Lisbon has more than enough to keep you busy for a week, but the surrounding region is extraordinary — and some of the best things in Portugal are just an hour away by train. After a decade of hosting, we’ve helped hundreds of guests plan the perfect day out of the city.
Here are our honest picks for the best day trips from Lisbon.
Belém
Technically still within Lisbon, Belém sits about 6km west of the city centre along the Tagus — far enough to feel like a world apart. This is where Portugal’s Age of Discovery was launched, and the monuments here are the most historically significant in the country.
The Torre de Belém is the postcard image of Portugal: a 16th-century fortified tower rising from the edge of the river. The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos next to it is even more extraordinary — one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture in the world, with cloisters that will stop you in your tracks.
Best for: First-time visitors, history lovers, and anyone who wants to understand what made Portugal great.
Our tip: Go early — both sites get busy by mid-morning. Take the tram 15E from Cais do Sodré or the ferry from Belém station. Finish with a pastel de nata at the original Pastéis de Belém — the queue moves fast and it’s worth every minute.
Sintra
A UNESCO World Heritage site tucked into misty, forested hills about 40 minutes from the city. The palaces here — Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, the Moorish Castle — are genuinely unlike anything else in Europe.
Best for: History buffs, architecture lovers, and families wanting a fairy-tale day.
Our tip: Skip the rental car — parking is a nightmare. Take the direct train from Rossio station, go as early as possible, and bring layers. The microclimate up in the hills can be surprisingly cool compared to Lisbon.
Cascais
Once a humble fishing village, Cascais became a royal retreat and is now a vibrant coastal town with beautiful beaches, excellent seafood, and a charming historic centre that’s far more relaxed than Lisbon.
Best for: Beachgoers, seafood lovers, and anyone wanting a slower, sunnier afternoon.
Why we love it: You can hire a bicycle and ride along the dramatic Atlantic coastline all the way to Guincho Beach. It’s the perfect way to round off a long, lazy seafood lunch.
Évora
About 90 minutes east by bus, Évora is the heart of the Alentejo — one of Portugal’s most rewarding regions and still largely undiscovered by mass tourism. The Roman Temple, the medieval walls, and the haunting Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) are all unmissable.
Best for: Food and wine lovers, slow travellers, and anyone who wants a deeper cut into Portuguese history.
Our tip: The Alentejo produces some of Portugal’s best wine and pork (porco preto). Book a long, leisurely lunch at a traditional tasca — it’s the whole point of going.
Óbidos
A classic Portuguese walled town about an hour north by coach. Whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, and bougainvillea everywhere. It genuinely feels like stepping back in time.
Best for: Photographers, couples, and a quick, picturesque half-day.
Why we love it: Walking the ancient castle walls gives you sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Don’t leave without Ginjinha — the local sour cherry liqueur served in an edible chocolate cup.
Our Recommendation
Start with a morning in Belém — it’s the easiest excursion from the city and no trip to Lisbon is complete without it. For a full day out, Sintra is the absolute must — there is nowhere quite like it in the world. If you’d prefer something more relaxed, the scenic coastal train to Cascais is a beautiful half-day you can extend into a full afternoon at the beach.
Since our apartments are right by key transit hubs like Marquês de Pombal and Entrecampos, all of these destinations are straightforward to reach — no car needed.
Planning your trip? Browse our apartments and save when you book direct with us.