4 Day Trips From Lisbon

Are you thinking of planning a trip to Portugal? Although the country is small (roughly 1.5 times smaller than Florida), the opportunities for adventure and relaxation are vast. From its sparkling beaches – which are heralded as some of the best surfing spots in the world – to its golden and historical cities, there is much to see and do for every traveler. When traveling into Portugal, you’ll likely fly into its capital city, Lisbon. We recommend spending 3-4 days in the city to fully immerse yourself, but we know that many of our travelers want to experience as much as possible. So, we’ve put together this list of our top Four Day Trips From Lisbon that you can take if you plan to stay a couple of days in the city.

LISBON TO ALGARVE: 2.5 HOURS

The Algarve is located in southern Portugal and takes about 2.5 hours to reach by train or car. This is the perfect escape for those who are looking to spend a day on the beach rather than the city. Algarve is known for its coastal blue waters and picturesque beaches. If you’re not a beach bum, there are other attractions here for you including historical castles and some pretty pristine golf courses. Travelers can easily spend more than one night here, but it’s also possible to spend a full day lounging on the beach if you are only visiting for the day from Libson.

LISBON TO SINTRA: 30 MINUTES

The shortest day trip from Lisbon on this list is a visit to Sintra. Located in the Lisbon region, its a short 30 minutes of travel time either by car or train. Sintra is known for its architecture and royal palaces, including the National Palace of Pena (pictured above). It’s considered the crowned jewel of the town by many, and can even be seen from Lisbon on a clear day. Sintra is a convenient day trip if you are looking to spend some time learning about cultural and historical delights.

LISBON TO PORTO: 3 HOURS

Awarded “Europe’s Leading City Break Destination” in 2020, Porto is a must if you plan to visit Portugal. It’s a long journey from the capital city of Lisbon, but worth every moment. Of course, spending a couple of days in Porto is ideal as there is much to see and explore, but it’s doable in a day trip if that is all that your itinerary allows. A visit to a local winery is recommended, as Porto is known for its port wine. Along with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the scenic Duoro River and a colorful cityscape, there are endless reasons to find yourself in this city.

LISBON TO COIMBRA: 2 HOURS

Last but certainly not least is the city of Coimbra. Accessible by train or car in roughly 2 hours, it’s one of our top day trips from Lisbon for a reason. This city is known for its historical University of Coimbra, which is rumored to have been the inspiration for the Hogwart’s uniforms in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Although it is a popular place to visit, it is often not overrun by tourists which makes it ideal for our travelers who are looking to get away from crowds. It’s easy to couple a trip to Porto with a stop in Coimbra, so we often recommend spending a night or two in this area to be able to do it justice.

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