From glamorous Cascais to laidback Ericeira, this article – written by someone who lives in Lisbon – is focused on great beach destinations near the capital. Lisbon’s coastline delivers a dozen different coastal moods – from boho Caparica to boujee Comporta – and these are the beach escapes locals actually head off to when the city gets hot, hot, hot. 

That said, I’d also suggest these coastal destinations in the off-season, when the swell is up and the surfers are out. A crisp, blue-sky day at the beach is still a day at the beach. Crashing waves and paradise are closer than you think!

Best Lisbon beach day trip for…

• First-time visitors – Cascais
• Surfers – Caparica, Ericeira, Peniche or Nazaré
• Nature lovers – Arrábida & Berlengas
• Boujee crowd – Comporta

My definition of a day trip is anywhere I can reach by car in 20 to 90 minutes. Public transport might take slightly longer, and I’ve included the best options for each location too.

Which of these Lisbon beach day trips can you do without a car?

Without a car, the easiest beaches to reach are along the Cascais train line. You can jump on at Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, and then jump off anywhere along the line – or take it to the final station in Cascais (mentioned in detail below). All of the other destinations on this list require an Uber/Bolt, a slower city bus or a coach.

Best beaches close to Lisbon downtown 

If you are just after a beach to visit while you’re visiting Lisbon, here are a few quick recommendations:

Cascais train line

• Caxias Beach – Lisbon’s best closest beach by train (17min from Cais do Sodre). It has a cute little fort and beach bar.
• Praia Velha – Lisbon’s closest dog-friendly beach. It’s in Paço de Arcos, which has great restaurants too.
• Carcavelos beach – Lisbon’s biggest city beach – lots of restaurants, beach volleyball, surf schools.

South of the Tagus River – (I talk about the Caparica area below)

• Praia de Santo António – and the other beaches in front of Costa da Caparica town are all relatively the same (small beaches divided by groynes). For that reason, I prefer…
•  Nova Praia – The last beach in downtown Caparica with the best beach bars and where it gets a little wilder.
• Praia de São João – a great, wide beach closer to the river with top restaurants and bars.

Now, onto the best beach day trips near Lisbon…

Cascais: Chic marina, beaches and galleries

How to get to Cascais – 40-minute drive west from Lisbon, or hop on a gorgeous 50-minute train from Cais do Sodre. (It’s one of the most beautiful train journeys!). Very easy to reach from Lisbon.

A fishing village turned resort town, Cascais is the shining jewel of Lisbon’s coastline. This sophisticated seaside destination became popular with Portuguese royalty in the 19th century, and this heritage is reflected in the grand villas and museums dotted along the seafront. Head here to hop from beach to beach, explore the diverse Museum Quarter, witness the power of nature at Boca do Inferno, and wander the historic cobbled streets in search of the perfect long seafood lunch.

Things to do in Cascais

• Wander the main streets of the Old Town – look up to see the grand 19th-century villas and look down for the ornate mosaic sidewalks.
• Enjoy a long seafood lunch by the water. Cascais has fantastic fresh fish, and I love Portuguese seafood rice (arroz de marisco).
• Go for a dip at one of the town beaches, such as Praia da Rainha.
• Explore the Museum Quarter: Visit the historic Citadel of Cascais (fort); see contemporary works at the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego; and take in the view from the Santa Marta Lighthouse.
• Visit Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell), a dramatic cliff formation just outside of town where the Atlantic waves crash in with immense force. It’s a prime spot for sunset.
• Cycle the coast for free: Grab a free ‘Bicas’ bike near the train station and follow the coastal path toward Boca do Inferno and out to Guincho.
• Drive or walk around to Praia do Guincho, one of Lisbon’s most gorgeous, windswept beaches, perfect for surfing and kite-surfing.
• Visit Cabo da Roca (car or bus needed), Europe’s westernmost point, for breathtaking, rugged coastal views.
• Check out the Mercado da Vila (Municipal Market) for fresh local produce, fish and a vibrant atmosphere. The Saturday market is particularly good.

Ericeira: chilled out surf town

How to get to Ericeira – 40-minute drive north from Lisbon, or a slower coach bus with Mafrense from Campo Grande. Alternatively join this guided day trip that includes Mafra Palace.

If you’ve seen pictures of the whitewashed coastal architecture of Portugal, then you’ll love Ericeira. Most of the houses are white with a striking cobalt blue trim, which pops nicely in photos against the bright blue sky. Ericeira is home to Europe’s only World Surf Reserve, so this small fishing village has become a bit of a haven for surf and yoga-loving expats.

A day here might start with a fancy flat white and a yoga or surf lesson, then roll into a long, slow seafood-heavy lunch at a classic marisqueira (where you eat mostly shellfish by weight), or at the progressive and very cool Costa Fria –one of my favourite restaurants in all of Portugal. After lunch, laze on the beach and catch some sunshine or shop the old town and pause for an ouriço da Ericeira sweet with an espresso.

Things to do in Ericeira

• Wander the old town and take a million photos of cute doors and cobalt-trimmed streets.
• Catch a wave at the World Surf Reserve – book a lesson or BYO board and hit the break at Ribeira d’Ilhas.
• Try the famous ouriço da Ericeira, a traditional local sweet named after the sea urchin.
• Head to a clifftop bar like Mar das Latas for a sunset wine or cocktail overlooking the ocean.
• Go for a swim or sunbake at the central and easy-to-access Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen’s Beach).
• Enjoy a classic, long seafood lunch by the water at a traditional marisqueira, or go modern at the cool Costa Fria.
• Skip the fancy places and eat a prego (Portuguese steak sandwich) at the old-school favourite, Taberna Lebre.
• Combine your trip with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Mafra, a short drive inland, which features a vast Baroque complex. This guided day trip combines the two.

Bonus tip: On the way to Ericeira, you could pass through Mafra (mentioned below) to see its ginormous palace or wander trails in the Tapada da Mafra where you’ll see deer and wild boars.

Costa da Caparica: Lisbon’s best beaches

How to get to Costa da Caparica – 20-40 minute drive south from Lisbon, depending on which beach you want to explore. Public transport isn’t great – so it’s simpler to use a Bolt rideshare for €10-15 (use this link to get my discount code).

Costa da Caparica is almost 30 kilometres (18 miles) of ocean-facing coastline, south of Lisbon, where you’ll find the best beach clubs and most beautiful Lisbon beaches. You can reach the downtown 80s-vibe of the namesake town in as little as a 15-minute drive from the city. But the rule is simple: the further south you venture, the wilder and prettier the beaches of Costa da Caparica become, backed only by sweeping sand dunes and protected fossil cliffs.

Near the town centre, you’ll find lots of cafés, restaurants and a wide esplanade ideal for walking, running and biking. I love to come here early in the morning while my partner surfs, often seeing colourful, wooden fishing boats pulling up onto the shore. I watch as old ladies flock over with a plastic bag in hand, swapping cash for fresh fish before it hits the market. If you keep going just past the southernmost groyne, you’ll come upon some charming striped wooden fishermen’s huts tucked in the dunes.

The coast stretches from Caparica town down to Praia da Fonte da Telha. On the many beaches in between, you’ll find some of the coolest beach bars and restaurants around. If you’re after a long, lazy seafood lunch by the sea, this is the spot to kick back. In summer, look for special events and DJ parties that often start in the afternoon and go until dawn.

Things to do in Costa da Caparica

• Go to the beach, anywhere between Costa da Caparica town to Fonte da Telha. Despite being long, wide and sandy, you’ll almost always find an open café or restaurant and many rent sun loungers and umbrellas.
• Book in a surf lesson – consistent breaks make this the go-to spot for beginner surfers near Lisbon.
• Drink sangria and watch the day slip away at a beach bar – Kailua, Inha and Irmão usually have a good vibe.
• Enjoy a seafood lunch by the water – Praia Princesa is a favourite spot for grilled fish. (Book ahead!)
• Hike the Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil to see the ancient, fossil-rich cliffs that stretch inland.
• Visit Convento dos Capuchos, a 16th-century monastery perched on the cliffs for an amazing viewpoint.

Arrábida Natural Park: turquoise bays & limestone cliffs

How to reach Arrábida – 45-minute drive south from Lisbon, or take a train to Setúbal and then board a bus or book a water taxi, or join a guided tour (recommended if you don’t have a car).

The wild paradise of Arrábida Natural Park is one of Portugal’s most spectacular coastal reserves – a protected stretch of limestone cliffs, secret coves and forested hills that tumble down to waters so turquoise you’ll swear you’re in the Mediterranean. 

Spend your day beach-hopping between Portinho da Arrábida, Praia dos Coelhos and Praia de Galápos, or lace up for a cliffside hike with sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula and the Sado Estuary. Half the fun is on the water, so hire a kayak or board a boat to meet dolphins and snorkel among fish. 

You can easily combine Arrábida with time in Setúbal, Sesimbra or Azeitão.

Things to do in Arrábida Natural Park

• Beach-hop (or stay put) – Bring sneakers and a towel and spend the day exploring Portinho da Arrábida, Praia de Galápos and Praia dos Coelhos.
• Hike the Serra da Arrábida trails – Lace up your boots for panoramic coastal walks through pine forest and scrub-covered hills with great views.
• Enjoy a long fish lunch – My favourite spot is O Farol in Portinho da Arrábida. Message ahead to book a table!
• Visit the Convento da Arrábida – A 16th-century Franciscan monastery clinging to the mountainside, with serene views over the park and ocean. Tours must be pre-booked, but are totally worth it.
• Hire kayaks – Paddle along the limestone cliffs and into hidden sea caves. Local operators leave from Setúbal and Portinho da Arrábida.
• Board a dolphin-watching tour – Boats from either Setúbal or Sesimbra venture into the marine park, where you can meet the best locals.
• Stop at the viewpoints – Drive the winding Estrada de Escarpa road and pull over at Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida for the best panoramas.
• Go snorkelling or diving – The calm, clear waters are part of the Arrábida Marine Reserve. You’ll spot fish darting through seaweed forests just a few metres from shore.

Read next… My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park

Sesimbra: pretty fishing town with stunning beaches

How to get to Sesimbra – 40-minute drive south from Lisbon, or choose slower options with public buses from Lisbon. You could also take a ferry to Cacilhas, then catch a bus. Google Maps is your bestie.

Just over a 40-minute drive from Lisbon, the hard-working fishing village topped by an ancient castle can feel like a world away from the busy streets of the city. When I pulled up for lunch recently, the first thing I saw was a scraggly old scuba diving instructor wearing a wetsuit and smoking a pipe. Meanwhile, the fishermen’s bar nearby was overflowing with locals back from a hard morning’s work.

While it sounds rough around the edges, Sesimbra actually has more of a holiday or vacation feel to the town, just without being overly commercial. The beachfront promenade is a gorgeous spot to grab an ice cream and wander along, but not before you’ve chosen from the variety of options to eat freshly caught seafood.

Things to do in Sesimbra

• Hike up to the Sesimbra Castle (Castelo de Sesimbra) above the town for amazing views of the bay and coastline.
• Walk, kayak or boat to the spectacular Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, often considered one of Portugal’s most beautiful hidden coves. It’s not an easy hike down, so book a taxi boat if in doubt.
• Or just pop up an umbrella at the central beaches, Praia do Ouro or Praia da Califórnia, known for their calm, clear and family-friendly waters.
• Drop into the Municipal Mercado to discover the catch-of-the-day and what’s in season.
• Sesimbra is a renowned diving and snorkelling hub. Book an excursion to explore the underwater world of the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park in the nearby Arrábida Natural Park. 
• You can also jet off on a dolphin-watching excursion to meet the best locals.
• Enjoy a serious long seafood lunch – Sesimbra has some of the freshest fish in the country.

Combine Sesimbra with…. exploring the UNESCO World Biosphere of Arrábida Natural Park, it’s neighbour! Or, on the way there, stop in Azeitão for a wine tasting at José Maria da Fonseca or Quinta da Bacalhôa, famous for their Moscatel dessert wine. Another great detour is Cabo Espichel, a dramatic cliff-top sanctuary nearby, where you can see fossilised dinosaur footprints visible on the rock faces.

Read next… Tile of the day: Sesimbra

Sintra: secret coast of wild beaches & mist

How to reach Sintra’s beaches – 45-minute drive from Lisbon. You’ll need a car (public transport doesn’t reach most beaches). Bring layers for Sintra’s cooler microclimate.

Just beyond the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra lies an entirely different kingdom – one where shifting tides, Atlantic mist and dramatic cliffs rule. The rugged coastal edge of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park hides stretches of barely-touched sandy coves that are raw and a little wild.

There are half a dozen beaches to explore. Start at Praia da Adraga, a cinematic cove framed by towering sea stacks, or try Praia Grande, a huge sweep of sand with a 100m-long saltwater pool. Praia das Maçãs (Apple Beach) has a small seaside village vibe, with cafés, a surf school and a tram that occasionally runs down from Sintra town. Further north, Praia das Azenhas do Mar has a small tidal pool.

Things to do on Sintra’s Coast

• Hike down to Praia da Ursa – One of Portugal’s most spectacular wild beaches, backed by jagged cliffs and sea stacks shaped like a bear (ursa). It’s a steep 30-minute hike.
• Watch the waves at Praia da Adraga – A photographer’s dream with dark cliffs and wild Atlantic energy. The oceanfront seafood restaurant is excellent.
• Take the tram from Sintra village to Praia das Maçãs – A laid-back seaside village where locals come to surf, swim and eat. It’s a cute vintage tram ride through nature!
• Catch the sunset at Azenhas do Mar – A postcard-perfect cliffside village where whitewashed houses tumble down toward a natural seawater pool carved into the rocks.
• Visit Europe’s westernmost point, Cabo da Roca – A bucket-list item for many.
• Explore the trails of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park – The beach is too windy? Venture inland to find trails.

Berlengas Islands & Peniche: Raw, rocky islands and a surf town

How to reach Peniche – 75-minute drive north from Lisbon, or take a 90-minute Rede Expressos coach from Sete Rios. Boat trips to Berlengas leave from Peniche (pre-booking recommended).

A day trip to the Berlengas Islands is real Portuguese bucket-list material. These are some of the only islands off the continental Portuguese coast, and this tiny archipelago is a protected nature reserve known for its raw, rocky landscape and stunning turquoise waters. During the summer months, you can easily jump on a half-day boat trip out there to see the famous historic fortress and the caves.

You’ll set off for the islands from Peniche, a very relaxed seaside town about 75 minutes north of Lisbon. This entire region, known as the Oeste (West), is a paradise of seafood, sunshine and epic surf – but be aware that it is also prone to fog, especially in the mornings. In Peniche town, round out your day with a visit to the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom within the old fort or explore the beach at Supertubos or Baleal.

Things to do in Peniche and the Berlengas Islands

• Catch a ferry or speed boat from Peniche to Berlenga Grande, the main island. A handful of companies offer the same service. (Book ahead!)
• On Berlenga Grande, walk across the stone causeway to explore the famous Fort of São João Batista, take a small boat tour into caves, hike island trails, or laze at the only beach during your 3-4 hours on the island.
• In Peniche, drive around the scenic headland of Cabo Carvoeiro to check out the dramatic cliffs, lighthouse and the beautiful Nossa Senhora dos Remédios sanctuary.
• Spend time at the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, located within the imposing old fort, a former political prison (free for Portuguese residents).
• This coast is home to world-class surf. Watch professionals catch a wave at the famous Supertubos beach (known for its powerful, barrel-shaped waves) or visit the beautiful, smaller peninsula of Baleal.
• Peniche is a working fishing port. If you’re there in the morning, explore the Mercado de Municipal or just head straight for lunch at legendary Tasca do Joel or the more chill A Sardinha.

Comporta: boujee beach escape

How to reach Comporta – 75-90-minute drive south from Lisbon. You’ll need a private car or transfer.

Just over an hour south of Lisbon, Comporta is a long, laid-back stretch of coast where rice fields, pine forests and little villages meet endless dunes where the Atlantic rolls in. Starting at the southern edge of the Tróia Peninsula, the villages of Comporta have gained an international reputation for delivering barefoot luxury to the jet-set crowd. Artists, architects and designers have descended on a few sleepy fishing villages to build private resorts, restore thatched cabanas and open concept stores.

