The 7 Best Day Trips From Lisbon, Portugal • Indie Traveller

There is a lot to do in Lisbon that it’ll preserve you busy for days on finish. But there are additionally some extremely worthwhile locations to go to inside day journey distance of the town.

Having lived in Lisbon for over 7 years, I’ve had loads of time to take a look at the entire finest day journeys from Lisbon. Here are my high options:

Sintra

Sintra is well essentially the most well-liked day journey from Lisbon and with good cause. The city itself is cute, with a lot of medieval structure and set amongst inexperienced mountains, however the actual causes to go to are the Palacio Nacional da Pena and the medieval Castelo dos Mouros.

Castelo dos Mouros is an outdated stone fortress that has nice views of the Atlantic and surrounding mountains and takes a bit on-foot climb to get to. You can stroll there from Sintra alongside the principle street, however the 2km Rua Marechal Saldanha mountaineering route is far nicer.

The Nineteenth-century Palacio Nacional da Pena is unusually colourful. The interiors are fascinating although not necesserily ready in line for ages (typically there are a protracted queues), although the exteriors of the palace with the domed towers and eccentric colours are all the time extremely price seeing.

Before you permit Sintra, seize a travesseiros pastry and queijadas tart on the Casa Piriquita bakery that has been open since 1862.

Besides these high sights, Sintra has quite a few gardens, palaces, and museums to go to. Honestly, there’s much more right here than you may see on a day journey, nevertheless it’s nonetheless frequent for folks to go to for sooner or later. Make certain you get an early begin leaving Lisbon so you’ve loads of time to discover. You can get to Sintra through the suburban prepare (on the Sintra Line) from Rossio station in central Lisbon.

Alternatively, it’s price reserving a tour to Sintra simply to save lots of time and match all the things in. Sintra includes quite a lot of strolling because the sights are very unfold out, so a tour will prevent quite a lot of bother and also you’ll spend your time in essentially the most environment friendly manner. If you’re taking a tour, you’ll have time for extra sights, such because the gorgeous Quinta de Regaleira, an uncommon backyard that has many cave tunnels and an historical effectively with a staircase.

Obidos

Obidos is an outdated medieval city that was given to Queen Isabel de Aragon as a marriage reward from her husband King Dinis within the thirteenth century. It continued to move between royal households till the Nineteenth century. The city was as soon as enclosed by a stone wall that dates again to the medieval interval and you may nonetheless stroll alongside what’s left of it right now.

With its many restored buildings with flowers hanging from balconies, Obidos is without doubt one of the prettiest cities you may go to in Portugal.

Interestingly, the historical past of Obidos could be very tied with literature. In truth, the city is a UNESCO City of Literature, so it has some fascinating bookstores. One of essentially the most spectacular is the Livraria de Santiago, which is inside the 18th-century Sao Tiago church.

Try some ginjinha (a bitter cherry liqueur originating in Obidos) or have a chilly beer at a plaza. The finest method to get to know Obidos is to only wander round and get a bit misplaced alongside the cobblestone streets.

Obidos is about 75 minutes from Lisbon within the District of Leiria. You can get there through the A8 for those who’re driving, or catch a Rodoviaria do Oeste bus from the Campo Grande bus station (you may see the schedule on-line and purchase your ticket on the station).

Organized excursions from Lisbon are additionally accessible. These mix Obidos with different locations just like the non secular sanctuary of Fatima and Nazare, the positioning of the world’s tallest waves and browsing world information.

Serra da Arrábida and Sesimbra

The Serra da Arrabida is a small mountain vary that extends above the bay of Setubal south of Lisbon. There’s a mixture of lush coast, inexperienced woodland and shrubland making it an fascinating place to hike.

There are some public transport hyperlinks to the cities of Sesimbra or Setubal, however you received’t get to many different locations by bus. If you’re simply occurring a day journey it’s price hiring a automotive for a day and occurring a mini street journey to profit from your time.

Some of essentially the most attractive seashores close to Lisbon will be discovered right here, corresponding to Galapinhos Beach.

There are a lot of mountaineering trails too, that are marked out. If you need to examine some routes out beforehand or obtain a map, I’d suggest utilizing AllTrails.

While in Sesimbra go to the Seventeenth-century Fortaleza de Santiago, and don’t skip the Museo do Mar (Museum of the Sea) inside the fort if you wish to discover out concerning the city’s historical past. There’s a Moorish fortress above the city too, which dates to the tenth century.

