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10 Lovely Day Trips from Lisbon, Portugal

10 Lovely Day Trips from Lisbon, Portugal

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Planning a trip to Lisbon and are thinking about side trips? Keep scrolling for my list of the best day trips from Lisbon worth adding to your Portugal itinerary!
This list of day trips from Lisbon Portugal was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Planning a trip to the Portuguese capital city and thinking about taking some day trips from Lisbon?

You absolutely should! There are lots of places close to Lisbon that can offer you history, nature, or beaches and can inject a new and exciting destination into your city trip to Lisbon. 

You can take train trips from Lisbon, book organized Lisbon day tours, or rent a car and take road trips from Lisbon. No matter your preference, you have tons of options.

This guide offers both inspiration and logistical information for taking the best day trips from Lisbon. 

Whether you’re in the mood to visit castles, go hiking, explore a new city, or lounge on soft sand, there are easy Lisbon day trips for you!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Portugal blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Portugal with kids.

Popular Portugal Tours/Activities

Kid-Friendly Portugal Hotels

Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon

Visiting Sintra from Lisbon is, without a doubt, the most popular out of all the Lisbon Portugal day trips. It’s almost like you haven’t visited Lisbon if you haven’t visited Sintra!

Sitting on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, this town became the first city in Europe to showcase European Romantic architecture in the 19th century.

Image of Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
Pena Palace in Sintra is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe.

King Ferdinand II turned an old monastery into the dazzling yellow and red Pena Palace, which you’ll have definitely seen in photographs before.

There are tons of other incredible buildings to see here which is why many visitors book a Sintra day tour from Lisbon or DIY the trip. 

How To Get From Lisbon to Sintra

Train: From Lisbon’s Rossio metro station, take a direct green line metro service 14 stops to Sintra. Travel from Lisbon to Sintra only takes about 40 minutes and costs as little as a €2 – €4 metro ticket. This train departs every 15 minutes so getting to Sintra from Lisbon couldn’t be cheaper or easier.

Tour: There is an abundance of private and group options if you want to take a Sintra tour from Lisbon. The best Sintra day tours from Lisbon set off early so you can beat most of the crowds and include the entrance fees to the castles.

Lisbon to Cascais Day Trip

One of the easiest and best day trips from Lisbon by train is to Cascais which is just west of the Portuguese capital along the coast.

Image of Santa Marta Lighthouse in Cascais. Cascais Lisbon Portugal
The Santa Marta Lighthouse is a top Cascais attraction.

This is an idyllic beach town known for its seafood, surf-friendly waves, and palm-tree-laded white sands.

This is also one of the best Lisbon day trips by train if you want to check out a smaller port city than Lisbon which is more walkable and quieter. Plus there are tons of amazing Cascais restaurants.

How To Get From Lisbon to Cascais

Train: From Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station, take a direct to Cascais station. This Lisbon to Cascais day trip journey only takes 30 minutes and they depart every 12 minutes. 

Because Cascais falls under Lisbon’s city transport network, it will only cost you a zone-four fare which is currently €2.30.

Tour: There are tons of Lisbon to Cascais small group day tour options.

Fatima Day Trip from Lisbon

Back in 1917, three shepherd children claimed they saw the Virgin Mary who gave them a prophecy. This led to a series of miracles attributed to this apparition and hence Our Lady of Fatima became another name for the mother of Jesus Christ.

Image of The Sanctuary of Fatima in a beautiful summer day, Portugal
Don’t miss the Sanctuary of Fatima.

It’s quite the legacy! No wonder taking a Fatima day trip from Lisbon is a popular choice for many Catholics visiting Lisbon from around the world.

Of course, there are lots of spectacular churches to see in Fatima which you don’t need to be religious or Catholic to appreciate.

How To Get From Lisbon to Fatima

Bus: From Lisbon Oriente bus station, you can either take the Rede Expressos 8, 53, or 54 bus to Fatima bus station. All buses are direct and take approximately 80 minutes. These buses depart at least once an hour but more frequently at some parts of the day.

Tickets cost around  €11 – €16. It’s also worth looking at FlixBus as they sometimes travel on this route too.

Tour: While there are fewer small-group Fatima tours from Lisbon than to Sintra and Cascais, there are definitely still some options.

Lisbon to Porto Day Trip

Taking an epic day trip to Porto from Lisbon will be quite a long day and you should consider it more for weekend trips from Lisbon.

But if you’re short on time then a day trip might be your only option and it’ll be just enough time to see the highlights.

Image of A view of Ancient city Porto, Dom Luis Bridge
The Dom Luis Bridge is a key part of the city of Porto.

Porto is Portugal’s second city and, like Lisbon, is a port town on the country’s Atlantic coast.

You can take a cable car over the city to appreciate just how beautiful it is, or climb the Luís I Bridge if you want something with more of an adrenaline rush. There are lots of things to do in Porto!

