Portugal, a country full of hidden treasures is considered one of the worlds best destinations to visit.
In the past decade, the city of Lisbon has ranked as one of the top destinations in Europe.
Built on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views, colorful neighborhoods, haunting Fado music and the incredibly charming vibe of Libson.
Visitors to Lisbon will have much to explore, whether they are staying for a few days, weeks or longer.
However, getting out of the city offers another slice of Portuguese life.
If your staying in Portugal’s capital for more than a day, consider taking any one of the following day trips from Lisbon.
Most are easily accessible by bus, train or by car.
Explore the nearby wine regions of Cheleiros and Bucelas.
Sample traditional Portuguese cheese in Azeitão.
Discover Alentejo cuisine in Evora.
Admire the magical palaces in Sintra and Arrábida Natural Park.
History and religious buffs will enjoy day trips from Lisbon to Fátima or visiting the Tomar Castle and learning more about the Knights Templar.
Whatever you choose to do, any of these options for day trips from Lisbon will give you deeper insights into local Portuguese culture.
In this guide we recommend 10 day trips from Lisbon to sample Portuguese regional cuisine, discover unique and amazing wines, explore medieval towns and more.
Table of contents
- Quick Tips – Day Trips from Lisbon
- 1- Cheleiros and Bucelas Wine Region
- 2 – Wine and Cheese Tasting in Azeitão
- 3- Evora – Portugal’s Bread Basket
- 4- Sintra – a Lisbon Day Trip in Sweets Wonderland
- 5- Belém and the Original Pasteis de Nata
- 6- Cascais – Former Royal Summer Destination
- 7 – Fátima and The Atlantic Coast
- 8 – Visit Tomar and Constância on a Knights Templar Tour
- 9- Sesimbra and Arrábida Natural Park
- 10 – Porto – Portugal’s Second City
- Renting a Car for Your Day Trips from Lisbon
- Best Places to Stay in Lisbon
- Looking for More Things to Do in Portugal?
- Love it? Pin it!
Quick Tips – Day Trips from Lisbon
Looking for a quick way to find the perfect day trip from Lisbon?
Here are our top Lisbon day trips recommendations:
Lisbon day trip for food and wine lovers – Wine and Cheese Tasting in Azeitão
Lisbon day trip for beach and seafood lovers – Cascais
Lisbon day trip for wonderland and sweet lovers – Sintra Sweets Wonderland
1- Cheleiros and Bucelas Wine Region
Just north of Lisbon is one of the best day trips from Lisbon oenophiles can appreciate.
You will not have to go too far to discover distinctive Portuguese varieties and local grapes.
A full day tour of two historic wineries is one of the day trips Lisbon visitors can savor. At ManzWine cellars, you’ll learn about and taste wines that were long thought to be extinct.
While at Quinta da Murta in Bucelas , you will discover the “Prince of Portuguese Wines.”
Along the way, you will sample, local breads and olive oils, while marveling at the picturesque villages and vineyards north of Lisbon.
You’ll appreciate the significance of the wines with the entertaining stories of Vasco de Gama and Bucelas wines following the discovery of the trade routes to India.
For this day trip from Lisbon, we recommend leaving the driving to someone else.
Immerse yourself fully and appreciate the wines, on this Cheleiros and Bucelas Wine Tasting Tour.
The vineyards in Bucelas region (photo credit by Paulo Juntas on Wikimedia)2 – Wine and Cheese Tasting in Azeitão
We could not miss talking about this Lisbon day trip dedicated to tasting regional wines and cheeses.
Azeitão is an area well known for its Periquita wines and DOP cheese. Schedule a day trip out of the city to sample the regional products situated only about 40 kilometers south of Lisbon, in the Setubal region.
Located at the foot of the Arrábida Natural Park, you will admire the views of this mountain range.
You will find several farms in Azeitão dedicated to wine production, cheese, and the famous Torta de Azeitão or Azeitão pies. This sweet cakes made with eggs will leave you wanting for more.
Amongst the region’s top wine cellars, visit the renowned cellars of José Maria da Fonseca, the oldest table wine company in Portugal.