Admittedly, Comporta’s beaches are gorgeous – but lunch on the sand here now comes with a luxury pricetag. It probably won’t shock Europeans with stronger economies, and you can still dine at cheaper, local restaurants tucked in villages off the beach. While here, you could spend the morning riding horses through the rice paddies and pine forests or spotting flamingos, storks and even dolphins in the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, one of Portugal’s richest wetland ecosystems.

Stop for lunch, then claim a spot on Praia da Comporta, Praia do Carvalhal or Praia do Pego. Late in the afternoon, go shopping in Comporta village, where you’ll find dozens of boutiques and little galleries.

Things to do in Comporta

• Relax on Praia da Comporta, a vast, pristine beach with soft sand and turquoise water.
• Ride horses through the rice paddies and pine forests, and over dunes onto the beach.
• Go birdwatching – flamingos, herons and storks are common sightings in the wetlands.
• Lunch by the sea at Sal or Comporta Café, or try Dona Bia for Portuguese flavours.
• Shop the chic boutiques and design stores that make Comporta famous for its understated style.
• Add the Tróia Peninsula, where you can visit Roman ruins or go dolphin-watching.

Read next… The average person’s guide to A-list Comporta: Portugal’s luxe beach town

Nazaré: big waves, 7 skirts & sun-dried seafood

How to reach Nazaré – 90-minute drive north from Lisbon, or more like 2 hours with a Rede Expressos coach.

The once-sleepy seaside town of Nazaré has two main seasons. While people have always flocked here for the striped beach huts, grilled sardines and racks of seafood drying in the summer sunshine, now the coastal town is world-famous for its record-breaking winter waves, which draw big-wave surfers from across the globe. But beyond the surf, Nazaré keeps its old soul – a whitewashed fishing town where elderly women often still wear the town’s traditional seven-layered skirts.

The town sits in two parts. Praia da Nazaré is the lower, main beachfront strip, lined with restaurants and cafés. Ride the funicular up to the Sítio district on the cliff above to find epic views from the Miradouro do Suberco, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré (a pilgrimage site since the 14th century) and the dramatic Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo. From the fort, you can see the famous Praia do Norte, home to the Nazaré Canyon, a deep underwater trench that amplifies Atlantic swells into waves over 30 metres high (100 feet). In 2011, surfer Garrett McNamara rode his world-record wave, putting Nazaré on the global surf map.

Things to do in Nazaré

• Watch the waves at Praia do Norte, best viewed from the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo or the upper cliffs. Check the radar for big wave alerts – the best chances are between October and March, but if there’s no alert, expect to see almost flat ocean!
• Ride the funicular from the beachfront up to Sítio for sweeping views and historic landmarks.
• Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, with its richly tiled interior and centuries-old devotion legend.
• Explore traditional fishing culture – look for colourful wooden boats on the beach and women selling dried fish in summer.
• Stroll along Praia da Nazaré and stop for a sweet or lunch at one of the cafés or seafood restaurants.
• Check out the Nazaré Canyon Interpretation Centre at the fort for a quick dive into the science behind the giant waves. It’s crazy what lies beneath the ocean surface!

Let me know in the comments if you went on any beach day trips from Lisbon – I’d love to hear about your highlights!

More Lisbon day trip ideas

• 18 best Lisbon day trips
• Lisbon’s best day trip: Sintra 1 or 2-day itinerary
• My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park

The post Lisbon’s best beach day trips appeared first on Olá Daniela.

Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal, was just named one of the BBC’s top destinations to visit in 2026 and is Europe’s Green Capital this year. It’s one of my favourite places to visit in the north of Portugal, and the perfect spot for a long weekend. Let’s dive into the history and what you can do here…

Best things to do in Guimarães

It was near Guimarães that Afonso Henriques won the Battle of São Mamede – against his own mother no less – establishing himself as the leader of the kingdom of Portugal. Its independence was recognised some years later in 1143, making him the first king of Portugal. From here, King Afonso fought his way south against the Moors, claiming land that is more or less the same borders we know as Portugal today.

Here are the best things to do with 48 hours in Guimarães.

Read next… Where to eat in Guimarães: the best restaurants and taverns

Wander the historic streets of Guimarães

Every tourist guide and blog I read before visiting Guimarães was hyper-specific, telling me to wander these three specific squares, walk these two streets and look for these 14 specific churches. My advice? Just dive into the UNESCO-protected historic centre – enough aimless strolling will guarantee you see it all.

Across a weekend we sliced and diced our way across the old town on our way from the guesthouse to the castle or restaurants, taking a new route each time. Soon enough we’d criss-crossed the entire medieval layout, crossing paths with Largo da Oliveira, Rua de Santa Maria and all the other churches, streets and landmarks people consider a must-see.

Visit the Paço dos Duques de Bragança

As we admired the courtyard of this 15th-century home, somewhere someone in the building was absolutely shredding on the piano and setting the opening credits for what we hoped would be an impressive visit. Originally built between 1420 and 1433, the 1st Duke of Bragança used the palace as his home. It was abandoned for a period, used as a military barracks during the 19th-century French invasions and then relatively recently rebuilt between 1937 and 1959 to become the museum it is today.

While I loved walking through the grand stone building with its high ceilings, giant fireplaces and medieval vibe, the palace itself lacked a little something. That something might be details. While I expected to learn a little more about the Duke and family of Bragança, I was left wanting. Instead the QR codes in each room told me about the space and the 17th and 18th century objects used to dress the rooms. 

Given the age and the state of decay, it sounds like some guesswork was involved in the rebuild and deciding what different rooms were used for. Criticism aside, it’s a beautiful space with stunning windows, ceilings, details and atmosphere worth checking out in person. It’s a building unlike others I’ve explored in Portugal.

Wander the castle

Just around the corner, Castelo de Guimarães dominates the hilltop. Considered one of Portugal’s most recognisable landmarks, the castle you see today is more like that from the 13th century but there has been a defensive structure here since the late 10th century when a widowed Countess Mumadona Dias took over the County of Portucale.

The castle walls are absolutely stunning, but you will pay for the privilege to walk around. We’ve been spoilt with the opportunity to visit countless other castles around Portugal where you can freely explore the ruins without paying – here expect to pay around €5 to get in. What’s different? Well, there’s a staircase and boardwalk built across the castle walls. Sure, safety handrails aren’t the worst thing in the world, but the turret filled with vending machines was disappointing. I would have liked to learn more about the history of the castle instead of getting a hot coffee…

Eat a Torta de Guimarães

Every town in Portugal is proud of its doces conventuais (convent sweets). Essentially, it seems Portuguese nuns had access to sugar, leftover egg yolks and ingredients like cinnamon, lemon and almonds. With that and some imagination, each village, town and region has celebrated local sweets with an eggy side.

In Guimarães we have Toucinho do Céu and Torta de Guimarães. I prefer the latter, a crunchy slightly savoury half-moon pastry with buttery layers and a stringy, rich egg and almond centre. Turns out the savoury note isn’t butter, but pork fat. Vegetarians, you’ve been warned.

The best place to try them is at the original Casa Costinhas. Legend has it that a nun from the Convent of Santa Clara took in two orphan nieces. The establishment of the Republic meant they were no longer allowed to live in the convent with their aunt. They found a house close to the convent and the three women started baking sweets to make a living.

To market, to Mercado Guimarães

When I saw an old man standing there with two buckets selling live rabbits I realised things are different in the north.

I always visit the mercado municipal when travelling throughout Portugal. It’s a chance to pick up locally-grown produce, discover regional products and spy on cute old ladies. The Guimarães market hall was actually incredible. While my local permanent market here in Lisbon is mostly empty, here in the giant hall every counter was full with vendors selling fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, baskets, flowers and more. It’s the first time I’d seen stalls specialising in just bacalhau (salted cod). 

What I found most interesting were the pop-up temporary vendors. In the giant enclosed balcony off the market people didn’t have stalls, just a couple of metres of floor space and a few buckets of goods. You know the food miles are low when you’re buying seasonal plums off a lady who only has half a dozen cabbages, a bucket of lemons and some fresh flowers to sell. It takes farm-to-table to a whole other level.

In this area it was a little confronting to find live animals. Rabbits and roosters, chickens and chicks were all there ready to be sold. Most sellers had old-school balances with those solid iron counterweights. Maybe there’s a specific dish that calls on you to kill and skin a rabbit yourself, but otherwise I don’t know why someone wouldn’t just go to one of the market butchers where you can buy prepared whole rabbit or chickens.

While the market is open six days a week, I visited on a Friday. I’m not sure if the temporary vendors are there every day or not.

Head up to Monte da Penha

Religion doesn’t thrill me, so the idea of heading up Monte da Penha by cable car to visit the relatively modern Santuario da Penha was bottom of my tourist list (an error!). Our eventual drawcard for this visit was – of course – an outdoor restaurant hidden in the forest called Adega do Ermitão. 

Once we arrived, seeing the incredible natural landscape of giant boulders and lush, moss-covered forest made us realise Penha was worth the visit. Rising 586 metres (1920 ft) above Guimarães, the viewpoint behind the church offers stunning panoramic views back over the city and region.

Usually I’d say it’s very peaceful exploring the green forest paths but on our day a classic car race was taking place. Since it was a hot 30-something-degrees that day, I didn’t expect to hike the stunning mountain pathways but we became curious about the race warm-ups and went for a wander after lunch, exploring some hidden caves, grottos and monuments along the way.

Read next… Where to eat in Guimarães: the best restaurants and taverns

Other things to do in Guimarães

• Museu de Alberto Sampaio – century-old museum with artifacts from the city
• Citânia de Briteiros – archaeological site of a Castro culture settlement dating back to the 1st and 2nd century BC.
• Jardins do Palácio de Vila Flor – manicured gardens to explore

Where to eat in Guimarães

You bet I plan whole trips around where to eat. Discovering local tascas, old-man bars and where to taste the best regional cuisine is almost always top of my list. Guimarães is a surprising smaller Portuguese city that while tiny is home to brilliant taverns, a chic French-Spainish-inspired bistro, and a special Michelin-starred diner. Discover where to eat in Guimarães with my food guide.

RELATED BLOG: Where to eat in Guimarães

Where to stay in Guimarães

Trovador City Guest House €

This super cute little guesthouse was the perfect base for Guimarães. Our room at Trovador looked out over a square and had everything we could want: aircon, private bathroom, super comfortable bed. 

How to reach Guimarães

From Porto

If you’re already in the north, Guimarães is a must visit. The city is a 45-minute drive from Porto, or just over an hour by train from Campanhã Station. 

From Lisbon

Guimarães is a 3.5 hour drive from Lisbon. If you wish to reach the city by public transport, you’ll need to take a train to Porto and then change trains at Campanhã Station. Given that, I think you’re better off road trippping from Lisbon to Porto

Related Blog: 14 best things to do in Viana do Castelo

Photos by Jorge Branco and Daniela Sunde-Brown

Read next… 

• Where to eat in Viana do Castelo
• 48 hours in Porto
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• 16 most beautiful villages and small towns in Portugal
• Where to eat in Coimbra
• Best Festivals & Events in Portugal
• Guide to the best Douro Valley winery tours
• Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and the Douro Valley

The post 48 hours in Guimarães appeared first on Olá Daniela.

I’ve lived in Lisbon since 2018, and below I’ve shared my favourite tips and ideas for where to go on a day trip from Lisbon – plus I have published deeper guides for a lot of these Portuguese destinations. Have a scroll and take your pick – whether you’re into royal romance, sacred sites or secret stone circles, you’ll step through history on one of these easy, top day trips from Lisbon.

My definition of a day trip is anywhere I can reach by car in 20 to 90 minutes. Public transport might take slightly longer, and I’ve included the best options for each location too.

Which of these Lisbon day trips can you do without a car?

No car, no worries – a lot of these historic destinations are well connected to Lisbon by train, or otherwise, there may be a public bus or Rede Expressos coach. From Lisbon, the train will easily reach Sintra, Évora, Tomar and Vila Franca de Xira. 

Map of Lisbon’s best day trip destinations

Read my complete Lisbon day trips guide here or dive into Lisbon’s best beach day trips

Sintra: Palaces, a Moorish castle & mountain magic

How to reach Sintra – 30-minute drive west from Lisbon, or 40-minute train from Rossio Station (I don’t recommend driving if you just visit the historic village).

There’s something mystical about Sintra, a historic mountain village filled with grand palaces and topped with an ancient 10th-century castle. Once a summer playground for the rich during the 19th century, the romance of a bygone era is still alive here, and it’s fun to dress up and wander about palace halls. You’ll have no shortage of those: from Pena Palace to Monserrate to Quinta da Regaleira to the National Palace.

Equally, Sintra’s micro-climate makes the mountain an interesting place to explore. Giant boulders covered in green moss and off-road tracks offer a different kind of exploring on this top day trip from Lisbon. 

But take note – this is Lisbon’s most popular day trip, and some palaces have timed entry tickets. A day trip to Sintra requires prior planning. I have two in-depth guides to help: a 1-day Sintra itinerary, and a list of 30+ cool things to do in the region.

There are two ways to explore Sintra. You can take the train from Rossio or Sete Rios stations (driving is not recommended) and stroll through the historic village and visit the palaces nearby. Or you can extend the fun to explore nature – crossing Sintra-Cascais Natural Park to reach the ocean at Cabo da Roca (Europe’s westernmost point), take in some viewpoints and visit beaches.

If you’re visiting from abroad, I highly suggest joining a small-group or private guided tour for this – my picks are a private tour with Fernando (book via GetYourGuide or go direct and say I sent you!) or a small-group off-road tour with the fun guys at FlaminGO who have an army of vintage UMM jeeps.

Best things to do in Sintra

• Hike or bus up to the yellow-and-red fairytale Pena Palace to explore its fantastical gardens (requires pre-booked, timed tickets if you want to see inside).
• Wander the walls of the ancient Moorish Castle and uncover the underground tunnels and Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira or half a dozen other palaces (seriously, no shortage of palaces here).
• Eat a travesseiro de Sintra from the most famous bakery, Piriquita
• Extend your trip to cross the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and reach Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe.
• Discover the rugged Atlantic beaches like Praia Grande or the stunning sea-pool village of Azenhas do Mar.
• Go for an off-road small-group Jeep adventure with the fun guys at FlaminGO Experiences.
• Carry a jacket or light sweater at all times – Sintra’s micro-climate means it can be cold and foggy even when Lisbon is sunny.

Read next… 31 things to do in Sintra and Sintra 1 or 2-Day Itinerary

Óbidos: medieval walled village from a picturebook

How to reach Óbidos – 1-hour drive north from Lisbon, or take an express bus called the Rapida Verde (the regional train takes more than two hours). 

Imagine receiving a small walled city as a wedding gift? Portugal’s King Dinis gave Queen Isabel the little village of Óbidos to mark their wedding back in 1282. This super cute medieval walled city is just over an hour north, making it one of the best day trips from Lisbon.

Wander inside the fortified walls and you’ll find a Portuguese village of typical white-washed buildings with yellow or blue trims. Usually, you can also climb the stone walls and cut most of a lap around the town. If you have time, explore deeper with a walking tour that reveals secret spots and medieval tales.

While in Obidos, be sure to taste the local liqueur, ginjinha – made from the ginja sour cherry. It’s one of Portugal’s most famous, and you can drink it from a tiny and delicious chocolate cup.

Sleep in the castle: This gem is a popular day trip from Lisbon, so if you want to see the village without the crowds, consider sleeping in the 14th-century castle for your own royal moment. The Pousada Castelo de Obidos is a dream stay! If it’s out of the budget, Óbidos has plenty of cute guesthouses.

Things to do in Óbidos

• Walk around the medieval village and castle walls. The full lap is 1.5km. Right by the entrance, if the staircase is open, you can just go for it at your own peril! (There are no safety railings.)
• Stop by a window to taste ginjinha liqueur, a traditional drink from the village.
• Get lost in the narrow, winding streets of the whitewashed village within the walls. Admire the bright blue and yellow trim on the houses and the care locals take by adding cute flower pots.
• Pause at the magnificent Porta da Vila (main gate), which is famously lined with beautiful 18th-century blue and white tile panels (azulejos) that depict the Passion of Christ.
• In the main square, visit the beautiful Church of Santa Maria (Igreja de Santa Maria), built over a former mosque and known for its richly decorated interior and historical importance.

