13 Great Day Trips from Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, has the perfect location for day trips. Within just an hour or two you have stunning medieval towns, fabulous beaches, national parks, and so much more. And with solid train and bus connections, you can even do most of them with public transportation!
Just outside Lisbon you have beautiful beaches, great parks and hiking areas, seaside resort towns, castles, palaces, wineries, religious sites, and lovely medieval towns.
In this list, I’ve tried to include a diverse range of day trips both in terms of what the destinations offer (nature, urban exploring, history, etc.) and how close they are to Lisbon. You’ll see a few of the obvious heavy hitters like Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca, but also a fair share of lesser-known places which offer their own distinct charms and much smaller crowds.
As most visitors won’t have their own car, I’ve also tried to choose day trips that are doable with public transport. That said, having a car will certainly cut down on travel times to some places and give you greater flexibility to include multiple locations in a single day trip. Parks and other natural sights, which are typically the least well connected by public transport, also become more realistic options.
There are plenty more possible day trips, but I’ve focused on 13 of my favorites. Let’s take a look!
Table of contents
Sintra & Queluz National Palace
Cascais, Estoril, and Guincho Beach
Cabo da Roca
Nazaré, Alcobaça, Batalha
Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
Coimbra
Arrábida & Sesimbra
Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha Beach
Bucelas Wine Region
Ericeira & Mafra
Peniche and the Berlengas Islands
Setúbal and Azeitão
Óbidos
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1. Sintra & Queluz Palace
Best for: History and magnificent architecture
Considered to be one of the prettiest towns in Portugal and located only 30 kms (20 miles) from Lisbon, Sintra is tucked away in the forests and mountains of the Serra de Sintra. This is almost certainly the most popular place to visit on a day trip from the capital.
Sintra has plenty to keep you busy for an entire day, but most people spend about 4 hours and then add a visit to the nearby beach town of Cascais to make a full day of it. In Sintra, the main draws are the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the Castelo dos Mouros, the Palácio Nacional de Pena, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Monserrate Palace.
In addition to the lovely town and beautiful palaces and castles, there are also pristine natural areas to explore in the mountains and fantastic beaches along the coastline. If you’re visiting with a car, you can combine a bit of nature, beach, and culture all into one day.
For travelers especially interested in history, culture, or architecture, you can also visit the stunning Queluz National Palace, which is only about 15 minutes away and sits right on the Sintra-Lisbon train line. This fantastic Baroque palace was once the residence of Portugal’s royalty, and it boasts marvelous halls and lovely gardens.
Transportation
For this day trip, I recommend visiting Sintra first and then stopping at the Queluz Palace on your way back to Lisbon.
Direct trains from Lisbon’s Rossio train station to Sintra depart 3-4 times per hour beginning in the early morning and running until 8:00 pm. The journey takes about 40 minutes and tickets cost 3 euros each way.
On arrival to Sintra, it’s another 5km or so to reach Pena National Palace and the Moorish Castle. So, once you get off the train, the easiest and quickest option is to take bus 434 the rest of the way.
The bus has a stop right outside the train station, tickets can be bought on board, and it’s a hop-on hop-off style bus which runs between the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and town proper. Bus 434 has up to four departures per hour.
Once you’ve finished sightseeing in Sintra, you can return to Lisbon and/or Queluz National Palace by taking the same train line that you used to get to Sintra. If you want to stop in Queluz, you’ll have to get off at the Monte Abrão Station (about 20 minutes into your ride). From there it’s a short walk to the Palace.
To return to Lisbon from Queluz Palace, just head back to the train station and catch the next train. The journey from Queluz to Lisbon will take about 20 minutes and you have 3-4 trains departing each hour. Last return is a little after 8:00 pm.
For complete transit schedules and fares, see the website of Portugal’s national rail carrier here: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en
2. Cascais and Estoril
Best for: Charming seaside towns, especially in summer
Coastal Cascais became the summer residence for Portuguese royalty and other nobles in the 1870’s, and it continues to be a summer playground but now both for Portugal’s well-to-do and holidayers of all stripes.
