Day trips from Lisbon by Train- 5 Options in 2024

I love day trips because it means I get to see a new city without the hassle of changing hotels. It makes my trip seem so much more relaxing if I’m always sleeping in the same spot. I prefer to travel by train; it’s cheap and easy. Especially in Portugal. The capital city of Lisbon is vibrant and fun to explore but it is also very well connected to incredible sites. There are several amazing day trips from Lisbon by train.

I’ll tell you how to get there and what to see so you can pick the options that sound best to you!

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Day Trips from Lisbon by Train – My Ranking

I went to all of these sites as day trips when I was visiting Lisbon. It’s hard to pick which ones to take so I’ll give you my ranking and you can read more about what they are to decide for yourself.

• 1- Belem – It’s basically in Lisbon. The proximity and sites give it an easy number one.
• 2- Sintra -The most popular day trip for a reason. It’s amazing.
• 3- Evora – The Chapel of Bones is unique. It’s further away from Lisbon but it’s a very interesting day.
• 4- Tomar- Get to know the Knights Templar. There’s not much to see other than the convent/castle but it’s a cool site!
• 5- Coimbra– Visit the oldest university in Portugal. If you don’t plan you won’t be able to see much.

1- Belém

Belém is very close to Lisbon and is a neighborhood in the city. But, it’s so far out of the main city that it feels like a day trip. You can spend a half-day or a full day in Belém.

The area is home to a UNESCO Heritage Site. UNESCO sites are my favorite because they’ve already done the work so you know it’s going to be interesting.

Getting There from Lisbon by Train

From Lisbon, take the 15E tram. The tram ride costs €3 each way or you can get a transit day pass. If you plan to take several trips on public transit it would be a good day to get the transit pass.

The tram ride will take up to 30 minutes depending on where you are in Lisbon. Find the timetable here.

What to see in Belém

Belém Tower

Belém Tower is the most well-known monument in Belém. It’s one of the UNESCO sites and you’ll understand why as soon as you get close.

It’s a stand-alone tower on the water. It served as customs for the city. It’s very ornate and decorated in maritime themes to honor the history of the city.

The inside of the tower isn’t as interesting as the outside. I found it worth the entrance but I could understand if you wanted to skip it.

Discoveries Monument

Down the water from Belém Tower the discoveries monument rises near the water. Portugal was at the center of the age of exploration and the monument honors the explorers from Portugal including Henry the Navigator. The compass mosaic on the ground near the monument is my favorite part. You can choose to go to the top for a great view of Belém.

Jerónimos Monastery

This 16-century monastery is incredibly elaborate. It earns its title as one of the other UNESCO monuments in Belém. The cloister of the monastery is the most ornate part and was my favorite to visit. I also appreciated the balcony view of the church next door.

Church of Santa Maria

You’ll find the church of Santa Maria right next to the Jeronimos Monastery. Entrance to the church is free. It’s a quick visit but it’s worth going inside. Its unique construction makes it feel like the church goes on forever. You’ll also find the tomb of Vasco de Gama inside.

Pasteis de Belém

Pastel de Nata is the pastry Portugal is well-known for. The legend is that the original pastel was born in Belém. Find the original at Pasteis de Belém. There will be a line but it moves quickly and the pastry is very good (according to my friends). There are no gluten-free pastels here but you can find them in other places in the city.

Other things to fill your Time

After you’ve hit these sites it will likely be around lunchtime. After you eat, be sure to admire the April 25 Bridge. You could also consider visiting the Maritime that’s next to the monastery.

Belém is home to several different gardens. Take a stroll through the tropical botanical gardens or any of the other nearby gardens. It feels like a little escape from the city when you’re inside.

Visit LX Factory. It’s a shopping and dining area up the hill from the April 25th bridge. If you aren’t here for lunch you could find dinner here or somewhere nearby.

Cruise along the Tagus River to the bridge and Belém Tower from the water.

Things to Consider

• Get to Belém Tower early. The tower opens at 10 am (closed on Mondays). The best photos of the tower are in the morning with perfect light and before the crowds show up. We arrived around 9 and it was a perfect way to start the day.
• Tickets for Belém Tower are sold at a kiosk nearby not at the entrance to the tower. You can also buy a combo ticket for entrance to the monastery.
• Have your ticket for the monastery before you get there. There will be two lines. The one on the left is for the monastery and the one on the right is for the church. If you don’t buy the combo ticket you can get your ticket online.

Tour Options in Belem

There are so many tour options for tours of Belem.

Most are half-day tours and take you to the main sites.

Spend time exploring the rest of Belém after your tour.

2- Sintra- The Best Day Trip from Lisbon

If you can only pick one, Sintra is the best day trip from Lisbon by train. There is so much to see and do it could be a 2 or 3-day visit!