How To Get From Lisbon to Porto

Train: From Lisbon Santa Apolónia station, take a direct AP or Intercity service to Porto Campanha station.

This journey can take up to three hours and there are approximately 17 trains on this route every day. Tickets cost between €25 – €32 in second class.

Tour: Due to the long journey, there are far fewer operators running tours from Lisbon to Porto, but there are some. Book your places far in advance to avoid disappointment.

Évora Day Trip from Lisbon

Évora’s Golden Age was the 15th century when it was home to the Portuguese kings. It was even granted UNESCO status in 1986 for its incredible historic center.

Image of Temple of Diana, Evora, Portugal
Visit the Temple of Diana in Evora.

Évora’s history, as well as its delicious local wines and scenic woodlands, are why day trips from Lisbon to Évora are so popular.

How To Get From Lisbon to Évora

Train: From Lisbon Oriente train station, take the direct Intercity service to Évora train station. This journey takes around 90 minutes and runs around four times per day. Single tickets cost, on average, €12.50 for this ride.

Bus: From Lisbon Sete Rios bus station, take the direct Rede Expressos 94 bus to Évora Bus Station. The journey to take an Évora day trip from Lisbon takes the exact same amount of time as the train, 90 minutes. 

However, the tickets are far cheaper as they’re around €3.50 and there are approximately 10 buses on this route every day.

Lisbon to Óbidos Day Trip

Want to visit a small, rural Portuguese town away from the capital city’s bright lights?

Consider taking a day trip from Lisbon to Óbidos, an in-land town with whitewashed houses, a hilltop castle, and very few English-speaking locals. 

Panoramic aerial view of medieval town Obidos in a beautiful summer day, Portugal
Obidos is an amazing medieval town in Portugal worth a visit.

You’ll think you’ve gone back in time hundreds of years with a visit to this charming village with only around 11,000 residents.

How To Get From Lisbon to Óbidos

Car: You can get from Lisbon to Óbidos by train, bus, or a mixture of both but all options take twice as long as a car and include one or more connections.

If you want to take a day trip from Lisbon somewhere on public transport, there are better options!

Driving from Lisbon to Óbidos in the north (53 miles/85 km) only takes an hour.

Peniche Day Trip from Lisbon

Peniche is a popular beach resort town for kitesurfers, windsurfers, and regular surfers thanks to its abundance of coastline.

Image of The Baleal beach and its scenic coastline near Peniche, Portugal
Check out Baleal beach near Peniche, Portugal.

There are also hiking trails and historic monuments like the Cabo Carvoeiro Lighthouse which make visiting Peniche for the day one of the best Lisbon trips for beach bums and outdoors people.

How To Get From Lisbon to Peniche

Bus: From Lisbon Oriente bus station, take a direct FlixBus service to Peniche Bus Station. This journey takes around 75 minutes but there are only a couple of services every day. Tickets cost €10 – €14.

Lisbon to Barreiro Day Trip

Visiting Barreriro is one of the best day trips from Lisbon if you are traveling on a budget and don’t want to travel too far. Barreiro is a city just across the Tagus River from Lisbon and is a short boat ride away.

Barreiro has lots of nice parks and some old windmills that you can explore called Praia Fluvial de Alburrica.

If you stick around until sunset, you will be able to appreciate Lisbon’s skyline from an entirely unique perspective. 

How To Get From Lisbon to Barreiro

Boat: From  Terreiro do Paço on Lisbon’s marina, take a non-stop Transtejo & Soflusa ferry to Barreiro port. This ferry crossing only takes 23 minutes and they depart every 10 minutes. Tickets cost from as little as €1 – €3.

Cacilhas Day Trip from Lisbon

The only place that is even closer to Lisbon than Barreiro is Cacilhas. It’s the best day trip from Lisbon if you’re short on time as you could easily tackle this town in half a day or even just a few hours.

Statue of Christ the King in Lisbon, Portugal
Cristo Rei (Christ the King) is a popular tourist attraction.

Cacilhas is also a short boat ride across the Tagus River. Its most iconic attraction is the statue of Cristo Rei (Christ the King).

This monument to Jesus Christ is almost identical to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the two statues even face each other across the Atlantic.

In Cacilhas, you can eat dinner at their famous seafood restaurants and check out cool lighthouses like Farol de Cacilhas. 

You could even walk down to the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and witness it from up close. It resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco but, unlike the Statue of Christ, that’s just a coincidence!

How To Get From Lisbon to Cacilhas

Boat: From Cais do Sodré on Lisbon’s marina, take a non-stop ferry to Cacilhas port. This ferry crossing takes eight minutes and boats depart every 10 minutes. Single tickets for this journey cost as little as €1.30.

Lisbon to Coimbra Day Trip

Porto isn’t your only option if you’d prefer to take day trips from Lisbon by train to other Portuguese cities. In fact, Coimbra doesn’t get enough attention from tourists and it’s much easier to reach than Porto.

Image of Coimbra, a seaside town in Portugal
Coimbra is a beautiful town in Portugal.