Situated on the edge of the the Portuguese riviera, Cascais has lovely beaches with calm waters to its south, and wild, raw beaches to its north along the Serra de Sintra Coastline.
The beaches are obviously the main draw, but as a lively summer resort, Cascais is filled with shops, restaurants, museums, and a quaint historic center waiting to be explored. For architecture lovers, there are a number of grand old mansions.
The nearby town of Estoril is similar, but it adds in a casino and a number of renowned golf courses.
If you have more time to explore, just a few kilometers north of Cascais, Guincho Beach is another of Portugal’s most popular destinations. Totally exposed to the Atlantic ocean, Guincho is famed for its huge waves and fantastic surfing. While surfers come for the swell, on calm days it’s a good beach for swimming too.
The best way to combine all three places into a day trip is to start off in Cascais, then head to Guincho, before wrapping up the day in Estoril on your way back to Lisbon.
Estoril actually comes before Cascais on the train from Lisbon, but it’s best to leave it for the end of the day as it’s the smallest of the places and will require the least time to visit.
Transportation
Lisbon to Cascais: To get to Cascais from Lisbon, you need to catch the suburban train line which departs from centrally located Cais do Sodré station. Get off on the last stop, which is called Cascais. Trains depart Lisbon up to 3 times per hour, with service beginning in the morning and continuing until late in the night. Tickets cost 3 euros each way.
Cascais to Guincho beach: If you want to add in a visit to Guincho beach before heading to Estoril, it’s quite easy. To get to Guincho beach from Cascais, you have to catch either the 405 or 415 bus, each of which departs once per hour from the Cascais city center. The ride takes 15 minutes.
For something a little more active, there’s also a dedicated cycling path between Cascais and Guincho, which runs for about 10 km and is a very pleasant ride. There are lots of companies renting bikes, so you have ample choices.
Cascais to Estoril: To visit Estoril from Cascais, you can just take any train heading in the direction of Lisbon. Get off at the appropriately named “Estoril” stop (the ride is only a few minutes) and then walk a few steps into town.
If you’re feeling spry, you could also walk from Cascais to Estoril! The two towns are connected by a lovely 3km promenade that runs along the water. It’s a very pleasant way to spend 30-50 minutes if you have enough time.
Estoril to Lisbon: To get back to Lisbon from Estoril, there are 3 trains per hour, running late into the night. The ride takes 20 minutes and one-way tickets cost approximately 3 euros. The train arrives to Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station.
3. Cabo da Roca
Best for: Hiking and glorious ocean views
Continental Europe’s westernmost point, Cabo da Roca is a stunning promontory jutting out into the sea. About 40 km west of Lisbon, in the Sintra-Cascais Park, it’s an area of rugged coastline, breathtaking views, and imposing cliffs rising over 100 meters above the Atlantic Ocean.
If you’re looking for a day out in nature, this is a great choice.
The scenery and views are the reason to come here and taking a hike or two is the best way to experience them. The Cabo da Roca to Praia da Ursa trial is always popular, as it combines great coastal views with a magnificent beach. It’s a moderate difficulty 4 km out-and-back hike that takes around 2 hours to complete.
There are many more hiking options that start at Cabo da Roca, but you also have loads of hiking trails all throughout the Parque Natural de Sintra Cascais. There are hikes of varying lengths, difficulties, and environments (coastline and beaches, mountains, forests), so the choices are pretty endless.
If you’re planning on multiple hikes or longer ones, then Cabo da Roca is already a full-day trip. However, if you just want to do a shorter hike you can still make it into a full day. The bus that takes you to Cabo da Roca is the 403 which is the Sintra-Cascais line.
So one option would be to start the day with a visit to Sintra, continue on to Cabo da Roca for a hike, and then finish your day in Cascais. What could be better?
Transportation
Lisbon to Cabo da Roca: There are two options for getting to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon, and both require that you first take a train and then transfer to a bus.
