6 Incredible Day Trips From Lisbon By Train – Affordable And Easy

Looking for the best day trips from Lisbon? You’re at the right place.

We have an excellent collection for you here – 6 quick and affordable Lisbon day trips by train and bus.

From castles and ruins to beaches and monasteries, here are some of the most amazing one-day getaways from Lisbon, Portugal.

In this travel guide, we discuss the best day trips from Lisbon by train—all under two hours’ journey time. We also provide tips on how to plan your day and what to see when you get to your day trip destination.

If you feel overwhelmed by all the planning at any point, feel free to check our recommended tours under each destination. But if you love planning and wish to craft your own DIY tour, keep reading to plan some of the most memorable day trips from Lisbon.

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6 Best Day Trips from Lisbon by Train

Sintra – Castle Day Trip from Lisbon

Located less than an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, the small hilly town of Sintra is dotted with palaces and castles.

If you have time for just one day trip from Lisbon, pick Sintra. It has a unique vibe and magnificent castles.

Quirky, exotic, and out-of-the-place, Pena Palace in Sintra has beautiful terraces where you can get clicked, ornate state rooms, and sprawling gardens. Since Pena Palace is hugely popular among travelers, it is almost always crowded—be sure to get your tickets in advance.

Quinta da Regaleira is a historic mansion that’s home to mysterious initiation wells and fascinating gardens.

Even the National Palace in the historic city center is pretty with its beautiful azulejo walls and Arabesque architecture. The Palace of Monserrate is yet another wonderful addition to your Sintra day trip itinerary.

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon?

• You can take the train from many stations in Lisbon, such as Oriente, Rossio, Sete Rios, and more. Our Lisbon to Sintra train guide provides details on train tickets and schedules.
• When visiting Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon, I recommend taking the Pena Circuit Bus #434 from Sintra train station and going all the way up to Pena Palace. Then, walk down to Moorish Castle, next to the city center, and later Quinta da Regaleira.
• If you are not a train person and do not wish to drive on Sintra’s narrow roads, consider the highly-rated guided tours below. This full-day tour from Lisbon is highly recommended.

Practical information to plan your Sintra day trip

• Start the day early. That way you can avoid the tour groups which start thronging the castles between 10:30 am – 3 pm.
• Begin at the top, at the Pena Palace, and walk your way down to the city center/Quinta da Regaleira via the Moorish Castle. Tour groups usually do the reverse.
• Remember to try delicious travesseiros (a famous Portuguese dessert) at Casa Piriquita in Sintra’s Historic Center.

Cabo da Roca

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of Portugal as well as the westernmost point of mainland Europe. If land was visible on the other side, then you could have seen the shores of North America from here.

Cabo da Roca is a beautiful, small cliff rising nearly 500ft (150m) above sea level, offering stunning views of the ocean and coast.

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of Cabo da Roca is its picturesque red and white lighthouse, which is still an important navigational landmark.

It is believed that a fortress in Cabo da Roca once functioned as a defensive coastal bulwark for Lisbon.

Come to Cabo da Roca around sunset to enjoy the sun’s gorgeous colors by the sea.

Travelers often club Cabo da Roca with a day trip to Sintra. You can also do it as a part of your Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais hiking trail.

How to get to Cabo da Roca?

• There are 2 buses that can take you from Sintra to Cabo da Roca: Bus 1253 (departs from Sintra train station every 20-30 minutes; journey time 45 minutes) and Bus 1624 (departs from Portela de Sintra; journey time 35 minutes).
• Previously, Bus 403 was available to travel to Cabo da Roca from Sintra train station, but it was removed from service in 2023.
• You can purchase tickets on the bus. Check schedules on the official website of Carris Metropolitana.

Practical information to plan your trip to Cabo da Roca

• Combining Cabo da Roca with Sintra is the most efficient way of seeing this natural landmark.
• Leave Sintra an hour before sunset so that you can catch some jaw-dropping sunset views at Cabo da Roca.
• Carry a light jacket with you because it will get chilly, especially as the sun goes down.

✦ Pro Tip: Book this highly-rated full-day tour of Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais from Lisbon.

Cascais

Cascais is the prettiest beach resort town on the Portuguese Riviera.

And guess what? It is just 20 miles (35km) away from Lisbon and easy to get to by train. That makes Cascais a wonderful beach day trip destination from Lisbon.

Historically, Cascais was a small fishing village. It rose to prominence in the late 19th century when it became the summer residence of Portuguese nobility.

Today, you will find the remnants of both fishing and royal history at the city center. The coastal promenade and many delightful beaches are added attractions.

If you are feeling energetic and adventurous, walk down the Cascais to the Estoril promenade (a 3km walk) along the sea and explore some of the best beaches in the region.

How to get to get to Cascais from Lisbon?

• Cascais is directly connected to Lisbon through the Linha de Cascais train line. The line starts at Lisbon Cais do Sodre and ends in Cascais, making it super convenient to get to Cascais on a day trip from Lisbon by train. Check for schedules on Portugal’s official train website here.
• You can also take Bus 1624 from Sintra Portela de Sintra – the same bus that goes to Cabo da Roca. Bus 1623 also goes to Cascais from Sintra without stopping in Cabo da Roca.

✦ Pro Tip: Book this highly-rated full-day tour of Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais from Lisbon.

Belem

The UNESCO heritage district of Belem in Lisbon is an unmissable place to visit in Portugal.

It is home to two of Portugal’s most popular landmarks: Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, both exquisite examples of Manueline architecture and Portuguese maritime history.

