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Best day trips from Lisbon: Local picks and travel tips
From a fairy tale escape in Sintra to surfing in Ericeira, find out which are the best day trips from Lisbon with local recommendations from Rita.
Visiting Lisbon means you can visit a fairy-tale town in Sintra, Roman ruins in Évora, or escape the bustling capital streets to relax on some beautiful beaches in Comporta.
But to really get to know each destination in detail, we spoke with our local Holaflyer, Rita Sequeira, who shared tips, insights, and information on where to plan a day trip from Lisbon.
This guide covers everything you need to know about these destinations, from how to get there to local tips once you arrive. We also tell you how to stay connected using a Holafly eSIM for Portugal so you can explore like a local.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Sintra
One of the most popular places to visit in Portugal, and also considered the best nearby escape for locals, is Sintra.
“Famous for palaces, forests, hiking trails, and cooler weather. One of the favorite weekend escapes from Lisbon,” Rita mentions.
The best part about Sintra is that a train trip from Lisbon takes only about 40 minutes, making it quite accessible to travelers, and it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While in Sintra, visiting the Pena Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira with its mysterious gardens, symbolism, and underground tunnels, and the Moorish Castle should be your priority.
A tip from Rita is to visit Sintra in spring or autumn, when cooler temperatures and fewer crowds make it easier to explore.
Cascais
If you want to relax and enjoy some of the best Portuguese seafood, a day trip to Cascais should be part of your itinerary, which is only 40 minutes away from Lisbon with a scenic train ride along the coast.
“A coastal town known for beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, seafood restaurants, and scenic ocean views,” Rita says.
The town center, the waterfront, and the Guincho beach are great options to relax, while the Boca do Inferno cliffs are worth hiking to enjoy the wild Atlantic scenery.
Rita recommends visiting Cascais from late spring to early autumn, as the weather is more pleasant then.
Évora
Considered a museum city, Évora’s roots date back to the 15th century, and just 1.5 hours away from Lisbon, it’s a great escape for gastronomy and history lovers.
“Évora is famous for its gastronomy, which includes wines, cheeses, and olive oils, which are also part of the iconic Lisbon foods” – Rita.
Food aside, the UNESCO-listed Roman Temple, the Chapel of Bones, and medieval walls are all worth exploring. The landscape is also filled with whitewashed houses decorated with traditional Portuguese azulejos.
Plus, thanks to Évora’s location, it’s easy to explore the Alentejo Wine Region, where wine tourism and visiting vineyards are great activities to plan from Lisbon.
As for when to visit Évora, Rita recommends spring or autumn, when the town is easier to explore due to cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
Arrábida Natural Park and Setúbal
For nature and outdoor lovers, the Arrábida Natural Park and Setúbal are two places worth visiting, and it only takes 1 hour to get there by bus or car.
“Arrábida and Setúbal are known for their beautiful hiking trails overlooking the turquoise beaches and green mountains.”– Rita.
After hiking, Portinho da Arrábida and Galapinhos beaches are a must-visit, as these are among the most beautiful in Portugal.
As for what to eat, Setúbal offers a wide variety of seafood and Moscat wine, perfect to end your outdoor adventures.
Rita’s local tip: Visit this region by car for maximum flexibility and explore it at your own pace.
Óbidos
Óbidos feels like a town that’s frozen in time, and even Rita tells us that it’s like stepping into the past, with the trip from Lisbon taking just 1 hour.
Upon arriving, walk around the Óbidos medieval walls, explore the cobbled streets, and take your time to enjoy a town that feels like walking around Roman times.
Óbidos is also a great place to drink ginjinha, a traditional alcoholic drink made with ginja cherries, and it’s one of the best souvenirs from Lisbon.
Rita recommends visiting Óbidos during spring or autumn, as it offers more pleasant weather and a quieter exploration.
Comporta
If you want to slow down from the bustling Lisbon streets, Comporta is an ideal getaway that’s only 1.5 hours by car.
Even though it’s possible to get to Comporta by public transport, the options are pretty limited, so you should strongly consider renting a car.
For Rita, Comporta is “ideal for couples looking for peaceful beaches, nature, and a slower pace.”
Comporta is also a great option for staying in boutique hotels, exploring rice fields, and enjoying a more luxurious adventure than other day-trip destinations.
The best time to visit Comporta to enjoy its beaches is from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is pleasant for walking around the town.
Ericeira
Ericeira is our last recommendation for a day trip from Lisbon, ideal for those looking for surfing, scenic cliffs, and delicious local seafood.
“Popular for its laid-back atmosphere, Ereicera is also worth visiting to explore its preserved fishing-village feel and its World Surfing Reserve.” – Rita.
Rita’s recommendation is to go to Ericeira in the summer to enjoy beach life, while autumn is a better season for surfing.
Seafood is worth a shot while visiting Ericeira, especially peixe grelhado or a traditional arroz de marisco.
Bonus day trip mentions
If you feel like you can push more things into your Lisbon trip itinerary, here are some additional day trip suggestions to consider:
- Colares: A unique wine region near Sintra, which Rita recommends because of its popular vineyards growing in sandy soil near the ocean.
- Mafra Palace: Just 45 minutes by bus from Lisbon, this vast 18th-century royal palace and convent is a hidden gem that travelers rarely visit.
- Fátima: One of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, located 1.5 hours by bus. Best visited outside pilgrimage dates (13 May and 13 October) to avoid large crowds.
- Costa da Caparica: Rita’s top pick for a beach escape close to Lisbon. Long Atlantic beach that’s easily accessible by bus or ferry and easy to visit in half a day.
Tips for planning your Lisbon day trips
The idea of taking trips from Lisbon is to fully enjoy the experience that each destination has to offer, and we have some additional tips from Rita to help you achieve that:
- CP trains connect Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais easily, but it’s better to book in advance via cp.pt or the CP app.
- Renting a car gives more flexibility to explore hidden beaches and rural villages in Comporta, Colares, and Arrábida, but these are still easily accessible using the Lisbon public transport.
- Sintra and Cascais trains are extremely busy during summer weekends, so plan your trip early or on weekdays.
- Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit inland destinations, while summertime is best to enjoy beaches.
- Mobile internet in Portugal is essential for tasks such as booking CP trains, navigating with Google Maps, translating from Portuguese, and checking bus schedules.
Plan your day trips from Lisbon with Holafly
If you plan to explore all of Lisbon and take some day trips, having mobile internet is essential.
You’ll need it to book and check CP train schedules, find where to eat the best seafood in Ericeira, or find the best GPS route to places like Comporta or hidden villages.
A reliable option is the Holafly eSIM for Portugal, which offers unlimited data, 5G speeds, and customizable plans.
You also get the Always On perk at no extra cost, which gives you 1 GB of backup data so you can keep exploring Lisbon’s nearby destinations.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
FAQs
Sintra is surely the #1 option for a day trip from Lisbon, but it depends on what you want to see.
Sintra, Cascais, and Óbidos are great destinations that are 1 hour or less from Lisbon.
Yes. Most day-trip destinations are easily accessible by bus and train, while some are better explored by car.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