Guided day trip from Lisbon: If you have a few days in Lisbon, Óbidos makes for a good day trip. Take a look at this top-rated guided tour that combines the walled village with the towns of Fátima, Batalha and Nazaré.

Read next… Lisbon’s best beach day trips

Évora: Roman temple, wine & a bone chapel

How to reach Évora – 90-minute drive or train south-east from Lisbon. Note: for a day trip, the last train back to Lisbon often leaves quite early! Better to do an overnight stay by train.

Located about a 90-minute drive or train ride east of Lisbon, Évora is the magnificent, UNESCO-listed capital of the Alentejo region. A living time capsule, the whitewashed city centre is steeped in history, bearing the marks of Roman, Moorish and medieval influences – and yet the small yellow-toned city pulses with a youthful energy, thanks to its historic university.

Personally, I think Évora deserves a full weekend itinerary to soak up history and enjoy the Alentejo’s famously relaxed, slow pace. But it’s only a 1.5-hour drive, so you can dash out there for a day trip from Lisbon.

Things to do in Évora

• Visit the legendary Bone Chapel (Capela dos Ossos) – one of Portugal’s most striking and solemn sights. Located next to the Church of St. Francis, the chapel’s walls and columns are lined entirely with the skulls and bones of over 5,000 human remains.
• Admire the Roman Temple – the 1st century AD relic is set on the highest hill with Corinthian-style columns.
• Climb onto the roof of the largest cathedral in Portugal. A winding staircase leads to the best panoramic views over the city’s terracotta rooftops and the surrounding Alentejo plains.
• Seek out the 16th-century Água de Prata Aqueduct that runs for over 18 kilometres, portions of which are famously built directly into the structure of houses within the city walls.
• Feast on Alentejo cuisine – you always eat so well in this region, one of my favourites for dining out. Enjoy a traditional, long lunch at an institution like O Fialho or Botequim da Mouraria.
• Look beyond the pastel de nata and try Évora’s traditional convent sweets (doces conventuais). Look for Pão de Rala (stuffed almond cake) or Sericaia (a fluffy sponge cake).
• Those Alentejo plains produce bold, tannin-heavy reds. Stop to sample local wines at Enoteca Cartuxa, or venture out to a vineyard like Herdade do Esporão or Fitapreta for a cellar door experience and lunch.
• Visit the Cromlech of the Almendres: Just outside the city, explore one of Europe’s largest collections of standing stones, a fascinating Neolithic site that pre-dates Stonehenge.

Read next… Évora is so much fun, and I have some in-depth guides with more ideas for things to do, where to shop, where to eat and how to spend 48 hours in the small city.

Tomar: Follow the trail of the Knights Templar

How to reach Tomar – 90-minute drive north of Lisbon, or the train takes two hours from Santa Apolónia Station.

Tomar, a city steeped in the legends of the Knights Templar, is a cool inland destination located about a 90-minute drive north of Lisbon. It holds a unique place in Portugal’s history as the city was founded by the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Gualdim Pais, in 1160 to serve as their headquarters. When the Templars were suppressed across Europe, they simply rebranded in Portugal as the Order of Christ and continued their influence, notably supporting Portugal’s famous Age of Discoveries (with Prince Henry the Navigator as their Grand Master).

There’s soooo much history and beauty to explore here, and while you can cross most of it off in a day, I’d recommend this one as a weekend trip too.

Things to do in Tomar

• Explore the Convent of Christ and Templar Castle – this UNESCO World Heritage site is the single most important reason to visit Tomar. Give yourself at least two hours to explore the sprawling complex, which includes the iconic circular chapel (Charola), pictured above, and the extraordinary Manueline Window, carved with maritime motifs.
• Step through Tomar’s Old Town, including the central Praça da República with its 16th-century town hall and the Igreja de São João Baptista church.
• Walk atop the jaw-dropping 16th-century Pegões Altos Aqueduct, a five-minute drive outside town (again, no railing, so be careful).
• Escape the heat at the peaceful river island park, Mouchão Park, surrounded by the Nabão River.
• For something unique, visit the Museu dos Fósforos (Matchbox Museum), housed in the old convent, which holds Europe’s largest collection of matchboxes – more than 60,000 of them!
• Pop into Tomar’s many free museums – there are loads to explore, including an arts centre in an old flour factory.

Read next… Best day trips from Tomar

Mafra: mega palace, wolves & wild boars

How to get to Mafra – 35-minute drive north from Lisbon, or catch a coach with Mafrense from Campo Grande.

Sometimes I remember facts that truly have little value, like this one: Palácio Nacional de Mafra is home to Europe’s longest palatial corridor. The 232-metre-long gallery is just one of the many outsized features of this Baroque giant – an architectural 18th-century statement built by King João V when Portugal’s gold-rich colonies were at their height. Completed in 1755, it has more than 1,200 rooms, 156 stairways and a library considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, filled with over 36,000 leather-bound volumes plus bats.

Exploring the palace and its basilica will only take you half a day, so spend the other half in nature at Tapada Nacional de Mafra, the former royal hunting ground established in 1747. This vast, forested park is now a protected reserve with trails where deer, wild boar, and foxes roam freely among cork oaks and pines. Nearby is the Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre (Centro de Recuperação do Lobo Ibérico) – a sanctuary dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating the endangered native wolves of Portugal and Spain (book visits in advance).

Or organise a wine tasting or picnic at Quinta de Sant’Ana, a family-run estate just outside Mafra that produces elegant, small-batch wines amid rolling hills. You can combine Mafra with the charming surf town of Ericeira, just 15 minutes away (mentioned above).

Things to do in Mafra

• Wander the halls of Palácio Nacional de Mafra, taking time to visit the library, basilica, and the 232-metre corridor.
• Organise a wine tasting or picnic at Quinta Sant’ana.
• Lunch at Adega do Convento, a cosy spot serving hearty Portuguese dishes near the palace.
• Walk the trails of Tapada Nacional de Mafra. Keep an eye out for wild boar and deer.
• Visit the Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre, a sanctuary devoted to the conservation of Iberian wolves (advance booking required).
• Combine Mafra with a day trip to Ericeira, for beaches, surf and seafood with Atlantic views. This guided day trip combines the two.

Fátima: a sanctuary of faith

How to reach Fátima – 80-minute drive north from Lisbon, or a direct Rede Expressos coach from Sete Rios.

FFátima is one of the most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing millions of visitors annually. This is the location where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children in 1917. While the site is a major cultural and religious landmark for believers, there’s not much else to the town that may pique your interest. Plus, once you leave the new and old basilicas, you’re met with religious gift shops that detract from the spirit.

Day trip tip: I’d suggest combining a visit to Fátima with a side quest to somewhere nearby. Depending on your interests, you could continue the religious theme at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mosteiro da Batalha (Batalha Monastery), or bounce over to Nazaré for seaside vibes and (potentially) mega waves. You can also combine Fátima with a visit to Óbidos, Caldas da Rainha or Tomar.

Things to do in Fátima

• Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions (Capelinha das Aparições) – a small, simple chapel at the heart of the sanctuary built on the exact spot where the Virgin Mary appeared.
• Explore the neo-baroque Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (which holds the tombs of the three shepherd children) and the modern, immense Basilica of the Holy Trinity (one of the largest Catholic churches in the world).
• Time your visit to join a candlelit procession – the biggest dates are May 13 and October 13. Expect big crowds.

Caldas da Rainha: creative city of ceramics

How to reach Caldas da Rainha – 70-minute drive from Lisbon, or 80-minute bus with Rede Expressos.

There’s something romantic about Caldas da Rainha, a charming and artistic small city in the centre of Portugal. Maybe it’s the leafy Parque Dom Carlos I with its elegant lakes and the 19th-century thermal hospital that gave the city its name. Queen Leonor, who discovered the curative sulphur springs in 1484, ordered a hospital to be built for the sick and poor. Now, Caldas remains the oldest thermal town in the world still in operation.

If not the park and thermal water, maybe it’s the Art Nouveau and Art Deco façades that line Caldas da Rainha’s boulevards, or the whimsical ceramics of Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, whose humorous and surreal pieces helped shape the city’s creative soul. Either way, it’s easy to spend a day here exploring the mix of spa heritage, ceramic artistry and small-town charm before unwinding at Foz do Arelho, where the Óbidos Lagoon meets the Atlantic.

Things to do in Caldas da Rainha

• Stroll through Parque Dom Carlos I, a peaceful green heart once reserved for spa patients. Wander its shaded paths, feed the ducks, and if you’re feeling romantic, hire a paddle boat on the ornamental lake.
• Follow the Bordallo Pinheiro trail, a self-guided walk through the city that reveals the artist’s legacy – from giant ceramic frogs, cabbages and sardines scattered across town.
• Buy ceramics at the Bordallo Pinheiro factory outlet. You can find seconds and bargains on the top floor, above the store.
• Pay a visit to the Museu do Cerâmica, housed in a graceful 19th-century mini-mansion surrounded by gardens. Inside, you’ll find centuries of Portuguese pottery.
• Lose yourself in the city’s art scene, with half a dozen small galleries, museums and craft studios showcasing local contemporary artists.
• Shop at the daily farmers’ market at Praça da República, one of Portugal’s largest open-air markets. Come early (7am–3pm) to browse stalls overflowing with local produce, cheese and flowers – Saturday and Monday are best.
• Admire the 17th-century azulejos (tiles) decorating the tiny Ermida de São Sebastião.
• Explore the curious Jardim de Água, a surreal ceramic park created by sculptor Ferreira da Silva over the course of a decade.
• End your day at Foz do Arelho, a wide sandy beach where the calm lagoon waters meet the surf of the Atlantic – ideal for swimming, paddleboarding or sunset watching.

Vila Franca de Xira: birdwatching and bullfighting traditions

How to get to Vila Franca de Xira – 30-minute drive north from Lisbon, or 23-minute train from Santa Apolonia Station.

Vila Franca de Xira is a small riverside town just 30 minutes north of Lisbon by train, set along the Tejo (Tagus) River. Though often overlooked (few tourists venture here), the historic core is charming (especially the market hall), and it has a distinct identity rooted in bullfighting traditions. Start with a stroll along the riverfront promenade, where you can get coffee or watch locals fish, then visit the azulejo-covered Mercado Municipal to admire the tile panels and shop for local produce.

In the 21st century, bullfighting is a controversial topic, but for Vila Franca de Xira, the tradition is core to its identity. The town’s early 20th-century bullring still hosts events, particularly during Colete Encarnado (the “Red Waistcoat Festival”) each July (expect parades, music, bull runs). Around town, you’ll see statues, posters, murals and the Casa-Museu Mário Coelho celebrating this heritage. Fortunately, in Portugal, the bull is not killed in the arena – but still, the sport uses animals for entertainment.

Vila Franca sits where the Tagus begins to widen into the Ribatejo estuary, a landscape of wetlands and fields that attracts flamingos, storks, and herons. If you’re into birdwatching or quiet nature escapes, it could be a peaceful escape.

Things to do in Vila Franca de Xira

• To market, to market: don’t miss the amazing azulejos (tiles) on the Mercado Municipal.
• Admire the azulejos at the train station too, where you’ll see scenes of life in the town.
• Relax by the riverfront, with cafés, benches and views across the Tagus estuary.
• Wander through town, taking notice of the historic links to bullfighting: the statues, posters, murals.
• If you’re interested, visit the Casa-Museu Mário Coelho to learn about a famous bullfighter.
• Explore the Museum of Neo-Realism, which showcases Portugal’s socially engaged art and literature of the 20th century.

Looking for more Lisbon day trips? Read my complete Lisbon day trips guide

Read next… 

• Where to stay in Lisbon: Best neighbourhoods & hotels
• My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
• 14 things to do and see in Caldas da Rainha
• Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Porto
• Best tile painting workshops in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• 16 most beautiful villages and small towns in Portugal
• 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
• Where to eat in Lisbon
• Where to stop between Lisbon and Seville

The post Best day trips from Lisbon for history lovers appeared first on Olá Daniela.

This year also brought a milestone I’m genuinely thrilled to celebrate: in September, Olá Daniela passed 1,000,000 views in just 12 months. So, obrigada for being here, reading along, sharing posts and cheering me on. Every click and recommendation gives me a real buzz and nudges my introverted little heart to keep showing up.

In previous years, I kept this round-up strictly Portugal-only. But the truth is, I do stray over the border now and then – and I always go overboard on research – so it feels silly not to share those notes too. From this year forward, I’m including a few memorable trips “beyond”: skiing in France, exploring London, meeting chefs in Athens, and making memories in Thailand.

So, let’s dive into the past year of travel – with silly stories, insights and helpful notes or linked guides included.

A winter art staycation in Lisbon

January is one of the coldest and wettest months in Lisbon, but instead of being miserable about it, we treated the city like we were visitors ourselves. One thing I’ve noticed about living in Lisbon is that it’s often sunny, so I don’t want to spend even an hour inside wandering around a gallery or museum. Which is a shame, because Lisbon has some cool spaces to visit.

Each weekend in January, we decided to squeeze in a museum or cultural activity, which meant visiting the exhibitions at MAAT by the riverside, exploring the new Gulbenkian CAM (Contemporary Art Museum), and a trip to the Oceanarium to meet Lisbon’s most famous pair – the two Alaskan sea otters, Micas and Maré. Funnily enough, most of these days were fairly sunny – but we stuck to our guns.

Rounding out the fun was a fado show at Associação do Fado Casto, an ideal moody winter activity if you ask me – especially since the red wine is limitless.

Read next… Guide to winter in Portugal: Where to go, things to do & more

A ski trip to Chamonix

Each year, my partner organises a ski trip somewhere in Europe, and I usually skip it. But when his boys’ crew fell through, I agreed to be his ski buddy so long as it was within range of Geneva, where one of my best friends lives so she could join us. 

And so, last February, I went skiing for the first time in a decade in Chamonix, an adventure ski town just over the border from Switzerland in France. My first day on the slopes, I was like a duck to water, carving up the mountain at speed – impressing both Jorge and my friend Gemma (and myself, to be honest). On Day 1, we went for the smoother slopes of Les Houches, partly to test my skills and mostly because I wanted to eat at a mid-mountain restaurant called Les Vieilles Luges. I’d go back to Chamonix just to dine at this special chalet once more.

On Day 2, I’d forgotten how to ski. Whatever talent I’d displayed the day before had all but disappeared. The slopes off Chamonix town were steep, the runs were packed, my legs were tired, and suddenly I didn’t know how to pizza let alone carve. In a state of panic, I insisted on being left in the cafeteria for a while. Later in the afternoon, I did manage to get back on the slopes and had to relearn how to ski.

We spent a full week in Chamonix, eating around town on the nights we didn’t use the raclette maker that came with our apartment (classic, essential!). Here’s what was good:

• Café Bluebird – we popped in here most mornings for a solid breakfast burger with sausage, bacon and eggs.
• Moody Coffee Roasters – for a solid flat white
• Yumidori – surprisingly excellent Japanese food and sushi from a top chef
• MUMMA – cool spot for Asian fusion. Must book ahead! Fun vibe for weekend nights
• Josephine – the French bistro classic
• ELA – delicious falafel and salad boxes
• Shoukâ – the hot chocolate here! Blueberry tart! A cosy co-work spot too.
• Big Mountain Basecamp – craft beer brewery
• La Crémerie des Aiguilles – a mountain restaurant nearby, just take the bus or train

A sunny February London weekend

Sunshine. In February. In London. I don’t know what we did to deserve that, but the British city put on a show for us. We’d been somewhat avoiding London for a few years – when we want big-city fun, we’d plan a trip to Paris or Madrid… but this February, Jack White was touring, and it led us back there. Some 72 hours later, and we wondered why we hadn’t returned earlier.