Right next to the Jeronimos Monastery is a famous pasteleria that still sells the original Pasteis de Belem, which the monks of the Jeronimos Monastery created centuries ago.

Belem is also home to many amazing museums, including the Coaches Museum, the National Archeological Museum, and the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT).

Do not miss climbing up the Monument of Discoveries to enjoy panoramic views of the city from above.

Located just 30 minutes from the Lisbon city center, Belem is one of the nearest places to visit near Lisbon.

How to get to Belem from Lisbon city center?

• The easiest way to get to Belem from Lisbon Praca da Figueira (Google Maps) is by Tram 15, which takes just 30 minutes.
• The tram ride is free with the Lisbon Card, which I recommend buying when visiting Lisbon.
• Check out our complete guide to visiting Belem from Lisbon, which includes many other travel options and a free one-day itinerary!

Practical information to plan your Belem day trip

• Start early and visit the Belem Tower first to get some great pictures. The morning sun casts a wonderful golden hue on Belem Tower.
• Do not miss the cloisters of Jeronimos Monastery because they are absolutely worth it. You can enter them for free with the Lisbon Card or buy a skip-the-line ticket for Jeronimos if you do not wish to spend hours waiting in the queue.
• If you get scared of the long queues at Pasteis de Belem Café, do not worry. The queues are usually for takeaway, and getting a table inside is easier.

Obidos

Complete with a medieval castle, colorful streets, bougainvillea-draped houses, and beautiful churches, the medieval town of Obidos is just the perfect day trip from Lisbon.

The Obidos Castle is one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks and is absolutely worth a visit. You cannot visit the castle, for it has been converted into a beautiful hotel, but you can walk on the ramparts and stare at the Portuguese countryside for miles.

Explore the colorful lanes of Obidos, especially the main street called Rua Direita, which is stocked with boutique shops and eateries selling ginja, a 7th-century cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups.

Legend has it that Obidos was a wedding gift that every Portuguese King gave his Queen. The city is so picturesque, I can only imagine it to be true.

Obidos is also a great place for book lovers. From interesting libraries to the Obidos International Literature Festival, which is celebrated every year in October and November, Obidos has a lot to offer.

How to get to Obidos from Lisbon?

• To get to Obidos, I recommend taking the bus rather than the train because buses are faster and more frequent. An average train journey takes slightly more than 2 hours, whereas the bus can get you there in 1.5 hours. Check out our guide on how to plan a memorable Lisbon to Obidos day trip.
• Rodoviaria do Oeste buses run from Lisbon Campo Grande to Obidos, almost every hour. The bus journey only takes an hour. You can buy tickets on the bus.
• The train for Obidos departs from Lisboa Santa Apolonia station. As far as I am aware, there are just 3 trains every day. So, you will need to plan your day properly if you want to take the train.

✦ Pro Tip: Visit Obidos on this full-day tour from Lisbon (includes Fatima, Batalha, and Nazare) for a more immersive experience.

Practical information to help plan your Obidos day trip

• Wear a good pair of shoes because there is a lot of walking involved and the cobbled streets are slippery in some places.
• Come early because Obidos is popular, and tourist groups start thronging it between 10 am – 3 pm.
• If you get here during the busy tourist hours, the best way to see the place is to venture off the main street, Rua Direita. The bylanes are usually empty and more peaceful.

Evora

One of the best day trips from Lisbon is to Evora in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal.

The city is roughly 83 miles (135 km) from Lisbon, so it’s a longish day trip (almost 2 hours by train), but it’s very much worth the effort.

Founded by the Romans and later ruled by the Moors, Evora has an interesting mix of ancient and medieval monuments. The Diana Temple is one of the most impressive Roman structures in and around the area.

You can spend some time at the iconic Praca do Giraldo, which is surrounded by exquisite Gothic-era buildings.

Marvel at the engineering of the Evora aqueduct and get spooked at the Bone Chapel.

Remember to get some pictures of the charming Evora houses, which are whitewashed and trimmed with a dash of yellow.

How to get to Evora from Lisbon?

• An easy way to get to Evora from Lisbon is by train. Intercity trains running on the Alentejo Line depart from Lisbon Oriente station. The average journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and there is no train change involved. Check the Portugal trains official website for schedules.
• Buses are cheaper and more frequent than trains. You can board Rede Expressos buses from Lisbon Sete Rios bus station or Flixbus from Lisbon Oriente to get to Evora. Book your bus tickets on the OMIO website here.

✦ Pro Tip: Book this full-day Evora tour with wine tasting for a relaxed and immersive experience.

Practical information to help plan your Evora day trip

• Evora’s summers are intense and draining. I recommend choosing Evora as a day trip from Lisbon only in the shoulder months.
• If you plan to spend a day or two in Evora (click here for accommodation options in Evora), plan to visit the fortified town of Elvas on the Portugal-Spain border. Multiple layers of defensive walls and a unique star-like structure (when seen from above) make this place utterly delightful.

Is it possible to do a day trip from Lisbon to Porto?

In my opinion, a day trip from Lisbon to Porto is absolutely not worth it. Read my Lisbon to Porto day trip guide to understand why it is not. The journey is way too long.

There are too many things to do in Porto and nearby, and one day in Porto is just not enough. You need at least 3 days in Porto to feel like you have seen Porto.

However, if you’re really pressed for time and want to see Porto, go ahead and book this highly recommended private tour to Porto from Lisbon and see the highlights of Porto without getting overwhelmed by the planning.

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