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The following list of day trips is brought to you by Sydney from Alone and Abroad, an American living in Portugal! Read on for some of her top day trips from Lisbon.
If you’re searching for day trip options from Lisbon, you’re in the right place. The area is chock-full of picturesque medieval villages, dreamy beach towns, and breathtaking nature reserves. Add in a climate that’s warm enough for beach trips between April and October, and the only hard part is choosing which village to go to first!
All of these are accessible via train or by bus (and sometimes both!) So now, in no particular order, here some of my favorite day trips from Lisbon.
Save this List of Day Trips from Lisbon for Later!
You’ll be very glad you did.
1. Sintra
Sintra is a small charming mountain village known for its spectacular castles. The most interesting ones – in my opinion, anyway – are Pena Palace (a brightly colored castle that looks like it jumped out of a fairytale), the Moorish Castle (the ruins of a castle that was taken over by the Crusaders), and Quinta da Regaleira (a mysterious manor with a complex underground labyrinth).
Word to the wise, Sintra has become a bit like Disneyland with the influx of tourists. There’s no avoiding it, it will be crowded, no matter how early you get there or what time of year it is. The castles are stunning and absolutely worth exploring, just be prepared to spend much of the day waiting in line and bumping into people.
Christina’s note: I know this sounds counterintuitive in a ‘day trips from Lisbon’ roundup, but I’m a renegade so… if possible, do try to stay overnight! I did this when I visited Sintra and it made a world of difference crowd-wise to be able to wake up early to explore/walk around after the crowds have gone home.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon:
There are several direct trains from the Rossio and Oriente train stations.
2. Setúbal
Setúbal, a small fishing village about 45 km south of Lisbon, is part of the Arrábida Natural Park, a protected wildlife area. There are over 1350 different species of plants and animals, including dolphins and flamingos!
Coming from Oregon, I didn’t realize that beaches could be warm and inviting like they are in the movies – until I started traveling to southern Europe! Snorkeling here was the first day trip I ever took from Lisbon, and this was when I really fell in love with Portugal.
How to get to Setúbal from Lisbon:
Take the direct train from the Roma/Aeeiro train station and arrive 45 minutes later.
3. Óbidos
About 90 minutes north of Lisbon is Óbidos, a medieval walled town famous for its castle, unique bookstores, and many, many, festivals.
Seriously – between the Chocolate Festival in the spring, Medieval Festival in the summer, Literary Festival in autumn, and Christmas Village, there’s always a party happening in Óbidos.
If you want more detailed advice on how to spend a day in Óbidos, check out my 1 Day in Óbidos Itinerary.
How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon:
The fastest and easiest way is to take the bus that departs from Lisbon’s Campo Grande station. Tickets have to be bought online in advance.
4. Sesimbra
Like Setúbal, Sesimbra is along the coast of the Arrábida Natural Park. Sesimbra is very similar to Setubal, with the biggest difference being their size. Sesimbra is significantly smaller and has more of a ‘beach resort town’ vibe.
There are beaches closer to the city center, but Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo is my favorite beach in all of Portugal. It involves a bit of hiking to get to, but it’s always less crowded. Between the bright aquamarine waters and white rocky cliffs, it feels like paradise.
How to get to Sesimbra from Lisbon:
Take bus 3721 from Sete Rios and arrive in Sesimbra an hour later.
Pro tip: If you’re staying by the Baxia area in Lisbon, it may be more convenient to take a ferry and then a bus. Go to the Cais do Sodré and hop on the ferry towards Cacilhas. Then take the 3536 bus to Sesimbra.
5. Cascais
If you’re in the mood for a bougie beach town, look no further. After Sintra, Cascais is probably the most popular day trip from Lisbon, and it’s no wonder why. I go nearly every weekend in the summer, and sunbathing on the white sand beaches never gets old.
If you somehow manage to get tired of crystal blue waves, then you can still walk around the old town, visit a 1500s fortress, and shop in the open-air food market. Like all Portuguese coastal towns, there are fantastic seafood restaurants on nearly every street.
One of the biggest upsides to choosing Cascias is the convenience; it’s the closest beach to downtown Lisbon.
How to get Cascais from Lisbon:
Go to Cais do Sodré station and hop on the 30-minute direct train to Cascais.
