Tired of seeing what everybody else does? Here is a comprehensive list of off the beaten path day trips from Lisbon. Find out what hidden gems exist near Lisbon and take a day trip to explore other beautiful, lesser-known places in Portugal. From skull chapels and Buddha parks to beautiful beaches and fortified medieval towns, there’s plenty to choose from!

I have created a map to help you have a better idea of where exactly each place is located. Hope it helps!

The first destination on this list is certainly not a place you need a whole day to visit, but only a few hours. This is a lesser-known destination, and so, I could not add it to the previous post (popular day trips from Lisbon). Not very far from Cabo da Roca and Sintra, it makes it a perfect addition to these locations, just a few minutes’ drive away.

Azenhas do Mar does not have a specific attraction you should visit, and the highlight is often this viewpoint in the picture above, next to a parking space, just before you get to the town.

Unlike any of the other destinations on this list, Évora is located in the interior of the country (east), and so, further away from the remaining points I will mention. Since it’s not located by the coast, it can become very hot during Summer, and the attractions will be quite different. It takes about 1h30 to 2h drive from the centre of Lisbon to Évora, a town with many attractions you wouldn’t quite expect to see in Portugal, such as a Roman temple and a chapel built with bones. Curious? Here are the top attractions to include on your day trip:

• Évora’s Cathedral, an amazing Gothic cathedral with great views over the town

• a small, but well-preserved Roman Temple (Templo de Diana)

• Aqueduto da Água de Prata, an aqueduct located around the town

• The popular, and also macabre, Bone Chapel (Capela dos Ossos)

• Évora’s University

There is also an interesting megalithic complex not far from the town, but mostly reachable by car.

These two locations are a beach paradise for many, and are located right next to each other. Only 45min drive from the centre of Lisbon, Sesimbra is the perfect day trip for those who want a relaxing day at a beach that can offer crystal clear waters and a beautiful landscape, including rock formations and green vegetation. The most popular beach in Sesimbra is Praia da Ribeira do Cavalo.

Only a few minutes away you can find Parque Natural da Arrábida, also known as Serra da Arrábida, a natural park with more beautiful white sand beaches.

Mafra is a town full of culture, 40-45min drive from the centre of Lisbon, mostly famous for the Mafra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Mafra), the most important baroque monument in Portugal and for the Tapada Nacional de Mafra, a national park where you can see deer.

Between Mafra and the next destination, Ericeira, you will find the small town of Sobreiro. In here, you can visit the Sobreiro Aldeia-Museum – also known as Aldeia-Museu José Franco. José Franco was raised in this small town, helping his mother with pottery, and you will find small miniatures of the typical houses made by him in this museum, as well as human scale replicas of fortresses, windmills, and a small park.

Ericeira is a popular destination among Surfers because of its great waves, and it’s a picturesque small town covered in white and blue. Ideal to visit during Summer!

Along the coast from Ericeira to Santa Cruz, you will find many beaches. Santa Cruz has to be my favourite beach as at sunset, the low bay allows you to see the rocks underneath and walk just below the big rock, where you can take amazing pictures (just like the one above!)

You probably won’t have enough time to visit all of these locations, so select what interests you more, and enjoy one of the best off the beaten path day trips from Lisbon!

This is probably my favourite of all off the beaten path day trips from Lisbon, simply because I love exploring, and these two places are just perfect for explorers!

Bombarral is basically in the middle of nowhere, about 1h drive from Lisbon, and has nothing interesting to see, apart from this amazing Buddha park: Bacalhôa Buddha Eden, an Asian garden with giant Buddhas and other sculptures, lakes, pagodas and much more. It’s the biggest Asian garden in Europe, with about 35 hectares, and lots to do and see. The garden was created as a protest against the destruction of the Giant Buddhas in Bamyan (Afghanistan).

Only a 20-minute drive from the park, you can find the second destination: Óbidos – a medieval town on a fortress. Walking along the medieval streets and colourful houses will bring you back to medieval times in Portugal.

One of the dreamiest places you will ever visit in Portugal, Peniche, is located about 1h15-1h30 away from the centre of Lisbon, and it’s mostly famous for the Berlengas Archipelago, a nature reserve 11km away from the coast, with a wonderful marine life and a fort that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Due to strong waves and wind, the ferries to the island only operate from May to September each year.

These five locations are all about a 1h30 to 2h drive north of Lisbon city centre, and all offer a different experience. Depending on what you want to do on your off the beaten path day trips from Lisbon, you might want to include one or more of these locations in your itinerary. You will definitely not have enough time to do all five in a single day, but you can easily squeeze two of them, maximum 3.

• Nazaré – unlike the other 4 locations, Nazaré is a fishing town, a popular surf destination (one of the biggest surfed waves was recorded here) and a great place to enjoy one of the best seafood dishes. Get to the main viewpoint (Miradouro do Suberco) by funicular (also called “ascensor“) or see the town from above from another viewpoint – Miradouro da Pederneira. Enjoy a stroll along Nazaré Beach (Praia da Nazaré) surrounded by boats and fishermen, visit the Lighthouse and see an impressive cave (Gruta do Forno de Orca) carved by the strong waves of Nazaré

• Fátima – Fátima is a religious site in Portugal, and for most Portuguese Catholics, visiting Fatima Sanctuary is a great achievement and honour. People from all over the country walk for days to visit the sanctuary on festival days. The sanctuary is a huge complex that will catch the eye of even the non-religious, just curious traveller.

The following three locations are similar in terms of attractions, and there is a ticket named “Bilhete Património Mundial“, which will grant you entrance to the 3 main attractions in the area (both Batalha and Alcobaça Monasteries and Convent of Christ in Tomar)

• Batalha – famous for its stunning Gothic Monastery, now part of UNESCO World Heritage, built to celebrate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the fierce battle of Aljubarrota back in 1385

• Alcobaça – also popular for its monastery (Mosteiro de Alcobaça)

• Tomar – if you like culture and architecture, then this will be a great place to visit. Tomar is still a hidden gem, and you won’t find many tourists around. The biggest attractions are the Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) and Tomar Castle, the National Forest of Seven Hills (Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes, the main park of the town, that connects the Convent of Christ to the old town), and the Pegões Aqueduct (Aqueduto dos Pegões) – a 6km long aqueduct, with 180 arches and a beautiful view

And this was the list of off the beaten path day trips from Lisbon that you should definitely add to your itinerary! I hope this post was helpful to you, and that it inspired you to discover lesser-known destinations in Portugal 😊

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