Lisbon has plenty to offer, but once you’ve wandered its hills, tasted your way through the markets, and watched the sunset from a miradouro, you might find yourself curious about what lies just outside the city. The area around Lisbon is packed with towns, coastlines, palaces, and landscapes that are easy to reach by train or car. A short escape can give you a new side of Portugal, often slower and quieter than the capital but no less full of character. These 6-day trips to explore beyond Lisbon bring just that—variety, depth, and plenty of good food.

6 Day Trips to Explore Beyond Lisbon for Culture, Coast, and History

Sintra: Palaces in the mist

Sintra doesn't feel real at first. It's the kind of place where palaces sit above the clouds, and moss creeps over stone walls like something out of a legend. Just 40 minutes by train from Lisbon's Rossio Station, this hillside town is tucked deep into the green folds of the Serra de Sintra. The town itself is charming, but the real magic is higher up.

Pena Palace catches the eye first—bright red and yellow, perched like a crown in the fog. The Moorish Castle nearby is quieter but offers wide views and ancient stone paths. Down below, the gardens and grottos of Quinta da Regaleira feel like they’re hiding secrets. Wear good shoes—everything here involves hills, stone steps, and the sense you’ve left the modern world behind.

Cascais: Sand, sea, and seafood

This coastal town used to be a royal retreat, and it still holds onto its charm with a walkable old town and several sandy beaches. You can reach Cascais in under an hour by train from Cais do Sodré, and the ride itself is worth it—passing along the shoreline the whole way. The town has a relaxed pace, with cafes spilling out onto the sidewalks and families gathering by the marina.

Walk along the coast to Boca do Inferno, a natural sea cave where waves crash dramatically into the cliffs. Or rent a bike and follow the seaside path toward Guincho Beach, where surfers gather, and the Atlantic winds shape the dunes. Cascais also makes for one of the most relaxed secondary keyword destinations you can find near Lisbon.

Évora: A glimpse into Roman and medieval Portugal

Évora is further afield, about 1.5 hours by car or a bit longer by train, but well worth the journey. It’s a UNESCO-listed town in the Alentejo region, known for its whitewashed houses, quiet streets, and layers of history. The Roman Temple in the town center is striking, with its still-standing granite columns.

Nearby, the Cathedral of Évora lets you climb its roof for a 360° view of the town and countryside. Perhaps the most unusual site is the Chapel of Bones, lined with human skulls and femurs—built by monks as a reminder of mortality. While Évora is calm on the surface, there’s depth here in its museums, cuisine, and architecture. It offers one of the most complete experiences among the 6-day trips to explore beyond Lisbon.

Óbidos: A walled town with medieval flair

Óbidos is a postcard kind of place—white houses with blue trim, cobbled lanes, and walls you can walk along that circle the entire town. It takes about an hour to get there by car or shuttle, and once you arrive, it's like stepping into another century. The city is small enough to see in a day, but you'll want to linger. Climb up the stone steps to the medieval walls and walk their length, catching views of tiled roofs and the green hills beyond.

In town, try a glass of ginjinha, a cherry liqueur often served in edible chocolate cups. If you visit in summer, the annual medieval fair brings costumes, jousting, and roast meat on spits. Even without an event, Óbidos holds its atmosphere—quiet, photogenic, and full of history.

Setúbal: Fish markets and hidden beaches

Setúbal sits at the edge of the Sado River estuary, about 50 minutes from Lisbon by train. It's a working port town with real grit, known for its fish markets and access to some of the best beaches near the capital. Start your visit at Mercado do Livramento, one of Portugal's most respected markets, where the seafood counters seem endless. Then, head toward the Arrábida Natural Park.

The beaches here, like Praia da Figueirinha and Galápos, are tucked between green cliffs and bright blue waters. They’re calmer than the surfing spots near Cascais and often feel far removed from the city. From the port, you can also take a boat tour to spot dolphins in the Sado River, which is home to a resident pod.

Mafra: Baroque architecture and wild coastline

Mafra is just 40 minutes away by car but feels far removed from city life. The main draw is the Palácio Nacional de Mafra, one of the largest buildings in Portugal. It's not just a palace but also a basilica and an enormous library filled with wooden shelves and thousands of leather-bound books. The building was once a royal hunting lodge, and you can still see taxidermy collections and ceremonial rooms.

After exploring the palace, head west to the coast to visit the fishing village of Ericeira. This is a surfing hub, but you don’t need to be on a board to enjoy it. The clifftop views, fresh seafood, and strong coffee by the ocean make Ericeira a solid finish to the day. Mafra blends architecture and nature in a way that's hard to forget, rounding out this list of 6-day trips to explore beyond Lisbon with a quieter kind of charm.

Conclusion

Each of these day trips from Lisbon offers something fresh—Sintra’s misty palaces, Cascais’ ocean breeze, or Évora’s quiet streets. They’re all close enough for a quick visit, with easy train rides or short drives. These places slow things down and show a different side of Portugal. Skip the usual city routine and try one of these 6-day trips to explore beyond Lisbon. You’ll come back with more than just photos.