Your first option is to take a train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre station to Cascais and then grab the 403 bus (operated by local company Scott URB) to Cabo da Roca. The train to Cascais departs every 15-20 minutes and the trip takes 40 minutes. The bus to Cabo da Roca leaves once per hour and the ride takes 30 minutes.
Your other option is to get to Cabo da Roca via Sintra. In this case, you’d take a train from Lisbon’s Rossio station and get off at the Sintra stop. You’d then take the same 403 bus (which stops at Sintra train station) and head on to Cabo da Roca. The ride from Sintra to Cabo da Roca takes 30 minutes.
In both cases, you’ll spend about 5 euros (each way) on tickets.
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
4. Nazaré, Alcobaça, and Batalha
Best for: Beach days, architecture, history & religious tourism
Trying to visit all three of these destinations is an ambitious day trip, but it’s doable if you get a very early start. For those interested in a more leisurely pace, you should cut it down to two places (just one is not enough for a full day trip).
Both Batalha and Alcobaça are beautiful towns, but architecturally they’re fairly similar and their main attractions are both monasteries, so don’t be heartbroken if you only have time to visit one.
Let’s start with Nazaré: this is a pretty coastal town which used to be a fishing village before it transformed into a tourist hotspot. The town itself doesn’t have any major sites, but it’s pleasant to wander and the traditional fishermens’ houses are interesting to see. The clifftop Nossa Senhora da Nezaré monastery is a cool spot to check out too.
Nazaré is now famous as a surfing destination because of the huge waves found at its Praia do Norte beach. A quick Google images search will show you why! For those who don’t want to contend with massive waves, a more tranquil beach is the 7 km long Praia da Nazaré which is great for swimming.
Moving on to Alcobaça, this historic town is best known for its early gothic monastery, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça. Built in the 1100’s, it’s open to visitors who can explore the church and the adjoining cloisters.
You can also visit the ornate tombs of former Portuguese royalty, which are quite interesting to see. Depending on how interested you are in architecture and religion, expect to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half in town.
Your last stop for the day is Batalha, another historic town just a short ride away from Alcobaça and Nazaré. Also famed for its monastery, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória was built in the 14th century and is a stunning example of late gothic architecture. Far more ornate than the monastery at Alcobaça, it’s a sight to behold.
The monastery was built to commemorate Portugal’s victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota, which was the decisive battle that won Portugal its independence from Spain. You can easily spend a few hours touring the monastery, and more if you add in the nearby battlefield and history museum.
Transportation
Lisbon to Nazaré: To get from Lisbon to Nazaré, Flixbus runs a direct line departing from Lisbon’s Oriente station and arriving to Nazaré’s station, which is right next to the waterfront. The first bus leaves at 8:00 AM and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets will cost from around 5-15 dollars.
Rede Expresos, one of the other major long-distance bus companies in the region also operates buses to Nazaré. Departing from Lisbon’s Sete Rios station, there’s a departure every hour, starting from 7:45 AM. The ride takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and tickets cost between 8 and 12 euros.
Nazare to Alcobaça: To go from Nazaré to Alcobaça, head back to the bus station in town and catch a Rodotejo bus. The bus ride will take about 15 minutes. The schedule for this route varies depending on the season and day of the week, so be sure to check the schedule before planning your trip: http://www.rodotejo.pt/.
Alcobaça to Batalha: For the last section, Alcobaça to Batalha, you have buses between the two towns (always with Rodotejo) that take 30 to 45 minutes and leave relatively frequently throughout the day. Again, the schedule varies, so be sure to check on the Rodotejo website to be sure of the timing.
Batalha to Lisbon: From Batalha, the last bus back to Lisbon leaves at 6:15 pm. From Alcobaça, the final departure for Lisbon is at 5:45 pm. For both routes, you’ll be taking a Rede Expresos bus. You can check the schedule and fares here: https://rede-expressos.pt/en/timetables
5. Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
Best for: Nature, hiking, wild beaches
Starting at Porto Covo in Portugal’s Alentejo region and stretching over 100 kilometers south into the Algarve, the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina is one of Europe’s most beautiful expanses of coastline.