It’s price having some freshly caught grilled sardines while you’re there. The city additionally has a lot of watersport excursions on supply, like diving and kayaking expeditions.

Berlengas Islands

The Berlengas Islands are made up of three totally different islands, however you may solely go to one, the Berlenga Grande island. The one disadvantage of today journey is that it does require ahead planning. As solely 350 guests are allowed on the island every day, you’ll need to seize your ticket prematurely (particularly for those who’re visiting in peak season).

The island is simply 1.5km lengthy, so a day journey is sufficient time to discover. You can hike across the island, go to the outdated fortress, laze on the seaside, or scuba dive within the Natural Reserve of the Berlengas. There’s a lighthouse on the island too, the Berlenga Lighthouse, that’s nonetheless in use right now. The solely method to get to Berlenga is by boat, and most embark from Peniche.

It’s price staying an evening in Peniche, so you may discover the coast and bounce on a ship early the subsequent morning. The boat experience takes about an hour and for those who’re quick on time half a day is sufficient to discover this little island.

Peniche is a small city the place most individuals come right here to surf. The waves are a lot friendlier to amateurs than the large swells that crash on the shores of Nazare. But even for those who’re not a surfer, there are many spots for swimming and sunbathing.

Evora

Evora is a perfect day journey for foodies and historical past followers. Some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Portugal are in Evora. One of essentially the most well-known is the Roman temple, a 1st-century marble temple that’s now a smash.

Another historical past hotspot in Evora is the Bone Chapel, a bit of the Sao Francisco church. It was constructed within the Seventeenth century and it’s fairly spooky. On the within of the church, lots of the partitions had been constructed utilizing human bones. The skulls stick out amongst the cement and provides the entire place an eerie really feel.

Evora can also be recognized for its wine. Get a bit tipsy at Cafetaria Pateo de Sao Miguel earlier than leaping on the bus again to Lisbon.

You can get to Evora from each the Sete Rios and Oriente bus stations. There are buses fairly ceaselessly, and you may examine for schedules and up-to-date costs on the Rede Expressos web site.

Nazare

Known for its unusually tall waves, this coastal fishing city was placed on the map in 2011 when Garett McNamara, knowledgeable US surfer, conquered a 24-meter wave close to the lighthouse off North Beach.

More just lately, on the twenty ninth of October 2020, the German surfer Sebastian Steudtner set the Guinness World Record for the most important wave ever surfed. The 26.2-meter wave that broke that day was one other of Nazare’s monster waves.

The city itself received’t preserve you busy for too lengthy, nevertheless it’s nice to see the waves crashing onto shore, particularly round October and November after they’re typically at their strongest. The finest spot to look at from is the lighthouse, which has an enormous platform-like space.

There’s a protracted stretch of seaside alongside the entrance of the city, and you may typically swim there if the ocean is behaving itself that day – however for those who’re trying to lounge and snorkel, there are different seaside locations.

You can take the funicular between the 2 elements of the city, considered one of which sits excessive above the coast and has some fairly spectacular views of the seashores under.

Nazare is about 2 hours drive away from Lisbon and between 2 to three hours away by bus. There are public transit choices from each the Sete Rios and Oriente bus stations, with operators like Rede Expressos and Flix Bus. However, Nazare is finest mixed with different websites on a day journey by automotive, or visited as a part of a multi-stop tour corresponding to this one.

Cacilhas

Cacilhas is a neighborhood on the south financial institution of Lisbon, supplying you with nice views of the town and the twenty fifth of April Bridge.

Walk alongside the Tagus River and cease for a lunch of freshly grilled fish at a neighborhood restaurant. Near the ferry station, there are primarily contemporary seafood eating places, like Ponto Final.

If you’re in search of selection, among the finest meals spots on the town is the Rua Candidos dos Reis, a avenue lined with eating places and ice cream retailers.

There’s a free panoramic elevate you may go as much as see the town and city from a distinct perspective. Fancy a great espresso and seeing some artwork? Then head to Casa da Cerca, it’s simply 5 minutes stroll away from the elevate and so they have modern artwork exhibitions, a restaurant, and a cute terrace.

The beauty of Cacilhas is that it’s only a 10-minute ferry experience away from Lisbon. You can simply catch the ferry from Cais do Sodre station. If you’re in a extra adventurous temper (or maybe residing in Lisbon and in search of a random place to go), you can too get to different cities by the bay from right here, corresponding to Seixal.