6 fantastic day trips from Lisbon

Meandering through Lisbon’s hilly, cobblestoned streets and neighborhoods is one the greatest travel pleasures there is. Yet since people can use a break from even the most pleasant pastimes, we’ve come up with a list of terrific day trips from Lisbon.

From surfing beaches and romantic hill towns to emerging art spots and heritage sites, here are worthwhile ideas for exploring within the vicinity of the Portuguese capital – with each trip less than two hours away.

1. Sintra

Travel time: 45 minutes by train, 30 minutes by car

Mystical and romantic Sintra makes for one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. The small town is folded into lush mountains that contain ostentatious palaces – which form a UNESCO World Heritage site – and is home to an estate with a history of esotericism and secret rituals.

Take the bus or brave the uphill climb to visit two of Sintra’s best-known landmarks: medieval castle Castelo dos Mouros and 19th-century Palácio Nacional da Pena. Book a morning ticket for the palace, then visit the castle afterward (visits to the latter usually last 60 to 90 minutes) – a sequence that lets you walk down the main road to the historic center afterward, snaking through the slopes of Serra de Sintra along the way. Split your time between exploring the heart of the picturesque city on foot, visiting the Palácio Nacional de Sintra and checking out the Quinta da Regaleira and its Initiation Well – a feature that has spawned many of the legends and myths surrounding the estate.

Regardless of where you go for lunch, no trip to Sintra is complete without a stop for typical regional pastries. Since 1862, Casa Piriquita has baked the famous travesseiros (a light puff pastry with an egg and almond filling, shaped like a pillow) and the bite-size tarts known as queijadas de Sintra.

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon: 

Take the suburban train from Rossio (Sintra line) or Oriente (Azambuja line). If you prefer to drive, the shortest route is on IC19 – but bear in mind that only residents’ cars, buses and taxis are allowed in Sintra’s historic center. Sintra is 45 minutes from Lisbon by train and 30 minutes away by car. Trains depart every 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays, and every half-hour on weekends.

2. Ericeira

Travel time: 1 hour by bus, 40 minutes by car

A former fishing town, Ericeira is today a charming beach destination of narrow cobblestone streets lined with white houses with cobalt blue trimmings. While summer days usually begin windy, chilly and foggy, everyone knows to expect a warmer afternoon ahead. Which means you should plan on arriving early and holing up inside Cafe Pasteleria Salvador as you kill time over a couple of ouriços – a small, dense cake made with sugar, eggs and almonds.   

Surfers won’t mind the bad weather, however: after all, they’re here to ride this World Surfing Reserve’s famous waves. Ribeira d’Ilhas is a renowned beach for surfers and fans, and often the stage of surfing championships. Closer to town, Praia de São Sebastião is mostly used by local surf schools.

But Ericeira isn’t only about beach fun. If you aren’t the sand-and-sea type, take a slow walk in the historic center; visit Capela da Boa Viagem, with its walls covered in floor-to-ceiling tiles; and sit in the shade on one of the benches overlooking Praia dos Pescadores to people-watch. No bathing suit required.

How to get to Ericeira from Lisbon: 

Several Carris Metropolitana buses depart from Campo Grande Metro station to Ericeira’s bus terminal – and you can pay the fare with the reloadable Navegante card valid for all public transit in Lisbon. Bus 2740 has the most scheduled departures; trips take at least one hour. If you’re driving, take Highway A21 and then A8. Parking spaces in the historic center are limited, so the best option is to leave your car at the bus terminal and walk. 

3. Setúbal

Travel time: 1 hour by train, 50 minutes by car

Setúbal was a significant player in the canned fish industry until 1985, when the last factory closed. Today, this former fishing village nestled between the Arrábida hills and the Atlantic Ocean has a laid-back vibe, with plenty of cultural sites and outdoor activities for a full day. Get the local feel as you browse the fresh fish and produce stalls at Mercado do Livramento, or sit with a drink outside café Botequim du Bocage.

Depending on how much time you have to explore the city, head to Convento de Jesus, the first Manueline-style convent built in Portugal, which was restored in 2024 to its 15th-century glory; Museu de Arqueologia e Etnografia, a small museum tracing the history of the city; or the canning fish factory that’s been transformed into the Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti.

Stop for lunch at Casa Santiago – preferably trying the city’s signature dish, choco frito (deep-fried cuttlefish) – and afterward meet the dolphin family resident in the Sado estuary on a tour with the sustainable and responsible tour company Dolphin Bay.

