Planning your trip to Portugal and wondering what could be the best day trips from Lisbon for you? Here is my selection of the top 10 destinations within a day - with self-drive information and organized tour options depending on if you want to drive or not. Time to plan!
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Introduction to the best day trips from Lisbon
MAP and OVERVIEW
For those who do not want to go on a road trip and change base every night, staying in Lisbon for a few days is a great option. There is much to see in the city (see my Lisbon City break guide) and a wide variety of options of one day tours from Lisbon.
I have selected my 10 favorite destinations and activities within 2h30 drive from Lisbon. Here is a map to help you locate the best day trips from Lisbon:
DAY TRIP - TRAVEL OPTIONS
Whenever possible for each day trip, I am giving you travel options:
- Self-drive planning information - If you are worried, check out my article with videos and practical info about driving in Portugal
- Organized Tours - for those who don't want to drive there is a large selection of organized tours in small groups or private tours. I find prices reasonable. If you are 3 or 4, check out the private tour, it might not be more expensive!
Note that the tours I selected are from Viator or GetYourGuide because reviews are from actual travelers (not like Tripadvisor) and I like using them myself.
#1 - SINTRA Day Trips from Lisbon - Palaces
Type: Architecture
Highlights
- Sintra is home to the Unesco site 'Cultural Landscape of Sintra' with its many palaces and castles.
- Visiting the extravagant monuments and their beautiful park is quite an adventure!
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 45 min from Lisbon to Sintra - and drive back
- Sintra is easily reached from Lisbon via a motorway
- Once in Sintra, the National Palace is in the heart of the old town, and you have to drive past it to reach the Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors - note that traffic jams may occur because there is only one road
- Pena is probably the most visited one, but there are other options out of the way such as Quinta da Regaleira and its "inverted towers" or the Monserrate Palace
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
Public Transports
Once in Sintra, you can catch a cab or use the Hop on Hop off busses to visit the various palaces or head to the coastline.
And you can purchase your Pena palace skip the line ticket to be all set - but if you plan on seeing more of the palaces you can buy a combined ticket with Sintra Palace and Castle of the Moors
Other tip: if you are also visiting a lot in Lisbon, the Lisbon Card is a great deal. Many Lisbon attractions are included, you get free transportation including the train to Sintra (but still get your ticket at the booth) and you get 10 to 20% reductions to the Sintra Palaces.
Want to stay overnight?
There is so much to see in Sintra, that staying overnight could be a great idea. Check my Portugal accommodations article for some suggestions
Organized Tours Options
I have gone through all the tours on Get Your Guide and Viator and none of them offers a full day visiting several of the palaces. I know some would find that too much, but they are actually very different, and it would make for a fascinating day.
They visit 2 maximum and then go to the coast, as you will see in the next day trip option. See options
But you can book a private tour and plan with your guide all the things that you want to visit
#2 - Sintra Pena Palace - Cabo da Roca - Cascais
Type: Nature + Architecture
Highlights
- The colorful Unesco site of the Pena Palace and its amazing view of the Sintra region
- The Southwestern-most point in Europe at Cabo da Roca and its colorful cliffs
- if you have time, add a drive up North to the Magnificent Magoito beach with its dark cliff
- The Coastal area around Cascais and its fascinating beaches
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 3h driving loop
- Drive to Sintra and up to the Pena Palace - go early to avoid the crowds
- Then head to the coast and Magoito Beach to admire the cliff (near the town of Magoito)
- Drive South to Cabo da Roca
- Continue driving along the coast to Cascais, stop at Praia do Guincho
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
Organized Tours Options
With a small group and your guide discover the best of the Sintra Cascais Natural Park:
- The Pena Palace with its panoramic views
- Cabo da Roca and its colorful cliffs
- The Scenic beaches of Cascais
I have not found a tour that covers Magoito, but it is already a fantastic day combining architecture and nature!
- OPTION 1 - Small group tour in air-conditioned vehicle - Check out Program and Prices
- OPTION 2 - Book a private tour for more flexibility
#3 - Obidos & Monasteries
Type: Architecture/History
Highlights
- Medieval Town of Obidos with its fortifications, white houses and castle - one of the best activities is to walk on the wall around town
- Tasting the famous local alcohol in the chocolate cup
- Visiting one of the Unesco - classified monasteries - You can, for example, stop just to see the façade of Alcobaca and take the time to visit Batalha with its unfinished chapels
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 3h40 loop
- Drive North to Obidos on A8 - park outside and explore the town in the morning
- Drive North to Alcobaça monastery - have lunch on the place with a great view of the imposing structure
- Drive to Batalha and visit one of the most fascinating monasteries with Manueline decor and unfinished chapels
- Drive back to Lisbon on A15 or do a detour to the coast to see the small peninsula of Peniche to break the drive back (it adds 40min to the drive)
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
Want to stay overnight?
