17 Best Day Trips from Lisbon by Train and Car

Lisbon is one of the top tourist draws in Europe. It’s an incredible city to explore with its beautiful streets, bridges, history, and delicious food. 

But if you have spare time while you stay in Lisbon, check out some nearby destinations to make the most of it. With relatively short day trips from Lisbon, you can see all these nice little towns and villages around the area that you will definitely enjoy and understand the beauty of Portugal.

What people say on Reddit

Definitely go to Sintra, it’s worth spending a weekend (or you could travel up and down, it’s only a ~40 min train ride from Rossio). The obvious highlights (Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace & Park, Moorish Castle) can be seen in a day, but on day two you could explore some sights slightly further out that are as almost as nice but only get a handful of visitors (Sintra town is always packed): Convento dos Capuchos, Monserrate, Peninha (including a beautiful ~8km hiking trail through hilly woodlands that leads to a deserted megalithic monument) and the coastline: Cabo da Roca, Praia da Ursa, Praia da Andrade. Only Cabo da Roca sees larger numbers of tourists.

Locutus_WPC

I don’t know if you’ve mentioned it or not or if there’s a different name for this place, but Colares is a really nice place to visit. It’s got a really nice view and there’s a beach right near it. When I went there last time, there was practically nobody there so it’s really peaceful 😁 !! Took so many pics there lmao

throwawaymyeow

Highly recommend Sintra as a day trip to visit the castles. It’s about a 30 min easy train ride. We went early in the morning to beat the crowds and loved it. We also went to Porto and really enjoyed ourselves. We liked it more than Lisbon. I wouldn’t do it as a day trip tho since it’s like a 3-4 hour train ride. 2-3 days in Porto is plenty.

Foonert

Other than Sintra which is loved by all…

Óbidos and Azeitão/Sesimbra/Serra da Arrábida are also excellent day trips from greater Lisbon. They are well connected to the city and at least for Arrábida/Sesimbra during this time of year no car should be required as there are extra public transport routes for tourism (there are also an abundance of guides that will take you to any of them).

Other good spots would be any of the towns along the Costa Prata north of Lisbon if you like historical fishing towns with fantastic beaches – they include Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto, São Pedro de Moel, and Praia da Vieira.

If you want to do an overnight trip – Évora is a good choice, especially if you have a car because you’ll be a relatively short drive from a number of locations, including Vila Viçosa, Elvas, and Monsaraz.

Other good overnight trips would be Aveiro/Ílhavo/Costa Nova (Aveiro is a pretty unique city that doesn’t look like a lot of other places in Portugal) and Coimbra (the Joanina Library is a big draw for fans of libraries, much like the one at Mafra Palace). Condeixa-a-Nova, near to Coimbra, is also home to the Conimbriga site & museum which is one of the best preserved Roman archaelogical sites in the Iberian peninsula.

tokyorevelation9

What day trips can you do from Lisbon?

1. Sintra (a must-see)
2. Cabo da Roca
3. Cascais and Estoril
4. Óbidos
5. Porto
6. Algarve (including Ponta da Piedade)
7. Fátima
8. Benagil Caves
9. Nazaré
10. Alentejo (Hidden gem! Weekend trip)
11. Coimbra
12. Santarem
13. Sesimbra
14. Setubal
15. Tomar
16. Spain (weekend trip)
17. Morocco (weekend trip)

Sintra

The most important day trip you need to take if you’re in Lisbon is Sintra. 

Sintra is a fairy tale world like no other. It is a relatively small city, a UNESCO site, and has two major historical sites.

The first one is Pena Palace, a magical mixture of Disney castles put together. The second one is a Moorish castle you can hike to and hike around its beautiful ruins — Castelo dos Mouros. 

The entry fee is €8 for Castelo dos Mouros and €14 for the Pena Palace, and you can also have two tickets combined for €20.

Tip Bring comfortable shoes if you plan to go to the Moorish castle.

There is also a beautiful Toy museum, the Gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, and the Modern Art Museum. 

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon

Sintra is just over 16 miles from downtown Lisbon. There are a few ways to get to Sintra: 

• It takes 40 minutes to get there on the local train, which commutes every 20-30 minutes, so it’s easy to go back and forth.
• The bus (line 35) takes you to Sintra in 25 minutes from the Plaza of Pombál.
• You can take the metro and take the bus once you’re there instead of walking around the city because things are spread out a bit. So, the bus will take you to each little stop. The bus ticket is around €5.
• There is also Uber which can take you there for roughly €20-30 one-way.
• You can take a motorbike (€42 for 24h rental)

Cabo da Roca (the Edge of the World)

If you leave Sintra, you may go to Cabo da Roca which is basically where Europe ends—it is the most western point of the European continent. 

