The Portuguese capital city is a great place for a city break. Lisbon’s tiled buildings and yellow trams are gorgeous and the hilltop castle, cathedral, and art museums give you plenty to do. But there are also some amazing day trips from Lisbon too! Seaside resort towns, compact university cities, and national parks are all nearby for a change of scenery. This guide includes a variety of destinations worth visiting in Portugal for one day. While public transportation outside of Lisbon can be patchy, the destinations on this list are only a short drive away.
Table of Contents
Best Day Trips From Lisbon
1. Sintra
Distance from Lisbon: 20 miles/32 km
Approximate travel time: 1 hr
Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. This historic town is on the edge of the beautiful Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and it’s accessible by public transport. Head to the Santa Apolónia metro stop and travel to Estação do Oriente train station. Take another metro ride to Sintra and you’re there! You also have your pick of highly-rated, small-group Lisbon to Sintra day tours.
The cultural landscape of Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s covered in castles and palaces! The most famous is the colorful Pena Palace. Palácio Nacional da Pena, to use its full name, is a 19th-century Romanticist palace known for its fairytale-esque architecture and vibrant colors of burnt orange and yellow on its castle walls.
Aside from Palácio da Pena, another top spot is the Palácio Nacional de Sintra. This Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) dates back to the 11th century. It’s a much more historic, medieval castle. One of the most recent additions to the landscape is Quinta da Regaleira, a 20th-century palace made of granite.
Visiting at least three palaces across a sprawling parkland is hungry work. Sample Sintra’s famous travesseiros, a doughy egg cream and almond pastry, at Piriquita Café. Stop for lunch at the laidback Tascantiga. They serve tapas dishes and sandwiches on cute gingham tablecloths and boast a nice view from their terrace.
2. Óbidos
Distance from Lisbon: 53 miles/85 km
Approximate travel time: 1 hr 20 m
There are many medieval villages in Portugal, but Óbidos is the perfect place to visit on a Lisbon day trip. It’s just north of the capital in the Oeste region and it takes less than 90 minutes to drive here.
Óbidos is a great example of a well-preserved fortified medieval town. Its city walls and grand, hilltop castle were built in the 12th century. You can even walk along the wall as high as 20 – 30 feet off the ground. Just think of those beautiful views! Other examples of medieval architecture include Porta da Vila, the city’s main gate. If you are traveling with couples, this is one of the more romantic cities in Portugal.
Fast forward to the 16th century and you can see the Aqueduto de Usseira, a defunct but miraculously intact aqueduct outside Old Town. Head into the center of town and walk along Rua Direita, the main street of Óbidos, for shops and the Renaissance Church of St. Mary. Head to the cozy, underground Madok Restaurante for a traditional Portuguese lunch. Expect clams, chorizo, and shrimp on the menu but they cater to many dietary requirements.
3. Évora
Distance from Lisbon: 85 miles/137 km
Approximate travel time: 1 hr 45 m
One of the best day trips from Lisbon is Évora. It doesn’t matter if you drive or take public transportation. Each option has the same journey time! You can take the 84 or 94 direct bus from Lisbon Sete Rios to Évora Bus Station. Or, hop on a direct InterCity train from Lisbon’s Estação do Oriente train station to Évora station. There’s no excuse for not visiting this beautiful place packed with historic monuments.
Évora’s city center is one of Portugal’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Romans founded this town in the 2nd century, so it has a long history. Check out Templo Romano, the ruins of a Roman temple made from granite and marble for Emperor Augustus. The Royal Palace of Évora was King Manuel I’s residence during the Renaissance and the gardens are a great place to visit. Other main attractions include the Cathedral of Évora and the Chapel of Bones.
Café Alentejo is the best option for lunch in Évora. It’s close to everything in the historic center and serves traditional dishes like ox tail and black pork.
4. Cascais
Distance from Lisbon: 20 miles/32 km
Approximate travel time: 1 hr 10 m
Once a quiet fishing town turned summer retreat for European nobility, Cascais is the ideal spot for a great day trip to the seaside. It’s just west of Lisbon along the Tagus River and you can travel there by car or train. Walk or take the metro to Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station and ride a direct service to Cascais.
