Day Trips from Lisbon, Portugal

Currency rate: €​​1 EURO <-> $1.08 USD

Day Trip to Cascais

• Praia Da Rainha 

Train Ticket: €​​2.30   Rating: 9/10

My sister and I took the Cais do Sodré train station to Cascais, which was a 30 to 40-minute commute. The train ticket cost €​​2.30 one way. The stop you will need to get off at is called Cascais. Once you get off the train, enter Praia da Rainha into your GPS, and it will guide you on a 5-minute walk to the beach.

When we arrived at the beach, we noticed it was quiet, small, and secluded, surrounded by rocks. However, it can get crowded on the weekends. The water felt cold but safe for swimming. Just a heads up: some women tan without their bikini top, if that’s something you’re comfortable with. If not, there is another beach called Praia da Ribeira de Cascais, which is located further down to the right and is a 5—to 10-minute walk away.

Praia da Rainha has a shaded area and outdoor showers. There are no restrooms or changing facilities. I recommend finding a public restroom nearby - they will ask you to pay a small fee. Overall, this beach offered a unique experience unlike any other beach I’ve visited, and it had European vibes. There are also restaurants, shops, and cafes nearby. @praia_da_rainha

• Historic Centre of Cascais 

Rating: 10/10

Cascais is a perfect day trip from Lisbon. It’s easy to reach, as you can take an affordable train directly from Lisbon to this charming town! Once you arrive, explore the heart of Cascais, which features cobblestone streets, 19th-century villas, palm trees, unique boutiques, lovely cafés, chic restaurants, and fascinating museums - along with beautiful beaches. This area offers a refreshing change with its beach town vibe and scenic palm trees - while still having the lively atmosphere of Lisbon. Cascais is also well-known for its fishing port, fishing charters, and various fishing tours. @inside_cascais

Day Trip to Sintra 

• Quinta da Regaleira 

Cost: €17.47 Rating: 10/10

I highly recommend a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra! We took a taxi from Lisbon to Sintra, which was a 40-minute ride. We asked our taxi driver to drop us off in the historical center of Sintra so we could explore the area and grab gelato. 

One of the highlights of our visit was Quinta da Regaleira, a stunning castle near the historic center. It took us about 13 minutes to walk from the center to the castle, and I highly recommend this walk as we stumbled upon a charming outdoor bookstore along the way. Quinta da Regaleira is famous for its unique architecture and underground tunnels. 

As I approached the castle, I was stunned by its beauty; it felt like stepping into a fairy tale. I could hardly believe I was there—the scene was simply surreal. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside the castle because it was closed for maintenance, but I was grateful to enjoy the views of the exterior. It was a memorable experience! @quinta.da.regaleira

• Gelati di Chef

Cost: €3.00 Rating: 10/10

After noticing a long line at this gelato shop, my sister and I decided to get some gelato. We waited in line for about five minutes before placing our order. We chose the Cones e Tacas em Bolacha Caseira - homemade waffle cones. I ordered a single scoop of caramel sea salt gelato, while my sister opted for a single scoop of chocolate. Each waffle cone cost €3.00.

The waffle cone had a buttery and crispy texture, making it the kind of cone you want to eat to the end. I was genuinely impressed by the flavor of my caramel sea salt gelato; I could taste the bits of salt mingling with the sweetness, creating a perfect balance. I also tried my sister's chocolate gelato, which was rich, creamy, and velvety—you could never go wrong with chocolate! @gelatidichef.sintra

Fun Fact: Chocolate releases dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters associated with happiness and reward.

• Bar Fonte da Pipa 

Cost: $$ Rating: 10/10

This bar was everything! While exploring Sintra, we stumbled upon this spot and decided to try traditional Portuguese beers, specifically Sagres (€1.50 ). They offered food in the form of small plates, but we only stopped by for drinks! Bar Fonte da Pipa has entertainment - a TV showing sports and dartboards. There is available seating both indoors and outdoors. Prices are reasonable, but be sure to bring cash because they don’t accept cards; however, there’s an ATM located next to the bar. The interior has a unique atmosphere with great blues music playing. We enjoyed sitting in comfortable lounge armchairs with a lovely view of the outdoors. After a day of exploring Sintra, this bar was the perfect place to relax and take a break. @barfontedapipa

Day Trip to Almada, Southern Portugal

• Praia da Trafaria

Cost: €2.00 Ferry Ticket Rating: 7/10

During the blistering hot summer days in Lisbon, we spent more time at the beach. We decided to take a ferry that connects Belém's northern bank of the Tagus River to Trafaria Beach's southern bank. You can buy tickets for the ferry online or in person at the vendors in the ferry terminal. Upon entry, you show your ticket to the staff. Supposedly, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to purchase tickets. Our ferry tickets cost €2 one way. 

The ferry runs every 15 to 20 minutes and takes about 50 minutes to travel from Lisbon to Trafaria Port. The fastest way is by car, which takes around 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the port, you walk to Praia da Trafaria. This beach offers a stunning view of Lisbon and a local atmosphere.

Trafaria is a fishing village with narrow streets and nearby restaurants - known for their seafood. Praia da Trafaria is quiet, perfect for putting your feet in the sand and sunbathing. However, it is not ideal for swimming, as it is near a port with many fishing boats, and locals often fish in this area. You'll also find a variety of eccentric fossil seashells and black volcanic rocks scattered around. Overall, Almada makes for a quick and enjoyable day trip from the bustling city of Lisbon. @almadaconnection -xoxo E.