Lisbon is a wonderful city to explore, but there is so much more to see in Portugal besides just the capital city! If you’re looking for a change of pace but don’t have time to make it to other cities like Porto, Coimbra, or Faro, there are several great day trips you can take from Lisbon.
One option is to head to the beaches of Cascais or Estoril. These towns are perfect for a relaxing day by the water. Or, for a taste of history, you can visit the town of Sintra, which is home to several beautifully preserved castles and palaces.
No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a day trip from Lisbon that’s perfect for you (trust us; we’ve tried these all out ourselves). Here are our top three picks for the best day trips from Lisbon that are feasible and enriching if you have a few extra days in Lisbon to spare and are able to dedicate a full day to exploring.
Day Trip From Lisbon to Costa da Caparica
Just a 30-40 minute drive from Lisbon (and across the Ponte 25 de Abril) takes you to the beautiful beaches of Costa da Caparica. With over 20 km of coastline, there’s plenty of space to sunbathe, paddle in the waves, or try your hand at surfing.
Start your day by taking a dip in the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. then head to one of the many beachside restaurants for a delicious seafood lunch. In the afternoon, explore the charming streets of Costa da Caparica, or take a walk along the promenade to take in the stunning ocean views.
The town center has a wide selection of cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as shops selling beachwear and souvenirs. Whatever you do, you’re sure to have a great time on your day trip to Costa da Caparica. However, if you have time then we suggest catching a stellar sunset at one of the town’s many beach clubs.
We recommend Praia Irmão for its bohemian vibes, great music, and delicious food. You can book a table at the restaurant if you only have time for dinner and a seaside sunset. Or you can book a bed to enjoy the beach club all day long.
What to Eat at Praia Iramão: Try the Irmão Z’ap pizza or the Mighty Caesar Wrap. Pair either with a caipirinha for a relaxing compliment to your meal or opt for the Sunset Vibes smoothie for a non-alcoholic drink that’s just as refreshing.
How to Get From Lisbon to Costa da Caparica
Costa da Caparica is incredibly close to Lisbon at just over 16km across the famous 25 de Abril Bridge and southeast. If you have a car or plan on renting a car, we suggest driving to Costa da Caparica, as it’ll take you just under 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions.
However, there are other ways to get to Costa da Caparica from Lisbon, too. For example, you can head to the Cais do Sodré station in Lisbon and take a ferry to Cacilhas. The ferry ride is about 10 minutes long. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll catch the 3011 bus, which will take you to the Costa da Caparica terminal next to Praça Padre Manuel Bernardes.
Note that this option takes a little longer and will really eat into your day. The 3011 bus only departs once an hour and takes about 35 minutes to reach Costa da Caparica.
The simplest and most budget-friendly way to enjoy this day trip from Lisbon is to take a bus to Costa da Caparica. The 3710 bus by Carris Metropolitana departs frequently from the Sete Rios train station.
Likewise, on weekdays, you can also take the 3709 bus. This one departs from a bit more central location in Lisbon as it leaves from Parque Eduardo VII. This bus is a lot more infrequent, however, so you’re likely better off taking the 3710 bus.
Both buses take just under an hour to reach Costa da Caparica and will take you to the Praça Padre Manuel Bernardes terminal mentioned above. From there, you can walk about 10 minutes to the beach or catch a taxi to your final destination.
Finally, you can also take an Uber to Costa da Caparica from Lisbon. We did this once just to save time, and the ride took just under half an hour and cost us about €23 one way. If you’re traveling with a group of three or four people, the cost wouldn’t be too bad compared to the other options on this list.
Day Trip From Lisbon to Sintra
A day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is the perfect way to explore Portugal’s stunning landscapes and medieval architecture. Just a short train ride from the capital, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to castles, palaces, and gardens set against a backdrop of mountains and valleys.
This day trip takes you from Lisbon’s city center via one of the main train stations to the hilltop town of Sintra, where you can explore the Castle of the Moors, the Palace of Pena, and the Quinta da Regaleira. You’ll also have time to stroll through the town’s cobbled streets and enjoy views of the city below.
Do you really need a full day to visit Sintra? We recommend so, yes (you could honestly spend two full days here if you wanted to). Take the earliest train out of Lisbon that you can. Typically, you’ll be fine as long as you leave around 8 to 9 am. This will ensure that you arrive at Sintra before the crowds (especially during the summer months).
