Lisbon is a fantastic base for exploring Portugal. Within an hour or two, you can reach fairytale palaces, surf beaches, a walled medieval town, a Roman city in the Alentejo, and wild, empty coastline. Here are the best day trips from Lisbon, with how to get there and what to see.
1. Sintra
Distance: About 30 km
How to get there: Trains from Lisbon's Rossio station take about 40 minutes.
Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a hillside town of romantic palaces, exotic gardens, and misty forests. Visit the colorful Pena Palace, explore the grottoes, tunnels, and spiral well of Quinta da Regaleira, and walk the walls of the Moorish Castle for panoramic views. Book timed tickets online, start early, and use the local buses or taxis to get between the hilltop sights.
2. Cascais and Cabo da Roca
Distance: About 30 km
How to get there: Trains from Cais do Sodré take about 40 minutes along the coast.
The elegant seaside town of Cascais has sandy beaches, a pretty marina, and an old town full of cafés. Walk or cycle along the coast to the Boca do Inferno cliffs, or take a bus to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. You can even combine Cascais with Sintra by bus.
3. Óbidos
Distance: About 85 km
How to get there: Express buses from Lisbon's Campo Grande take about an hour, or drive.
Óbidos is a picture-perfect medieval town encircled by walls and crowned by a castle. Walk the ramparts, wander the cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses and bougainvillea, and taste ginjinha, a cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. Óbidos hosts a medieval fair in summer and a Christmas village in winter.
4. Peniche and the Berlengas Islands
Distance: About 90 km
How to get there: Buses from Lisbon's Sete Rios terminal take about 1.5 hours, or drive in about an hour.
Peniche is a fishing town and one of Europe's top surf destinations, with famous breaks such as Supertubos and Baleal. Eat grilled fish by the harbor, and from late spring to early autumn, take a boat to the Berlengas, a protected nature reserve with clear water, sea caves, and a fortress on a rock. Visitor numbers to the islands are limited, so book ahead.
5. Évora
Distance: About 130 km
How to get there: Trains from Lisbon take about 1.5 hours.
The capital of the Alentejo is a UNESCO-listed city with a Roman temple, a Gothic cathedral, whitewashed streets, and the eerie Chapel of Bones, whose walls are lined with human skulls and bones. It is also a great place to taste Alentejo cuisine and wine.
6. Comporta and the Alentejo Coast
Distance: About 120 km
How to get there: Drive in about 1.5 hours.
Comporta is known for its long, wild beaches, rice fields, storks' nests, and stylish but low-key restaurants. It is the place to escape the crowds, ride horses along the sand, and enjoy fresh seafood. A car is essential.
Tips for Day Trips From Lisbon
- Start early: Popular places such as Sintra get very busy by late morning.
- Book tickets online: Especially for Sintra's palaces and the Berlengas boats.
- Consider a car for Comporta, the Alentejo, and combining several stops in one day.
- Stay connected: An egoViet Portugal eSIM keeps you online for train times, tickets, and maps, with no roaming fees.
Back in the city? See the best things to do in Lisbon, and plan more of your trip with our Portugal travel guide.
FAQs: Day Trips From Lisbon
What is the best day trip from Lisbon?
Sintra is the most popular and easiest day trip, with fairytale palaces just 40 minutes away by train.
Can you do Sintra and Cascais in one day?
Yes. Buses connect Sintra and Cascais via Cabo da Roca, but it makes for a long day. Start with Sintra early in the morning.
Is Évora worth a day trip from Lisbon?
Yes. Its Roman temple, cathedral, Chapel of Bones, and Alentejo food make it a rewarding trip, just 1.5 hours away by train.
Do I need a car for day trips from Lisbon?
Not for Sintra, Cascais, Évora, Óbidos, or Peniche, which you can reach by train or bus. A car is best for Comporta.