Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, one of the greatest countries in Europe. Lisbon is a lively and exciting city with a huge range of activities and tourist attractions. It’s bursting with history, architecture and culture dating back to colonial times.
Besides reflecting times gone by, Lisbon is also a major attraction thanks to the fun that city life offers its visitors. The best thing about Lisbon is the chance to take day trips to other places nearby, which makes your trip even more interesting.
SINTRA | CASCAIS | COIMBRA | NAZARE | SETUBAL | EVORA | BERLENGA ISLAND
1. Sintra
Sintra is a small town near the Sintra Mountains. It’s a picturesque town with cliffs and beaches, 19th-century palaces, mountainous terrain for hiking and fascinating architecture. Quinta da Regaleira, Cruz Alta, the Moorish Castle and the Palace of Sintra are the places you absolutely have to visit.
Sintra is twenty-five kilometres from Lisbon, and a train runs from Lisbon’s Rossio station to Sintra every 30 minutes. The ride is exciting and only takes about thirty-three to thirty-five minutes. You can also make this trip by bus, but it costs extra time, effort and money.
2. Cascais
Cascais is an old seaside town west of Lisbon. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife and dazzling architecture.
Praia da Rainha, Cresmina Beach and Guincho Beach are the three beaches you really shouldn’t miss. If you’re combining several tours into one day trip, be sure to visit Cascais Old Town, Boca do Inferno and Praia do Tamariz.
You can reach Cascais either by train or by local taxi. The train is cheaper but slower, taking about an hour and a half, while the taxi is pricey but gets you to your destination in thirty-five to forty minutes.
3. Coimbra
Coimbra lies on the River Mondego. Portugal’s university city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, a 12th-century palace and an 18th-century tower.
During your day trip, be sure to see the Biblioteca Joanina, the parish church with royal remains and the remains of the Se Velha church. If you’re lucky, you might witness Coimbra’s “Burning of the Ribbons” tradition, held by the university’s students and staff in May.
Coimbra is a stopover halfway between Lisbon and Porto. You can get to Coimbra by train or by bus, but the train is the quickest option, taking about two hours.
4. Nazare
If you want to combine your day trip with a bit of adventure, Nazare is the place for you. Nazare is famous for fishing, its beach, surfing and its history.
During your day trip you can visit the Fort of Sao Miguel, the Capela da Memoria and the Chapel of St Anthony. Those craving adventure can go surfing, while others can enjoy the traditional fishing activities in Nazare.
Getting to Nazare is very easy, as there are buses and trains for the journey. The route to Nazare is very scenic, and the quickest and most pleasant way is by train, which takes about an hour and a half.
5. Setubal
Setubal is a large city at the mouth of the River Sado. The city is known for its business life, fishing and history, and is an up-and-coming international tourist destination.
Sights include the Monastery of Jesus, the Quinta da Bacalhoa, the Casa da Baia and more. Other attractions are the dolphin cruise, the beautiful Fortaleza and wine tasting at the Muscatel vineyards.
To enjoy the picturesque views of the River Sado, you can also take the ferry from Lisbon to Setubal, but the quickest way to get there is by bus or train. The train is the cheapest of the three options and takes about thirty-five minutes.
6. Evora
To the south lies Evora, the “home of kings”. Dating back to the ancient Roman Empire, Evora was once home to Roman kings.
You can still experience the legacy of the Roman Empire on a day trip to the Museu de Evora, the Roman Temple of Evora and the noble houses. The main highlight is the panoramic view of the old town with the remains of the walls and monuments from that era.
You can travel from Lisbon to Evora by train or by bus. The preferred option is the Intercity rail network, which is fast and has tracks laid throughout the city, giving you a quirky sense of travel.
7. Berlenga Islands
The beauty of the Portuguese coast is enhanced even further by the Berlenga Islands, a cluster of islands and ridges. They’re not just a beach attraction – they also have considerable historical value.
This is a worthwhile day trip, as it gives you the chance to visit the 17th-century Fort of St John the Baptist; however, this route isn’t suitable for children, as the path to the fort runs across an unsafe stone causeway. Otherwise, the island is full of rock formations and caves, and its beauty is enhanced by the crystal-clear water.
To reach the island from Lisbon, you first need to take the bus or train to Peniche. Next, you’ll need to book a ferry to take you to the Berlenga Islands. The crossing to the island is a treat in itself.
