The 5 BEST Day Trips From Lisbon To Take in 2024

Are you traveling to Lisbon shortly? Not only is Lisbon an incredible city with beautiful architecture, lovely neighborhoods, and cool and quirky fashion stores and restaurants, but it’s also one of the best places to stay to embark on some amazing day trips to other parts of the country.

In this post, I’ll be diving deeper into 5 great day trips from Lisbon, what to expect at these locations, and how to get there from Lisbon.

Here we go!

Things to do in Lisbon, Portugal

When you stroll through the streets of Lisbon, you will be instantly captivated by its lively energy, architectural charm, and the smell of Portuguese custard tarts in the air. The historic neighborhoods of Alfama and Bairro Alto are just two popular areas to explore but getting off the beaten track is also certainly recommended, with areas like Ajuda oozing with local charm. 

Attractions not to miss in Lisbon are the iconic Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery but it’s definitely worth it to dig a little deeper and discover hidden gems that not a lot of people know about like the LX factory with colorful murals and urban art or a small bar that serves the locally brewed Portuguese liquor Ginjinha.

As a vegan traveler, I was very happy to find that places were selling vegan pastel de nata in Lisbon. These egg tart pastries are Portugal’s national dish and are seriously addictive! Furthermore, Lisbon is also home to a wide array of amazing restaurants. If you want to try authentic Portuguese cuisine in a cozy setting, visit Ze da Mouraria and try the daily special

Day trips from Lisbon

Although there is plenty to see and do in Lisbon, I recommend taking at least one day trip while there to see more of the region! Here are 5 top locations to visit from Lisbon on a day trip that are easily reachable by car or public transport! 

1. Cascais

Cascais is a cute seaside town about 30 kilometers west of Lisbon. It was once a fishing village but has now turned into a modern and chic spot along the coast that offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the capital (although during summer months, Cascais can be just as busy as Lisbon!)

Located on the edge of the Estoril coast, Cascais is mostly famous for its lovely beaches. Praia da Rainha and Praia da Conceiçao are the ones closest to town but there are also some gems to be discovered further afield like Praia de Guincho for surfing and a few quieter beaches to the east of town.

The historic center of Cascais is a maze of narrow cobbled streets where you can find cozy cafes, traditional houses, and cute shops. I can highly recommend having lunch at House of Wonders, a colorful vegetarian restaurant with an incredible rooftop bar in the center of town.

Furthermore, an afternoon of biking in the nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is something that should definitely be on your to-do list. This park harbors some of the most magnificent sights in the region like Cabo da Roca and Praia de Ursa. 

Getting to Cascais from the center of Lisbon is very easy. If you have a car, take the A5 and you’ll reach Cascais in 30 minutes. If you want to travel by public transport, the best way to reach Cascais is by train. Make your way to the Cais do Sodré station train station in Lisbon, board a Cascais bound train and you will reach Cascais in 40 minutes. Trains leave the station every 20 minutes and take you along the coastline with beautiful views over the area. 

2. Sintra

The town of Sintra makes for another great day trip from Lisbon. It is located 30 kilometers northwest of the capital and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that seems to come straight out of a fairytale. It is known for its romantic 19th-century architecture, lush landscapes, and a variety of stunning estates that are open for travelers to visit.

The most iconic of these buildings is Pena Palace, a mansion that stands on one of the highest peaks of Sintra. It is painted in vivid yellow and red colors and is a popular Instagram photo spot with views overlooking the Portuguese countryside and the Atlantic Ocean. Another wonderful building to visit is Quinta da Regaleira. This castle was constructed in the early 20th century and is famous for its fairytale-like ‘Initiation Well’ that was used for secretive ceremonial purposes in the past.

The center of Sintra can get incredibly crowded during the summer months. Even though quite touristy, it still boasts a lot of charm and there are some wonderful eateries around like A Praça, a vegetarian canteen-style restaurant that serves delicious Portuguese food with a plant-based twist. 

Getting to Sintra from Lisbon is very easy. The most convenient option is to take a train at Rossio station. These direct trains leave Lisbon every 20 minutes and take 40 minutes to reach Sintra. alternatively, you can also reach Sintra by car. It is what I did but I can assure you it’s not the most convenient option. The center of Sintra is closed off to all traffic so you will need to find a parking spot at the borders of the town. If you happen to do that, it’s worth making a stop for a pastry and a coffee at Cafe Pielas near Parque Portela 1 Norte. 

3. Ericeira

If you are looking for a picturesque fisherman village by the ocean for a day trip from Lisbon, look no further than Ericeira. This area is known to be the first “World Surfing Reserve” in Europe and is a popular summer destination for surfers, beach bums, and yoga lovers. 