The DOP cheese produced in the region is a creamy sheep cheese prized as one of the best in the country.
Made of unpasteurized sheep’s cheese, it may be an acquired taste, but pair some cheese with local bread and wine, and you’re sure to appreciate it.
The best way to get to Azeitão is by renting a car though we highly recommend to book a region wine tasting tour to avoid driving and drinking.
Queijos de Azeitão (photo credit: Adriao on Wikimedia)3- Evora – Portugal’s Bread Basket
Evora, is the capital of the Alentejo region and Portugal’s bread basket. It is the agricultural heartland with rolling hills of farms, olive groves and cork forest.
The city of Evora is one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in Portugal.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its roots go back to the Roman era. In the 15th century, the town served as the town as the residence for the Kings of Portugal.
The cuisine in Evora and the Alentejo region is unique and made up of delightful specialities you don’t want to miss.
Be sure to savor dishes like the famous black Portuguese pork, Alentejo bread, amazing wines, olive oils and a variety of local cheeses.
Claire and Rosemary by the Evora signHow to Get From Lisbon to Evora
The distance between Lisbon and Evora is about 135 km (85 miles).
Depending on how much time you have for your day trip from Lisbon, you could consider taking the train or go on a full day tour.
There is a lot to do in Evora and we recommend spending a few days exploring the region. Evora is easily accessible by train from Lisbon’s Oriente station.
The ride takes about 1.5 hours and ticket prices range from 12.40 € to 16.50 €. The train will drop you off within walking distance to the medieval city.
If you only have one day for your day trip from Lisbon, we highly recommend taking an Evora full day tour with wine tasting.
From Lisbon, you’ll visit the main sites in Evora. You will sample wines at a local winery and visit a nearby village. A traditional Portuguese lunch is also included.
For more information on Evora, read our article about things to do and what to eat in Evora
4- Sintra – a Lisbon Day Trip in Sweets Wonderland
Sintra is renowned as the most popular Lisbon day trip, and for good reason.
There are many cultural sites to visit in this ancient town in the foothills, just to the west of Portugal’s largest city.
You want to visit the restored Palácio Nacional da Pena as well as the Castelo dos Mouros, ancient ruins perched on the crest of the mountain.
The town of Sintra itself has an impressive Gothic palace, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, and you’ll want to spend some time walking the cobblestoned streets and exploring the shops adjacent to the town square.
Your day trip to Sintra will be full, but it’s the one you’ll not want to miss.
READ MORE: For more about what to do and what to eat in Sintra, read our article how to eat your way in Sintra in one day.
Magnificent colors and architecture at Palacio da PenaHow to Get from Lisbon to Sintra
The easiest way to go from Lisbon to Sintra is to take the train. You can catch a direct train departing from the Rossio train station in Lisbon.
There is a train departing every 10 to 20 minutes during the week or every 30 minutes during the weekends from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.
For more information about the schedule, check the Portugal train website here.
You can buy your ticket directly at the train station and it only costs 2.25 € for the 40 minute ride.
You can you pay for your ticket using the rechargeable Viagem card or better yet use your Lisboa card for additional savings.
Authentic Food Quest Tip: To explore the city and make the most of your visit to Lisbon, we recommend getting a Lisboa Card. A Lisboa Card is an official city pass that offers many benefits and discounts on transportation, museums and cultural sites in Lisbon and the surrounding region.
5- Belém and the Original Pasteis de Nata
Belém, a district of Lisbon, is certainly the more accessible and closest Lisbon day trip to take.
It is home to the original bakery for the national egg custard treat known as Pastéis de Natas.
Head for Pastéis de Belém pastry shop and savor the original egg custard, called Pastéis de Belém.
The historic bakery has been making them since 1837, and the store is open most evenings until 11:00 p.m.
Not-to-miss sights in Belém include Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Avoid Mondays when the sites are closed.
Evening visit at Belem TowerHow to Get from Lisbon to Belém
Belém stretches along the Tagus River in the southern part of Lisbon, and is quickly reached by train, tram or city bus.
We recommend taking the tram for a more picturesque ride to Belém.
