5 Lisbon Day Trips You Will Love

The first time I visited Lisbon and did day trips from there was over 20 years ago.  I was visiting my then-boyfriend, now-husband and he was showing me around Portugal. I fell in love with the country. Lisbon is an amazingly vibrant city that is well worth a visit.  Portugal itself is small, roughly the same area as Maine, so day trips from Lisbon are easy! These are my 5 favorite trips you can do in a day with Lisbon as your home base.

But first, is this your first trip to Lisbon and broader Portugal?  Make sure to check out these other posts about exploring Portugal!

• Your First Trip to Lisbon: What You Need to Know
• What Happens When You Ride in one of Funchal’s Toboggans?

Sintra

First is Sintra.  If you only have one day for a trip outside of Lisbon, go to Sintra. The hillside town of Sintra feels like something out of a fairytale, with its extraordinary palaces and lush greenery. 

When you visit Sintra, one must-do is the colorful Pena Palace.  High up on a hill, it’s said to be the palace that inspired Walt Disney’s castles in his stories.    The Quinta da Regaleira is more gothic architecture and extraordinary gardens.  Its caves, waterfalls and spiral wells to explore might actually make this my favorite monument in Sintra.

While there you need to have at least one meal in town.  With so many restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong.  I loved Cafe Saudade for a light lunch of quiche and salad and unbelievably decadent chocolate cake!

The entire cultural landscape of Sintra is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its “exceptional mixture of natural and cultural sites within a distinct framework.”  It is well worth a visit!

By the way, if you decide to take the train, it’s only about a 40 minutes ride.  You will depart from the Rossio Station, right in the center of Lisbon. 

Cascais

I want to retire in Cascias, for real. The last couple times we have visited family in Madeira, we have wrapped up the trip with a “scouting visit” to Cascais.  It is a beautiful mix of fishing village meets sophistication.    Portuguese nobility used to summer here, so there are beautiful and ornate mansions along the coast.  You will also find a darling cobblestone city center to explore and beautiful beaches.

You can wander through town and stop at a cafe for a bite to eat and then spend some time at the Praia da Rainha (Queen’s Beach, my personal favorite).  Or, visit a historic fort that is now a hotel and public art district.  In addition, you can rent a bike and ride up the coast to Boca do Inferno, or even follow the coast all the way up to Guincho, which is about 6 or 7 miles round trip.  In the summer especially, Cascais is full of visitors from every country, as well as residents of Lisbon looking for a day at the beach.   

Just a stone’s throw from Lisbon, the train only takes about 30 minutes.

Sesimbra

The Portuguese really know how to do beach vacations, and Sesimbra is a resort town where they flock during the summer. Assuming you visit during warm weather, a day trip here must include time on the beach. 

Sesimbra is know for its amazing seafood, so make sure to find one for lunch or dinner. If you are looking for more than beach time, you can find Kayak rentals and dolphin watching tours (I usually use TripAdvisor for this). Or, you can explore the ruins of Castelo de Sesimbra in town.

Sesimbra is a popular destination for Portuguese, so you will see the culture everywhere. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Lisbon so it is super accessible as a day trip.Just a stone’s throw from Lisbon, the train only takes about 30 minutes.

Évora

Évora is a well preserved medieval town in the Alentejo region of Portugal and is a great day trip to experience Portuguese history and culture. 

While there you should visit the Roman Temple, the cathedral and the seriously creepy Chapel of Bones!   Also make sure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and take in the Portuguese culture.

Plan for lunch!  Many of the tourist attractions close for a two hour period around lunch, which creates the perfect opportunity to find a restaurant and try the food of Alentejo.  My personal favorites are a simple dish of Porco Preto with rice or potatoes, and a dish called Carne de Porco à Alentejana.  It’s an  unlikely combination of pork and clams with local seasonings, and it is delish!

Like Sintra, the historic center of Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is about 1.5 hours away from Lisbon. This makes for a longer day trip, but it’s worth it! 

Óbidos

Finally, I love Óbidos, a charming walled Portuguese town.  A visit here is all about experiencing a charming and picturesque town.  You will find cobblestone streets and white buildings with blue or yellow accents. You can meander the streets, walk the walls and visit the castle. 

Make sure to try the Ginjinha d’Óbidos, the local cherry liquor. You can find it served in a chocolate cup and I cannot think of a better combination!

You can explore the town in a matter of hours so this is a nice day trip to combine with another local attraction.  After you have finished exploring, maybe visit Buddha Eden, Europe’s largest collection of Buddha statues (if you are feeling zen), or visit the nearby beach town of Foz do Arelho.  You could even drive a bit further and turn your day trip into an overnight in Nazaré. 

The trip to Óbidos is about an hour by car from Lisbon.  If you go early you can avoid the bus tour crowds and then head to the beach for the afternoon.

Portugal is an amazing, culturally rich country.  My husband is Portuguese so I have the opportunity to visit regularly.   I love the culture, the food, and most importantly, the people.   If you have not been, I cannot recommend it enough!

xo, Anne

If you enjoyed this article and want to read more, don’t forget to subscribe below so you can get all the updates!