Getting there from Lisbon By Train

Since Sintra is a common day trip from Lisbon by train it’s very easy to get to. Lisbon has several different train stations so make sure you leave from the correct one; Oriente. It will take 45 minutes to get to Sintra and the ticket is €2.30 one way.

Trains leave every 10 minutes for most of the day. The train stops in the city of Sintra. So, you may need to take a tuk-tuk, rideshare, or bus after you get there. The other option is walking 45 minutes up the hill, though. So, I’d opt for a ride!

What to See

In addition to visiting the town of Sintra, there are 4 main sites to consider visiting. You’ll notice there are two national palaces. Take note of which one is which.

Pena National Palace

Pena National Palace is the bright yellow and red building you’ll see pictures of when you look up anything about Sintra; it’s the best place to visit in Sinta. It’s at the top of the hill though so take a tuk-tuk or rideshare if you don’t want to do the 45-minute hike up the hill.

It is truly beautiful. The exterior is the biggest draw but the interior is worth seeing too. It’s not a super old palace but the styling and architecture are unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else.

Moorish Castle

If you’re in the city of Sintra and look up to the top of the mountain you’ll see the Moorish castle. It’s mostly in ruins now, but you can walk along the walls and see some of the watch towers.

The castle is from the 12th century (or earlier) and it’s very interesting to walk along the walls and explore what remains of the castle.

This is a more difficult place to walk around and is not accessible to those with mobility struggles.

Quinta Regaleira

Quinta Regaleira is a statehouse from the 1800s. The initiation well, the gardens and grottos, and the exterior of the house are the biggest attractions here. It is my second favorite site but it’s downhill from the Moorish castle so you should visit after the castle.

On your visit, start that Initiation Well; after the entrance, go right up the hill and you’ll find the well.

Sintra National Palace

You can find Sintra National Palace in the town of Sintra. It’s the white building with the two giant smokestacks. It’s certainly a unique facade.

This palace has some intricate ceilings and rooms.

Unfortunately, it was my least favorite of the 4 but it also came at the end of a long day.

Things to Consider

• Sintra is a city of hills. Start your day at the top of the hill and walk down instead of walking uphill all day or wasting time by going up and down.
• There are timed admission slots to Pena National Palace. Buy your tickets early and make sure you’re early. Unless you’re the first visit of the day there will likely be a line.
• The weather is different at the top of the hill than at the bottom. Pack a jacket or cardigan. Ladies, be careful with dresses. It’s windy at the top!

Tour Options

There are options for tours from Sintra if you don’t want to plan it yourself. If you want to see all of the sites in Sintra it’s best to do it on your own.

If you’re only interested in Pena National Palace and Quinta Regaleira a tour could be a great option for you!

3- Évora

Getting there from Lisbon By Train

Take the train from either Oriente or Santa Apolónia stations in Lisbon. The train goes to Évora as the final destination. It will take you an hour and a half to get there and costs €12.50 each way. Be sure to bring headphones for music or a book for the train ride.

What to See

Évora has beautiful yellow and white buildings and some clear Moorish influence. Head to the city center and the cathedral. The city center has beautiful tilework and an eye-catching fountain. Don’t be afraid to wander around Évora and take in the views.

Roman Temple

Near the cathedral, you’ll find the ruins of a Roman temple. This temple with the nearby gardens is one of the more picturesque places in the city. You can also head to the roof of the cathedral for a nice aerial photo of the temple.

Chapel of Bones

Évora is home to the creepiest option for a day trip from Lisbon by train; the chapel of bones. The Chapel of Bones is in a church near the city center. The exterior of the building is quite unassuming. But, when you enter the small chapel you’ll be surrounded by the bones of monks. The chapel is complete with prompts to help you think about your mortality. I don’t love creepy things and I enjoyed this visit. But, it isn’t for the faint of heart.

Things to Consider

• Évora is warm in the summer so make sure you drink lots of water. It was quite nice in the spring though.
• Since this is a day trip that’s further away it makes a great “rest day” trip since it forces you to slow down.
• Make sure you’ve thought about lunch. You’ll either want to pack lunch or eat in Évora.
• Know when the trains leave to return to Lisbon so you can maximize your time and not spend extra time waiting at the station.

Tour Options

To tour Évora from Lisbon you’ll likely add in a second location.

4- Tomar

Getting there from Lisbon By Train

To get to Tomar, head to Santa Apolónia Station. Take the R4430 train. This ride takes 2 hours and costs €10.20 one way for the regional train.

What to See

Santa Maria do Olival

Tomar was the seat of the Knights Templar in Portugal and this 12th-century church was the burial ground for the Knights. The facade is beautiful and there is a nice view of the convent from the church.

