Are you looking for an escape from Lisbon? Check out this post for 10 day trips from Lisbon you will love!
Known as the Portuguese Capital, Lisbon is a city surrounded by a region packed with historic towns, stunning scenery, and glorious beaches. Hence, making Lisbon the perfect base to explore everything. So, with Lisbon’s extensive public transport, anyone can explore the region surrounding it for the best day trip.
In fact, even if you’re just in Lisbon for the weekend, there are several day trips you can do from the city to make your vacation worthwhile. So, if you’re in Lisbon and you’re looking to escape the city, keep reading! This post alone highlights 10 day trips from Lisbon you’ll absolutely love as well as what activities you can do for each trip.
Portugal Travel Series
P.S. This is a post in my Portugal Travel series. Here is the complete series:
Lisbon Instagram Spots: The 7 Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon
Lisbon Hidden Gems: 9 Non-Touristy Hidden Gems in Lisbon
Lisbon Must Eats: 10 Amazing Must Eats in Lisbon
Day Trips from Lisbon Map
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Sintra (day trips from lisbon)
Sintra, for example, is a great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love! It’s a charming historic town that’s 40 minutes from Lisbon and it’s known for its many attractions such as its castles and palaces, including the Peña Palace and the Castelo dos Mouros.
The Peña Palace is a famous palace in Sintra that’s known for its colorful facade, Moorish arches, and towers. Originally a monastery in the 15th century, the Peña Palace was transformed into a summer residence for the royal family in the 1800s.
The Castelo dos Mouros is a 10th-century castle with walls winding along a hilltop. It offers views of the countryside and the Atlantic coast, making it the perfect medieval castle for the best backdrop.
So, if a day trip to Sintra interests you, I highly recommend visiting! Sintra’s natural beauty stands out among many places since the town is situated on top of a mountain, surrounded by lush greenery.
Cascais (day trips from lisbon)
Cascais is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love due to its beaches, golf courses, and proximity to Boca do Inferno. For one thing, Cascais has many beaches which is perfect if you’re looking for a beach getaway destination from Lisbon. Tamariz Beach is one of Cascais’ most popular beaches and it’s known for being small, sandy, and surrounded by rocks.
When it comes to its golf courses, Cascais is a top destination in Europe for golfing. It has golf courses for all skill levels and the Oitavos Dunes course is ranked number one in Portugal and 55th in the world.
Lastly, Cascais has the Boca do Inferno that is a dramatic rock arch located about a mile from the center of the town. In English, the rock arch can be translated as “Hell’s Mouth” since the arch is meant to be shaped in that way. From the top of the arch, you can see how blue the water is from the bottom as well as how quickly it hits against it from my TikTok video.
So, if a day trip to Cascais interests you, I highly recommend visiting! The town was a refuge for royalty during World War II (WWII) as well as the Spanish Civil War.
Ericeira (day trips from lisbon)
Known as the surfing capital of Europe, Ericeira is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love! It has some of the best surfing spots on the European continent, with diverse waves suitable for all skill levels. In fact, this charming coastal town is the only European location designated as a World Surfing Reserve, so many people all over the world visit it to get some experience on the waves.
As a tourist, be sure to check out the charming coastal town’s center for historic streets, local shops, and traditional Portuguese restaurants. The restaurants over there are known for their seafood since they are situated right next to the coastline.
So, if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Lisbon and enjoy a laid-back, coastal vibe, I highly recommend visiting Ericeira. Besides surfing, there are a lot of active outdoor pursuits you can do there like hiking, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Cabo da Roca (day trips from lisbon)
Known as the westernmost point of Mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love! It offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as dramatic cliffs, and the Serra de Sintra mountain range, making it THE PLACE to experience the edge of the European continent. Visitors also visit the historic lighthouse since it’s nearby as well as some hiking trails along the coast.
So, if a day trip to Cascais interests you, I highly recommend visiting! My TikTok shows what the views are like from the edge as well as what you can expect the cliffs to look like.
You’re also welcome to bring a car to Cabo da Roca to get there since there is parking available for visitors.
Aveiro (day trips from lisbon)
Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love! It’s a charming city in Portugal with many attractions that include but are not limited to its canals, colorful boats, and unique architecture.
Like Venice, Aveiro’s canals are part of a network that is associated with the city’s history and the growth of its port. You can even walk along the canals as you would in Venice as well as take a ride on a traditional moliceiro boat.