Best bites in London:

• Beigel Bake – we rolled off the plane and into Shoreditch at 11pm, heading straight to this 24/7 classic for a pastrami beigel. Excellent.
• Jolene – delicious pastries and coffee
• OMA – modern Greek share plates spot with a Michelin star 
• St. JOHN Bread and Wine – for classic British cuisine. We had bone marrow and Welsh rarebit.
• Indian food on Brick Lane – this is something I had on my bucket list, and we tried Aladin. Very good lamb chops and curry.
• Crown Kebabs – a mind-blowing midnight bite
• Bangers – breakfast burgers with brilliant branding
• Banh Mi Keu – a 10/10 bahn mi sandwich, which we took for the plane

Best things I did

• Stayed in Shoreditch, somewhere I’ve always wanted to explore deeper. I think the east is more raw and interesting than the west.
• Victoria and Albert Museum – Museums are free! And the V&A is amazing – I could have spent all day here if I didn’t have to meet people.
• Hamilton in West End – musical theatre! The show was excellent, and we got great last-minute seats for a steal.
• Saw squirrels in Hyde Park – they are just the cutest animals with those floofy tails that move like magic.
• Borough Market – it’s a bit touristic, but there’s a great meat pie stall and lots of good people watching.
• Tate Modern – explored the floors of modern and contemporary art with river views on the roof.
• Vintage shopping along Brick Lane – need I say more? I couldn’t believe the scale and layers of shops and pop-up markets in the area.
• Columbia Road Flower Market – we joined a friend for her Sunday morning ritual.

Going with the flow at a spring yoga and wellness retreat

I’m more of a wellness worrier than warrior, but a 5-day retreat at Quinta Carvalhas flipped me on my head. Just Flow happens twice a year at this estate in Portugal’s Ribatejo area, just an 80-minute drive or train north of Lisbon. For the spring equinox edition, we rested, recharged and set positive intentions for the season ahead – all while someone else cooked and cleaned for us.

It was a gorgeous retreat, and I recapped my time there in a full article here. So if you’re curious, all the details are over there.

A bucket-list weekend at Hotel Convento de São Paulo

I had dreamed of staying at Hotel Convento de São Paulo ever since I first saw a picture of the 800-year-old convent-turned-hotel’s tiled hallways. And let me tell you, it’s even better in real life. 

You see, the incredible independent hotel is tucked deep in the quiet, wild hills of the Serra d’Ossa, deep within the Alentejo. It’s close to some of my favourite towns, yet secluded and quiet – the perfect place to rest and relax in the spring sunshine. It was even warm enough to order G&Ts by the pool.

I loved it so much, I wrote a hotel review of our slow, long weekend stay here – and you can book the hotel here.

Bottomless wine and secret cellars: Redondo’s tasca and talha trail

When I want to really feel the heart and soul of Portugal, I like to dash out to the Alentejo region, where there’s a different sense of community and pace of life. One April afternoon, along with some friends, we ventured to Redondo for a six-stop rally that bounced between historic tascas and private adegas, usually closed to the public, with the promise of wine, snacks and songs at each stop. 

Most were local people who seemed to know each other, and I became a minor celebrity – meeting the mayor and getting interviewed for radio. I wrote about the event in detail here, and you can find more cool events in my event guides – who knows, you might be the only foreigner there and make the news too.

Summer arrived early in Tomar, Portugal’s city of Templar legends

I’ve visited Tomar not once but twice for a festival that only happens once every four years, and yet I had never visited its main site: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Convento do Cristo. It was time to make things right and properly explore his small historic city that’s closely linked to the legends of the mysterious Knights Templar.

In May, we spent five nights in this personality-packed Portuguese city, which seems like a lot of time, but there was so much to do in this destination, named the top off-the-radar summer holiday destination on the European Hidden Gem Index. Now, despite it being May, Portugal’s first heatwave ripped through the country, giving us a couple of days between 32–36ºC (89–96ºF) – ideal for exploring a few river beaches too.

I’ve written a helpful Tomar guide, plus where to eat in Tomar and the best day trips nearby.

Azores calling – June days on Terceira and São Miguel island

When a good friend from Australia said she was planning to visit us for a few weeks and wanted to explore the Azores, without hesitating, I said, I’m coming – which islands? And off we went to São Miguel and Terceira.

It was my third time on São Miguel Island, the largest of the nine Azorean islands, and there’s just so much to do there. We had four action-packed days where we explored from dawn until dusk – and I’ve written an itinerary you can steal, along with a where to eat on São Miguel Island guide and a thermal hot springs guide.

Afterward, we hopped to Terceira, the third-largest island in the archipelago, known for its volcanic landscapes, green patchwork fields, lava tubes and colourful Holy Spirit impérios. It was my first time on the island, and I loved the more relaxed pace – you can steal my three-day Terceira Island itinerary and my where to eat guide.

I also wrote a 101 guide to the nine islands of the Azores.

A foodie weekend in Porto

Back on the mainland, the same friend and I boarded a train north to Porto for a food-filled weekend at Canto de Luz, a really cool boutique hotel in the heart of the city. Over two nights, we joined a food tour, did a Douro wine tasting and cooked up a feast during a traditional Portuguese cooking class as part of the hotel’s in-house experiences.

Canto de Luz is located in one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Porto, and it was so nice to have a pool to return to for late afternoon swims between exploring the city streets. Read about our fun foodie Porto weekend here.

Summer days in Porto Covo & Aljezur

After avoiding summer vaycays in Portugal during peak season, we’re slowly softening into taking a slow week off in late July or early August. This year, that meant three nights in Porto Covo, a blue-trimmed coastal town on the Alentejo coast. It’s the very start of the Costa Vicentina’s 226.5-km (140-mile) coastal Fishermen’s Trail, so we walked the first day – a 10-km (6-mile) stretch from Praia de São Torpes back to Porto Covo town. It was insanely scenic as we hopped along beaches, stopping for a leisurely fish lunch partway at Pedra da Casca. This area has some of the most beautiful beaches and bays I’ve seen in Portugal.

During the summer, the local council puts on free transport for beachgoers, so we took the bus to the start. Next time I’d do the opposite – starting early from town on foot and taking the bus back – as the restaurants were closer to the start, and after lunch we still had a long walk ahead with no shade cover during the hottest part of a summer’s day. 

After Porto Covo, we continued south to Aljezur, a coastal area famous for its surf. I loveeeeed where we stayed, a little in the hills at Herdade Quinta Natura, where we had a beautiful pool, great hosts and an amazing breakfast each day. We’d wake up in nature, surrounded by cork and eucalypt forests, and we were a short drive to the beach. Much better than staying in the “urbanisations”, I think.

Writing articles about these two stays is high on my to-do list! You can book the incredible Aljezur guesthouse here – and message me if you need notes in the meantime.

Read next… What to wear in Portugal – packing list and seasonal guide

Late summer in Tavira, on the Algarve coast

Visiting the Algarve in September has become a bit of a tradition. We skip the peak summer madness and still enjoy warm sunny days, humid evenings and swims in water that’s as warm as it gets. Every visit we make this time of year is just the best – and this trip was no different.

We gravitate towards the eastern end of the Algarve, and this year – after a beautiful wedding in the charming inland Algarve town of Alte (stay at Alte Tradition Guest House if you go, a gorgeous guesthouse with a rooftop jacuzzi) – we parked ourselves at Cabanas da Tavira, a little holiday town.

This gave me time to explore Tavira again, revisit some favourite restaurants like the gorgeous Austa and classic Casa Corvo, discover new favourites like Mesa Farta and The Table, and take a casual day trip to Spain for vermouth, croquettes and tuna in Huelva.

A bureaucratic trip to beautiful Viseu

On Olá Daniela, I tell you about all the amazing places you can visit in Portugal, but I do not tell you how to move here. If you want those tips, look elsewhere – however, I can tell you that bureaucracy here involves layers and layers of semi-working systems that take time, patience and often don’t connect, though usually (thankfully) have some level of forgiveness.

Anyway, in October, I finally had an appointment to renew my long-expired residency card. That appointment was rescheduled – by the government agency – twice and moved from a city two hours from where I live to one 3.5 hours from where I live. Do you complain? No, because you literally can’t call or email them. Complaining is impossible. And figuring out what documents you need is a stab in the dark too (with community Facebook groups and Reddit doing some heavy lifting).

Being a glass-half-full girl, I saw it as an opportunity to revisit Viseu, Portugal’s pretty inland garden city. Honestly, Viseu is gorgeous. The historic old town is beautiful, raw and genuine with winding cobblestone roads lined with vintage neon signage, leading up to the historic Sé Cathedral that sits opposite a huge baroque church. Across the compact city centre, you’ll find loads of lush gardens filled with fountains and enough beauty to keep you busy for the day.

I took the bus up and stayed at a great guesthouse, Celtic Lodge. Here’s how I suggest you spend 24 hours in Viseu.

Exploring food and philosophy in Athens

Athens is cool, really cool. In October, I was invited to Athens to attend Gastrosophy, a one-day event where chefs meet to talk food and philosophy. I arrived to find a city that in some ways felt like the Lisbon I landed in back in 2018 – raw, unapologetic, real and full of character.

While most visitors skip through on the way to the islands, pausing briefly at the Acropolis for a selfie, those who stop to explore (and can see behind the graffiti) will find a city on the verge of something great again. I spent five nights in the Greek capital, where 30% of the country’s population lives, and spent my days hopping between century-old taverns, local mezze bars and modern Greek share spots across various neighbourhoods. 

My favourite way to eat somewhere new is to dive into the root of the cuisine – tasting the traditional dishes the way they were meant to be – before hitting up higher-end restaurants where young chefs are looking at those roots and reimagining what’s possible. In Athens, I joined a Culinary Backstreets tour to go deeper into Greek food and its many stories (use my discount code DANIELA5), and then dined at modern places like Ateno, where a Greek salad is reimagined into a work of art.  

Full report to come in January.

The Thai vacation with a White Lotus twist

At 6am I landed in Chiang Mai, a full 48 hours ahead of my partner Jorge. Why? Because I could – and it gave me even more time to eat – bouncing between street food stalls, Michelin-guide khao soi noodle spots and Thai coffee shops. En route to visit our families at home in Australia, we’ve started looking for a sneaky stop in Asia – and this time it’s Thailand. Thai food is one of my long-time favourites so it is a dream to be here (yep, I’ve still got a week to go! Send Bangkok tips!)

Once Jorge arrived, we jumped in the back of a fire engine red Songthaew truck for an incredible Northern Thai street food tour with A Chef’s Tour. We tried everything but khao soi noodles, gaining a deeper knowledge of food from the North, its influences and history. It was the ideal introduction ahead of a dawn-til-dusk Northern Thai cooking class with Lyn from Love Chiang Mai the next day. We started at a local market, buying fresh buffalo meat, fresh produce and noodles before heading to her outdoor kitchen for a serious lesson on Thai cooking.

The next stop was the south – staying overnight in Ao Nang for a private sunrise longtail to Hong Island (dreamy) before a transfer to Koh Lanta. I was under the impression that we’d stay at a semi-nice resort for a couple of nights, but Jorge had other plans. He’d mentioned a speedboat to the resort, but it was only when the taxi driver pulled into Pimalai Pier that the penny dropped.

Taxi driver: “Oh, very fancy!”
Me: “Haha, we’re not staying there. We’re just using the pier”
Jorge: “Actually, we are staying at Pimalai.”
Me: *enters shock*

Soon we were aboard a slick cream speedboat jetting past craggy karst landscapes down to the southern end of Koh Lanta island to stay at the absolutely stunning 5-star Pimalai Resort, where Jorge had booked the most amazing private pool villa. I’m still processing how gorgeous the resort was… just pure White Lotus vibes with golf buggies, amazing staff and views, great food… and long story short – I’m a fiancée now. Sure, it took him more than 14 years but what a way to end 2025! I’m so happy.

I’m writing this while partway through the trip – so if you have any Bangkok tips, please leave a comment!

Where am I hoping to visit in Portugal in 2026? 

So, I thought if I write my wishlist down, there’s a better chance of manifesting these trips – but it didn’t work last year, so my list remains somewhat the same (with a few additions!) I need to refer back more and dream a little harder!

• Day trip or weekend to Alcobaça and Batalha – I’m overdue to see those mega monasteries.
• Cozy wine-filled long weekend in the Douro Valley, and to see the ancient rock art at Foz Côa.
• A long weekend hiking between more of the 27 Aldeias do Xisto (Schist Villages) 
• Slow late-summer days on the southern Algarve coast of Portugal
• More Azores: I’d love to visit the Pico, Faial, São Jorge triangle of islands.
• Weekend trips to Marvão, Mértola, Beja, Serra da Estrela….

Catch up on past years…

• My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2024
• My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2023
• My 6 favourite Portugal adventures from 2022

Keep reading…

• Guide to winter in Portugal: Where to go, things to do & more
• Best Festivals & Cultural Events in Portugal
• Food Festival Guide: Best Gastronomic Events in Portugal
• Best Medieval & Historic Events in Portugal in 2026
• Sardines & pimba: Your guide to Lisbon’s Santo António Festival
• Devil on the loose: 7 traditional pagan carnivals to attend in Portugal
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal

The post My 14 favourite Portugal trips (and beyond) in 2025 appeared first on Olá Daniela.

This isn’t a Portugal packing guide subtly trying to sell you a travel kettle, flashlight or packing cubes – I want to offer up genuine, practical advice so you’ll have a better idea of the climate, how locals dress, and what you might need. First, I’ll share some general tips on what to wear in Portugal, then we’ll dive into a month-by-month weather breakdown before I share a basic Portugal packing list (to get you started!) and answer FAQs. 

To keep this real, I’ll share pictures of myself or my partner Jorge for some Portugal travel outfit ideas too. Vamos.

Top packing tips for Portugal

• Pack practical shoes only! – Forget heels, focus on good grip. I’ll explain in detail below. 
• Activewear is for the gym – Like other European cities, locals wear activewear to do sport, hike or workout, but not to explore a city. Wear pants or shorts instead of tights (though, at the same time, no one will shame you or say anything if you do).
• Houses are poorly insulated – In winter, it’s often warmer outside than in. If you’re in a shiny new hotel, you’ll have heating and aircon, but if you rent a room or apartment, you might have single-pane windows and walls that just feel cold.
• It’s often windy at coastal towns and cities – Don’t bring short, floaty skirts or dresses. Go for midi or maxi, or more slimline or A-line cuts, if you don’t want your hem around your ears.
• You’ll need a light jacket in summer – The dry summer days give way to cool evenings. My Lisbon theory is that if the day is warmer than 32°C (90°F), then you won’t need a jacket after dark. Otherwise, if I’m out all day until after sunset, I (annoyingly) carry a linen shirt, denim jacket or light sweater around in the heat.
• Layers are your best friend – On the above note, the cool Atlantic Ocean can shift temperatures quite drastically from day to day, so pack layers that give you options to adapt.

What are the locals wearing in Portugal? What’s the street style vibe?

Maybe you’ve seen the “Portuguese girlie” trend on TikTok or Instagram. The truth is that those Portuguese fashion IT girls dress far crazier than what the average person is wearing. I find Portugal – even in the middle of the cities – tends to be very casual. People mostly dress not to stand out – think muted tones, lots of jeans and t-shirt combos with sneakers. Practical, comfortable and smart casual is how I’d describe true Portuguese style.

 You don’t need new clothes for Portugal. I’m a sustainable fashion advocate and am passionate about sharing guides to things Made in Portugal – so let’s deinfluence the idea that you need a whole new wardrobe for your vacation. You have lovely things in your cupboards, I know it.

If you want to shop cool stores in Portugal, check out this guide to Lisbon shopping guide to the best sustainable stores & boutiques, or go vintage shopping – I have vintage guides for Lisbon and Porto.

What to wear in Porto

Porto is often a full step cooler and significantly wetter than Lisbon or the south, so your packing strategy should consider this. Layers are key (even in summer), and think practical like the locals – jeans, cosy sweaters, quality waterproof or water-resistant footwear.

Porto does get hot in summer – so pack T-shirts, shorts and light dresses, expecting a heat wave – but outside the summer months, a rain jacket and a sturdy umbrella are non-negotiable.

Read next… 14 common mistakes people make when visiting Portugal

What to wear in Lisbon

Lisbon is my home, and it might be one of Europe’s most casual capitals. I’d say most locals opt for a chic but simple combo of jeans and a T-shirt or top, though many do dress up a bit with cool jackets and trendy accessories. Most women don’t wear heels, so that means funky sneakers that give an urban edge to any look do dia (outfit of the day). It’s rare to see people flashing designer goods or bags – a chic vintage leather jacket will earn you more street cred.

