Lisbon is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do, but sometimes you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle, which is where day trips come in! Working as a digital nomad while you travel gives you great freedom to explore, so once you’ve got settled in, it’s worth exploring further afield with some great Lisbon daytrips.
Here’s our shortlist of great nearby places to visit from Lisbon:
1. Sintra
Just a short train ride from Lisbon, Sintra is a must-see. This small town is home to some of Portugal’s most incredible architecture and landscapes. Spend a day exploring the town’s winding streets and taking in the stunning views.
The town is located just outside of Lisbon, making it an ideal daytrip destination that can be reached in well under an hour. Sintra is home to several historic landmarks, including the Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors, and Quinta da Regaleira. Each of these sites is worth visiting, and they offer a unique perspective on Portuguese history and culture over the past millenium.
In addition to its historical significance, the Sintra region itself is also very picturesque. The landscape is dotted with verdant hills and towering tree-lined streets which are perfect to explore if you aren’t wanting to go into any of the attractions themselves.
For those a little more adventurous – take a hike out into the hills and explore the winding forest paths around the Pena Palace. On a misty day the atmosphere here is incredible and unique, no wonder this place was an inspiration for many famous poets including Byron.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, head to the Monsanto car park further West and walk deep into the mountains.
If you keep going you can down the other side of the mountain, eventually coming out near the well known surfing beach Guincho. From here, if you’re still going strong, it’s possible to walk all the way into Cascais, to then get the train back to Lisbon (after a well earned drink!)
With so much to see and do, it is no wonder that Sintra is such a popular daytrip destination for visitors to Lisbon and is number one on our list.
How to get there
By Train: If you’re in the city centre, head to Rossio train station. Trains from here to Sintra leave every hour, and take about 45 minutes. Fares are €2-3 each way. Sintra Old Town is a 10 minute uphill walk from the station, so be prepared for some climbing (or alternatively, get one of the Tuk Tuk drivers by the station to give you a lift up for a few euros)
Drive / Taxi: The drive to Sintra takes about 35 minutes, although there are tolls on the main route, so it may take longer if you avoid these. A taxi from the city centre will cost somewhere between €35-50 including tolls. Be aware that parking around Sintra old town is almost impossible during the summer, so
2. Cascais
If you’re looking for a change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, then Cascais is the perfect daytrip destination. Just a short train ride away, Cascais offers a glimpse into a different side of Portugal. This charming coastal town is perfect for a day of relaxation. Stroll along the promenade, soak up the sun on the beach, and enjoy fresh seafood for lunch.
The small town is located on the coast, and its beaches are some of the most popular in the region. In addition, Cascais is home to a number of museums and historical sites. In particular if you’re interested in art, be sure to visit the Cascais Museum of Modern Art. For something a little different, check out the Jose Malhoa Museum, which houses an extensive collection of paintings by the Portuguese artist.
For a great day trip, get off the train a little earlier at Sao Joao do Estoril station, and make your way to the beach Praia da Azarujinha, from here follow the promenade all the way into Cascais along the beaches.
Stop off along the way for a drink or an ice cream in the sun and a dip in the ocean, before enjoying lunch in the town and exploring it’s historic streets. A leisurely stroll along the promenade takes about an hour, plus any stop offs along the way for swimming and sunbathing!
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or explore the town’s cultural attractions, Cascais is an ideal destination for a daytrip from Lisbon.
How to get there
By Train: If you’re in the city centre, head to Caid do Sodre train station, or Santos station if you’re further West. Trains to Cascais leave here every 20-30 minutes throughout the day – fares should only be €2-3 and the train takes around 40mins.
Drive / Taxi: Cascais is easily accessed by car, you can do the drive in about 30-35 minutes on a good day, traffic depending. A taxi from Lisbon city centre should cost around €30-35.
3. Obidos
If you’re looking for a bit of history, Obidos is a great option. This medieval town is located just an hour from Lisbon and is full of character, well worth a day’s exploring.
Nestled within medieval walls, Obidos is a picturesque town that feels transported back in time. Narrow streets are lined with colorful houses, and everywhere you look there are charming cafes and shops. The streets can get busy with tourists in mid-summer, so it’s best to visit in spring or autumn to better enjoy the atmospheric streets.
This city has a rich history and culture, and the area is well known for its cherry production and the famous liquor Ginjinha. There are plenty of stalls to try out the drink around the town, and it makes a great gift to take back home after your trip.
The highlight of any visit to Obidos is the castle, which dates back to the 12th century and offers stunning views over the town. Take a walk around the walls to survey the surrounding countryside.
Once you’ve visited the city, the Atlantic beaches to the West around Peniche are worth driving to for the afternoon. Have a swim, sunbathe, and take in the amazing ocean sunset over dinner before heading back to Lisbon.