The Tram 15 takes you from Praco do Comercio to Belém in 20 minutes. A one way trip will cost you 1.85 € cash or you can pay using a Viva Viagem card which you can get from any metro station.
Better yet, get a Lisboa card which gives you access to local transportation and Lisbon attractions.
Alternatively, you can join a walking tour of Belém.
This tour have you visit the main Unesco sites of Belém including Belém Tower and Jeronimos Monastery with a knowledgeable local guide.
6- Cascais – Former Royal Summer Destination
Cascais, a former fishing village, has enticing beaches and a beautiful marina adjacent to a massive old stone fort building.
Cascais used to be the summer destination for the Portuguese royal family.
Nowadays, there are beach bars as well as white-tablecloth restaurants to satisfy your hunger for freshly-caught fish and seafood.
Downtown Cascais, you can visit the historic centre with its traditional and upscale restaurants. shops.
By the waterfront, you will find the fishing harbour, the marina and the restored fort. Don’t miss lingering on the beautiful beaches of Praia da Conceição or Praia da Duquesa.
Casa de Santa Maria on the coastline of Caiscais (photo credit Liam Spradlin - Unsplash)How to Get from Lisbon to Cascais
The frequent train from Lisbon takes only about 40 minutes and cost 2.25 €.
You’ll arrive at the beautiful seaside depot, and can easily stroll around the city. You can check the schedule here.
One of the best ways to visit Cascais is to combine a day trip from Lisbon to Cascais and Sintra.
You will explore the fairytale town of Sintra and follow in the footsteps of Europe’s nobles at Cascais. Enjoy the coast to Cabo da Roca for panoramic views.
7 – Fátima and The Atlantic Coast
The kind of day trips Lisbon visitors find most appealing, are those that offer a multi-faceted view of the surrounding countryside as well as the primary destination.
A visit to Fátima offers just that. Known as one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world, the city welcomes every year millions of tourists and pilgrims alike.
On your way to Fátima, pay a visit to the charming medieval village of Obidos with its narrow cobbled stone streets.
An other interesting stop is to visit one of the fishing villages along the Atlantic coast.
Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto are ideal towns for an easy lunch to enjoy the Portuguese seafood.
The Shrine of Fatima (photo credit Titosoft on Pixabay)How to Get from Lisbon to Fátima
Getting to Fátima is easier when renting a car from Lisbon especially if you plan to stop along the way to visit Portugal’s countryside.
Alternatively, you can also book a tour to the Shrine of Fátima which typically includes several stops along the way.
You will visit the medieval village of Obidos, as well as the largest Gothic Monastery in the country, Santa Maria d’Alcobaça, a well-known World Heritage Site.
The drive along the Atlantic coast includes a lunch stop in a fishing village like Navare, and a visit to Batalha to view another UNESCO listed Gothic monastery.
8 – Visit Tomar and Constância on a Knights Templar Tour
Are you fascinated by the stories of the Knights Templar?
Then a Lisbon day trip that piques your curiosity will have to include a visit to Tomar and Constância.
Ruled by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, Tomar is a fascinating Portuguese town with a rich history.
The prominent Tomar Castle was founded in 1160 by the Portuguese Grand Master of the Templars.
In Tomar, you don’t want to miss visiting the impressive Convento de Cristo funded by the templar, which is now a Unesco Site.
The Castle of Almourol is another castle that figures in the Knights Templar history.
Reconstructed in 1171 by the Templar, it is one of the best representations of the influence of the Knights Templar in Portugal.
You’ll step back in time on a day trip like this, but you’ll also be charmed by a stop at Constância.
Located 30 mins from Tomar is the picturesque village of Constância worth visiting on your way to the Castle of Almourol.
One of the main highlights of Constância is to experience the local sweet treats known as “Queijinhos do céu.”
They’ve earned a worldwide reputation for this little village that only has 900 residents.
Our recommendation is to book a Knights Templar Tour and travel with a guide to learn about the history of the Templar.
Convento Cristo in Tomar (photo credit: Alvesgaspar on Wikimedia)9- Sesimbra and Arrábida Natural Park
Nature lovers won’t want to miss a visit to this natural paradise.