Like all coastal towns in Portugal, Cascais gets busy in the summer months. It’s a good idea to arrive early and beat the crowds to Cascais’ nearby beaches! Many little sandy coves, like Praia da Rainha, Praia da Ribeira de Cascais, and Praia da Duquesa, are close to the train station and the historic town center.
Stroll along the waterfront from the beautiful beaches to the marina. You’ll pass historic buildings like the 16th-century Fortress Nossa Senhora da Luz, Santa Marta Lighthouse, and the Royal Citadel of Cascais. Not to mention the amazing views of the ocean!
Cascais attracts yacht owners, so restaurants by the harbor can be a little spendy. Head into the small and seek out Manjar da Vila. It’s a relaxed, highly-rated Portuguese restaurant that locals love.
5. Setúbal
Distance from Lisbon: 30 miles/49 km
Approximate travel time: 40 m
If you don’t mind renting a car, Setúbal is the perfect day trip from Lisbon. It’s the starting point for exploring the surrounding countryside of the Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve. Be there in just over half an hour by car or 75 minutes by public transportation. Take the metro to Lisbon’s Entrecampos station and board a direct train to Setúbal.
Setúbal sits in the center of two nature reserves: Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado and Parque Natural da Arrábida. It’s one of Portugal’s wine regions so it’s a great place to try some local grapes. Moscatel, not port wine, is Setúbal’s delicacy. Opt for a wine tasting at Quinta do Piloto or Quinta de Alcube. They’re both only a short drive or taxi ride from the city center.
If that’s a little far to travel, Beco da Ribeira is a bar in Setúbal with deep wine cellars. Other best things to do include visiting the Livramento Market and the white and blue tiled São Filipe fort.
Taberna do Largo near Setúbal’s harbor is a good place to eat lunch. This quirky, checkerboard-covered tavern expertly blends traditional Portuguese food with international fare.
6. Nazaré
Distance from Lisbon: 75 miles/121 km
Approximate travel time: 1 hr 30 m
One of the top beachy day trips from Lisbon is to Nazaré. You can travel by FlixBus from Lisbon’s Estação do Oriente station to Nazaré bus station but it will take around one hour longer. Rent a car to arrive early instead as this place gets popular during peak season.
Nazaré is a seaside town on the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of the best places for huge sandy beaches and even bigger waves. Seriously! Sebastian Steudtner holds the world record for surfing the biggest wave ever – a whopping 93.7 ft/28.57 m – at Nazaré in 2020. Join him in the water by taking a private surf class or stay dry on a boat trip to explore the Nazaré Canyon. You’ll love the natural beauty of Nazaré and the panoramic views of the coastline from Farol da Nazaré.
Although it’s a small town, there are many great (and not-so-great) restaurants lining Nazaré’s main beach. Sidestep the local Irish Pub and check out Restaurante Tabernassa instead!
7. Ericeira
Distance from Lisbon: 30 miles/48.5 km
Approximate travel time: 40 m
Ericeira is a day trip to rival Nazaré. It’s also a picturesque town on the Atlantic Coast but much closer to Lisbon. However, you’ll spend almost twice as long navigating the several buses and trains to get here via public transport. The best way to travel to Ericeira from Lisbon is by car, for sure!
Although Ericeira also has a surf culture (and a UNESCO-certified World Surfing Reserve! Who knew that was a thing?!), it has more of a hippy vibe than Nazaré. Think bohemian boutiques (check out Oslo Store and Biju Beach Store), health food stores, and sunrise yoga on the sand. Speaking of sand, Ericeira has some of the best beaches in the country. Head to Praia do Norte for water sports and Praia dos Pescadores for strolling.
Lean into Ericeira’s plant-based, all-natural food scene. GiG – Green is Good is a fun brunch spot serving vibrant Açaí bowls and rainbow-colored salads.
8. Azenhas do Mar
Distance from Lisbon: 27 miles/43 km
Approximate travel time: 50 m
Sintra isn’t the only place to visit in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Azenhas do Mar is a great place to visit on a day trip if you’re looking for somewhere quieter. It’s better to rent a car to travel here as it’s on the coast. Traveling by public transport will take an hour longer! Your only option is to take the train from Lisbon’s Estação do Oriente to Sintra and hop on the local N.1248 bus service.
