Lisbon sits at the centre of one of Portugal’s most varied regions. Within an hour you can be among the romantic palaces of Sintra, on the beaches of Cascais or at the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and within two you can reach medieval towns, a world-famous pilgrimage site and the Alentejo plains. Here are the best day trips, with how to get there.

Sintra

The hill town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most popular day trip from Lisbon, and with good reason. Trains leave Rossio station for Sintra roughly every 20 to 30 minutes and take about 40 minutes. From the station, bus 434 loops up to the hilltop sights.

  • Pena Palace. The red and yellow romantic palace on the highest peak, with a vast park. €20 with the palace interior in 2026, by timed slot.
  • Castle of the Moors. Medieval walls along the ridge next to Pena. €12.
  • Quinta da Regaleira. Gardens, grottoes and the spiral Initiation Well, a short walk from the town centre. €20.
  • Sintra National Palace. The medieval royal palace in the town, with two giant conical chimneys. €13.
  • Monserrate. A Moorish-style palace in a botanical garden a few kilometres west.

You will not see everything in one day. Pick two or three sights, book Pena first, and start early. In winter, check the Parques de Sintra site for weather closures: all its monuments closed on 11 November 2026 for a weather alert.

Cascais and Cabo da Roca

Trains run along the coast from Cais do Sodré to Cascais in about 40 minutes, passing beaches at Carcavelos and Estoril. Cascais is a former fishing village turned elegant resort, with a marina, museums and a pretty old town. From Cascais or Sintra, buses run to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where a lighthouse stands on cliffs high above the Atlantic. The 24-hour Carris, Metro and CP ticket (€11.40) covers the trains to both Sintra and Cascais.

Many guided tours combine Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais in one long day, which saves juggling buses.

Óbidos

A walled medieval town about an hour north of Lisbon, with whitewashed houses, a castle and walls you can walk around. Try the ginjinha, a cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. From 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 the castle hosts Óbidos Vila Natal, a Christmas village (€12, children €8).

Fátima, Batalha and Nazaré

Popular guided tours combine the Sanctuary of Fátima, one of the world’s great Marian pilgrimage sites, with the Gothic monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO site, the fishing town of Nazaré, famous for its giant winter waves, and often Óbidos. It is a long day, so a tour is the easiest option.

Évora

The capital of the Alentejo, about an hour and a half east by train, has a Roman temple, a Gothic cathedral and the Chapel of Bones, all inside medieval walls. The surrounding countryside is dotted with megalithic monuments and wineries, which tours often add.

Mafra and Queluz

The vast Baroque Palace of Mafra, north-west of Lisbon, combines a palace, a basilica and a celebrated library, with an adult ticket of €15. Closer to the city, the pink Rococo Palace of Queluz (€13) is sometimes called the Portuguese Versailles and is on the way to Sintra.

Setúbal and Arrábida

South of the Tagus, the Arrábida hills drop into turquoise coves, and boats from Setúbal go dolphin-watching in the Sado estuary. Sesimbra offers kayaking along the coast. These trips are easiest by car or on a tour.

Tips for day trips

  • Start early: Sintra’s buses and Pena’s slots fill by mid-morning.
  • Book timed tickets online before you leave Lisbon.
  • Avoid driving in Sintra; parking is very limited.
  • Check the weather: Sintra is often cooler and mistier than Lisbon.