10 Amazing Day Trips From Lisbon (2024)

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Cascais

Located west of Lisbon, this incredible location offers wondrous beaches, peaceful coves, and some interesting historical locations.

Check out the best beach in all Cascais, Praia da Rainha. It has a stunning location, calm waters, and beautiful cliffs. Afterwards, head to one of the nearby bars, restaurants, and cafés to enjoy your afternoon.

Spend some time walking the streets of the old downtown area and take in the surroundings admiring the stunning beauty of the buildings.

Don’t miss out on the Museu Condes de Castro Guimaraes. Completed in 1900, this beautiful museum is filled with cultural items from the long history of Portugal with a library of books dating back to the 1600s.

Evora

Dating back to Roman times, Evora offers many historic wonders for you to see.

The Evora Cathedral was crafted from pink granite in the 13th century and has a rooftop view of the city that is unparalleled.

Set inside a 15th century episcopal palace, the Museu de Evora is filled with many old sculptures, paintings, textiles, and goldwork.

Also, be sure to visit the Evora Roman Temple. Built during the 1st century, the remarkable remains of the temple take you back over 2,000 years.

Batalha

While Batalha may be a little further away, the journey into central Portugal is definately well worth it.

In Batalha you’ll find Aljubarrota which was the site of a 14th century battle in which the Portuguese defeated a much larger Castilian army.

Located in the center of the city, you come across MCCB where you can see relics from the pre-history through the Roman era that dominated this part of Portugal.

Finally, there’s the Monastary of Batalha which dominates the town and is one of the most stunning works of gothic architecture.

Sintra

Located just a few miles from Lisbon, Sintra is a resort town located in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains.

While the spectacular location is worth a visit alone, there are historical features that make this a marvelous day trip.

Pena Palace is a fairy-tale like structure atop a mountain peak and the most iconic landmark in all of Sintra.

Quinta da Regaleira is an architectural wonder in the gothic style and this incredible private residence must be seen to be believed.

The 9th century Castle of the Moors is still marvelous as always and is located in the mountains which make for some stunning scenic views.

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Fatima

While the town of Fatima appears to just be a typical Portuguese city, it is dominated by the legendary Miracle of Fatima which brings people here from around the world.

The main draw of Fatima is the Sanctuary. Thousands visit here every year for its’ religious significance. Of course, the unbeatable view of the older sanctuary doesn’t hurt either.

To see some stunning Baroque architecture, check out the Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario as its’ historical significance makes this a must-see site.

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Sesimbra

If you like the outdoors and the beach, then Sesimbra is the place for you.

Along with the beautiful beaches, enjoy a mountain hike to Castelo de Sesimbra for incredible views of the town.

Spend some time in the crystal clear waters at the Praia da California and, if you’re feeling adventurous, go on one of the dolphin watch boats and visit the many dolphins that live just off the coastline.

Almada

While Almada comes from humble roots, its transformation in the 1990s has made it a top place to visit.

Spend some time in the Cacilhas waterfront neighborhood. Here you can relax along the shore at one of the many restaurants or cafés.

Be sure to visit the Dom Fernando II e Gloria which is a warship built in 1843 that has been beautifully over the years.

The highlight of Almada, however, is the Cristo Rei. The Portuguese counterpart to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil dominates the countryside and is a must-visit location.

Óbidos

This historic town offers many attractions for those who want to combine history with stunning scenic views.

Historic Obidos looks like a movie set but the township is real with beautiful bungalows that are whitewashed and stunning to see.

While here, be sure to visit the 7th century Obidos Castle and the Igreja de Santa Maria church that was founded in 1148.

Setúbal

Located on the Sado River, Setubal was a sleepy fishing village that has transformed itself as the perfect place for tourists to visit.

The Arrabida Natural Park is located on the west side of the town. From here, you can see the stunning mountain ranges that adorn the coastline. Kept in mostly natural condition with limited human intrusion, this is a great place to get away, especially if you visit the Praia do Creiro beach.

The Quinta da Bacalhoa estate located on the northwest side of the Park is a great place to view the 15th century lifestyle of well-to-do Portuguese.

Finally the Monastery of Jesus is simply breathtaking. This marvelous monastery offers the unique Manueline style of Portuguese architecture that is seemingly from a movie set, but it is quite real and lovely to view.

Mafra

The town of Mafra is a little gem that brings in tourists from around the world and for good reason.

See the rare Iberian wolves at the Centro de Recuperacao do Lobo Iberico and visit the Tapada Nacional de Mafra which is a 819-hectare park filled with the native flora and fauna from the region. You might be able to spot the many animals roaming the grounds, including red deer, badgers, and eagles.

This 18th century palace, Palacio Nacional de Mafra, is filled with Brazilian gold and boasts both a basilica and a monastery on its grounds. It is quite stunning to see and well worth the trip alone.

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