When planning your solo trip to Lisbon, make sure to allocate a day or two for exploring some of the best places outside of the capital city. And best of all, these day trips from Lisbon can be reached by taking a train.
As a solo traveller, I enjoyed travelling around Lisbon because many places are connected by public transportation. It is the easiest and most convenient way for solo travellers to explore a new place.
I put together a list of my favourite Lisbon day trips in this post. These are all easy day trips from the capital city where you can explore independently.
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What you need to know before taking a day trip from Lisbon
Before you start your Lisbon day trips, take a look at some of these useful travel tips first:
- Lisbon day trip destinations are safe for solo female travellers. I went on all of these day trips from Lisbon by myself.
- The best way to reach these Lisbon day trip destinations is by taking the local train.
- Get a Viva Viagem Card (stored value ticket) and ensure you have enough money on your card. Or you can buy individual tickets from the machine for your train ride.
- It is worth using the Lisboa Card for a day trip to Setubal if you purchase the 72-hour Lisboa Card. The card includes the return trip via Fertagus train and some activities in Setubal.
Easy day trips from Lisbon: how to take the train
The easiest way to take day trips from Lisbon for solo travellers is by taking the train.
Comboios de Portugal is Portugal’s train network and has an extensive network around Lisbon. I can book a train ticket via the CP app. The app is easy to use and very convenient.
There is also another train network called Fertagus. This private rail network connects several towns between Lisbon and Setubal. This is a cheaper and faster train option for a day trip to Setubal.
4 Best Lisbon day trips by train
And after spending a few weeks in Lisbon, I managed to get out of the city and explored some of the neighbouring cities and towns around the capital city.
Below are my top 4 favourite Lisbon day trips I would suggest to any solo traveller. I also included all the highlights and directions for getting to each destination.
- Belém
- Cascais
- Sintra
- Setúbal
1. Belém
Technically, Belém is part of Lisbon as it is located on the city’s west end. But because there are so many things to do in the area, you can dedicate an entire day to see all the best attractions in Belém.
There are numerous museums, a UNESCO monastery, and many famous Lisbon landmarks within a small walkable area. Some of the best attractions in Belem include:
- Torre de Belém – fortified tower located at the edge of the Tagus River.
- Jerónimos Monastery – a monastery in Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style and also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Berardo Collection Museum – has one of the best collections of modern art from the 20th century to the present day.
- MAAT Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia – a futuristic building with a unique collection of Portuguese artists
- Pastéis de Belém – try the best Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts).
How to get to Belém: There are a few ways to go to Belém. One option is to take the suburban train from Cais do Sodré Station to Belém Station. (€1.35 each way; 7 minutes). Other options include a local bus or tram.
2. Cascais
Cascais is a quaint Portuguese fishing town west of Lisbon. Tourists visit Cascais for its beautiful beaches and dramatic coastline while locals move to Cascais to experience the peaceful town away from the bustling capital city.
Located on the Portuguese Riviera, enjoy these seaside attractions while you are in Cascais for the day:
- Palácio Seixas – historical building and a symbol of Cascais.
- Palace of Cascais Citadel – the official residence of the Government of Portugal.
- Lighthouse Musem of Santa Marta – a modern architectural building at the end of the coast.
- Boca do Inferno – beautiful rugged coastline where the waves from the Atlantic Ocean chisel out a small cave.
- Baia de Conceição, Baia de Rainha, or Baia de Cascais – some of Cascais’ best beaches.
How to get to Cascais: Start the train journey at Cais do Sodré Station in Lisbon and disembark at the last stop of the urban train line in Cascais. (€2.30 each way; 40 minutes)
3. Sintra
Sintra is one of the most picturesque Portuguese towns. From castles, palaces, historic buildings and beautiful gardens, there is so much to see in Sintra that you may want to spend more than one day in the quaint town.
But if you only have one day in Sintra, here are some of the sites that you must see:
- Historical Centre of Sintra – find quaint cafes and souvenir shops in the cobblestoned centre.
- Vila Sassetti – a UNESCO World Heritage building along the hiking trail.
- Pena Castle – 19th-century colourful castle with Romanticism architecture.
- Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) – see panoramic views from the 8th-century castle on the ridges of the Sintra mountains.
- Quinta da Regaleira – 20th-century residence with beautiful gardens and a spiral staircase
How to get to Sintra: Start your journey at Rossio Station in Lisbon, and take the urban train to the last top in Sintra. (€2.30 each way; 40 minutes)
4. Setúbal
Setúbal is a small city 48km southwest of Lisbon. Located along the bank of the Sado River, Setubal is known for its fishing industry, especially for sardines.
Today, there are several interesting attractions which you can fit into a day trip. Plus, the train journey is an attraction: it crosses the famous Ponte 25 de Abril.
When you spend the day in Setubal, these are the things you will see:
- Forte de São Filipe – walk up to the fortress to see blue-and-white azulejos and a panoramic view of the city.
- Portal Historico de Setúbal – walk through this beautiful architectural portal.
- Convento de Jesus – see the Manueline-style women’s convent and the museum next door.
- Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti – see displays and exhibits at this former sardine canning factory.
- Praia de Saúde – stroll along the pedestrian promenade along this Setubal beach.
How to get to Setubal: Take the Fertagus Train from Setes-Rios Station in Lisbon to the last stop, Setúbal Station. (€4.60 each way or free with Lisboa Card; 52 minutes). The more expensive alternative is the state-own urban train from any station on the Sul Line in Lisbon to Setúbal Station. (about €12.25 each way; 70 minutes)
Which of these Lisbon day trips are you interested in the most?
Hopefully all of them! I enjoyed visiting these Lisbon day trip destinations, and I’ve even returned to some. It is so easy to travel solo in Portugal, so you don’t have any excuses not to see these places.
Let me know in the comments where you plan on going and if you have any other suggestions on other easy day trips from Lisbon.
Thank you for reading my Lisbon day trip post
You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Portugal:
Lisbon region posts
Northern Portugal posts
- 2 days in Porto: things to do alone in Porto
- 17 best Porto food: what and where to eat in Porto
- 7 excellent day trips from Porto
- Day trip to Guimarães from Porto: 1-day itinerary
- Day trip from Porto to Espinho: 1-day itinerary
Central Portugal posts
Algarve posts
- Algarve solo travel guide: 7 best places
- 20 best things to do in Albufeira for solo travellers
- Loule itinerary: best things to do in one day
- Vilamoura and Quarteira: 1-day itinerary
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