Always carry a light jacket or linen shirt in the evenings (for me, the only exception to this rule is when the high of the day was over 32°C (90°F)). Lisbon can be super windy (especially in May), so I avoid short, billowing skirts or dresses.

What to wear in the Algarve

The Algarve is a region, not a singular place – think of it as a handful of villages, towns and small coastal cities. And, as with any beach town, the vibe is relaxed, resort-style. Winter is super mild, and summer is mostly consistent – ideal for beach days and al fresco evenings. The atmosphere is holiday-vibe – flowy sundresses, shorts, flip flops.

Make sure to pack sneakers or proper sandals for exploring towns like Lagos or Tavira – you don’t want to stub your toes on cobblestones. Evenings are generally pleasant, but still pack a light denim jacket or sweater. Some areas of the Algarve are super luxe and offer plenty of Michelin dining – but if that’s your vibe, dress to match.

The most important rule: pack shoes with grip 

Portugal is one of the safest countries to visit in the world, but its streets are the most dangerous. We’re not talking street crime – we’re talking shiny, slippery cobblestones (though do keep an eye out for pickpockets in touristy areas too). Part of Portugal’s cultural heritage is the calçada portuguesa. Many footpaths and squares are made of small white stones that, combined with the hilly streets of Lisbon and Porto, can send you to your knees in a flash.

Forget anything with a heel and focus on shoes that have a good grip. Most locals will wear sneakers, boots, Birkenstocks, ballet flats or sandals that have a decent rubber sole. If you want heels for a fancy dinner out, pack at your own peril.

Recommended shoes: Sneakers, sturdy boots, sandals/Birkenstocks with a rubber sole.
Avoid: High heels, smooth-soled dress shoes, thin-soled ballet flats, shoes with smooth leather soles. Consider having extra grip added by a cobbler, if you must.

Packing for different seasons and destinations in Portugal

Spring in the northern interior is very different to spring on the southern Algarve coastline. While Portugal might be a small country, it has dozens of microclimates and great temperature variations, depending on where you visit. 

I live in Lisbon, and it’s a good central point – with Porto about a 3-hour drive north, and the Algarve coast a similar distance south – so if I’m speaking generally, I’m talking about Lisbon’s climate. Assume the southern Algarve coast will be a fraction warmer or milder, and that Porto will be a full step cooler.  

Those three top Portuguese destinations are all coastal, and the ocean affects the weather. If you’re heading to the interior – Douro Valley, Alentejo, Serra da Estrela – expect hotter summers and cooler winters.

What to pack for Portugal: month-by-month guide

Within each season, there’s too much variation in temperature and weather, so let’s dive into what to pack and wear for your trip to Portugal, month-by-month. Take a look at this quick table, then read the deep-dive about each month below. 

January and February: What to pack for Portugal

Average temperatures: Highs around 9-10°C / 48-50°F (in Lisbon, that’s more like 14°C / 57°F). Lows can drop below 0°C / 32°F inland.

What to expect

This is the low season when Portugal receives the most rainfall. The cold here feels damp and penetrating, thanks to our ugly friend, humidity. Indoor heating is limited in many shops and cafés, so dress ready for cool days inside and out. That said, January and February often offer bright, crisp blue-sky days. I’ve enjoyed January festivals under clear skies, and spent a four-day carnival celebration in the deep North without a drop of rain. Still, with rain and grey skies a real possibility, you’re rolling the dice with the weather.

What to wear in winter in Portugal

Layers, layers, layers! 

• Think jeans and long-sleeve shirts.
• Pack thick, warm sweaters.
• A wool or winter coat is essential.
• Don’t skip accessories like a scarf, gloves and a beanie or beret. 
• With a chance of rain, waterproof boots will be better than sneakers. 
• It’s worth having a waterproof coat or bringing an umbrella.

Read next….Complete guide to winter in Portugal

March and April: What to pack for Portugal

Average temperatures: Highs range from 12-19 °C (54-66 °F). Nights dip to around 7-12 °C (45-54 °F). Lisbon and the Algarve have slightly warmer averages, tickling 20-21°C (68-70°F) some days.

What to expect 

This is shoulder-season weather – often pleasant, sometimes not. If Portugal doesn’t get enough rainfall in January and February, no doubt it will arrive in March or April. There’s a saying: em abril, águas mil – which literally means “in April, a thousand waters” a.k.a it will rain, lots. April is my birthday – and I love low-key celebrations like a picnic in the park, but it’s impossible to guarantee sunny and dry weather, so I usually have to book a restaurant or wait to see the radar for last-minute outdoor fun.

What to pack for March and April

• Layering is key – think jeans or chinos, long-sleeve shirts, and a sweater or light fleece.
• Pack a light jacket or windbreaker to handle morning chill or coastal breezes.
• In April, I’d throw a dress or skirt in the suitcase – sunny days with 21°C (70°F) can be delightful.
• A midweight, waterproof coat would be ideal for evenings.
• Rain gear – if not a coat, bring an umbrella.
• Pack shoes that can handle wet, slippery footpaths – boots or sneakers.

Read next… 9 places to visit in Portugal this spring

May and June: What to pack for Portugal

Average temperatures: Highs range from 21-27°C (70-81°F), with nights cooling to 11-16°C (52-61°F). Lisbon usually sits around 22-25°C (72-77°F), while the Algarve is often a touch warmer. Inland areas can already nudge towards 30°C (86°F) by late June.

What to expect 

May is when Portugal starts to warm up with plenty of sunshine and wildflowers. It’s a good time to visit before the summer crowds or to go hiking along the Costa Vicentina. In June, the days get longer with little chance of rain – and while you might be rocking summer clothing, jackets are still essential for after sunset. Juen has religious dates that bring big parties to Lisbon, Porto and other towns.

What to pack in May and June

• Light, breathable clothing – go for cotton or linen shirts, flowy skirts, or chinos.
• A sweater or cardigan for evenings is essential.
• If you’re by the coast, you might like a windbreaker or heavier jacket.
• Bring sun protection – sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
• Swimwear for beach days – just arrive knowing the Atlantic is always cold.
• Comfortable sandals or sneakers for walking in cities.

Read next… Sardines & pimba: Your guide to Lisbon’s Santo António Festival

July and August: What to pack for Portugal

Average temperatures: Highs average 28-35°C (82-95°F), with the Algarve and interior regions often hitting 40°C (104°F) during heatwaves. Coastal cities like Lisbon and Porto tend to be a bit cooler, usually between 27-30 °C (81-86°F). Nights stay mild, ranging from 16-20°C (61-68°F) depending on the region. The Atlantic Ocean keeps coastal destinations cool, especially in the evenings.

What to expect 

This is peak summer – hot, dry and busy with a chance of heatwaves. But it’s also the best time for the beach, non-stop summer events and festivals, and long summer evenings where *sometimes* you don’t need a jacket. Rain is almost nonexistent – so forget bringing an umbrella. Coastal cities like Lisbon and Porto buzz with tourists, while the Algarve swells with beachgoers and Portuguese who migrate south for the August holidays.

My honest recommendation is to avoid visiting Europe from late July until the end of August. During this time, school students are off, and local businesses often shut shop forcing employees to take 2-4 weeks off. That means peak season prices in coastal destinations, and if you’re visiting the city, you’ll find many family-run businesses closed. 

If you head inland, areas like the Alentejo will feel scorching in the middle of the day. You’ll likely only see locals out early mornings or evenings – so mimic them for your sightseeing. 

What to pack for summer in Portugal 

• Light, breathable fabrics – like linen or cotton
• Summer clothing like dresses, skirts or shorts and tank tops or T-shirts
• Portuguese men will wear shorts in summer, but if you go somewhere fancy in the evening, wear chinos.
• Swimwear and a cover-up for the beach
• Sun protection is non-negotiable – high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The sun here is quite strong, don’t underestimate it!
• A light cardigan or long sleeve for evenings – essential
• Comfortable sandals for day-to-day; sneakers for exploring cobbled streets or hiking
• A refillable water bottle – cities have public fountains, or I often ask a café to refill mine and have never been refused.

Read next… 9 best summer destinations in Portugal

September and October: What to pack for Portugal

Average temperatures: September still feels like summer, with highs of 24-30°C (75-86 °F) and warm evenings around 16-19°C (61-66°F). By October, things cool to highs of 19-24°C (66-75°F) and lows of 12-15°C (54-59°F). A chance of rain makes the days a little humid in Lisbon. This time of year, the Algarve remains pleasantly warm, while northern cities like Porto and inland regions start to feel crisp by late October.

What to expect

September is one of Portugal’s best months – early in the month is when I like to take a summer vacation to the Algarve coast, where humid evening weather feels more Mediterranean than Atlantic. This time of year, the sea is at its warmest, and the weather is still reliably sunny – though the chance of rain kicks in. The kids are back at school, so crowds are thinner, but it’s still busy and buzzy.

By October, autumn is here – shorter days and a chance of rain. I’m based in Lisbon, and in 2025, I found the whole month to be warm, warm, warm – thanks to humidity. We still had a few sunny beach days that hit 27°C (80.6°F), and the evenings were T-shirt weather, which rarely happens in summer.

What to pack for September and October

In September, think light clothing, swimwear, sun protection and a light sweater or cardigan. In October, add jeans, trousers and a light jacket – ideally waterproof. You might start the day with a sweater, be in just a T-shirt at noon, then need that layer again after sunset.

• T-shirts with a light linen shirt to layer
• Shorts or a skirt for warmer days
• Jeans or chinos for later in the season
• Dresses that you can layer a denim jacket over
• Umbrella for autumn showers
• Layers to add for cooler evenings
• Comfortable shoes for city walking and countryside exploring
• In late October, consider a light scarf – gloves and a beanie would be overkill.

November and December in Portugal

Average temperatures: November sees highs of 14-19°C (57-66°F) with lows of 8-12°C (46-54°F). By December, highs drop to 11-16°C (52-61°F) and lows hover around 6-9°C (43-48°F). As you’d expect, Lisbon and the Algarve are milder, while Porto and the North are cooler and wetter. Inland areas can feel much colder with frosty mornings.

What to expect

November and December are when winter is truly on its way. The days are getting shorter, rain is increasingly common, and as the days cool off, the humidity turns from an added layer of warmth to a damp chill. Still, I think if you plan to visit off-season, November and December beat January and February, hands down.

In November, Saint Martin’s summer (São Martinho) falls on November 11, usually bringing a week of sunny, gorgeous weather. Towards the end of the month, festive cheer is in full swing with lights in towns and cities and Christmas markets. I’ve celebrated Christmas here half a dozen times and find the day hovers around 19°C (66.2°F), which is warm enough to sit around outdoors in a dress with tights and a sweater.

What to pack: November and December in Portugal

• Warm layers! Think jeans, long-sleeve tops, thicker sweaters
• A warm, wool or waterproof coat
• Expect rainy days – bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella
• Bring winter accessories – scarf, gloves, beanie
• Waterproof boots or sturdy sneakers for wet, slippery cobblestones
• Some sunny days are warm, so consider lighter layers that you might wear in autumn rather than winter.

Read next… 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary

Basic packing list for Portugal

This list is designed for 4-7 days in Portugal for all genders, so take from it what you need or desire. It’s designed as a starting point and inspiration to help you pack – and I’ve created a printable, downloadable version that you can grab for free if you sign up for my newsletter (below!).

If you have any specific questions, drop a comment on this post below.

What NOT to pack for Portugal

Just to reiterate what I’ve said above. If you can avoid it, don’t pack…

• High heels – the cobblestones are a genuine ankle risk.
• Activewear for sightseeing – save leggings and gym clothes for the gym.
• Short, floaty skirts/dresses – coastal winds can be strong, year-round

And remember, Portugal is fairly casual and relaxed, so designer bags and labels don’t impress.

FAQs about what to wear in Portugal

Do locals in Portugal wear shorts?

Yes. Obviously, women can get away with shorts more, but Portuguese men do wear shorts in the summer months. It’s too hot not to! In the evening, if it’s cool enough, switch to chinos though.

Is there a dress code for tourists in Portugal?

Definitely not. I’d recommend not wearing activewear out exploring in any European city. In Portugal, no one will say anything, but it’s not like in the United States. You’ll find religious sites are not as strict as in some other countries, but it is respectful to cover your shoulders and knees.

Is it cold inside houses in Portugal?

Yep, in winter it is freezing cold. Many older homes are poorly insulated with single-pane windows. Electricity is super expensive, so most people won’t turn the heating on unless absolutely needed. And by heating, I mean a plug-in heater – few houses have built-in heating. Of course, modern hotels will be different – but if you’re travelling on the cheap, layer up.

What type of plug does Portugal use?

Standard European plugs – plug Type C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips). The standard voltage is 230V.

That’s my guide covering what to pack for Portugal. If you’re missing something – don’t stress, you can buy anything you forget or need here too.

Keep reading….

• 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary
• 14 common mistakes people make when visiting Portugal
• 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
• How to spend 48 hours in Porto
• Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
• The best cooking classes in Lisbon & Porto

The post What to wear in Portugal – packing list and seasonal guide appeared first on Olá Daniela.

I’m a former food critic who has lived in Lisbon since 2018, and I’ve watched downtown Baixa transform from semi-abandoned to a bustling tourist hotspot. The area’s central location also means there’s a good chance your hotel or guesthouse will be based on one of its one-way streets, and luckily, some gems are hidden among the uniform 18th-century blocks. 

In this list, covering where to eat in Baixa and around Rossio and Restauradores squares in Lisbon, I’ll share a handful of excellent historic restaurants, snack bars and bakeries along with new finds that I would genuinely recommend to friends and eat at myself.

Map of where to eat in Baixa, Lisbon

Best quick snack bars in Baixa, Lisbon

A Tendinha do Rossio

Founded in 1840, A Tendinha is one of the last traditional snack bars or taverns in Rossio. I often drop in here for a quick bite or standing lunch – it’s well-known for excellent, large pastéis de bacalhau (codfish cakes) and the daily soup is usually great too. You’ll get change for a €5 note.

These days, it has a big terrace, where the tables have vinyl wraps with pictures of the snacks on offer – but if you want to experience the soul of the place, step inside and stand at the bar elbow-to-elbow with police officers and off-duty local guides. Behind the bar will likely be Alfredo, an employee who’s worked here since 1998. A few years ago, he was quoted as saying he used to see a tourist every month or two… and now 70 percent of his customers are tourists.

This spot is traditional, so here’s what to expect: salty yet efficient service; everything served cold (unless it was just fried); and bones in your bacalhau (salted cod) sandwich. Yes, these are all bar snacks – usually made throughout the day, so there’s a good chance your schnitzel or omelette sandwich will be cold. Instead, order a soup and a pastel de bacalhau or a ham-and-cheese toasted sando (tosta mista). 

Address: Praça do Rossio
What to order: pastéis de bacalhau (codfish cake); soup
Price: €1-4 per item

As Bifanas do Afonso

This is Lisbon’s best bifana spot. What’s a bifana? A pork-steak sandwich, and here the thin steaks are cooked in a pan with lard, white wine, garlic and more. Six minutes ago, there was no queue at Alfonso’s bifana canteen. You could pop by this little snack window, hand over a few coins and enjoy a bifana and imperial (tiny beer) without any fanfare. Now, Google reviews reveal that you might be waiting more than an hour. Jeez.

Tourism can be good – and it can also be too much. In this case, it’s too much. Thankfully, there’s a VIP queue for hard-core regulars who have been coming here for decades and still want their classic bifana. I think that’s a good thing. Anyway, back to the bifana – you can order it plain or with cheese. The traditional thing to do is just order it plain, then add mustard and/or piri piri oil to your liking. Bring cash.

Tip: In 2025 a second location opened just a five-minute walk away the Lisbon Art Stay Aparthotel. Expect no queues there (plus tables where you can actually sit down).

Address: Rua da Madalena 146
What to order: bifana with or without cheese
Price: €3 for a bifana, €5 with cheese – cash only!!