How to get to Setúbal from Lisbon: 

Catch the Fertagus train from Entrecampos or Sete Rios, then walk from the Setúbal train station to Praça do Bocage. If you’re in downtown Lisbon, it’s easier to catch the ferry boat to Barreiro, then take the CP train from there to Setúbal, getting off at Praça do Quebedo to be closer to the historic center. By car, take the A2 highway, via Ponte 25 de Abril. Parking is limited, especially during the high season, with most spaces reserved for locals.

4. Óbidos

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes

The walled city of Óbidos draws large crowds of travelers – and it’s easy to see why it enchants so many. In its medieval core, fortified walls enclose cobbled streets flanked by whitewashed homes. Walk atop the walls (if you dare) to enjoy amazing views of the town below and up to the Castelo de Óbidos, a 13th-century structure that is now a hotel called the Pousada do Castelo. Rua Direita – the town’s main road – is lined with shops selling chocolate and sour-cherry liqueur (ginjinha) to entice the many visitors. Yet be sure to make time for a rewarding wander deeper into the winding streets, too.

Óbidos might be the biggest draw for bibliophiles. This atmospheric town is a UNESCO City of Literature and features a number of amazing bookstores. Livraria de Santiago, for example, operates in the 18th-century São Tiago church, lending a spiritual air to the act of browsing.

While Óbidos is a popular day trip, visitors may be tempted to stay the night at The Literary Man. This book-lined hotel also boasts the Literary Gin Bar, where even casual visitors can sip cocktails with suitably bookish names.

How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon: 

Óbidos is about 1¼ hours away from Lisbon via the A8. Take exit 15 and follow the signs to Óbidos. Travelers can take this same expressway to continue west to Peniche. If you prefer public transit, a bus operated by Rodoviária do Oeste departs from the Campo Grande bus station. Departure schedules can be found online; tickets are purchased aboard the bus.

5. Barreiro

Travel time: 25 minutes by ferry

A once-industrial city on the south bank of the Rio Tejo, Barreiro is slowly emerging from its factory-heavy past – and has become an up-and-coming day-trip destination whose main attractions and tours pay tribute to its industrial heritage. In a sign of Barrerio’s transformation, the well-known street artist Vhils has moved his workshop to Baía do Tejo, a former factory turned business hub.

As you come out of the ferry, walk to the left until you reach the old train station. Beyond the building, you’ll notice the white-sand beach, Alburrica, famous for its windmills and a local favorite in the summer. Look for street art alongside Av Bento Gonçalves. On your way back to the ferry station, have a peek at ADAO, a local arts-and-culture organization that occupies a refurbished fire headquarters.

Barreiro’s local food is heavily influenced by the Algarvio and Alentejano roots of its factory workers. Most restaurants alongside “Beach Avenue” (officially Av Bento Gonçalves) serve typical Portuguese food, with fish dishes prevailing. For a lighter meal, head to àPortuguesa Brr: with occasional live music, this cafe-bar serves only Portuguese-made products.

How to get to Barreiro from Lisbon: 

Take the Transtejo ferry from Terreiro do Paço; a one-way ticket costs around €2.80. Ferries depart every 30 to 60 minutes on weekends and every 10 to 20 minutes on weekdays. It will take 20 to 25 minutes by ferry.

6. Cacilhas

Travel time: 10 minutes

While many just pass through Cacilhas en route to the Cristo Rei viewpoint, this colorful riverside borough of Almada is worth more than a pit stop. Give into the enticement of freshly grilled fish at riverside restaurants – and stay for the picturesque small-town houses, local amateur fisherman and a thriving cultural scene.

A stroll alongside Rio Tejo on the street right of the ferry boat station lets you soak in the view of Lisbon from the north bank. Head to the cultural center Casa da Cerca for exhibitions of contemporary art, or coffee with a view from its outside terrace (weather permitting). Walk down to your starting point, passing by Rua Cândido dos Reis, Cacilhas’ famous street full of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants (where fish dishes prevail). Pop inside book shops like Meia Volta de Úrano to browse old art and for a chance to catch an impromptu jam session.

Traditional restaurants closer to the ferry boat station, like the famous Ponto Final, serve mainly fresh seafood. At Rua Cândido dos Reis, you’ll find a greater variety of restaurants, from pizzas and artisanal hamburger joints to ice cream shops and spots serving typical Portuguese fare.

How to get to Cacilhas from Lisbon: 

Take the Transtejo ferry from Cais do Sodré. A one-way ticket costs around €1.50, and it takes 10 minutes. Ferries depart every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of the day and day of the week.