6. Évora
Évora, Portugal’s second-oldest town, offers a nice change of pace from Lisbon’s bustling crowds. Quiet and picturesque, it’s perfect for wandering down narrow cobblestone alleys, popping into random bakeries, and maybe even going on a wine-tasting tour.
While you can read this full One Day in Évora Itinerary, the TLDR is that Évora is home to Roman temple ruins, a chapel ‘decorated’ with hundreds of human bones, and a Roman bathhouse that’s been converted into an ultra-modern luxury spa.
How to get to Évora from Lisbon:
Several buses and trains go directly between the Oriente train station and Évora. Both take 90 minutes, so which one you choose just comes down to personal preference. The bus is cheaper, but the train is more comfortable.
7. Nazaré
It’s time for a fun fact: Portugal holds the world record for the largest wave ever surfed! While the record sits at 26.21 meters (86 feet), the waves regularly get over 15 meters (50 feet).
Part of the fun of visiting Nazaré is taking the cable car up to the beachfront cliffs, where the best views can be found.
The waves are the strongest from October to March, so if you want the colossal waves, make Nazaré a winter day trip.
How to get to Nazaré from Lisbon:
The easiest and least expensive way is to take a Flixbus from Oriente.
8. Ericeira
Ericeira is another seaside town known for its surfing community. While the beaches here are equally stunning, the waves are a bit more manageable than Nazaré.
It’s not just the waves that are more relaxed – out of all the day trip options on this list, Ericeira is probably the most laid-back. I’m no surfer, but it’s an absolute paradise for paddle boarding, swimming, and snorkeling, too.
How to get to Ericeira from Lisbon:
The 2740, 2803, 2751, and 2801 buses all depart from the Campo Grande station and end in Ericeira.
Pro tip: Don’t trust Google Maps, it’ll try to tell you to transfer buses. I swear, there is a direct bus.
9. Mafra
Taking a day trip just to see one castle may seem a bit silly, but hear me out.
With a royal residence, monastery, basilica, and a library that would make any bookworm jealous, Mafra National Palace is the largest in Portugal.
Here’s another fun fact: the basilica has 6 organs – why, you may ask? The Portuguese King and Queen ordered music to specifically be written for six organs, meaning those songs can only ever be played there.
There’s not much to see in Mafra besides the palace, so a lot of people combine this with a day trip to Ericeira.
How to get to Mafra from Lisbon:
There are a few direct buses from Campo Grande bus station. If there’s no traffic, it typically takes an hour to get to Mafra.
Pro tip: Don’t try to take the train. While there is a Mafra train station, it’s extremely far away from the city center with very few transit connections. You’ll be stuck walking for two hours or paying for a very expensive taxi ride.
10. Belém
This day trip out of Lisbon involves traveling to the birthplace of the famed pastel de nata. Monks from the Jerónimos Monastery were the first to begin making these mouth-watering custard tarts.
While in Belém, make sure to stop by the Belém Tower, the Lisbon Earthquake Museum, and the Tropical Botanic Gardens – but be careful with the peacocks there. When I went, I had a box of pastéis de nata in my bag, and a few of the peacocks chased after me, trying to get a bite!
You can read more about Belém in this Lisbon 2-Day itinerary.
How to get to Belém from Lisbon:
Technically you can take the tram to Belém. But it has gotten so crowded waiting in line sometimes takes hours, and it’s a notorious pickpocketing spot. Instead, go to the Cais do Sodré station and take the Cascais train to Belém.
11. Costa da Caparica
For the last Lisbon day trip suggestion, I present to you, Costa da Caparica.
This is where the Lisbon locals go on beach day. Like many of the others on this list, it’s a beachfront town, but the fact that it’s a bit further from Lisbon means fewer crowds and lower prices. It’s just on the south side of the Tejo River and offers 26 kilometers of warm sandy beaches and waves equally suitable for swimming and surfing.
How to get to Costa da Caparica from Lisbon:
Two bus routes go to Costa da Caparica, and both take an hour if there’s no traffic – the 3710 bus from Areeiro and the 3709 bus from Marquês de Pombal.
Pro tip: If you plan on going in the summer, try to get to the bus stop early. There’s often a line that snakes along the block.
Did we miss any of your favorite Day Trips from Lisbon?
Let us know in the comments!