While there are transportation options (the 434 bus) that will take you into the city center from the train station, we recommend walking. It’s a leisurely 15-minute walk that allows you to feel as if you’ve just been dropped into a storybook. The walk isn’t particularly challenging, but Sintra, in general, is unfortunately not that suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Once you get to Sintra’s city center, take time to explore the shops and cafes for a bit. Then, hop on the 434 bus to visit the Quinta da Regaleira, the Palace of Pena, and the Castle of the Moors. Expect to spend a couple of hours at each location, especially if you pay to tour the interior (which we highly recommend).
By the time you factor in waiting in line, grabbing lunch, riding the bus to each location, and the train ride back to Lisbon, you can expect to spend a full, long day in Sintra. So, it’s best not to try and plan anything else on that day.
How to Get From Lisbon to Sintra
So, what is the best way to visit Sintra? Having taken the trip ourselves, we highly suggest going from Lisbon to Sintra by train. It’s easily the most convenient and cost-effective, and since the journey only takes about 40 minutes.
Keep in mind that during the summer months, these trains can be quite full, so it’s best to arrive early and get a seat on the train if you don’t want to stand up for the entire journey (a mistake we made but weren’t too bothered by seeing as the trip from Lisbon to Sintra is so quick).
We heard a lot of people on a walking tour ask about which Lisbon train station goes to Sintra, and our guide said that Rossio Station is the best station to depart from. Trains depart twice an hour, and the journey from Lisbon to Sintra from Rossio Station only takes about 40 minutes.
Pro Tip: We suggest taking the earliest train that you can. Currently, the first train from Lisbon to Sintra departs from Rossio Station around 8 am but check the schedules online to ensure you’re aware of the correct times.
Where is the Rossion Station located? Right in the city center next to King Pedro IV Square (or Praça Dom Pedro IV if you’re reading a Portuguese map). It’s just off to the right of the square if you’re looking towards the theatre.
You’ll notice the station from its 19th-century semi-gothic facade. It has two Moorish-style horseshoe arches. To the right of the entrance is a Starbucks (great for a pit stop before heading out on an early morning trip to Sintra).
What about going from Lisbon to Sintra by car?
You can drive a car to Sintra as it’s a very quick drive away. Depending on where you start your trip in Lisbon and how much traffic there is, the drive to Sintra takes just under 30 minutes. Expect to drive just over 20 miles (33 km).
However, we don’t recommend driving to Sintra. Parking can be difficult to find in the city center, and you can’t drive all the way up to some of the castles that you’re going to want to visit. If you’re not interested in driving or taking the train, there are several tours that leave daily from Lisbon’s city center. Look on Get Your Guide or Viator for the best local tours.
Day Trip From Lisbon to Cascais
Cascais is a picturesque seaside town located just outside of Lisbon. The trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour by car or train, and there are many things to see along the way.
The city has several well-preserved monuments and buildings, as well as a lively modern center. There are also plenty of beaches to relax on or participate in water sports. And for those interested in shopping, Cascais has many high-end shops and boutiques.
Although it is possible to reach Cascais by public transportation, there are several tour companies that offer day trips from Lisbon to Cascais, and most of these include round-trip transportation as well as a guided tour of the town. The day trip usually lasts for about six hours, giving you plenty of time to explore Cascais at your own pace.
Whether you’re interested in soaking up the sun on the beach or exploring the town’s charming cobblestone streets, a day trip to Cascais is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of Lisbon for a day.
How to Get From Lisbon to Cascais
Cascais is incredibly close to Lisbon; while you can drive, it’s best to take the train. Parking can sometimes be a nightmare, and the train provides a stress-free way to enjoy the stretches of sand and sea views as you make your way up to Cascais.
The train from Lisbon to Cascais takes about 40 minutes and departs every 20 minutes from the Cais do Sodré train station. You will need to pay €0.50 for a Viva Viagem card that you will top up with the train ticket.
The Viva Viagem ticket is reusable if you’re living in Portugal or visiting and plan on traveling a lot during your vacation, so keep it!
The price of a train ticket from Lisbon to Cascais for one adult is currently €2.25 and €1.15 for a child. However, you can purchase a roundtrip ticket for €4.50 per adult and €2.30 per child.
Due to the frequency of this train, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Simply make your way to the Cais do Sodré train station and purchase them from one of the ticket machines.
Similar to Sintra, Cascais is well-serviced by tour companies, too. At Europe Travel Insider, we all agree that a tour to Sintra can be worth it. Getting to Cascais from Lisbon isn’t as complicated (and the trek isn’t as full of mountains and winding roads), so a tour might not be necessary.