But there is another reason why so many people come to see it. Cabo da Roca is just fantastic and very scenic, with the waves crashing right upon it and the massive 150-meter above sea level cliffs. 

On a crystal-clear day, you can literally see when the sky meets the ocean, and it’s a very magical feeling. You have to see Cabo da Roca to just get a scope of how large it is—there are people climbing rocks, and they look like ants.

You can spend an entire day just sitting out there and staring into the distance.

Tip #1 It can sometimes be windy up there, so make sure you dress in layers.

Tip #2 It is the wrong place to be afraid of heights.

Tip #3 You can also walk down to the beautiful Praia da Ursa beach at the foot of the cliffs of Cabo da Roca.

How to get to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon

Take the train to Cascais from Cais do Sobre train station in Lisbon (line 19001), then ride the bus 403, which brings you to Cabo da Roca. The travel time is roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Cascais and Estoril

Cascais is a perfect spot for a one-day trip from Lisbon. It is a beach town 19 miles west of Lisbon with a panoramic view of the Marina de Cascais, a charming area for walking and beach leisure activities. 

There is also a historical center with the town museum. There are cobblestone streets everywhere, so make sure to wear non-slippery shoes.

Estoril is another little spot, just one train stop from Cascais. Or, you can just walk along the coast down from Cascais to Estoril.

How to get to Cascais from Lisbon

There is a train (line 19001) from Lisbon which goes to Cascais every 20 minutes. You can also get to Cabo da Roca from Cascais on bus 403 in roughly 40 minutes.

Óbidos

Óbidos is well-known for its 14th-century city walls and cute white houses. There are many lovely little churches with the church of Santa Maria, where they married a Portuguese king when he was nine years old. 

Since 2002, the city of Óbidos has celebrated the Chocolate festival, which makes the city the world capital of chocolate in the spring.

How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon

Train (IR 813)

• Departs: Lisbon Santa Apolonia
• Arrives: Obidos
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 59 minutes
• Tickets: from €10

Bus 

• Departs: Lisbon Oriente
• Arrives: Caldas da Rainha
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Tickets: from €2

Porto

Known for its bridges over the Douro River and famous wine, Porto is a relatively small city easily covered in a day or a weekend trip and has nothing to envy about its neighbor Lisbon.

You can walk through the Ribeira at sunset, get lost in the Bolhao Market, climb the Clérigos Tower, and eat a Francesinha (the Portuguese sandwich) or a Bacalhau a Brás (salt cod, potatoes, and eggs). 

If you come to Porto for a few days, check out the Vila Nova de Gaia wineries.

Read also: Porto vs Lisbon, a detailed comparison

How to get to Porto from Lisbon

Train

• Departs: Lisbon Santa Apolonia
• Arrives: Porto Campanha
• Shortest travel time: 2 hours 38 minutes
• Tickets: from €20

Bus (Flixbus)

• Departs: Lisbon Oriente
• Arrives: Porto, Parque das Camélias Terminal rodoviário
• Shortest travel time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Tickets: from €9

Algarve (including Ponta de Piedade)

Algarve is one of the most beautiful districts to see in Portugal and one of its most potent tourist attractions. Along the coast, you will find some of the best European beaches with turquoise waters that contrast with the golden color of the cliffs.

There are desert islands, fishing villages with cobblestone streets, and traditional restaurants. From waterfalls to castles passing through places known for their enormous biodiversity.

What to see in Algarve on a day trip

• Formosa river natural park
• The town of Tavira
• The historic center of Loulé and Olhão
• Faro
• Albufeira and Banegil Caves
• Silves, Portimão
• Cabo San Vicente

Check out my Algarve Faro trip.

How to get to Algarve from Lisbon

Bus

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Lagoa
• Shortest travel time: 3 hours 5 minutes
• Tickets: from €13

Fátima

Fátima is a small inland Portuguese town and a big pilgrimage site. The Popes had gone to this city, and all the interesting places of Fatima more or less have religious roots.

The day trip to Fatima gives you a completely new understanding of the religious culture of Portugal. 

What to see in Fatima first:

• the Sanctuary of Fátima
• Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário
• Capela das Aparições
• Basilica of the Holy Trinity
• Grutas da Moeda caves

How to get to Fátima from Lisbon

Bus

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Fatima
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Tickets: from €13

Benagil Caves, Portimão

The Benagil Caves have recently become a fancy spot in Portugal (and on Instagram). It is one of the most beautiful caves in the world.

