The 10 Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the world’s best city-break destinations. Millions of tourists flock to Portugal’s capital each year, and rightly so. But Lisbon isn’t just a destination in itself. Portugal’s excellent public transport system brings a host of other places into play. If you want a deeper flavour of Portugal’s history and culture, read on for my curated list of the 10 best day trips from Lisbon.

When planning my trip to Portugal, I used the following resources.

Sintra – Fairytale Palace and Ancient Castle

If you only have time for one, the best day trip from Lisbon is definitely Sintra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site feels like something out of a storybook. Think fairytale palaces, Moorish castles, and lush gardens all set against a mountainous backdrop.

Pena Palace

Sintra’s biggest draw is the magnificent Pena Palace, a romanticist masterpiece. Originally a 15th-century monastery, the 1755 earthquake badly damaged it, and it remained in ruins until King Ferdinand II acquired it in 1838. He transformed it into a flamboyant summer retreat for the royal family – and the result is pure fantasy.

Pro Tip Your timed ticket is for palace entry, which is quite a walk (20 minutes uphill) from the main site entrance. You can walk through the estate or take a shuttle bus, just leave yourself time either way.

Castle of the Moors

The next major site in Sintra is the Castle of the Moors, a 10th-century hillside fort. One look at the spectacular views of the countryside explains why the castle was built here. Visitors can walk the ramparts (a head for heights will help), explore the archaeology, and get another view of the Pena Palace across the valley.

A quick hop from Pena Palace lies the Castle of the Moors, a 10th-century fortress with sweeping views across the Sintra countryside. Walk the ancient ramparts (bring your head for heights), explore the ruins, and admire the view of Pena Palace across the valley.

Don’t miss the unusual tomb nearby, marked with both Christian and Islamic symbols. A poignant reminder of Portugal’s multicultural history. Unable to identify the religion of the individual skeletons, the tomb bears the motto, “What man brought together, only God may separate.”

Other attractions at Sintra include:

• Quinta da Regaleira – Mystical 16th-century estate with underground tunnels and symbolic architecture
• Palácio de Monserrate – Hermitage transformed by English baron Francis Cook
• Sintra-Cascais Natural Park – national park, perfect for hikes and nature lovers.

Read my full guide: Is Sintra Worth Visiting?

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Trains run regularly from Lisbon’s beautiful Rossio Station, taking around 40 minutes. Once in Sintra, bus 434 connects you to Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Bus 435 takes you to other key attractions.

Cascais – Regal Seaside Town

Next on our list of best day trips from Lisbon is Cascais. An easy 40-minute train journey from Lisbon delivers you to this charming seaside town. Here, you can leave behind the hectic pace of Lisbon and hear your heartbeat and breathing slow to match the vibe of Cascais.

The Portuguese royal family discovered it in the 1870s and made it their summer home, which of course attracted Portugal’s upper classes. Very quickly, Cascais became Portugal’s Saint Tropez and this affluent feel still lingers.

Stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town to discover elegant villas, independent boutiques, and a 16th-century fort. Don’t miss the candy-striped blue-and-white lighthouse or the golden beaches perfect for a midday sunbathe.

Boca do Inferno

Just a 15-minute walk from Cascais lies Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth), a dramatic cliff formation created when a sea cave collapsed. Visit in summer for calm beauty, or in winter when the Atlantic crashes into the cliffs, sending up plumes of spray – a spectacular IG shot.

Fun Fact Occultist Aleister Crowley once faked his death here to escape a girlfriend. The 1930s version of ghosting!

How to get to Cascais from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Direct trains from Cais de Sodro station will take you to Cascais in 40 minutes at a cost of about £13. They run every 15 minutes.

Cabo da Roca – Where Europe Ends

Cabo da Roca is continental Europe’s westernmost point, described by poet Luís Vaz de Camões as “where the land ends and the sea begins.”

A wild, windswept headland of towering cliffs and untamed views, it’s a top choice for coastal walks and sunsets. Though its fort is long gone, the lighthouse still stands sentinel over the Atlantic.

Unlike other day-trip spots, Cabo da Roca remains relatively undeveloped. There’s a gift shop, a cafe, and not much else, which is exactly its charm.

Many people visit as part of a Sintra-Cascais combo tour, but it’s worth slowing down here. Pack walking boots and explore the clifftops or beaches for a proper encounter with nature.

How to Get to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Cabo da Roca is accessible by car or via bus from Sintra (40 mins) or Cascais (30 mins). See those sections above for getting to the starting points.

Obidos – Walled City and Ginjinha

Obidos is a charming medieval walled town, famous for its cobbled streets, literary festivals and the cherry liquor, Ginjinha.

Visitors enter the town through the Gate of Santa Maria, which pierces the walls that surround Obidos. Several churches are worth visiting, including Santa Maria, Saint Martino, and Senhor da Pedra (outside the walls).

Enter through the grand Porta da Vila, then explore churches, including Santa Maria and the Senhor da Pedra. The hilltop castle, now a hotel, has seen everything from Roman occupation to royal honeymoons.