Azenhas do Mar is an old fishing village that has become a photographer’s paradise. Whitewashed houses are perched on a huge cliff overlooking Praia das Azenhas do Mar, the town’s main beach. There isn’t much else to do here other than wander the narrow streets, relax on the beach, and dine at restaurants. But that’s the great thing about visiting Azenhas do Mar. It will force you to slow down and unwind away from the bustle of Lisbon.
You won’t be surprised that Azenhas do Mar has amazing seafood restaurants. Check out Água e Sal or Restaurante Azenhas do Mar. The latter is a little more expensive, but the views over the sea are sensational.
9. Fatima
Distance from Lisbon: 80 miles/128 km
Approximate travel time: 1 hr 30 m
Fátima is one of the best day trips from Lisbon for many reasons. First, it’s easy to reach by rental car, public transportation, or organized tour. Book an ALSA or Rede Expressos 53 bus service from Estação do Oriente in Lisbon direct to Fátima. Due to its religious significance, many tour companies run small-group tours to Fátima from Lisbon.
If you haven’t already heard about the Miracle of Fátima, you will now! In 1916, three shepherd children told of a prophecy where the Virgin Mary would appear and perform miracles on October 13th, 1917. Long story short, Bishop José da Silva and Pope Pius XII legitimized the miracle. It has become an important place for Catholic pilgrimage. You can just imagine the number of beautiful churches and monasteries here! None compare to the neoclassical Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima. Many like to visit the shepherd children’s houses (Lucia and then her cousins Francisco and Jacinta).
Fátima’s welcomes millions of visitors every year. This means you’ll find a lot of fast-food joints and global restaurants. For a more traditional Portuguese lunch, visit O Crispim. The dark stone walls and white tablecloths make this casual place more elevated.
10. Cabo da Roca
Distance from Lisbon: 25 miles/40 km
Approximate travel time: 45 m
Another coastal town in the Sintra-Cascais National Park that gives Azenhas do Mar a run for its money is Cabo da Roca. It’s much faster and easier to travel here from Lisbon by car, but it is possible by public transport. Although, the journey is over twice as long! You’d need to travel to Sintra by train and then take the local N. 1253 bus. Alternatively, you can take the train to Cascais and the local N. 1624 bus.
Cabo da Roca is at 38º 47´north and longitude 9º 30´west, This makes it the most westerly point of mainland Europe! You can even get a certificate in town proving that you’ve been there. The tourist office is next to a beautiful red and orange lighthouse, Farol do Cabo da Roca.
Pack your hiking boots and walk down to the beaches of Praia do Louriçal or Praia de Assentiz. You’ll be able to appreciate the jagged rock formations of the brutal coastline up close. Stay for sunset where you’ll have the best time watching the spectacular views across the water.
Despite its small size, Cabo da Roca has a few restaurants. 3 Gomes has a large dining hall serving hearty fish dishes and Portuguese steak.
11. Coimbra
Distance from Lisbon: 127 miles/204 km
Approximate travel time: 2 hr 10 m
Coimbra is one of the best day trips from Lisbon if you’d like to explore a lesser-visited Portuguese city. Although driving is 30 minutes faster, you can still travel from Lisbon on direct transport. Catch the Rede Expressos 11 bus service from Lisbon Sete Rios station or InterCity train service from Santa Apolónia.
The University of Coimbra put this city on the map. Founded in 1290, it’s the oldest university in Portuguese and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Santa Cruz Church to find the remains of Portugal’s first monarch, King Afonso I. Check out what’s left of the 12th-century medieval walls. There are so many churches, cathedrals (old and new), and historic buildings in Coimbra that it’s well worth taking a free guided tour of Coimbra’s historic center. We think this is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal.
Locals often stop by 100 Montaditos Coimbra, a tavern serving delicious cheap Spanish-style sandwiches. A trendier, sit-down option for lunch in Coimbra is OAK Food, Beer & Wine.
Check Out the Best Day Trips From Lisbon for Your Next City Break
Whether you want to take a beach day in Nazaré or enjoy Coimbra’s rich history, there are some great places for day trips from Lisbon. Venturing out of the capital will allow you to appreciate more of Portugal’s beauty and take a break from the city buzz. Hopefully, you’ve found a Lisbon day trip on this list that sounds like the right place for you!