Pizzeria Romana Baixa

This small takeaway window bakes up Roman-style pizza by the square slice. One slice is a great snack; two would be a solid lunch. In the display case at Pizzeria Romana, admire a kaleidoscope of colourful focaccia-style pizza. The ingredients here are top-quality, with the dough fermented for 72 hours. Each slice is re-baked once you order and then served hot.

Address: Rua da Conceição 44, 1100-154 Lisboa
What to order: pizza by the slice
Price: €3.50-4 per slice

Tavern at Casa do Alentejo

I love the relaxed tavern at Casa do Alentejo, a cultural centre set within a 17th-century palace in the heart of Lisbon. It feels like a hidden gem to walk up the stairs, through a Moroccan-style riad courtyard, and into this Alentejo-vibe whitewashed patio with a huge olive tree and long tables.

It’s open all afternoon, making it a good spot for snacks and a few beers. Here you’ll find petiscos – Portugal’s answer to tapas – with an Alentejo twist. That means specialties like migas, a sort of mashed bread stuffing with grilled pork, and the flaming chorizo, which is always fun.

Address: R. das Portas de Santo Antão 58, 1150-268 Lisboa
What to order: chouriço (chorizo cooked at the table), migas com porco (bread stuffing with pork)
Price: €6-12 per dish

More snack spots to try in Baixa, Lisbon

• Nova Pombalina – relaxed cafe-bar known for its traditional sandwiches
• Beher Lisbon – serves top-quality Spanish jamón. Ideal for a sandwich to-go or a charcuterie board and wine.

Best bakeries and sweets in Baixa, Lisbon

Confeitaria Nacional 

Have a sweet tooth? Visit Confeitaria Nacional, Lisbon’s oldest and most traditional bakery. A man named Balthazar Castanheiro opened the bakery here in 1829, which once supplied the royal household and to this day provides sweets to the president. The location downtown is right on Praça da Figueira, one of the main squares, from which you can step inside the bakery to admire the ornate gilded interiors and choose something delicious from the counter. Or there’s the option to sit outside on the terrace with a coffee and more time. What many don’t know is that the bakery has an upstairs canteen with daily meal specials.

Fun fact: The first telephones in Lisbon were installed between the factory and the bakery.

Address: Praça da Figueira 18B, 1100-241 Lisboa
What to order: Any sweets that catch your eye, or pop upstairs for lunch
Price: €1-5

Pastéis de nata stops – Castro, Manteigaria, Nat’elier

For efficiency’s sake, I’m wrapping up the best pastéis de nata spots in Baixa into this one paragraph. My top three in the area are Castro, Manteigaria and Nat’elier. You’ll find Manteigaria in Rua Augusta, the main pedestrian drag. And the other two are close to the famous Santa Justa lift. Castro is classic, like Manteigaria – but Nat’elier is the first spot to play with Portuguese custard tarts, so you’ll get funky flavours like pistachio, tiramisu and white chocolate macadamia. 

Address: Google maps – Castro, Manteigaria, Nat’elier
What to order: pastel de nata
Price: €1-2

Read next… Best Pastéis de Nata spots in Lisbon

More sweet spots to try in Baixa, Lisbon

• Crush Doughnuts – famous for huge, soft American-style loaded doughnuts.
• Pasteleria Suiça – the historic bakery was reborn in a new spot on Praça da Figueira
• Gelateria La Romana dal 1947 – excellent gelato from a famous Italian store

Best Portuguese restaurants in Baixa, Lisbon

Prado

Prado is one of Lisbon’s best restaurants. With young chef Antonio Galapito at the helm, this light-filled modern space was one of the first spaces in the capital to hero fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu revolves around what’s coming from the farm or the sea, so if it’s out of season, the menu shifts. While it’s à la carte, at dinner you can also opt for an €80 per person tasting menu. All the wines are organic or biodynamic, too.

Address: Tv. das Pedras Negras 2, 1100-404 Lisboa
What to order: as much as you can eat
Reservations: Essential, online. Price: €30-80pp

STŌ Restaurante & Mercearia

STŌ was one of the best things to open in downtown Lisbon in recent years. I’ve seen the project evolve from a café and grocer to more of a restaurant, but the core mission has remained the same – to share high-quality traditional Portuguese products and flavours. At lunch, you can dine a là carte, while dinner is a set menu. Either way, don’t skip the signature alheira croquettes.

Address: R. dos Fanqueiros 83
What to order: alheira croquettes
Reservations: Online, recommended
Price: €15-35

A Provinciana

A few true tascas are still to be found downtown, if you know where to look. One of them is A Provinciana, a tasca open since 1988, whose prices seem to resist Lisbon’s rapid gentrification. There’s always a queue (sadly, this spot is no secret), but Senhor Américo and his family greet everyone with a warm, friendly smile. If you can’t get in here, I’ve also eaten at the tascas on the same lane – you’ll see they’re filled with local office workers and the food is good too.

Address: Tv. do Forno 23
What to order: Whatever the daily special is, or a bitoque (simple steak with egg)
Reservations: No
Price: €10-15

Bonjardim

Charcoal chicken has been the bread-and-butter of Bonjardim since 1959. These days, the famous churrasqueira attracts queues of tourists (and some patient locals) who come for the succulent grilled piri-piri chicken. Unlike most other spots, here the chickens are grilled whole – apparently it was the first place in Portugal to do this.

Address: Tv. de Santo Antão 11
What to order: Chicken
Reservations: No
Price: €15-25

Baixamar

Baixamar is one of many restaurants on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, which has been closed to pedestrians, creating a street where tables spill out across the road. Given the location is a little touristy, I didn’t have high hopes, but Baixamar is genuinely an excellent spot to try traditional Portuguese seafood dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod) or octopus.

Address: R. dos Bacalhoeiros 28 C
What to order: seafood, ideally – the bacalhau is great
Reservations: Online, recommended
Price: €30-50

More Portuguese restaurants worth a stop in Baixa

• Sála de João Sá – 1-star Michlen spot with tasting menus. 
• Terraço Editorial – it’s a rooftop bar and modern Portuguese bistro
• Discreto – neo-tasca with modern Portuguese dishes.
• Maria Catita – traditional Portuguese food with a few Azorean dishes too.
• Pinóquio – top spot for eating seafood by weight. Think prawns, clams, crab.

Best international food spots in Baixa

Panda Cantina

It’s a fast-service canteen that serves one dish: Chinese ramen. And as you’d expect, Panda Cantina does it really damn well. Order your soup with pork, beef or tofu (beef is my pick) and choose your spice level from one to five. Spice-wise, they don’t mess about, so err on the side of caution. At around €10.50 a bowl, it’s a great spot for lunch or a cheap dinner. Go early and expect to queue.

Address: Rua da Prata 252, 1100-052 Lisboa (there are 3 other locations in Lisbon too!)
What to order: Beef ramen is my favourite, and I go for spice-level 3.
Reservations: Not possible
Price: €10-15

The Oven

There’s no shortage of Nepalese or Indian restaurants in Lisbon, but one that stands out from the rest is the sleek and contemporary Oven. Nepalese-born chef Hari Chapagain puts the focus on quality and makes the huge tandoor, which can reach temperatures of up to 400°C, the star. As you’d expect, this is also a great restaurant for vegetarians in Baixa, Lisbon.

Address: R. dos Fanqueiros 232
What to order: Momo dumplings, lamb shank biriyani
Reservations: Online, recommended
Price: €20-40

Moona Chicken

If you’ve got a craving for deep-fried chicken, head to Moona. This fast-casual spot specialises in Korean-style fried chicken – which you can order with half a dozen different sauces. The Black Secret sauce is my favourite – it’s not super spicy. To top it off, Moona makes its own kimchi (and it’s great).

Address: Rua da Conceição 51
What to order: fried chicken, sauce of your choice. The bowl version with rice is good too!
Reservations: Not needed
Price: €15-25

For more international cuisine in Baixa, try…

• Swaagat The Taste of India – top-rated Indian restaurant
• Moona Chicken – for Korean-style fried chicken
• Mercado Oriental Martim Moniz – a little outside Baixa is this Asian foodcourt, where you have a choice of almost a dozen street-food stalls of all cuisines.

Best coffee and brunch in Baixa, Lisbon

Every week, a fancy new specialty coffee shop or brunch spot opens, erasing a traditional tasca or old-school business. I refuse to pay for eggs I could easily cook at home, so here are a few discerning options in the category…

The Capsule Neo-Bistro 

What if brunch were cooked by a real chef? This ‘brunch bistro’ is from the creative mind of Ukrainian chef and owner Alex Horbenko, whose dishes push the boundaries of what brunch or lunch should be. Leading by example, his kitchen makes every effort to avoid waste – yesterday’s bread becomes pasta or dessert – and seasonal ingredients or fermentation sit at the core of the menu. Dishes might be a chicken masala French toast, beef tartare with kimchi mayo, or a Ukrainian potato pancake with salmon, egg and green sauce. The Capsule is mostly open 9-5, but expect later hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

Address: R. do Crucifixo 71
Reservations: Online, recommended
Price: €25-40

CO-OP Layday

Down the road from The Capsule, CO-OP is a light-filled café with a solid menu of well-executed breakfast classics – think eggs Benedict, pancakes, avocado toast – along with some lunch specials. While you can get a flat white here, specialty drinks like a bumble coffee or peach matcha tonic are more the drawcard. Need somewhere to co-work? The upstairs space has big tables and power plugs where they welcome you and your laptop.

Address: R. do Crucifixo 33
Reservations: No
Price: €5-20

Looking for cafés to co-work in Baixa? Besides CO-OP you can try ExpressoLab and Copenhagen Coffee Lab (though both are more like mini chains)

Fábrica Coffee Roasters

At Fábrica, you’ll only find top-quality specialty coffee roasted by them, and you can choose between espresso or filter coffee options. To pair, choose from the pastries at the counter. Wi-fi? Fábrica makes a statement by not offering it at any of their cafes across the city. Take your laptop elsewhere – this is a coffee temple.

Address: R. do Comércio 111 & R. de São Mamede 28D
Reservations: No
Price: €2-5

The Folks

For good coffee, The Folks is a safe bet. Besides espresso, there’s usually a hand-brew and cold-brew option – plus a tasting board if you really want to be caffeinated. Food-wise, its menu is a classic list of eggs, toasts, pancakes and oats.

Address: R. dos Sapateiros 111  & R. dos Bacalhoeiros 113
Reservations: No
Price: €5-20

More options for coffee or brunch in Baixa, Lisbon

• Cotidiano – good spot for classic brunch and coffee
• Dear Breakfast – another good spot for brunch and coffee

Best bars in Baixa

Ginjinha Sem Rivel & A Ginjinha

You can’t have a Baixa bars list without including the ginjinha bars. Ginjinha is a traditional sour cherry liqueur that became popular in Lisbon in the late 19th century. There are still two super historic ginjinha bars – the family-run Ginjinha Sem Rival (my fave) and A Ginjinha (where Anthony Bourdain went). If you’re passing by, stop in and ask for a shot.

Address: R. das Portas de Santo Antão 7 & Largo São Domingos 8
What to order: Ginjinha com ou sem ‘ela’ (with or without cherries)
Price: €1.60-2 

Imprensa Cocktail & Oyster Bar

Imprensa is one of my favourite bars in Lisbon, hands down. I’ll usually visit the original location in Princípe Real, where the vibes are high, the oysters are top-notch, and the cocktails are 10/10. The downtown location has a slightly different feeling, thanks to a huge terrace where you can get comfortable and talk sh*t with your friends for hours.

Address: R. de São Nicolau 24
What to order: trust your tastes or ask the bartender
Price: €10-15 per drink

Prado Wine Bar

Cut from the same cloth as Prado, the restaurant, the wine bar is a more casual spot from one of Lisbon’s best chefs. The food follows the same philosophy as the restaurant – serving seasonal, ever-changing dishes that hero what farmers, fishermen and local producers provide. The wine list is focused on organic and low-intervention Portuguese wines.

Address: Rua das Pedras Negras, 37
What to order: wines by the glass and snacks
Reservations: Online, recommended (but walk-ins welcome)
Price: €15-45pp

Nova Wine Bar

Step into Nova and meet Pedro, the former ad-man that makes this wine bar special. When the landlord offered him the chance to rent the space and extend his agency, Pedro took it as a sign from universe, sold his agency and launched Nova (which means ‘new’) in 2017. Choose from about 20 wines by the glass, but take a look at the menu of snacks first, and Pedro will help match your dishes to the wine. 

Address: R. Nova do Almada 20
What to order: cheese, tinned fish, wine
Price: €15-35pp

Cabal

Cabal is a relaxed cocktail in the heart of Lisbon, open seven days a week and owned by a very cool Australian family. There’s a huge terrace to relax on, plus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights find local and international DJs bringing the vibe.

Address: Largo São Domingos 16
What to order: beer, wine, cocktails
Price: €3-15pp

Cerveja Canil

Of the couple of craft beer spots downtown, Canil is my pick. This Lisbon brewery says it has more than 36 beers on tap, which are a mix of house-brewed beers and kegs from primarily Portuguese craft breweries. That makes it a great destination to try different Portuguese IPAs, APAs and more. There’s also a solid menu of beer snacks.

Address: Rua dos Douradores 133
What to order: Beer of your choice
Price: €3-15

Ruby Rosa Rooftop

This cocktail bar sits on the rooftop terrace of the Lisbon Art Stay hotel. Expect a list of cocktails (at a higher price point). Note, the elevator only goes to the 5th floor – then you have to climb to levels of stairs.

Address: Rua dos Douradores 133
What to order: Beer of your choice
Price: €10-15 per drink

Trobadores – Taberna Medieval

This very serious medieval tavern is a good laugh. Enter the wood-panelled, candlelit space and step back in time. Everything is well themed, with beers served in terracotta cups. There’s a full food menu too – it’s quite simple, but you can order a flaming chorizo.

Address: Calçada de São Francisco 6A, 1200-005 Lisboa
What to order: Whatever you fancy, you’re there for the atmosphere
Price: €5-25

Those are the places I can recommend to eat in Baixa and Rossio. Did you try somewhere good? Leave me a comment….

The post Where to eat in Baixa, Lisbon: Local’s guide to the best restaurants, snacks and bars appeared first on Olá Daniela.

I’ve lived in Lisbon since 2018 and have explored most of the destinations on this Lisbon day trips guide many, many times. Whether you choose to drive north, south, east or west, these are the best day trips you can easily do from the capital.

My definition of a day trip is anywhere I can reach by car in 20 to 90 minutes. Public transport might take slightly longer, and I’ve included the best options for each location too.

How to choose your Lisbon day trip

Below I’ll split Lisbon’s day trips into a few categories, starting with the most popular trips – to Sintra or Cascais, and then splitting them into Lisbon nature and beach day trips, Lisbon history-focused day trips, day trips for food and wine lovers, and deeper off-beat exploring.

Lisbon day trips by car, train or guided tour

If you have a car, you can explore pretty much anywhere you like. If you’re reliant on public transport, you’ll be more limited. I find Rede Expressos coaches will take you to most destinations across Portugal though I prefer to take the train. The train can easily reach Sintra, Cascais, Setúbal, Évora, Tomar, and Vila Franca de Xira. Some Lisbon day trips – like a wine tour around Azeitão – will be better explored on a small-group tour, so I’ll share some options with each day trip suggestion, where relevant.

Map of Lisbon’s best day trip destinations

Two most popular Lisbon day trips

Sintra: Palaces, a Moorish castle & mountain magic

How to reach Sintra – 30-minute drive west from Lisbon; or 40-minute train from Rossio Station (I don’t recommend driving if you just visit the historic village).

Sintra is pure magic – a misty mountain town of palaces, gardens and legends just 30 minutes from Lisbon. Once the 19th-century summer escape of Portuguese royalty, this verdant destination is still wildly romantic, with the colourful Pena Palace, mysterious Quinta da Regaleira and medieval Moorish Castle just three of many historic palaces and sights scattered across its hills.

My favourite days in Sintra go beyond the historic village. Wander through mossy forests, boulder-lined trails and hidden viewpoints in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, or continue to Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point. Skip driving! Take the train or join a guided jeep adventure. Don’t miss a warm travesseiro pastry from Piriquita before heading back to Lisbon.