A boat tour is the best way to get there safely, and those looking for something more challenging can choose SUP (Stand up Paddle Board) tours.

A spectacular view opens inside the cave with sunlight streaming through the natural canopy and beautiful azure waters around you. It is a true natural wonder that you can’t miss! 

I recommend planning the whole day for visiting Benagil Caves, especially if you are not renting a car. The boat tours to the cave depart from the Port of Portimão. 

You can kill two birds with one stone and see the town of Portimão with its beautiful Marina promenade. 

How to get to Benagil Caves from Lisbon

Bus

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Fatima
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Tickets: from €13

Nazaré

Nazaré is well-known for its beautiful beachfront and the biggest ocean waves in the world. You can observe the town and probably the waves from the top of Sitio of Nazaré hill. There is a funicular that goes back and forth every 15 minutes. 

The main reason why waves are so huge in Nazaré is an enormous underwater canyon next to the coastline. Look inside the Sao Miguel Fort on the top of the hill to learn how these 30-meter waves are created.

Enjoy the main beach, walk through cobbled streets, eat at some small and cozy restaurants, and learn the history of the town’s anglers. 

Half a day would be enough for a day trip to Nazaré. 

Tip The biggest waves don’t happen until the winter. 

How to get to Nazaré from Lisbon

Train (to Sintra)

• Departs: Lisboa-Rossio 
• Arrives: Sintra
• Shortest travel time: 40 minutes
• Tickets: from €2

Bus (lines 35, 441)

• Departs: Lisbon Marquês de Pombal
• Arrives: Avenida Atlantico N156
• Shortest travel time: 1 hours 50 minutes
• Tickets: from €5

Alentejo

Alentejo is one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets, which is often overlooked by people who come to Portugal. It covers the vast region in central Portugal and contains rice fields, vineyards, cork plantations, and marble mines. The picturesque medieval towns and villages are scattered across the Alentejo, making it a perfect location to explore on a weekend trip from Lisbon.

What is so special about the region? It’s the food, the long and solitary beaches, the farming, the wine, the sceneries, white houses, and traditional rugs. Very few people come to Alentejo, so that is the second reason to love this area.

What to do in Alentejo, Portugal

• See the mystical and well-preserved medieval city of Évora
• Try local food (açordas, migas, cataplanas, caldeiradas, pastéis de toucinho, and many more)
• Taste local wine at the winery
• Explore the untouched Alentejo coast
• Buy traditional ceramics or rugs

Tip Alentejo has the lowest population density than Namibia (Africa).

How to get to Évora, Alentejo from Lisbon

Train

• Departs: Lisbon Entrecampos
• Arrives: Evora
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Tickets: from €10

Bus (Rede Expressos)

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Evora
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Tickets: from €10

Coimbra

Located south of Porto and crossed by the Mondego River, Coimbra is a prestigious university city, one of the most populated in Portugal (after Lisbon and Porto), with a little over 100,000 people. 

The Roman influence on architecture is still very evident today in Coimbra, but this is where they did a great job of mixing old and new because the feel of the city is young and present-day.

Coimbra is rich in history and perfect for spending a couple of days, so make sure to put it on your weekend trip schedule. 

What to do in Coimbra on a day trip

Visit its oldest buildings and churches, stroll through the steep streets of the historic center, relax in its gardens, and enjoy typical delicious dishes of the country, such as cod with cream or octopus “al lagareiro.”

How to get to Coimbra from Lisbon

Train

• Departs: Lisbon Santa Apolonia
• Arrives: Coimbra-B
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 39 minutes
• Tickets: from €15

Bus (Rede Expressos)

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Coimbra
• Shortest travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Tickets: from €12

Santarém

Santarém is another lovely town to check out on a day trip from Lisbon. 

It is an inland Portugal, about a 1-hour train ride from Santa Apolonia train station in Lisbon. 

Santarém looks out over the Tagus river from a watchtower and claims to be the capital of Portuguese Gothic. It is also a land of wines, and the scene of a reconquest resulted in the founding of Portugal.

