened breeze. The harbor and quay are dropped on either side by inviting golden sandy beaches. It is a pleasure to explore, especially in the late afternoon when the boats return with the day’s catch. This is also the starting point for adventure tourist attractions, including diving expeditions and sea kayaking trips.
The Romans occupied Sesimbra, but it was the Moors who occupied the castle high above the city. It dates back to the 10th century and is accessible by vehicle or a sturdy pair of legs. Either way, the views from the weathered battlements, which surround the 18th-century church of Nossa Senhora do Castelo , are inspiring, especially at sunset. Sesimbra is located 40 kilometers south of Lisbon and lies on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean below the edge of the Parque Natural da Arrábida mountain range. The drive here is easy and the better option if you plan to explore the countryside. However, it is more convenient to arrive by bus if you just want to wander around the city on foot and perhaps explore the beach.
11 Sado Estuary Natural Reserve
There are all kinds of reasons to visit the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, not least to see the amazing variety of birds that gather along the coast and over the tidal flats. However, the estuary is just as celebrated for the resident bottlenose dolphins that patrol the shallow waters and mouth of the estuary. These graceful and intelligent mammals can be seen in all their playfulness by taking part in a sightseeing cruise that brings passengers within a few meters of these amazing beasts. A dolphin sea safari can be combined with discovering Sétubal , where the cruise boats depart.
This busy port is known for two architectural draws, the Igreja de Jesus and Castelo de Sao Filipe , perched on a cliff high above the city. The town lies on the northern flank of the estuary, opposite the Península de Tróia , and you can extend your day trip by packing a picnic and taking the ferry to this largely unspoilt stretch of sand, where the ruins of the Roman city of Cetóbriga can be seen are visited. Setúbal is well connected to Lisbon – via the A2 motorway you can get there in about 30 minutes. A light railway also serves the destination, as does a regular bus service.
Tips and tours
- Multi-stop tour: If you want to visit several destinations near Lisbon in a day trip, the Óbidos, Nazaré, Fátima and Batalha day trip is an excellent choice. This well-organized day trip takes in several historic and photo-friendly locations, including two World Heritage Sites. Entrance fees to some of the attractions and convenient pickup and drop-off at select hotels are included.
- Public transport: Lisbon is well connected to several surrounding regions. A modern road and rail network serves the city and an efficient and cheap coach and bus service can be used to reach outlying towns and villages.
More must-see destinations outside Lisbon
Many tourists choose Lisbon as their holiday base, and while there are plenty of things to do in the Portuguese capital, exploring further afield can add enormous value to your holiday experience. The aforementioned Évora is an hour’s drive to the southeast and is best visited in spring, when the landscape is dotted with colorful flowers. The region is also known for its abundance of evocative castles. An hour or so north is Tomar, a town forever associated with the mysterious Knights Templar and the beautiful Monastery of Christ, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more ideas on where to go and what to see, check out our detailed itineraries page and inspire your wanderlust with our Best Places to Visit in Portugal article.
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Visiting the National Palace of Sintra: 10 top attractions