Coimbra is the Portuguese equivalent of a quintessential college town with a young, diverse population and lots of hipster bars and cafes. 

It’s the former capital of Portugal so it still has a lot of historic buildings like the University of Coimbra’s baroque library and its 12th-century cathedral. The university was even built on the grounds of the city’s palace.

How To Get From Lisbon to Coimbra

Train: From Lisbon Santa Apolónia station, take a direct Intercity or AP service to Coimbra-B station. These journeys take between 90 minutes to two hours and depart every 30 minutes. Tickets cost anywhere between €14 – €32.

Bus: From Lisbon Sete Rios bus station, you can take a direct Rede Expressos 2, 20, 70, or a non-stop ALSA bus to Coimbra bus station. This journey takes around two hours and 20 minutes. 

There are more services between the two cities that aren’t direct, but there are a handful of direct services every day. Tickets cost around €17.

Lisbon Day Trip FAQs

Should I do a day trip to Porto from Lisbon?

While a day trip to Porto from Lisbon is possible as it’s around a 3-hour train journey, considering Porto’s wealth of attractions, it’s better to spend at least one or two nights to truly experience the city.

Can you do Algarve day trip from Lisbon?

Yes, you can do a day trip from Lisbon to the Algarve, but it’s a long journey, around 2.5 to 3 hours one way by car or train, so an overnight stay might be more enjoyable.

How many days is ideal for Lisbon?

Ideally, three to four days in Lisbon allows ample time to explore the city’s historic neighborhoods, beautiful viewpoints, iconic landmarks like Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, and also to enjoy the local cuisine.

However, if you plan to include Lisbon day trips to nearby areas such as Sintra or Cascais, you may want to extend your stay to a week.

How do I take a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra?

Taking a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is straightforward; you can catch a direct train from Lisbon’s Rossio Station, which takes approximately 40 minutes.

Once in Sintra, the historic center, palaces, and castles are accessible by foot, local bus, or tourist hop-on, hop-off buses.

Should I visit Cabo da Roca?

Yes, you should definitely consider visiting Cabo da Roca, as it’s a unique location being the westernmost point of mainland Europe, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s particularly captivating at sunset, and its dramatic cliffs and lighthouse create a picturesque setting.

Where is the small medieval town in Portugal?

Óbidos is a well-preserved small medieval town in Portugal, complete with castle walls and charming cobbled streets.

Is there a Roman temple in Portugal?

Yes, the Temple of Diana, an iconic Roman temple, is located in the city of Évora in southern Portugal.

Does Portugal have a Unesco World Heritage Site?

Yes, Portugal is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Tower of Belém in Lisbon, the Historic Centre of Porto, and the Monastery of Batalha.

What towns are in Central Portugal?

Central Portugal includes several towns and cities such as Coimbra, known for its historic university, Aveiro, often dubbed the ‘Venice of Portugal’, and Fatima, a significant pilgrimage site.

What’s the Westernmost point in Portugal?

The westernmost point in Portugal, and mainland Europe, is Cabo da Roca, located in the Sintra municipality.

Is there a small fishing town in Portugal worth visiting?

Yes, the town of Nazaré, situated on Portugal’s Silver Coast, is a charming fishing village famous for its traditions, colorful boats, and some of the world’s biggest surfing waves.

Ericeira, a charming fishing village, is just a short 45-minute drive from Lisbon. Known for its picturesque views and rich maritime heritage, it’s the perfect escape from the city buzz.

Another is Tavira in the Algarve, a historic fishing town with traditional Portuguese architecture, a tranquil river, and close proximity to beautiful beaches.

What are the best picturesque towns in Portgual?

Óbidos, a medieval town complete with castle walls and cobblestone streets, is renowned for its picturesque charm in Portugal.

Sintra, with its fairytale palaces and lush gardens, and the seaside town of Cascais with its quaint old town and beautiful beaches, are also among Portugal’s most scenic destinations.

Where can I find beautiful beaches in Portugal?

Portugal offers stunning beaches across its coastline, particularly in the Algarve region, renowned for beautiful spots like Praia da Marinha and Praia de Benagil.

For those near Lisbon, Praia do Guincho in Cascais is a must-visit, while near Porto, Praia de Miramar stands out for its unique coastal charm.

Day Trips from Lisbon Wrap-Up

If you’re spending four or more days in the Portuguese capital then you definitely have time to take a couple of Lisbon day trips or day tours from Lisbon.

No matter your preferred style of travel, there are so many amazing places you can visit!

This complete list of day trips from Lisbon, Portugal will help you plan a special side trip so you can explore a different side of Portugal.

Looking for more Portugal travel content? Check out my Portugal travel tips for first-timers, 11 Best Lisbon Hotels for Families Worth Booking, 15 Things to do in Lisbon with Toddlers, 11 Things to Do in Porto, Portugal for First-Time Visitors!, and Europe travel tips!

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