With rolling hills, hiking trails, seashore, beaches and a former monastery to explore, you’ll be awed by the sights.
Only about 40 kilometers south of Lisbon, you can get some much-needed fresh air and exercise as well.
Located by the seashore, this Nature Park is a protected area since 1976. The beautiful beaches of Galapinhos, Portinho da Arrábida and Figueirinha are great places to explore.
You can admire the views from the Convent of Our Lady of Arrábida dominating the beaches.
On your way to the park, make a stop in Sesimbra, a charming fishing town where you can enjoy delicious fresh Portuguese seafood.
The best way to go to Sesimbra and enjoy Arrábida Natural Park is by renting a car from Lisbon.
Alternatively, you can book a Day Tour to Arrábida National Park and enjoy a wine tasting as well.
The beautiful coastline of Arratiba Natural Park10 – Porto – Portugal’s Second City
Porto has much to offer and we highly recommend spending several days in and around Portugal’s second city.
Nonetheless, it is possible to experience this wonderful city on the banks on the Douro River as a day trip from Lisbon if you cannot squeeze out extra days.
Though it would make for a long day, it’s a pleasant drive or a relaxing train trip, and it’s entirely worth it.
Be sure to include time to learn about Port wines and a tasting at any of the famous fortified wines cellars in Villa de Gaia.
Tour the Ribeira district and enjoy a drink or lunch by the Douro river before heading up to the top of Dom Luis Bridge.
Soak up the views of Porto before walking toward Se Cathedral and the beautiful Sao Bento train station to admire the azulejo tile work.
READ MORE read our article about the best things to do in Porto for food lovers
Stunning views of Porto from the Port cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia How to Get from Lisbon to Porto
For peace of mind, we recommend taking the train from Lisbon to Porto. From Santa Apolonia station, the ride takes about 3 hours to get to Sao Bento, the main station in Porto.
By taking the train, you can maximize your time in Porto without having to worry about getting to and from Porto.
Tickets start at about 25 €.
There are frequent trains to Porto every hour or less. You can check the schedule here.
With limited time and to make the most of a Lisbon day trip to Porto, we recommend taking a Porto Full-Day Private Tour from Lisbon.
Renting a Car for Your Day Trips from Lisbon
Renting a car in Lisbon is quite inexpensive and pretty straight forward.
One thing to be aware of is that, the majority of rental cars are manual transmission. If you want a car with automatic transmission, reserve one in advance.
Bridges and highways charge tolls. At the car rental station, get a transponder and pre-pay 10 € euros for toll charges.
Car rental rates can be as low as 5 € euros per day. Bring the necessary paperwork including your passport and driver’s license.
Make sure to have travel insurance for your Portugal trip. We use and recommend Allianz Travel Insurance which provides great coverage at affordable rates.
Best Places to Stay in Lisbon
Finding the best place to stay in Lisbon can be quite daunting in Portugal’s capital and largest city.
To make the most of your stay in Lisbon, we recommend the following hotels and apartments for where to stay in Lisbon for food lovers.
Budget Friendly Places to Stay in Lisbon
Bairro Alto Bronze of Art Apartments in Bairro Alto
Photographer’s house in Graca
Mid Range Places to Stay in Lisbon
Be Poet Baixa Hotel in Lisbon city center
Casa das Janelas com Vista in Bairro Alto
Luxury Places to Stay in Lisbon
Hotel do Chiado in Lisbon city center
Memmo Príncipe Real in Principe Real
READ MORE: Check out our full article with the five best areas where to stay in Lisbon to help you find the perfect base for your day trips from Lisbon.
Looking for More Things to Do in Portugal?
Take a look at a few of our top articles to explore the local food in Portugal
The Best Things To Do in Lisbon for Food Lovers
The Best Day Trips from Porto for Food and Wine Lovers
Fall in Love with Douro Valley and the Best Wines in Portugal
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Claire is a culinary explorer, digital nomad and engineer brain behind Authentic Food Quest. Together with her partner, Rosemary, they created Authentic Food Quest to help people find the best local food on their travels. For over 5 years they have eaten their way through South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America while sharing the best local food experiences on their website. Authentic Food Quest has been featured on top publications such as Huffington Post, Business Insider, and Honest Cooking. Claire and Rosemary are also authors of Authentic Food Quest Argentina and Authentic Food Quest Peru, available on Amazon.