The park covers over 200,000 hectares and encompasses beautiful beaches, sandy dunes, towering cliffs, and rolling hills. Also a protected nature preserve, the park is home to rare species of birds and other wildlife.
For a day in unspoiled nature, you can’t do better than a visit here. Hike, surf, swim, and explore your way through the park.
The beaches within the park are among the best in the country, and since they’re far from any major urban areas they’re unspoiled and free from crowds. The diversity of the beaches is impressive, and you have everything from long sandy beaches with calm waters to small coves tucked away between the park’s cliffs.
There are also areas with extensive dunes as well as beaches with rough waters and big waves perfect for surfing. There are too many to name them all, but a few particularly nice beaches are Vila Nova de Milfontes, Arrifana, Porto Covo, Praia do Amado, and Malhão.
There are also a huge number of hiking trails in the park, and you can see a nice selection of them here.
For more information on hikes, beaches, and everything else, check out the park’s official website: https://natural.pt/protected-areas/parque-natural-sudoeste-alentejano-costa-vicentina?locale=pt
Transportation
Unfortunately, Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina is not really accessible by public transportation. There are long-distance buses that depart from Lisbon for some of the towns near the park, but once you get to them you won’t have any transportation options to actually get into the park.
So, to get the most out of a visit here, you will definitely need to have your own car or visit as part of a guided tour. As for distance from Lisbon, the park stretches almost 60 miles from Porto Covo to Burgau, so what part of it you decide to visit will also dictate how long it will take you.
Figure 2-3 hours depending on where you go, so be prepared for a long day of driving if you do it as a day trip from Lisbon.
6. Coimbra
Best for: Culture and urban exploring
Just a short train ride away from Lisbon, Coimbra is a historic riverside city and bustling university town. Home to the University of Coimbra, which was established in the 13th century and is considered one of the most beautiful universities anywhere in the world, Coimbra always makes for a great day trip.
This was Portugal’s medieval capital for a period, so the city is definitely not short on history.
The university complex should be at the top of your to-do list, as it boasts many lovely buildings and beautiful grounds. You can admire the impressive library, the grand ceremonial hall, and get a great view of the city from the university’s tower. Built around the grounds of a former royal palace, it’s a pretty majestic setting for a school.
The large student population gives the city a busy, vibrant feel. The nightlife is also excellent and the town is filled with restaurants, bars, artisans, and other creative types. You could easily spend a few days in Coimbra, but a day trip will still give you a good feel for the city.
Here are some of the main sights:
Biblioteca Joanina, the university’s gorgeous baroque library
Sé Velha, a Romanesque cathedral built in the 1100’s
Machado de Castro National Museum, which houses artifacts spanning from Roman times through the 19th century
Jardim Botânico, the city’s botanical garden, bursting with plants from around the world
Igreja de Santa Cruz, a historic gothic church
Medieval Coimbra’s historic streets and winding alleys
Transportation
Direct trains to Coimbra depart from Santa Apolonia station in the Alfama district of central Lisbon. There are about two departures every hour starting at 6:30 am and going until 7:30 pm.
There are two different classes of train to choose from for the route: Alfa Pendular trains take about 1 hour and 50 minutes while Intercity trains usually take 2 hour and 15 minutes. Tickets cost 25-35 euro depending on which train you choose.
Coimbra has two train stations, called A and B, and which one you stop at will depend on the train you’ve purchased, so be sure to check. Alfa Pendular trains stop at both A and B while Intercity trains exclusively go to B. Coimbra A is the more convenient station as it’s near to the city center and walkable.
To get to the center from Coimbra B you have to stop at the station and then take a shuttle to Coimbra A station. The shuttle cost is included with your train ticket. Its a hassle, so try to book a train going to Coimbra A.