You can stay overnight either in Obidos or Batalha and combine with the visit of the other monasteries on this Unesco loop: Alcobaça and the Convent of the Christ in Tomar. Suggestions of places to stay in my Portugal accommodations article
Organized Tours Options - Obidos, Fatima and Bathala
This well rated tour will take you to Obidos, and Batalha where you can explore on your own. Plus, you will discover the significant religious site of Fatima at the end of the day before getting back to Lisbon
- OPTION 1 - Small group tour (8 person van) - Check out Program and Price
- OPTION 2 - Book a private tour for more flexibility
#4 - Tomar Convent of the Christ & Knight Templars
Type: Architecture/History
Highlights
- The Tomar convent and its Castle has a long history related to the Knight Templars. It is part of the Unesco World Heritage list. There is much to explore and discover, so take your time and enjoy!
- The town of Tomar is also very lovely to explore
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 3h return drive
- Drive North East on A1 towards Tomar
- Parking near the convent is limited so you can park in the town and either walk or take a cab to the top
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
Organized Tours Options
With Tomar and its amazing convent, this tour will take you on a journey to discover the Knight templars with the Almourol castle.
- OPTION 1 - Small group tour - Check out Program and Price
- OPTION 2 - Book a private tour for more flexibility
#5 - Evora day tour from lisbon + wine tasting
Type: History/Architecture
Highlights
Evora is a classic day trip from Lisbon. This major city offers a lot of historical sites
- Roman temple and ruins
- The chapel of Bones
- The Evora Cathedral and its great views of the city
- The Aqueduct
- Ad if you are ok with a bit of off-road driving, you can also go see a menhir and cromeleque
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 3h return
- Drive East on A2 then A6 towards Evora
- Add 30min return drive on a dirt road to visit the Almendres Megalithic sites (leave N114 towards Nossa Sra de Guadalupe)
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
Want to stay overnight?
Evora is a vibrant city in the evening. There is a great choice of restaurants. So why not spend the night and the second day you could visit the stunning white village of Monsaraz before driving back to Lisbon. Find out some accommodation suggestions.
Organized Tours Options
This tour will take you to the see and visit the main sites of Evora. Just sit back and relax.
And after that you will be treated to a side stop to learn more about wine in Portugal and taste it.
Small group tour - Check out program and prices
#6 - Not a day trip but amazing Tour - Helicopter
Type: Scenic
I know this is technically not a day trip, but I absolutely love flying in an helicopter.
And the site of Sintra with its lush green mountains and beautiful palace is just perfect to fly over.
In the picture is the Sintra National palace, but the colorful Pena Palace is even more amazing
#7 - Mertola & Guadiana Nature Park
Type: Nature
Highlights
- The Mertola village with its white houses, its castle and its unique church with Islamic decor
- Just driving around in the nature park for great scenery
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 5h return drive
- Drive East and then South on A2 towards Albufeira
- At Castro Verde, turn east on N123 towards Mertola
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
I have not found organized tours for this one.
#8 - Berlanga Archipelago
Type: Nature
Highlights
- The Peninsula of Peniche and its fishing tradition
- Berlanga island with its magnificent cliffs and rock formations, a Unesco Biosphere site
- The St John Baptist fort
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: Lisbon to Peniche: 1h20 drive
- Drive to Peniche and take a boat tour to the Berlangas archipelago
Organized Tours Options
This tour is just fantastic. They will pick you up from Lisbon, take you to Peniche where you will board to go to the main island.
You will be able to do enjoy amazing views, snorkel , swim and Kayak around the island to appreciate the nature reserve.
#9 - Arrabida Reserve and Dolphin Watching Tour
Type: Nature
Highlights
- Sesimbra and Setubal opening on the estuary
- The nature park of Arrabidda and its amazing landscapes including the Arrabida convent and colorful coves
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 2h30 drive loop
- Drive South, cross the Tagus and take A2 and then N378 towards Sesimbra
- To the east of the town is the nature reserve and the magnificent beaches
- The town at the East is Setubal where you can board a dolphin cruise
- Drive up to Lisbon via A12 and A2
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
Organized Tours Options
All organized for you to admire the best views in the region, enjoy its gastronomy and admire dolphins playing around the boat
#10 - Porto Covo
Type: Nature
Highlights
This is a stop often overlooked but this charming town has a lot of charm
- The relaxed atmosphere in the city center
- The series of beaches with golden sand, turquoise water and dark rock formations. You can spend hours exploring these beaches which are easily accessed
Self-Drive Information
Time on Road: 3h40 return drive
- Drive South on A2 and A26 towards Sines
- Pass the port town of Sines and stop at Porto Covo at the north end of the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo
- Compare rental prices on RentalCars.com
About a day trip from Lisbon to Porto
Porto is a fascinating city to visit. If you have the time, I recommend a weekend there (check out my Porto Guide).
However, I have not selected it in my top 10 because it is quite far from Lisbon
Plan 3h to 3h30 drive in each direction. It is possible but quite tiring!
Want to see more of PORTUGAL?
Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Portugal Destination Guide.
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