The traditional moliceiro boats in Aveiro are very colorful and they are very similar to a gondola. Historically, they were used to transport and collect moliço in Portugal which is a type of seaweed that was used as fertilizer for the region’s agricultural lands. The traditional moliceiro boats in Aveiro were even built with a shallow draft so that they could navigate the shallow waters of the Ria de Aveiro.
Lastly, when it comes to its architecture, Aveiro’s is unique due to the Art Nouveau buildings with tiled facades. These buildings include but are not limited to Casa do Major Pessoa, Cais À Porta, and Testa & Amadores.
So, if a day trip to Cascais interests you, I highly recommend visiting! The charming city is known for the friendliness of its people and it’s located along Portugal’s Silver Coast.
Tomar (day trips from lisbon)
Tomar is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love! It’s a charming town with a rich history tied to the Knights Templar since it served as the headquarters for the French military order. The town was even showcased by the magnificent Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-see for anyone interested in medieval history and architecture. In fact, the Convent of Christ is the main draw for Tomar due to the complex displaying a mix of Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architectural elements.
So, if a day trip to Tomar interests you, I highly recommend visiting! You may also experience the “Festa dos Tabuleiros” (Festival of the Trays) while you’re there which is a vibrant local celebration with costumes and parades.
Troia (day trips from lisbon)
Troia is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love! It has stunning, long stretches of white sandy beaches and the landscape of the peninsula is exquisite. In fact, you’ll even have the opportunity to explore the Roman ruins while you’re there as well as visit Troia’s renowned golf course.
Praia de Tróia, for example, is one of Troia’s famous beaches and it’s known for its expansive white sand and calm waters. The ancient Roman ruins of Troia even provide a glimpse into the region’s history. The peninsula’s golf course is even rated by many as the top golf course in Portugal.
So, if a day trip to Troia interests you, I highly recommend visiting! The peninsula is easily accessible by ferry from Setúbal city, making it the perfect place for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Peniche (day trips from lisbon)
Peniche is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love due to its beaches, history, and maritime activities. For one thing, Peniche has a lot of beaches that include but are not limited to Praia da Gambôa, Praia do Baleal, and Praia da Consolação. Praia do Baleal is more known as a surfing beach while Praia da Consolação is known for its dramatic cliffs.
When it comes to its history, Peniche has a seaside fort that was used to detain political prisoners. The fort is still being used as a paragon for Portuguese coastal defenses today.
Lastly, when it comes to maritime activities, Peniche is a major Atlantic hub for a lot of them. Some of these maritime activities include but are not limited to surfing and island exploration. The World Surf Championship is even held at Peniche which says a lot.
So, if a day trip to Peniche interests you, I highly recommend visiting! The town is also known for its handmade lace called Renda de Bilros (bobbin lace) which you can watch women make in Peniche in person.
Óbidos (day trips from lisbon)
Óbidos is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love due to its well-preserved medieval village, castle, and other attractions. For one thing, Óbidos is the perfect example of a traditional Portuguese village because of how well it has been preserved. In fact, some would even say Óbidos is as old as it gets.
Its 8th-century castle is even a symbol of national pride and one of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive at the village.
Some other attractions in Óbidos include but are not limited to the Municipal Museum and the São Pedro Church. The Municipal Museum is located in an 18th-century building and it features a collection of paintings such as a portrait of Josefa de Óbidos. The São Pedro Church is a 13th-century church that comprises the final resting place of Josefa D’Óbidos who was one of Portugal’s greatest female artists.
So, if a day trip to Óbidos interests you, I highly recommend visiting! A guided tour can also help you learn more about the village if you’re just planning to be there for one day.
Ilhavo (day trips from lisbon)
Ilhavo is another great day trip from Lisbon you’ll love due to its coastal beaches, seafood cuisine, and maritime heritage. For one thing, Ilhavo has beautiful beaches like Praia da Vagueira which are known for their traditional seafood restaurants. At these restaurants, be sure to indulge in the fresh local seafood since the town is known for having some of the most famous codfish dishes. The “bacalhau” (codfish) is their most famous dish and it can be prepared in various traditional ways. For example, sometimes the “bacalhau” can be grilled or boiled or even added to a particular stew, salad, or fish cake.
So, if a day trip to Ilhavo interests you, I highly recommend visiting! There’s even a picturesque coastal area near Ilhavo where you can visit the colorful striped houses of Costa Nova.
Overall, I hope you enjoyed this post on the 10 day trips from Lisbon you will love! Please let me know in the comments below what your experience was like taking a day trip from Lisbon to any of the places I recommended. I would love to hear from you! 🙂
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