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
7. Arrábida and Sesimbra
Best for: Nature & hiking, unspoiled beaches, fishing town vibes
Arrábida Natural Park is a protected area located in Setúbal, Portugal, about 50 km south of Lisbon. The park is known for its dramatic scenery with rugged cliffs, lush green hills, and pristine beaches. The mountains here are small (no more than about 500 meters tall), and they roll gently along before dropping off steeply at the coast.
You can easily fill a day by hiking any of the area’s many trails, lounging at lovely beaches, or visiting the surrounding wineries and artisanal agricultural producers.
For hiking, the Praia Riberia do Cavalo trail is a quick, 1 mile route that takes you from the town of Sesimbra out to the unspoiled Riberia do Cavalo beach.
For those looking for a longer hike, the 3.5 mile Cova da Sesimbra trail (starting from Sesimbra) is a moderate out-and-back hike with coastal views the whole way. There’s no beach to take a dip in during the hike, but the trail is pleasant and the views are great.
When you’re ready for a break from exploring the park, the charming seaside fishing village of Sesimbra is the perfect place to grab a bite or have a drink and spend a few hours relaxing. This is still an active fishing town, so trying the (very fresh) seafood is a must.
The waterfront promenade is a good place for a stroll and Sesimbra beach, right in the town, is an open sandy stretch perfect for swimming and sunbathing. You can also meander through the historic streets for a glimpse of old world Portugal, and for some history, head to the 17th century Fortaleza de Santiago.
Transportation
To best see and explore the park, you absolutely need to have your own car or visit on a guided tour.
However, if those aren’t option for you, there are a couple of ways to get here. You can take a train from Lisbon’s Campolide station to the town of Coina, and then take a taxi from there into the park. The train ride is about 25 minutes and the taxi into the park will be another 25.
Alternatively, you can reach the town of Sesimbra, just outside the park, via a direct bus from Lisbon. You’ll need to first get to Lisbon’s Sete Rios bus station, from where you’ll catch the 3721 express bus to Sesimbra. The ride takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes and one-way tickets cost approximately 5 euros.
The bus starts at 7:00 AM and runs until 11:00 PM with departures at least once per hour (but much more frequently during high-traffic times). See timetables and more info here: https://www.carrismetropolitana.pt/horarios/?linha=3721
8. Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha Beach
Best for: Lively beaches and bustling nightlife with a disintcly local feel
In the summer months, the Costa da Caparica coastline is the perfect beach day trip from Lisbon. About 20 miles south of Portugal’s capital sits the town of Costa da Caparica, which is a busy and lively resort with a wide sandy beach and lots of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
In the high-season, evenings are buzzing and the nearby beaches often host beach parties late into the night. Further south, you have pristine beaches dotting the entire coast for a stretch of almost 26 kilometers.
South of the town of Costa da Caparica is Fonte da Telha, a small fishing village. The town has a few nice restaurants and cafes, but the beach is the star attraction here. Surrounded by dunes, the 5km sandy beach is completely open to the Atlantic Ocean and unprotected from the winds, making it a popular spot with surfers and kitesurfers.
Although the town and its outstanding beach are well known to Portugese holiday makers, very few international tourists know about it, so there is a distinctly local feel here.
The Lagoa de Albuefeira (Albufeira Lagoon) and it’s nearby beach are another neat place to visit when in this area. The Lagoon and the marshes that lead into it are a haven for birds, and the countryside inland from it is a tranquil place perfect for hiking.
The lagoon is only reachable if you have your own car though, so those visiting the region via public transportation won’t be able to get there.
Transportation
To get to Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha Beach from Lisbon using public transportation, you can take the bus number 123 from Lisbon’s Sete Rios station and get off at the "Costa da Caparica" stop. The bus ride takes approximately 45 minutes and a one-way ticket will cost around 4 euros.
Buses from Lisbon to Costa da Caparica start running at about 5:45, and go until 11:45 pm, with departures 2-3 times per hour during the busiest part of the day. The bus is operated by Carris Metropolitana and the full schedule can be seen here: Carris Metropolitana.