How to get there
By Car: Driving is by far the easiest way to get to Obidos, as the train route here is horribly inefficient. The city is a little over an hour away from Lisbon by car if you take the toll road route (Tolls are about €10-12). The drive is mostly on open motorways and is pretty easy going.
Once you arrive don’t expect to park in the city centre, there aren’t really any cars inside the city walls! Instead park just outside by the historic viaduct, from which it’s a short 5 minute walk to the gates to the Medieval city
By Train: We can’t really recommend this route unless truly necessary. Although Obidos is only an hour away by car, it’s about 3 hours by train!
If you need to go by train, then head to Rossio station in Lisbon and get a train out to Mira Sintra-Meleças station, from which you can change lines to get the train up to Obidos. With a 3 hour trip each way, you may want to stay a night in town, to avoid losing the whole day travelling!
4. Fatima
For a religious day trip, head to Fatima. This small town is home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, one of Catholicism’s most important pilgrimage sites. Visit the basilica, the museum, and the Chapel of the Apparitions.
Just a short drive from Lisbon, the town of Fatima is one of Portugal’s most popular tourist destinations. Every year, millions of people flock to Fatima to see the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, which marks the spot where three shepherd children had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
In addition to its religious significance, Fatima is also home to a number of interesting museums and historic sites. The Hospitality Museum, for example, tells the story of how the town welcomed pilgrims from all over the world in the early 20th century. The House of the Shepherds, meanwhile, is a reconstruction of the humble dwelling where the three children who saw the Virgin Mary lived. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that Fatima is one of Portugal’s top daytrip destinations.
How to get there
By Train: Unfortunately, there’s no direct route to Fatima by train, instead you want to take a train from Santa Apolonia Station in Lisbon to Caxarias Station. This takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and leaves every few hours. From Caxarias, you can take a short shuttle bus to Fatima, or else get a taxi. All in all, allow 2 hours to get there
By Bus: For a more direct route, get a bus from Sete Rios station in Lisbon to Fatima. This is probably to simplest way to get there, buses leave every 30 minutes, take 1hr 20, and cost €8-15 if you book in advance.
By Car: The drive to Fatima is straightforward, and takes around 1 hr 15m to cover the 120km distance. A taxi over this distance will likely set you back €90-120.
5. Evora
If you’re looking for a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, Evora is the perfect daytrip destination and one of Portugal’s most beautiful towns. Just under two hours by train from the city, Evora is a charming town with a wealth of history and culture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The town’s well-preserved Roman temple and medieval castle are both must-see sights, and the picturesque streets are lined with cafes and shops. Evora is also home to a number of excellent museums, including the Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of Sacred Art.
And if you’re interested in architecture, you’ll find plenty of beautiful buildings to admire, from the Gothic Church of St. Francis to the Renaissance Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval. Whether you’re looking to explore history or simply relax in a traditional Portuguese town, Evora makes for a great day trip from Lisbon.
How to get there
By Bus: The simplest way to get to Na
6. Nazare
If you’re looking for a day trip from Lisbon with a difference, then look no further than Nazare. This small fishing town is located just over an hour from the city, and it offers some of the best surfing in Portugal. The waves here are world-famous, and they attract surfers from all over the globe.
Even if you’re not a surfer yourself, it’s worth taking a walk along the beach to watch the skilled riders catch some big waves. There’s also plenty of other things to do in Nazare, including exploring the quaint streets of the old town and enjoying some traditional Portuguese food. So whether you’re a surf fanatic or just looking for a unique day trip, Nazare is definitely worth a visit.
The new town, at the bottom of the hill, is perfect for a lazy day by the beach, where the waves aren’t so big so you can have a dip in the ocean. Small bars and restaurants line the beach promenade, so grab some grilled fish for lunch by the sea.
Venture up to the old town on top of the hill for the best views of the city and coastline, before walking down to the Farol da Nazaré, the fort on the western tip of the cliff, to watch the incredible waves and the crazy surfers taking them on.
If you want to do some surfing yourself, or prefer a quieter beach vibe away from the touristic centre, then head north to Praia de Norte, for endless sand and waves.
How to get there
By Bus: The simplest way to get to Nazare – buses run regularly from Sete Rios station in Lisbon and take just under 2 hours. Fares are around €9-11 each way. The bus drops you right in the centre of the town, perfect to get out and exploring as soon as possible
By Car: The drive to Nazare from Lisbon city centre takes around 1 hour 30 mins on the A8. This is the fast route and so expect to pay around €7-10 in tolls.
Great Lisbon Daytrips for digital nomads
So there you have it, for some great day trips from Lisbon, look no further. Whether you want to explore Portugal’s coastal towns, take in some stunning mountain views, or visit a charming medieval village, we have something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and see all that Portugal has to offer!
Have you been to any of these spots? What was your favorite part? What is your favorite daytrip from Lisbon? Let us know in the comments below!