Just visited Lisbon a month ago and was blown away by their food. Especially their sushi never had better sushi in Europe! I will definitely go back and check out the things you mentioned. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful to hear Katies, that you loved the food in Lisbon. Indeed, truly delicious options. Yes, hold onto this article for your next trip. There is a lot to explore and eat 🙂
Wow, Lisbon sounds absolutely amazing! I love all of these day trip ideas! You totally have me thinking of planning a trip because it looks so gorgeous!
Awesome, Julie. What day trip from Lisbon caught your attention the most? Cheers.
I love this. This is great! I actually just shared this with a friend who is headed to Lisbon just now!
Perfect, Holly! Thank you. If your friend has any additional questions, please share the Portugal resources on the website. Cheers.
Ok, I’m convinced. I’ve gotta make Portugal at the top of my Bucket List! I’m making a reference to all your posts around Lisbon and, of course, food and wine! You know your stuff 🙂
You are welcome Adonis!! We do love Portugal and want every visitor to have the best experience possible. When do you think you’ll make your trip?
Great tip about the Lisboa card! I love saving money while exploring an area. All of these sound like great fun, but Tomar really would be my first pick. I have always been fascinated by the Knights Templar and would love to check out the castle.
Not enough people take advantage of the Lisboa card. It can be quite advantageous. Tomar is a great choice and a tour you’d love. Do you have plans to visit Lisbon soon?
I fell in love with Lisbon and loved exploring this city. It is on of my favourites in Europe and has a bit of a South American feel in the place. Love the Belem area and talking in the water side walks. 🙂 So much to do there, I did 4 days recently and I think I needed at least two weeks!
You are right Danik, once in Portugal, you’ll always feel like you need more time. There is so much to see, eat and do. A wonderful country, rich in heritage. Cheers.
I’ve been to some of these places last year when visiting Portugal. My favorite was Belem – not only for the Natas albeit I do love them: The lovely cream in this little crispy basket….I think I’ll got some tomorrow since I’m working very close to Hamburg’s Portuguese quarter 😉
Lucky you Renata, for being so close to a Portuguese quarter in Hamburg. Easy access to pasteis de nata…..yum. Yes, we loved them too in Belem. Nothing like eating the originals from the source:)
A day trip to for Wine and Cheese Tasting in Azeitão is right up my alley. Are the sweet cakes with eggs the custard tarts that are so popular in Portugal? I’m willing to taste my way through them…
There are so many delightful sweet treats in Portugal Nicole. Your biggest challenge will be having to choose 🙂 Cheers.
I was surprised how much cooking is done with Port wine. I can’t imagine visiting Lisbon and not going to Belem for Pastéis de Natas. I feel in love with these little treats! I only drove through Cascais due to time and was quite disappointed I wasn’t able to explore. I imagine the seafood is incredible.
That means, Sherianne that another trip to Portugal is in order 🙂 Do you have plans to visit again soon? Yes, you can’t miss pasteis de Belem!! Cheers.
Yes these are some of the b day trips from Lisbon. We did Sintra, Tomar and Evora.
Loved the local food in the restaurants there. 🙂
Perfect, Indrani. Did you have a favorite experience on your day trip from Lisbon?
This post is such a great round-up of day-trip destinations from Lisbon. It makes me want to visit! Sintra and visiting the Pastéis de Belém pastry shop have been on my list for ages, but Azeitão is new to me – would love to try the sheep’s cheese!
Perfect, Hannah. Do keep this article handy for your eventual trip to Portugal. Plan for extra time as there is so much to see and do 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the article.
These are totally perfect side trips or a good reason to extend in Portugal. Lisbon can be covered in 2-3 days. I’ll definitely go here! I would devour on the pasteis in Belem and of course drown in the best Porto wines.
Great to hear Trisha. And if you ever need any recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out 🙂