Going to Portugal soon and wondering what are the most popular day trips from Lisbon and what can you do and see there? Whether you like to explore beautiful and mysterious palaces or you plan on staying by the beach, a day trip from Lisbon might be a good option if you have extra days to visit. In this post, we will explore the top attractions near Portugal’s capital, and what you can do in each of them.

Lisbon – the vibrant capital of Portugal, and a popular destination across the globe. Most people book a flight to this city looking for a sunny getaway, good food, warm weather, and friendly people. But did you know that Lisbon has a lot more to offer outside of the city center?

When planning your trip to Lisbon, there are some locations you should definitely not miss. Known for their uniqueness, beauty, and historical significance, there’s a reason why these have become so popular over the years.

Located only 40min drive away from Lisbon’s city centre and known as a posh resort town, Cascais has all sorts of activities and family-friendly beaches. Despite being a small town, there’s plenty to do:

• Visit the popular Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum and the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, right next to it. Finish with a walk along Marechal Carmona Park;

• Admire the beauty of the fairy tale looking Seixas Palace;

• Hear the waves crashing against the cliffs at Boca do Inferno;

• Spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the most popular beaches in the area: Rainha, Conceição or Duquesa.

Probably my favorite destination in the area for its magical atmosphere and authentic vibe, Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site popular for its fairy tale palaces and narrow streets filled with shops selling handmade art crafts, wine, and cheese, surrounded by a beautiful forest. This is probably the most enchanted place in all country, and you will quickly understand why this was a perfect escape for the Portuguese royalty.

You can easily spend three days in this place, but if you’re limited in time, make sure to visit for at least one. Highlights include:

• Visiting Pena Palace – you cannot visit Sintra without exploring the fairy tale palace that has many stories to be told (some spooky ones, actually!), as well as its surrounding park;

• The historic center – perfect to absorb the Portuguese culture, while going on a hunt for the best gift;

• Quinta da Regaleira – an unmissable site with Gothic buildings, tunnels and hidden sites along its enchanted gardens. Quinta da Regaleira is full of myths and interesting sites, some of them believed to have been used in the past for cults;

•  Sintra National Palace – if you have extra time, consider adding the National Palace and nearby museums (Natural History Museum of Sintra, News Museum and Anjos Teixeira Museum – MAT) to your list. Not far from them, you can spend some time at Liberdade park and explore the exteriors of the interesting Vila Sassetti;

• Monserrate Palace and its park – often missed by tourists due to the overwhelming amount of attractions in the area and its location being further away from other popular sites, its beautiful interiors, as well as the green outdoors make this site a truly hidden gem in Sintra;

• Convent of the Capuchos – if you would like to explore further, this site will make you feel like you have gone back in time. Nearby, you can also visit the Peninha Sanctuary for a great viewpoint.

Cabo da Roca is the most western point of mainland Europe. The site has become popular over the years not only because of its location in Europe, but also for its amazing views over the ocean to the West, Louriçal beach to the South, and Ursa beach to the North.

I truly hope this post on popular day trips from Lisbon was helpful when planning your next trip to Portugal’s capital, and if you would like to venture off the beaten path, make sure to check my post on less popular day trips from Lisbon.

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