What to do in Santarem, Portugal

• See some exquisite examples of Gothic architecture, with an outstanding Church of Santa María da Graça
• Enjoy the sceneries of Porta do Sol
• Get lost in the town’s narrow alleys, perfectly cobbled and with the typical sidewalks created with care
• Eat at Taberna Sebastiao

How to get to Santarem from Lisbon

Train

• Departs: Lisbon Santa Apolonia
• Arrives: Santarem
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 09 minutes
• Tickets: from €5

Bus (Rede Expressos)

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Santarem
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Tickets: from €9

Sesimbra

Sesimbra is a very scenic spot, like many other places in Portugal. It is a tightly packed beach town with a castle on top of the mountain, lovely cliffs, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

What to do in Sesimbra, Portugal

• Enjoy the finest beaches
• Try whale-watching tours
• Go hiking near the town
• Eat at a seafood restaurant
• Get to the hidden beach “Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo”
• Explore the Castle of Sesimbra

How to get to Sesimbra from Lisbon

Bus (Rede Expressos)

• Departs: Lisbon, from Cacilhas to Cruz Pau
• Arrives: Sesimbra
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 47 minutes
• Tickets: from €9

Setúbal (Wine Tasting)

The city of Setúbal is a fishing port that has thrived because of the fishing industry. It’s right on the Atlantic Ocean waters so that you can eat great fresh fish. The city is known for its fried fish “Choco Frito,” and they are also known for their sardines. 

It’s also not far from Arrábida Natural Park, a protected area. It does have beaches, but if you’re big into hiking or cycling, this is a place to go.

Don’t miss the chance to taste Moscatel de Setubal, a delicious dessert wine.

What to do in Setúbal, Portugal

• Go for a wine tour 
• Explore the Arrábida Natural Park
• Eat local seafood dishes
• Visit Mercado do Livramento
• See the Church of the Monastery of Jesus

How to get to Setúbal from Lisbon

Train

• Departs: Lisbon Campolide
• Arrives: Setúbal
• Shortest travel time: 49 minutes
• Tickets: from €3

Bus (Rede Expressos)

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Setúbal
• Shortest travel time: 45 minutes
• Tickets: from €5

Tomar

Tomar is a UNESCO World Heritage site with the Convent of Christ, where the Knight Templars ended up going (it was the headquarters of the Order of the Templars). Inside the Convent, they have a fantastic chapel so the knights could take mess on the horses. Also, the town has some really cool festivals throughout the year.

How to get to Tomar from Lisbon

Train

• Departs: Lisbon Santa Apolonia
• Arrives: Tomar
• Shortest travel time: 2 hours
• Tickets: from €9

Bus (Rede Expressos)

• Departs: Lisbon Sete Rios
• Arrives: Tomar
• Shortest travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Tickets: from €10

Spain

If you have a rental car, you may also want to see some Spanish towns, such as Badajoz, Cáceres, and Trujillo. It takes 2-3 hours to get there in a car, and I strongly recommend seeing Cáceres, where they filmed some Game of Thrones prequel movie scenes.

Cáceres has a beautiful blend of different architectural styles and was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The Old Town looks the same as 500 years ago. It’s worth it.

Casablanca, Morocco

If you have some more time, you may also want to fly to Casablanca, Morocco. It is only 5 hours by plane, and the flight tickets start from €65.

The Casablanca trip requires another different post which I’ll be publishing soon.

Weekend trips from Lisbon

With so many fantastic day trip locations from Lisbon, it’s sometimes hard to decide which one to choose. 

I recommend putting the more secluded destinations at the end of your Portugal bucket list. It’s because you may be too tired after the long day trip and unwilling to go anywhere even though it could be close. So, explore the nearest spots first. 

Second, if you have a free weekend or a couple of days, try going to Alentejo region, Algarve (including Benagil Caves), Porto, and Coimbra. 

See the table below.

Close cities and sights for a day trip from Lisbon

	Distance, km	By Train	By Bus
Sintra	32	40m	25m
Cascais and Estoril	33	40m	–
Sesimbra	39	–	1h47m
Cabo da Roca	40	1h15m	50m (in a car)
Setubal	47	49m	45m
Santarem	82	1h09m	1h10m
Óbidos	85	2h	1h10m
Nazaré	122	–	1h50m
Fátima	128	–	1h30m
Tomar	137	2h04m	1h45m
Alentejo (Évora)	138	1h25m	1h45m
Coimbra	204	1h39m	2h20m
Algarve	282	–	3h05m
Benagil caves, Portimão	284	>4h	3h15m
Porto	314	2h38m	3h15m

Final thoughts

Portugal is pure love. If it is not your first time in Lisbon, you should definitely take a closer look to this small and peaceful country with many hidden gems to explore. Tell me what you think about these destinations and share your personal experiences in the comments below! 🇵🇹