This is Lisbon’s most popular day trip. Some palaces have timed entry tickets so a Sintra day trip prior planning. I have two in-depth guides to help: a 1-day Sintra itinerary, and a list of 30+ cool things to do in the region.

Cascais: Chic marina, beaches and galleries

How to get to Cascais – 40-minute drive west from Lisbon; or gorgeous 50-minute train from Cais do Sodre (it’s one of the most beautiful train journeys!)

Cascais is Lisbon’s chic seaside escape. Over the past century or two, this former fishing village has blossomed into a sun-drenched resort of elegant 19th-century villas and cobblestone lanes with pockets of sandy beach. Royals once summered here, leaving behind leafy boulevards and graceful mansions that now house art museums and cafés.

Spend the day beach-hopping between Praia da Rainha and Praia da Conceição, shopping fresh produce at the Mercado da Vila, cycling the coastal path to Boca do Inferno’s roaring cliffs, or lingering over seafood rice and vinho verde. Finish with a sunset drive to Guincho Beach or Cabo da Roca.

Read next… 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced itinerary

Best nature & beach day trips from Lisbon

Ericeira: chilled out surf town

How to get to Ericeira – 40-minute drive north from Lisbon. Slower coach bus with Mafrense from Campo Grande, or join this guided day trip that includes Mafra Palace.

Ericeira is a whitewashed cliffside town where surf culture meets small-town charm. Its cobalt-trimmed houses glow under Atlantic light, framing winding streets filled with cafés, surf shops and yoga studios. As Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve, the laidback is a magnet for international wave riders – yet it manages to hold onto its Portuguese identity.

Start with a flat white and a morning surf, linger over a seafood feast at Costa Fria or a classic marisqueira, then wander the cobbled lanes for an ouriço da Ericeira pastry. End the day with sunset drinks at a clifftop bar, watching the ocean turn gold.

Bonus tip: Combine your trip with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Mafra, a short drive inland, which features a vast Baroque complex. This guided day trip combines the two.

Costa da Caparica: Lisbon’s best beaches

How to get to Costa da Caparica – 20-40 minute drive south from Lisbon, depending which beach you want to explore. Public transport isn’t great – so it’s simpler to use a Bolt rideshare for €10-15 (use this link to get my discount code).

The golden sands of Costa da Caparica stretch for nearly 30 kilometres (18 miles) just south of Lisbon. This sun-drenched playground is where surfers and locals converge (especially on weekends) to escape the city. The namesake town is convenient, but further south towards Fonte da Telha is where the beaches grow wilder, backed by dunes and the fossil cliffs of Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil.

Mornings often bring traditional fishing boats ashore, which is always a spectacle. For the best seafood lunch, I like Praia Princesa – stay for a dreamy sunset that lasts forever.

Read next… Lisbon’s best beach day trips

Sesimbra: pretty fishing town with stunning beaches

How to get to Sesimbra – 40-minute drive south from Lisbon, or slower options with public buses from Lisbon. You could also take a ferry to Cacilhas, then catch a bus. Google Maps is your bestie.

Sesimbra, just 40 minutes south of Lisbon, is a wonderfully unpolished fishing village and low-key resort town. Steep hills, crowned by a 12th-century castle, descend down to calm seas and golden sands. The city beaches – sat either side of an old fort – are a stone’s throw from the restaurant-loaded historic centre. That means you’re never far from a seafood feast or icy swim.

Adventurous types can kayak to Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo or dive in the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, while everyone else lingers over ice cream on the main promenade.

Combine Sesimbra with…. exploring the UNESCO World Biosphere of Arrábida Natural Park, it’s neighbour! Or stop in Azeitão on the way there for a wine tasting at José Maria da Fonseca or Quinta da Bacalhôa, famous for their Moscatel dessert wine. Another great detour is Cabo Espichel, a dramatic cliff-top sanctuary nearby, where you can see fossilized dinosaur footprints visible on the rock faces.

Read next… Tile of the day: Sesimbra

Berlengas Islands & Peniche: Raw, rocky islands and a surf town

How to reach Peniche – 75-minute drive north from Lisbon; or take a 90-minute Rede Expressos coach from Sete Rios. Boat trips to Berlengas leave from Peniche (pre-booking recommended).

A trip to the Berlengas Islands is one of Portugal’s greatest coastal adventures. Departing from Peniche, a laid-back fishing town 75 minutes north of Lisbon, boats cross the Atlantic to reach Berlenga Grande, a wild, rocky island wrapped in turquoise water. Hike to the Fort of São João Baptista, explore sea caves by boat, or swim at the island’s tiny golden beach before returning to the mainland.

Back in Peniche, wander the cliffs of Cabo Carvoeiro, watch surfers tackle Supertubos, visit the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, or feast on fresh seafood at local institution Tasca do Joel. Just be warned: this part of Portugal’s west coast is prone to fog.

Comporta: boujee beach escape

How to reach Comporta – 75-90-minute drive south from Lisbon. You need a private car or transfer.

Comporta, a gorgeous sweep of rice fields, pine forest and endless dunes, is Portugal’s barefoot-luxury escape. Once a sleepy fishing area, it’s now dotted with chic cabanas, beach bars and designer boutiques that still manage to feel understated (but often the prices are higher than the capital).

Mornings might mean horse rides through the paddies or birdwatching in the Sado Estuary, afternoons a long seafood lunch at Sal or Comporta Café, and evenings shopping or sipping wine in Comporta village.

Read next… The average person’s guide to A-list Comporta: Portugal’s luxe beach town

Nazaré: big waves, 7 skirts & sun-dried seafood

How to reach Nazaré – 90-minute drive north from Lisbon; more like 2 hours with a Rede Expressos coach.

There are two seasons to Nazaré: lazy summer days of grilled fish and striped beach huts, and wild winters when colossal Atlantic waves crash into fame. This once-sleepy fishing village still has its old soul – you’ll still see women in seven-layer skirts and traditional boats painted in bright colours.

Ride the funicular from Praia da Nazaré up to Sítio for sweeping ocean views, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, and the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, perched above Praia do Norte. Beneath those waters lies the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater chasm that helps create some of the biggest surfable waves on Earth – drawing international crowds in the winter months. There’s no guarantee of big waves – so watch the surf radar.

➼ Wish someone could shortcut your Portugal research? ➼ Talk to me – I offer 1:1 video calls to help cut through the noise and plan your perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more here.

Best history & heritage day trips from Lisbon

Óbidos: medieval walled village from a picturebook

How to reach Óbidos – 1-hour drive north from Lisbon; or take an express bus called the Rapida Verde (the regional train takes more than two hours). 

What’s the best wedding gift you can imagine? Legend has it that Portugal’s King Dinis gifted the village to Queen Isabel as a wedding present in 1282. Today, it still feels like a royal treasure. Step through the stone gates to find whitewashed houses trimmed in gold and blue and cobbled lanes lined with bookshops and flower pots.

Climb the castle walls for the best views over the town and countryside. Don’t miss tasting the local cherry liqueur, ginjinha, best sipped from a tiny chocolate cup. If you have time, explore deeper with a walking tour.

Sleep in the castle: This gem is a popular day trip from Lisbon, so if you want to see the village without the crowds, consider sleeping in the 14th-century castle for your own royal moment. The Pousada Castelo de Obidos is a dream stay! If it’s out of budget, Óbidos has plenty of cute guesthouses.

Guided day trip from Lisbon: If you have a few days in Lisbon, Óbidos makes for a good day trip. Take a look at this top-rated guided tour that combines the walled village with the towns of Fátima, Batalha and Nazaré.

Évora: Roman temple, wine & a bone chapel

How to reach Évora – 90-minute drive or train south-east from Lisbon. Note: for a day trip, the last train back to Lisbon often leaves quite early! Better to do an overnight stay by train.

A 90-minute drive or train ride east of Lisbon lies Évora, the magnificent, UNESCO-listed capital of the Alentejo region. At its center stands the Roman Temple from the 1st century, the haunting Bone Chapel lined with skulls, and a massive cathedral whose rooftop offers sweeping views over the terracotta-tiled city.

Personally, I think Évora deserves a full weekend itinerary to soak up history and enjoy the Alentejo’s famously relaxed, slow pace. Part of the charm lies in its slower daily rhythm and delicious local cuisine. Don’t miss the ancient Almendres Cromlech, a mysterious circle of stones older than Stonehenge, just outside town.

Read next… Évora is so much fun and I have some in-depth guides with more ideas for things to do, where to shop, where to eat and how to spend 48 hours in the small city.

Tomar: Follow the trail of the Knights Templar

How to reach Tomar – 90-minute drive north of Lisbon; or the train take two hours from Santa Apolónia Station.

Tomar is a city forever linked to the Knights Templar. Founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais as their headquarters, it later became the seat of the Order of Christ – the same order that financed Portugal’s great Age of Discoveries.

Tomar’s star attraction is the Convent of Christ, a vast UNESCO-listed fortress with its famous round Templar chapel and intricate Manueline Window. Beyond the convent, wander the pretty old town, stroll Mouchão Park by the Nabão River, or marvel at the 16th-century Pegões Aqueduct stretching across the valley.

Read next… Guide to Tomar: Portugal’s city of Templar legends

Fátima: a sanctuary of faith

How to reach Fátima – 80-minute drive north from Lisbon; or a direct Rede Expressos coach from Sete Rios.

Fátima is one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. It was here, in 1917, that the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children, a vision that transformed this small rural town into a global spiritual centre.

At the heart of the sanctuary are the Chapel of the Apparitions and two grand basilicas – one historic, one modern. Beyond the religious sites, there’s little else to see, so I’d pair your visit with a trip to the nearby Batalha Monastery, the medieval town of Óbidos, or the coastal vibe of Nazaré.

Read next… Best day trips from Lisbon for history lovers

Best Lisbon day trips for wine & food lovers

Setúbal: historic port city & market town

How to reach Setúbal – 50-minute drive or easy commuter train south of Lisbon.

I adore Setúbal, a working port city on the Sado River where life still revolves around the sea. Start your day at the Mercado do Livramento – easily one of Portugal’s best markets – where glistening whole tuna or swordfish share stalls with local oysters and colourful produce.

Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, climb to the fortress of São Filipe for sweeping views, and stay for a lunch of choco frito (fried cuttlefish), the city’s signature dish. In the afternoon, I’d escape to the turquoise coves of Arrábida Natural Park and return later for oysters and wine at the Ostras Sobre Rodas food truck.

Read next… My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park

Azeitão: wine, cheese & artisan azulejos

How to reach Azeitão – 30-minute drive south of Lisbon; or 50-minute public bus.

Azeitão, named one of the UN’s “Best Tourism Villages” in 2025, is famous for wine, tortas (local swee) and its creamy queijo de Azeitão – a gooey, pungent sheep’s cheese eaten by the spoonful.

Visit the historic wineries of Bacalhôa and José Maria da Fonseca, sample the local torta de Azeitão cake, and try your hand at tile-painting at Azulejos do Azeitão.

Day trip tip: Azeitão sits on the inland side of Arrábida Natural Park. You can combine Azeitão with Setúbal, Sesimbra, Palmela or Arrábida – or join one of these guided experiences: private wine and food tour, or tiles and wine history tour.

Palmela: castle, windmills and wine

How to get to Palmela – 40-minute drive south from Lisbon; or either take the train from Sete Rios to Palmela Station, then walk for 40 minutes, or take the ferry to Barreiro then catch a bus.

Palmela is a hilltop town crowned by a striking castle. The medieval fortress, originally Moorish, was captured by the Christian forces in the 12th century and later became part of the Order of Santiago. Climb the ramparts for sweeping views over the vineyards of the Setúbal wine region, the Sado River and the hills of Arrábida.

Inside the castle walls, stop for lunch at Taverna o Bobo da Corte, then wander down to Casa Mãe de Rota dos Vinhos (Mother House) for wine tastings of Palmela’s bold Castelão reds and the sweet, amber Moscatel de Setúbal.

Sleep in the castle: Yes, you can sleep at the 4-star Pousada Castelo de Palmela and wake up feeling like royalty.

Caldas da Rainha: creative city of ceramics

How to reach Caldas da Rainha – 70-minute drive from Lisbon; or 80-minute bus with Rede Expressos.

There’s something romantic about Caldas da Rainha, a small, creative city in central Portugal shaped by healing waters and art. Founded in 1484 by Queen Leonor, who discovered the town’s sulfur springs, Caldas remains the world’s oldest thermal spa still in operation. Stroll the leafy Parque Dom Carlos I, once reserved for patients, and admire its elegant lake and 19th-century thermal hospital.

As you explore the town, look for historic façades and playful, oversized ceramic creatures that are part of the self-guided Bordallo Pinheiro trail. You can visit the Bordallo Pinheiro factory store too (bargains found upstairs). Try to go in the morning to shop at the daily farmers’ market at Praça da República, then end the day at Foz do Arelho, where the Óbidos Lagoon meets the Atlantic in a sweep of golden sand.

Best off-beat day trips from Lisbon (deeper cuts!)

Mafra: mega palace, wolves & wild boars

How to get to Mafra – 35-minute drive north from Lisbon; or catch a coach with Mafrense from Campo Grande.

Palácio Nacional de Mafra has Europe’s longest palatial corridor, stretching 232 metres. Built in the 18th century by King João V during Portugal’s golden age, the Baroque palace holds over 1,200 rooms and a magnificent library of 36,000 books, guarded by bats.

After touring the palace and basilica, trade marble for moss at Tapada Nacional de Mafra, a vast royal hunting park where deer and wild boar roam. Nearby, visit the Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre or toast the day at Quinta Sant’ana before heading to the surf town of Ericeira.

Vila Franca de Xira: birdwatching and bullfighting traditions

How to get to Vila Franca de Xira – 30-minute drive north from Lisbon; or 23-minute train from Santa Apolonia Station.

Just 30 minutes north of Lisbon by train, Vila Franca de Xira is a riverside town shaped by the Tejo River and bullfighting traditions. Stroll the riverfront promenade, stop for coffee, and visit the Mercado Municipal – a tiled masterpiece where locals shop for fresh produce.

The town’s early 20th-century bullring still anchors its identity, especially during the lively Colete Encarnado festival each July. Around town, look for azulejo murals, statues, and the Museum of Neo-Realism, which celebrates Portugal’s working-class art. Beyond the streets, wetlands along the Ribatejo estuary attract flamingos, storks, herons and more.

So, in my opinion those are the best day trips near Lisbon. Leave me a comment with your favourite or let me know if I’ve missed somewhere cool…

First published August 3, 2021. Major update November 5, 2025.

Read next… 

• Where to stay in Lisbon: Best neighbourhoods & hotels
• My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
• 14 things to do and see in Caldas da Rainha
• Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Porto
• Best tile painting workshops in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• 24 hours in Viseu, Portugal’s pretty garden city
• 16 most beautiful villages and small towns in Portugal
• 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
• Where to eat in Lisbon
• Where to stop between Lisbon and Seville

The post 18 best Lisbon day trips appeared first on Olá Daniela.

At its heart stands the 12th-century Sé Cathedral, but dig beneath the surface and you’ll find Viseu’s story runs even deeper, with archaeological finds showing the area was settled long before Roman times. Today, it remains an authentic and ungentrified Portuguese city where you can stroll through lush green spaces, sip local Dão wines, and taste regional dishes in family-run taverns.

I’ve visited a couple of times and recently spent just over a day exploring and eating my way through the city. Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Viseu, with everything I genuinely recommend seeing, doing and tasting.

How to pronounce Viseu: Don’t be the tourist yelling VEE-ZOO! It’s more like three syllables – veh-ZEE-ew. Now say it in a fast mumble. Unless there’s an accent, Portuguese words put the emphasis on the second-last vowel.

Breakfast – eat a viriato

Every ancient city has its stories and legends, and Viseu has Viriato, a legendary warrior from the 2nd century BC. Naturally, there’s a sweet named after this mythical hero. It’s essentially a V-shaped pão de deus with egg-cream layers – thin layers of brioche dough layered with that egg yolk cream and topped with a sweet coconut crust.

You can try the original, invented in 1995 at Confeitaria do Amaral. I got mine at Rustica Sourdough Bakery, where I picked up a loaf of slow-fermented bread as well and took it to chill by a fountain.