Praça Republica

The main square in Tomar has incredibly intricate tilework throughout. It’s a black-and-white mosaic that looks like a checkerboard. The square is lined with restaurants and shops. It makes for a very picturesque scene.

Convento de Cristo

The convent is like a monastery and a castle in one. This was the home of the Knights Templar. They were financial wizards so it’s very big. The church inside the temple is incredible. Visiting the living quarters is interesting as well.

Things to Consider

• Since this is a long trip, you’ll be eating lunch in Tomar or packing your own lunch with you.
• You can take a tuk-tuk from the Praça Republica to the Convento de Cristo. If it’s a warm day take the tuk-tuk. The hike isn’t bad but it is relatively steep.
• Read a bit on the Templars before you go. They have a very interesting history.

Tour Options

The guided tour to Tomar adds Almoural Castle to your day. If you don’t know much about the Templars and would like to learn a guided tour could be the way to go.

5- Coimbra

Getting there from Lisbon By Train

Visiting Coimbra is easiest when you take the high-speed train. The Alfa Pendula (AP) train is €35 one way and will take an hour and a half. Coimbra is the most expensive day trip from Lisbon on this list.

You’ll get off at Coimbra-B station and make your way downtown. It may be wise to take another train from Coimbra-B to Coimbra station.

What to See

Coimbra is home to the University of Coimbra and that’s what you’d see on your day trip. The university is at the top of the hill. So, you can walk up when you get off the train or take a bus.

Library

The library is from the Baroque era and is very over the top. It has 3 floors with distinct decorations. You’d never know what beauty was inside from the basic exterior. You won’t be able to take pictures inside but it’s worth the visit.

Tower

This 17th-century tower is the most recognizable part of the university. It still keeps the time for the start of classes!

Chapel

This 12th-century chapel is filled with beautiful artwork. It’s also part of the university.

Things to Consider

• Coimbra University is home to all of the things you want to see and they all require tickets. Have your tickets before you leave so you don’t miss anything when you’re there.
• It is still a working university so you may see students heading to class. It’s also still home to old traditions so they may be in black robes (a la Harry Potter).

Tour Options

It’s quite easy to visit Coimbra as a stopover on your way from Lisbon to Porto. Your best bet would be to get yourself there and get an official tour of the university from one of the students.

Bonus Option: Mafra (by Uber or Bus)

Getting there from Lisbon

Take the bus from Campo Grande toward Ericeira. Get off at Mafra (Palacio). The 209 bus is the fastest and costs about €4.

The bus isn’t a bad option but it’s also worth looking into rideshare options. Uber was very affordable for a group of four and much more convenient.

What to See

Mafra is home to a massive golden palace that was built by the Portuguese monarchy during the height of their conquests in Brazil. The library in the palace is the best room. It’s big and very beautiful. It made me feel like I was in a Disney movie.

The basilica next door has an impressive 6 organs!

Things to Consider

• Mafra isn’t far from Lisbon and since the only thing to see is the palace is makes a great half-day trip.
• Try to visit in the afternoon. You’ll miss the tour groups and may get lucky enough to have the place to yourself.

Tour Options

A guided tour will take you on a tour of Mafra Palace and on a visit to some of the coastal towns nearby.

Other Day Trips from Lisbon by Train

Cascais is a beach town near Lisbon. There are several big hotels in Cascais. It’s the resort vacation destination in the area. The beaches are beautiful and the tilework makes it extra special. If you’re visiting Lisbon in the summer a day in Cascais could be a great way to beat the heat.

Cabo da Roca is near Cascais and Sintra. It is the westernmost part of the coast of Portugal and the views are stunning. To get to Cabo da Roca you’ll need to take a train and then a bus. The trip still only takes about 45 minutes.

Can I take a day trip to Porto from Lisbon?

I wouldn’t. There are tour options from Lisbon that take you to Porto if you’re determined. But, Porto is 4 hours away so you’ll be spending a lot of time traveling and you’d miss a lot in Porto. 2 days in Porto is enough time so if you only have a week you can see Lisbon and Porto without having to resort to a day trip.

Where to stay in Lisbon for Day Trips By Train

Since these day trips from Lisbon leave from different train stations you’ll have to do some commuting to and from stations.

I’d stay in the Cais do Sodre area. You’ll be near Santa Apolónia station and easily able to connect to Oriente. This area also puts you near Baixa and Alfama so you’re near the best sightseeing in Lisbon as well.

Pick a day trip (or 4) and get ready for a relaxing trip to Lisbon. These day trips are a great way to see more of an incredible country without having to city-hop with your luggage.