Obidos and Festivals

Obidos is also renowned for its festivals, including:

• International Chocolate Festival – Edible art, tastings, and demos
• FOLIO Book Festival – Talks by top international authors
• Medieval Fair – Costumes, jousting, and traditional music in July
• Christmas Village – December sees the whole town turned into a festive wonderland

Ginjinha, is a staple in Lisbon, but it was first made by monks from Obidos in the 17th century. They mixed morello cherries with brandy for a post dinner drink. The best way to sample their invention is to take a shot in an edible chocolate cup. This gives the drink a bit of a black forest gateau vibe which is absolutely delicious.

How to get to Obidos from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

The Rodoviária do Oeste bus is your best bet – fast, frequent, and direct. The train is slower, less convenient and more expensive.

Evora – Portugal Through the Ages

Evora’s historic centre is another of Portugal’s UNESCO world heritage sites, and it’s easy to see why. The city’s roots lie in Roman times, but it reached prominence in the 15th century when the Portuguese aristocracy made it their home.

Evora survived the famous Lisbon earthquake of 1755 unscathed, which means Evora’s history remains in place. The city’s monuments reflect the influence of those who made it their home. These include:

• Temple of Diana – One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Iberia
• Cathedral of Évora – Portugal’s largest medieval cathedral
• Capela dos Ossos – A chapel lined with 5,000+ bones and skulls.

When the Portuguese aristocracy made the city their home, it triggered Evora’s golden age and left a heritage of religious buildings and royal palaces which are worth visiting.

Evora’s centre is compact, making it a great place to explore on foot. It’s also the only walled city in Portugal, so one way to explore the city is to walk around the walls.

How to get to Evora from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Evora lies about 80km due East of Lisbon and is well served by both train and bus.

Buses leave regularly from Terminal Rodoviário de Sete Rios (Rede Expressos) and Oriente (Flixbus), are direct, and take about 80 minutes. As usual in Portugal, they are good value and Flixbus services only cost about £4.

Trains take about 15 minutes longer on average. Also direct, they leave regularly from the Entrecampos station and cost about £10.

Batalha – Magnificent Monastery

The monastery of Batalha, ‘battle’ in Portuguese was built to commemorate the 1385 Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota. To give thanks for the victory over a Castilian army nearly 5 times bigger, King John I commissioned a monastery, which would take nearly two centuries to complete.

Today, the monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. The monastery is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with traditional themes from medieval buildings at the time transformed by the introduction of the Portuguese Manueline style.

Top things to note in the monastery are:

• The Unfinished Chapels
• The Chapter House, home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Intricate Manueline stonework
• The remarkable stained-glassstained-glass windows.

If you can visit in the late afternoon, do it. The low sun shining through the monastery’s stained glass windows creates an incredible light show, painting the cathedral’s stone interior with colour.

One of the best days to visit Batalha is on the anniversary of the battle (August 14th). The whole town joins in commemorative festivities involving music, an expats’ return and a celebration of the region’s culture.

How to Get to Batalha from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Flixbus runs direct buses (2 hours, approx. £4). Alternatively, travel via train to Chao de Macas, then take a taxi. Batalha is often bundled with Fátima and Nazare on organised tours.

Setubal and Arrabida Natural Park – Wildlife Heaven

Setubal is a port city south of Lisbon across the 25 de Ebril bridge.

The city is a paradise for nature lovers and sun worshippers. It’s sandwiched between the Arrabido Natural Park and the Sado River estuary. The Sado estuary offers the opportunity to see dolphins cavorting in the water, as well as excellent bird watching. Over 600 species of birds have been recorded in the Setubal area.

Visitors interested in a day lying in the sun will love the pristine beaches in the Arrabido Natural Park. These beaches are considered among the best in Portugal and are regularly compared to the Caribbean. The best known of these is Praia do Creiro, but other beaches nearby are just as beautiful. Explore a little further along the road, and you’ll come to more gems like Praia dos Coelhoso, Praia dos Galapinhos and Praia dos Galapos.

Setubal is also famous for its seafood. Historically, it was one of Portugal’s most important fishing towns. The town once boasted 400 fish-canning factories. Check out the Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti to learn more about the town’s history. Today, you can find some wonderful seafood restaurants featuring freshly caught fish. I recommend the local speciality, choco frito, deep-fried strips of cuttlefish.

How to get to Setubal from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Setubal is an easy 45-minute bus ride from Lisbon. Rede Expressos runs regular services for about £5 from the Sete Rios bus terminal.

The train, which also leaves from Sete Rios, takes a few minutes longer, but is a similar price.

Fatima – Modern Day Miracle Site

In 1917, three shepherd children from the anonymous Portuguese town of Fatima claimed to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary. The events which followed over the next few months changed Fatima from a sleepy backwater to a major pilgrimage site.

The children claimed to have seen the ‘lady dressed in white’ and shining with light 5 more times. Crucially, they predicted the next visitation to a specific date in October. An estimated crowd of 70,000 turned up on the day, and many reported the Sun behaving erratically in the sky. A phenomenon described as ‘The Miracle of the Sun’.