Ericeira is a fantastic place if you like to laze your day away at a gorgeous beach, participate in watersports, and enjoy small-town charm. Four main beaches near the town center can easily be reached on foot. Praia do Sul is located on the southernmost side of the village. In the middle, you can find Praia dos Pescadores. At the northern tip lies Praia do Norte. A little further lies Praia de Sao Sebastiao which was my favorite beach near the town center that can easily be reached on foot. 

If you are looking to take a surf lesson in Ericeira, the best beach to visit to do this is Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas. The consistent waves and breaks here make it a surfer’s paradise and you can find two surf schools here that offer classes to both beginners as well as to intermediate to advanced surfers.

A great way to spend your day is to take a surf class in the morning and afterward enjoy a delicious brunch at Ribeira d’Ilhas Surf Restaurant & Bar. Be sure to make a reservation though during the weekend because the place can get packed with long lines to get a seat on the outdoor terrace. 

In the afternoon, you can explore the center of Ericeira on a leisurely walk. You can find Mothersurf here, an eco-friendly surf gear shops and a lot of bohemian boutique shops with jewelry, clothes and housewares. 

The most economical way to get from Lisbon to Ericera is by taking a bus. Busses leave the Campo Grande Bus Station in Lisbon multiple times a day and reach Ericeira in one to one and a half hours. The schedule is irregular but you can find the timetable on the website of Carris Metropolitana. Another way to reach Ericeira is by car. Parking space can be found quite well around town and having a car also allows you to explore the beaches more easily that are located further from town.

4. Ribamar

If you’ve had enough of the fast-paced rhythm of Lisbon maybe a day trip to this off-the-beaten-path location by the ocean might be just for you. Ribamar is a small seaside village of only 1800 inhabitants and lies about 38 km from the center of Lisbon and 3 km north of Ericeira. 

If you are a conscious traveler then you will adore Ribamar because of its authentic local charm. It’s a place where all the locals know each other, and where you still get a genuinely warm welcome when you enter the pharmacy, the local coffee shop, or the town’s small supermarket.

You can park your car in the center of Ribamar and hit the coastal hiking trails around Coxos Beach upon your arrival. From here, you get amazing vistas over the ocean and it’s a lovely spot to take stunning pictures. The trails are surrounded by lovely Aloe Vera plants and you will meet many locals here going for their morning run or walk with their dog.

After the hike, make your way to Praia de Sao Lourenço. This beach can get crowded in the summer but manages to retain a local vibe since most foreign tourists aim to stay in Ericeira. There is a lovely beach shack on the beach that makes an ideal spot to enjoy a coffee after your hike. 

If you are feeling hungry, there are two places in Ribamar to add to your itinerary. Pu Ro is a small brunch spot that offers healthy dishes like burrito bowls and vegan burgers. Barzhino on the other hand is the place to check out if you fancy a cocktail with tapas and lasagna.

There is no public transport serving Ribamar, so your best option is to rent a car and drive yourself or take a taxi from Lisbon to pick you up and drop you off. Alternatively, you can also take a bus at Campo Grande Bus Station in Lisbon to Ericeira and take a taxi from Ericeira to Ribamar.

5. Evora

The final town that is worth a day trip from Lisbon is the beautiful town of Evora. Located about 130 km east of Lisbon, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back ot the Roman times. The town is the perfect place to visit for travelers who are into medieval architecture and the center is surrounded by vast plains and vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Once you arrive in Evora, you’ll be mesmerized by this place’s well-preserved old town with narrow cobblestone streets and centuries-old aqueducts. The locals are known for their laid-back and welcoming nature and they make you feel at home whether you’re browsing through the local market or stepping into one of the cute cafés.

Start your day at the Roman Temple in Evora. It was built for the emperor Augustus in the 1st century and is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in Portugal. Then, make your way to the haunting Chapel of Bones which is decorated with the bones of over 5,000 monks.

Another great thing to do in Evora is to go on a tour of Portugal’s very own Stonehenge. The town is surrounded by three main megalithic sites and they are completely free to enter!

If you get hungry, head to the lovely local restaurant Tasquinha do Oliveira for a taste lunch of traditional Portuguese cuisine. They offers dishes like spinach pie and  sell the most yummy pieces of portuguese pie in town.

Getting to Evora from Lisbon is pretty straightforward. You can reach Evora by car by taking the A2 and A6 roads in a 1.5-hour drive. Alternatively, you can take a train from Lisbon’s Oriente Station. Direct trains level for Evora six times a day and offer a scenic journey into the heart of Portugal’s countryside.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many great day trips to be had from Lisbon. Many locations are also easily reachable by public transport from the capital which makes it convenient to travel around in an eco-friendly way. No matter if you are looking for a day of culture, beach time, or watersports, you can find all of these things less than 2 hours away from Lisbon. Enjoy!