There's also a bus from Cacilhas (a town just across the river from downtown Lisbon) to Fonte da Telha. Also operated by Carris Metropolitana, line 3012 departs once per hour from Cacilhas and ends by the beach in Costa da Caparica in about 50 minutes.
Once in Costa da Caparica, there’s a local bus, line 3030, that goes through the center of town and stops right next to the beach in Fonte da Telha. This bus only passes about every one to two hours though, so taking it will require some advance planning.
In the summer, there is a local train line, the Transpraia beach train, that connects Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha with regular service.
9. Bucelas Wine Country
Best for: Winery visits
Located in the heart of Lisbon’s wine country, Bucelas is a historic wine town with a history of winemaking dating back to the Roman times. In a curious twist, wines from the town were very popular in England during the late 1500’s.
In recent years, development of the area outside of Lisbon has led to changes in land use and the decline of winemaking in the region. However, some wineries remain and they make for a pleasant day trip from Lisbon.
The wines are known for being crisp, aromatic, and slightly sparkling, and are made from Arinto grapes. Not stuck in tradition, the wineries here are known for being innovative, creative, and willing to experiment with new techniques.
Some wineries in Bucelas offer tours, tastings, and educational classes and events. The Museum of Wine is a great place to stop for a short visit and you can also purchase wines on site and do a DIY tasting on your own.
The surrounding countryside is lovely (it is wine country after all!), so if you have a car, exploring the area is a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
Here a few wineries in and around Bucelas:
Caves Velhas Enopoint Bucelas
Transportation
This is wine country, and for the best experience you’ll certainly want to have your own means of transportation so that you can travel between wineries and explore the area. If going by car, it’s about a half hour from Lisbon to Bucelas.
If you’re planning on wine tasting, please don’t drive! Instead, you should hire a private driver.
If renting a car isn’t an option for you, you can get still get to the town of Bucelas via bus. There isn’t any public transportation to take you to the wineries or out into the countryside from there, but you may be able to hire a taxi or driver for a few hours.
If you opt for the bus, you’ll need to start at Lisbon’s Campo Grande station, which is a bit outside of the city center. From the station, lines 344, 344A, 331, and 331B of the Rodoviara de Lisboa company all run to Bucelas.
Buses depart as often as a few times per hour until about 8 PM and the journey takes about 30 minutes. For a complete schedule, check the timetable here: https://www.rodoviariadelisboa.pt/servicos.
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
10. Ericeira and Mafra
Best for: Small-town Portugal, monumental architecture
Ericeira is a relaxed seaside fishing village that has more recently become a surfing mecca. The town has outstanding beaches and, with their open exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, it offers great surfing opportunities for experienced surfers.
Unlike some of Portugal’s other coastal towns like Cascais or Estoril, Ericeira hasn’t yet fallen victim to mass tourism. While it’s quite popular with Portuguese holidayers, it’s still mostly off the map for international visitors. In the summer, it’s a lively destination with a cluster of bars, cafes, and restaurants all nestled alongside traditional fishermen’s houses.
As a functioning fishing town, Ericeira is particularly well known for having excellent (and very fresh) seafood, so if you’re here for lunch or dinner, be sure to order fish or shellfish. Aside from the beaches, there aren’t many touristic sights, but going for a walk along the seaside promenade is very pleasant, and a wander through the town will give you a glimpse into small-town Portugal.
When visiting Ericeira on a day trip, it makes sense to also include a stop in the town of Mafra, where you can visit the enormous and fantastic Palácio de Mafra. Mafra itself is nothing special, but the Baroque and Neoclassical palace is outstanding.
The extensive complex (more than 40,000 square meters) is one of the largest royal palaces in Europe and its grounds include a palace, basilica, convent, gardens, and a hunting park. Plan on at least a few hours to explore and be sure to make it to the opulent library, which is built in the Rococo style and has a fabulous marble floor.
Mafra is right between Lisbon and Ericeira and is a stop on the bus line that connects them, so for the ideal day you should stop in Mafra in the morning then head on to Ericeira for the afternoon.