For religious visitors, Fatima is a must-do day trip from Lisbon, but even for those (me included) of a more secular bent, it’s still a fascinating place to visit. It isn’t often that an event ascribed miracle status happened in contemporary time, was witnessed by so many, and was so well documented. So, whether you put it down to mass hysteria or divine providence, it’s still an interesting visit.

The main things to see at Fatima include:

• Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary – houses the tombs of the children
• Chapel of Apparitions – a small chapel on the spot of the visitations
• Church of the Most Holy Trinity – an 8000+ capacity church
• Pilgrimage Square – some complete their pilgrimage on their knees
• O Milagre de Fátima Interactive Museum – children’s museum
• Fatima Wax Museum – Fatima’s story told with wax figures.

How to Get to Fatima from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Direct buses take 90 minutes and run regularly from various Lisbon terminals. Organised tours also include Fátima, often paired with Batalha or Nazare. Avoid religious days and anniversaries when pilgrims swell the numbers at Fatima dramatically.

Nazare – Seafood and Surfing

Nazare’s character changes with the seasons. In the summer, it’s a quaint clifftop town with wonderful views, great restaurants and a religious heritage.

Originally a fishing village, Nazare retains some wonderful traditions. For centuries, Nazare women have worn 7 different coloured skirts, a fashion unique to the town. The tradition’s origin is lost, but there are many theories. The most popular of these is the ladies’ need to keep warm while waiting in inhospitable conditions for their husbands to return from the sea.

Another fishing tradition that survives in Nazare is the Arte Xavega. Local boats fish the bay with dragnets, and then the catch is sold by the women on the shore. This happens on Saturday afternoons throughout the summer.

The cliff above the town gives wonderful views of the beach and is where the quaint Our Lady of Nazaré Sanctuary lies. This church stands on the site of older ones built to house a statue of the Virgin said to have been brought from Nazareth (the reason for the town’s name).

The other reason to ride the funicular to the top of the cliffs is to eat at one of the excellent seafood restaurants and drink in the spectacular views.

Nazare – Big Wave Capital of the World

Visit in the autumn or winter, and Nazare drums to a totally different beat. When the Atlantic storms hit Nazare, the town transforms itself into the world’s greatest venue for big wave surfing.

Just offshore from Nazare, the ocean depth plummets 16,000 feet into a vast underwater canyon. When the autumn storm winds come from the right direction, this generates the largest waves on the planet. The best big wave surfers in the world congregate here to be the first to ride the mythical hundred-foot wave.

How to get to Nazare from Lisbon – Best Day Trips from Lisbon

The best public transport option to get from Lisbon to Nazare is the bus. Both Rede Espresso (Sete Rios) and Flixbus (Oriente) run direct services to Nazare taking between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Azeitao – Gourmet Heaven

Wine and cheese lovers will adore the quaint village of Azeitao. The village lies between Lisbon and the port town of Setubal and getting there involves crossing the magnificent 25 de Abril Bridge, worth the trip in itself.

Azeitao is renowned as a wine and cheese producing area, with the sheep’s cheese made in the area, Queijo de Azeitão, considered amongst the best produced in Portugal. Its key ingredient is an extract from the cardoon thistle used to curdle the milk instead of the more traditional rennet.

Whilst sampling the cheese with fresh wholemeal bread, you might want to try a glass (or two) of the excellent local wines. Azeitao has you covered. The Jose Maria da Fonseca wine cellars offer tours wine tastings of their exceptional muscatel wines, along with other varieties of red and white wines.

Azeito History

History buffs will also enjoy Azeitao, as it hosts a number of exceptional historic buildings like the 15th century Palacio da Bacalhoa. Built by King Manuel I for his mother, it is considered one of Portugal’s most beautiful buildings, featuring outstanding gardens. (Note closed on Sundays).

Azeito is also known for its fountains. Prime examples of which are the baroque style Fonte de Pasmados which dates from the 18th century, the ornate Chafariz de Aldeia Rica, and the Chafariz de Oleiros which has military details and a stone carved in Roman times.

How to get to Azeitao from Lisbon

Buses from Sete Rios station take around 50 minutes and stop in Azeitão en route to Setúbal.

Practical Tips for Making the Most of the Best Day Trips From Lisbon

• Car rental v public transport – Portugal’s trains and buses are excellent, affordable and punctual. That said, renting a car can give you more flexibility for off-the-beaten-path places.
• Dress in layers: Many destinations involve coastlines or hills – the weather can shift quickly.
• Combine destinations: Short on time? Pair Sintra with Cabo da Roca, or Nazare with Batalha for an efficient day out.
• Start early: Catching the first train or bus helps you make the most of daylight and avoid crowds.

Final Thoughts: The Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is a fantastic city in its own right – but to truly get a taste of Portugal’s rich culture and landscapes, take advantage of its excellent location and transport links.

Whether you’re into royal palaces, epic surf, sacred shrines or local cheese and wine, these best day trips from Lisbon promise unforgettable experiences just a short journey from the capital.