Transportation
The Mafrense and Carris Metropolitana bus companies both have direct routes from Lisbon to Ericeira and Mafra. You’ll need to start your day by catching the bus at Lisbon’s Campo Grande station. Buses depart from morning through evening, with departures at least once per hour. A one-way ticket will cost about 5 euros.
There are a number of stops in Mafra and you’ll want to get off at the stop closest to the Palace. The name for that stop is Av Forcas Armadas 8, and it’s only a short walk away. From Lisbon, the ride to Mafra takes about 45 minutes.
From Mafra, you can just hop back on the same bus (at the same stop) to continue on to Ericeira. The journey takes about 25 minutes and will cost around 2.5 euros.
Once you’ve finished exploring Ericeira, you’ll take the same line, but heading in reverse, and stay on it all the way back to the Campo Grande station in Lisbon.
11. Peniche and the Berlengas Islands
Best for: Authentic fishing towns, island visits
About an hour and a half north of Lisbon is the working class fishing town of Peniche. Home to many excellent and unspoiled beaches, the town is popular with surfers who come here for the area’s distinctive “superturbo” waves, which are fast, powerful tube-like waves.
With multiple beaches in the area that all face different directions, surfers can almost always find a beach with a good swell. Owing to its popularity as a surfing destination, there are a number of surf schools here, so beginners will be able to give it a try.
The town itself isn’t an architectural marvel, but it’s a pleasant place to get a feel for authentic Portuguese life. As a fishing town, the seafood is fresh and excellent, and prices will be more reasonable than at some of the more upscale towns/resorts along the coast.
The Peniche Fortress, which sits high atop a cliff overlooking the ocean, is worth checking out as well. Built in the 1500’s to guard against pirate attacks, it more recently served as a political prison in the 1950’s during the Estado Novo Regime.
If you’re planning a full day in Peniche, you should certainly consider including a visit to the nearby Berlengas Islands. Located just a few kilometers off the coast from Peniche, there are multiple ferries each day that run between the town and the islands.
Berlenga Grande, the biggest of the islands, is open to visitors who can walk the island’s hiking trails, visit the São João Baptista fort, lounge on the beach, and go for a boat tour to explore caves and grottos.
Transportation
The bus is definitely the easiest, cheapest, and best way to get to Peniche from Lisbon. There are departures about once per hour from Lisbon’s Sete Rios bus station from early morning into the evening (about 8:00 AM until 9:30 PM).
The buses are operated by the Rede Expressos company, and you can see their full schedule here: https://rede-expressos.pt/en/timetables.
The trip between Lisbon and Peniche takes about one hour and thirty minutes and a one-way ticket will cost around 9 euros.
For boat trips to the Berlengas islands, you should be in Peniche in time for 10:00 am, when the first ferry departs. The ferry ride takes 20-45 minutes (depending on whether you catch a normal or high-speed ferry) and will cost about 20 euros for a round-trip ticket.
Ferries depart from Peniche at 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. To return to Peniche from Berlengas, the ferries leave at 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm, and 6:00 pm, so be sure to time your schedule accordingly. All ferries leave from and arrive to the same ports, so there’s no confusion there.
12. Setúbal and Azeitão
Best for: Non-touristy cities, artisans, old-world Portugal
Setúbal and Azeitão are quite different from one another, which makes combining them a nice way to see two very distinct Portuguese towns in a day. With almost 100,000 inhabitants, Setúbal is a real city, and with its strong commercial fishing industry, it’s a busy, working class place.
Overlooked by most international tourists, it gives visitors a chance to experience a local city that doesn’t cater to tourists.
Seitúbal is still a historic town though, so its center is quite pleasant for strolling and you’ll be able to admire plenty of leafy squares, historic buildings, and proud churches.
If you make it here, you absolutely must visit the Forte de São Felipe for its sweeping ocean views, and the Mercado do Livramento, which is an enormous covered market with vendors selling freshly caught fish and also fruits, vegetables, and other goods. It’s a market for locals to do real shopping, so it’s a great place for people watching. If you’re in town for lunch or dinner, be sure to head down to the harbor, where you’ll find loads of excellent seafood restaurants.
If you have a car, you can also visit the nearby Serra do Arrábida or the white sand beaches of the Troia Peninsula.
Just a short drive or bus ride from Setúbal, Azeitão feels a world away. It’s a small hilltop town surrounded by olive groves, pine forests, and wineries. Really more of a collection of small towns, walking around and between them is a delight.
Now an agricultural area, it was previously home to many noble families, so the area is dotted with old palaces and mansions that are well worth exploring. Many of these structures have been turned into inns, wineries, and other commercial establishments, and are open to visitors. There are also many artisans in the area, chief among them tile manufacturers, some of whose workshops/factories are open to visit and offer demonstrations.
The Azulejos de Azeitão tile factory and José Maria da Fonseca wine cellar are two great places to visit.
Transportation
Starting early in the morning and running through the evening, direct trains to Setúbal depart at least once per hour from Lisbon’s Campolide and Sete Rios stations. The ride takes about one hour and a ticket will cost approximately 5 euros. You can see the full schedule here: https://www.fertagus.pt/en/Timetables/FertagusTime.
On arrival in Setúbal, you’ll be about 1km outside of the city center, so it’s just a short walk into the center of town.
The bus is also an option for reaching Setúbal from Lisbon. Buses leave from Lisbon’s Sete Rios and Gare do Oriente stations from early morning until late evening. There are various companies that run this route, including the Carris Metropolitana and Rede Expresos. Carris Metropolitana has the most daily departures and is also the cheaper option, so it’s likely your best bet.
The ride to Setúbal takes about 45 minutes and will cost around 7 euros. The bus station in is actually a fair deal closer to the city center than the train station is, so it’s quite convenient for getting into the center of town.
To get to Azeitão, buses depart regularly from the center of Setúbal and the trip takes only about 20 minutes. You can see schedules and fares here: https://www.tsuldotejo.pt/.
Alternatively, taking a taxi from Setúbal to Azeitão is also easy and perfectly affordable.
13. Óbidos
Best for: Incredible Medieval architecture
90 kilometers northwest of Lisbon, hilltop Óbidos, protected by its fortified walls, is the perfect example of a medieval Portuguese town. So much so that it’s very likely to be the prettiest town that you visit in Portugal! Extremely well preserved, wandering the city’s cobbled streets and admiring its ancient architecture will take you back in time.
If you enter town via the Porta da Vila, you’ll be greeted with central Portugal’s iconic blue and white glazed tiles. From there, you can walk along the the town’s main street, passing historic, white-washed buildings until you reach the imposing 12th century castle.
After exploring the castle, anyone in relatively good shape should be sure to walk along the city’s stone walls, from where you’ll have great views of the surrounding countryside. The 13th century Igreja de Santa Maria is another landmark to check out while in town.
It will probably take you two to three hours to explore the main sights in Óbidos, but this is a lovely town and much of the charm in being here is to relax and enjoy the slow pace of life. Have a coffee or a drink, stop for a meal, sit in a square and people watch, and just enjoy your surroundings.
Obídos is quite close to the fishing and surf town of Peniche though, so you can easily add in a visit there if you’re feeling restless and want to see another interesting town.
Transportation
Express buses from Lisbon’s Campo Grande station take about an hour to reach Óbidos. Buses start running at 7:00 am and go until about 11:00 pm, with departures approximately once per hour, but more frequently at busier times of day. The buses typically depart from bays 30 or 31, and the line is operated by the Rodoviária do Tejo company. One-way tickets cost about 8 euros.
The bus will drop you right outside of Óbidos’ medieval walls, and you’ll catch your return bus from the exact same spot. For the complete bus schedule see the company’s website: http://www.rodotejo.pt/.
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
Avoid tourist traps, go where the locals go, and plan a better trip with help from a local!