Morning – visit the mammoth cathedral & Museu Nacional Grão Vasco

Kick off this Viseu itinerary at the top of the hill in Cathedral Square (Largo da Sé Catedral de Viseu), where you’ll find the imposing Viseu Cathedral sitting opposite the beautiful Igreja da Misericórdia church. This is the heart of Viseu, a city with more than 2,500 years of history.

Erected during the reign of the first king of Portugal, King Afonso Henriques (1139-1185), the mammoth stone cathedral is a blend of Manueline, Renaissance and Mannerist architecture. Step inside for a quick look around the dark and moody interior and the lower level of the cloisters. Don’t miss the 18th-century choir stalls, made from Brazilian jacaranda wood, or the painted azulejos that line the cloister, telling stories of the life of Viseu’s patron saint, São Teotónio. For a small entry fee, you can visit the cathedral’s Treasures Museum (filled with sacred art and religious artefacts), which also gives you access to the Balcony of the Canons.

Across the square sits another huge church, the Igreja da Misericórdia. First built in the 16th century, an 18th-century renovation has given it a more Rococo and Neoclassical style, including some shiny gilded interiors – though I found it fairly restrained and minimalist within. There’s a little paid museum as part of this church too.

If you’re going to spend time exploring a museum, the Museu Nacional Grão Vasco is one of the most important in the country. What’s the drawcard? A number of ginormous paintings by 16th-century Portuguese painter Vasco Fernandes, better known as Grão Vasco, who was born in Viseu. The museum was founded in 1916, and within you’ll also find religious paintings, 19th-century oil landscapes and portraits, archeological finds, porcelain, sculptures and temporary exhibits.

Tip: Just behind the cathedral, dwarfed by the imposing walls, is A Latoaria – the artisan workshop of the last tinsmith of Viseu. Now in his 90s, Senhor António Carvalho has been working for more than 65 years, shaping metal into funnels, pitchers, watering cans, oil cans and his signature – oil lamps. Well worth a look! Bring cash.

Read next… Portuguese artisans: 11 traditional crafts from the Alentejo

Lunch – Restaurante Porta 

Whenever I travel across Portugal, I always look for restaurants with local provenance, and so, this led me to Restaurante Porta. I was suspicious of the ace location, right next to the cathedral with a huge terrace overlooking Praça de Dom Duarte. But this is Viseu, not Paris. Porta is a chic, slightly upmarket spot offering well-executed regional and Portuguese dishes. I went for the arroz de carqueja, a local Beira dish I’d never seen before. Carqueja is a dried herb that translates to gorse or broom in English. It was a super hearty, meaty rice, studded with bitter greens and local smoked sausages. I’d suggest calling ahead for a reservation if you can!

For somewhere more cheap-and-cheerful with a lunch menu, across the square, try Toca d’avo, or wander further to Taberna Dona Maria.

Read next… 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary

Afternoon – explore historic streets and shops

After lunch, continue exploring the old town of Viseu – where you’ll find a labyrinth of cobbled lanes and staircases to wander, little squares to discover and a pretty park to rest in. Here are some things to aim for (I’ve pinned them on a Google map below too).

• There are still two portals that were once part of the Viseu city wall – Porta dos Cavaleiros and Porta do Soar. Right next to the latter is a cute café called Simplesmente Bolo, which is super sweet for a coffee and cake stop.
• Walk down Rua Direta to see a handful of Manueline windows amid traditional commerce – to show off their success, merchant families added a fancy window to their house when they had the means. 
• For more local shops, wander down Rua Dr. Luíz Ferreira to the crossroad with Rua Vitória.
• As you get lost, look for cool murals about town – the result of a street art festival.
• Pass through the beautiful Praça da República, where you can say hi to the town hall and admire a tile mural.
• Step into the Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco de Viseu to admire the ornate interiors and tiles, then chill out at Aquilino Ribeiro Park. It’s a snapshot of local life with old men playing cards, students studying at wooden picnic tables, and kids enjoying ice cream at the central kiosk and playground.
• Or venture the other way and pause at the small-but-pretty Jardim das Mães, then pop into the free Almeria Moreia museum if it takes your fancy.

Evening – di Vino Dão or Mesa d’Alegria

I’ll recommend two great family-run venues in Viseu for an evening drink and a spread of petiscos (Portugal’s answer to tapas). The first, di Vino Dão, is a great wine bar with a focus on wines from the local Dão region (one of my favourites). A mother-daughter duo opened the gorgeous space in February 2025, where you can pair wines with grazing boards of local cheese and charcuterie, or little snacks. I went for the chanfana croquettes – basically traditional Portuguese croquettes, but stuffed with shredded goat meat – a fun twist between two very Portuguese dishes. The wine bar is open for lunch with great deals, and you can organise a wine tasting too.

The other is Mesa d’Alegria, a quirky petiscos restaurant with great food and great prices. Even if you’re dining solo (or with one other person), you can try a handful of traditional dishes, giving you a wider taste of Portuguese gastronomy. I had the salada de bacalhau (chickpea and codfish salad), favas com entrecosto (broad beans with ribs and smoked sausages), and the signature petisco of alheira sausage on corn bread and prosciutto. Really good.

Read next… 36 hours in Coimbra

Sleep – Celtic Lodge

I stayed at a beautifully renovated guesthouse called Celtic Lodge, which offers a few quirky perks. I booked the smallest room, which was petite but ideal for one night. What I didn’t expect to find was cans of Guinness in the minibar. That said, fortunately, Celtic Lodge isn’t what the title conjures to mind. The super-comfortable bed was dressed in luxe linens with many pillows; the water pressure in the shower (with a rainhead) was excellent; and each room had a coffee machine. There’s a communal kitchen and backyard, so it’s easy to make a cup of tea or prepare food for yourself too. But the big perk is that this stunning space is somehow connected to the town’s Irish Bar. You get a voucher to go and enjoy welcome cocktails on the house.

The location is on a super quiet, steep street very close to the cathedral. The hill wasn’t a problem, as I actually never walked up the street from the bottom. The guesthouse sits at the top, and from there you’re a stone’s throw to the old town squares and all the fun.

Other guesthouses and hotels worth looking at in Viseu:

• Avenida Boutique Hotel – recently renovated historic hotel
• Montebelo Palácio dos Melos – 4-star historic hotel

Map of Viseu

More great things to do in and around Viseu

There’s more to see and do in Viseu. Let’s take a look….

Explore more museums in Viseu

Viseu has so many small museums. I popped into a handful while in town.

• Museu Nacional Grão Vasco – I mentioned this above. Lots of national treasures and super historic artworks, if that’s your vibe. It’s a national museum – making it free for Portuguese residents and €10 for visitors.
• Almeida Moreira Museum – I potentially preferred this small, free museum set in the home of Viseu’s 20th-century cultural pioneer. He was the founder and director of the Grão Vasco Museum and bequeathed his home and collections to the city. The room upstairs with the fireplace is my favourite! It only takes 30-45 minutes to explore. Explanations are in Portuguese (but it’s mostly visual).
• City History Museum – Set in an old stone building, this modern museum walks through 2,500 years of Viseu’s history. It has two small floors, each with a paragraph or two covering periods from the Visigoths to the Romans to today. Give it 30-45 minutes. Explanations in both Portuguese and English.
• Casa da Ribeira – This small museum and cultural centre focuses on artisans and the memories of locals. When I visited, two rooms were open – one had a cute exhibition with really fun and contemporary embroidered works, while upstairs held a bigger exhibition covering Portuguese ceramics, with some history about the big factories of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Free to enter.
• Keil do Amaral Museum – Enter the 17th-century Casa da Calçada and explore the legacy of six generations of the talented Keil do Amaral family. One of them wrote the Portuguese national anthem, “A Portuguesa”, while others were painters and composers.
• Sacred Art Museum of Viseu Cathedral – Find this one within the cathedral; enter for a small fee.
• Quartz Museum – Outside the city centre lies the only quartz museum in the world, dreamed up by Portuguese geologist Galopim de Carvalho.
• Quinta da Cruz – Centre for Contemporary Art – also outside the city centre, this 10 ha property is where art and nature converge.

Party at the annual Feira de São Mateus

Every village, town and city in Portugal has its annual fair – but Viseu hosts one of the biggest. The Feira de São Mateus runs from early August until mid-September, turning the city into a fairground with concerts, markets, entertainment, culture and more. A feira is the best way to experience 21st-century Portuguese culture.

Visit a winery or cheese producer nearby

Just outside Viseu, the Dão wine region stretches across granite hills and pine forests. It’s one of Portugal’s oldest demarcated wine areas, where the altitude gives Dão wines a freshness and structure. The other treasure from this terroir is Queijo da Serra da Estrela, a protected designation-of-origin (DOP) cheese made from raw sheep’s milk and thistle rennet. It’s Portugal’s signature cheese – big wheels that are soft and gooey inside. A handful of small cheesemakers remain near Viseu – such as Queijaria Vale da Estrela or Queijaria Povolide – where you can taste it for yourself.

Explore the Palácio dos Condes de Anadia or stay at the beautiful Parador Casa da Ínsua

Just south of Viseu, the town of Mangualde has a spectacular tile-filled palace that has long been on my bucket list to visit. Palácio dos Condes de Anadia is a beautiful building, said to be one of the best 17th-century manors in Portugal, and it’s open for visits.

A little further away, I have my eyes on the Parador Casa da Ínsua, which is now a gorgeous 5-star hotel. You can stay the night, waking up like royalty, or organise a visit to Quinta da Ínsua to taste wines made on the property, which is part of the Dão wine route.

Read next… Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and the Douro Valley

Where to eat in Viseu

In this guide, I already mentioned:

• Rustica – a sourdough bakery for grab-and-go baked goods
• Restaurante Porta – for a chic lunch or dinner with regional dishes
• Simplesmente Bolo – top spot for coffee and homemade cakes
• di Vino Dão – a wine bar specialising in Dão wines
• Mesa d’Alegria – a petiscos restaurant with a wide range of Portuguese dishes

But I always do a lot of research, so to that list I’d add:

• O Cortiço – a very traditional, hearty and rustic restaurant. I would have eaten here if I weren’t solo – portions are designed for at least two.
• Flora – modern Portuguese spot with tasting menus that’s caught the eye of Michelin judges. I really, really want to eat here, but it’s only open Wed-Sat nights. Next time…
• +55 Restaurante – a restaurant with comforting Brazilian food
• Palace Viseu – a chic spot with modern takes on Portuguese food
• 100 Papas na língua – a top spot in Viseu for steak
• Zé do Pernil – a cheap-and-cheerful spot for pork leg sandwiches.
• Tachinho da Avó – a traditional, no-frills tasca in the old town
• DeRaiz, Restaurante Santa Luzia, and A Púcara – three highly acclaimed restaurants about a 10-minute drive from town
• Restaurante Clube Caçadores – a restaurant with 30+ years of history, specialising in game dishes

How to get to Viseu

Viseu doesn’t have a train station – but it’s still easy enough to reach. The closest major cities are Porto (about 130 km away) and Coimbra (around 90 km), both well-connected by bus and car. From Lisbon, it’s roughly a 3.5-hour drive north via the A1 and A25 motorways.

If you’re travelling by bus, Rede Expressos and FlixBus run frequent direct routes from Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra to Viseu’s glistening central bus station, which is about a 10–15 minute walk from the old town. Tickets usually cost between €5-20, depending on where you’re coming from.

If you prefer more flexibility, renting a car is the best option – it’ll let you explore the Dão wine region, the Serra da Estrela mountains and nearby villages at your own pace. Roads are in great condition, and parking in Viseu is generally easy and inexpensive.

FAQs about visiting Viseu

Is Viseu worth visiting?

Absolutely. Viseu is one of Portugal’s most underrated little cities. It’s super walkable, full of history and refreshingly local. It’s a great base for exploring the Dão wine region and the nearby Serra da Estrela mountains.

How many days do you need in Viseu?

You can see the main sights in a full day, but one or two nights will allow you to enjoy the city at a slower pace, where you can make yourself at home.

What is Viseu known for?

Viseu is known for its old historic centre, impressive cathedral and connection to the Dão wine region. It’s also the hometown of painter Grão Vasco and close to the production area of Portugal’s famous Queijo da Serra da Estrela cheese.

Does Viseu have a train station?

No – trains don’t reach Viseu. The easiest way to get there is by bus or car from Porto, Coimbra or Lisbon. I took the RedeExpresso from Lisbon and it was safe, comfortable and fast with just one stop along the way.

When is the best time to visit Viseu?

Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are both great times of year! I recently visited in October, and there was a contest between stores for the best themed window – very cute. If you visit in August or early September, you’ll catch the city’s huge Feira de São Mateus festival as well.

That’s my guide to the best of Viseu, based on a couple of visits to the pretty inland city. Anywhere I missed? Leave me a comment…

Keep reading….

• Step inside Capela de São Miguel in Coimbra
• Guide to Tomar: Portugal’s city of Templar legends
• 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary
• 16 best day trips from Lisbon
• Lisbon’s best restaurants: 41 great places to eat
• My favourite tascas in Lisbon: Where to eat traditional Portuguese food
• Local’s guide to the LX Factory, Lisbon’s creative micro neighbourhood
• Best places to eat octopus in Lisbon
• Best boat tours in Lisbon

The post 24 hours in Viseu, Portugal’s pretty garden city appeared first on Olá Daniela.

Fall in Portugal offers that sweet spot of late-summer sun and shoulder-season calm. You can still enjoy days at the beach (sans the crowds), and the city streets are calmer as castanha (chestnut) vendors pop up on corners. Better yet, with harvest time happening across the country, you can admire fall foliage in the Douro Valley and join a vindima experience (grape harvest) early in the season, or in November, taste the young wines with chestnuts at São Martinho celebrations.

If you plan to visit Portugal – Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve – in autumn, this comprehensive guide dives into a handful of reasons why autumn here is great – including a breakdown on what the weather is like, what to wear in Portugal in autumn, plus the best things to do each month.

Note! The photos featured in this article were all taken in September, October or November by me.

Why visit Portugal in autumn? Best reasons to visit in the fall

If you travel in September, October or November, you’ll hit the shoulder season, which is often the sweet spot between high summer prices and low-season rain.

Read next… best places to visit in autumn, or my guide to winter in Portugal

Extend the European summer

Forget the scorching 40°C (104°F) days of July and August  – they’re rare, but they do happen! In autumn, temperatures drop to a comfortable range of around 20-28°C (or 68-82°F). That’s still gorgeously warm enough to work up a sweat while enjoying a trek across Lisbon’s seven hills or hitting the hiking trails of the Serra da Arrábida.

Harvest season is ON

Autumn is synonymous with harvest, or vindima, in Portugal. If you’re a food and wine lover, this is the time to visit wine regions like the Douro Valley or the Alentejo. I recommend joining a tour where you actually participate in the grape picking and stomping (usually with a break in the middle for a long lunch). Later in the season, you’ll see chestnuts being roasted on street corners – a sign that São Martinho’s day (November 11) is approaching.

Lower prices & smaller crowds

I’ll admit – the peak season in Portugal is extending. But while September still commands higher prices, October and November will definitely offer better value for accommodation and rental cars. 

Olá to fall foliage

While Portugal isn’t famous for its crazy autumnal colours like parts of North America, there is plenty of foliage that puts on a show. I think the Douro Valley is beautiful any time of year, but it’s particularly stunning in October or November when the terraced landscape turns to vivid hues of red, gold and amber. Up on the northern border with Spain, you’ll find Peneda-Gerês National Park, where you can wander along scenic forest trails carpeted in fallen leaves, through a landscape dominated by oaks as well as pine, holly, and arbutus.

The ocean is still warm

July? The Atlantic is icy, icy cold. But thanks to the summer sun warming the ocean, sea temperatures often peak in September and stay somewhat pleasant through early October. You can still comfortably swim or surf in the Algarve or on the west coast. Just note that the Atlantic is a notoriously cold ocean to begin with, so you’ll have to keep your expectations in check.

Read next… Fall in Portugal: 8 places to visit this autumn

What’s Portugal *really* like in autumn? 

The weather varies a lot from north to south (it’s a long, skinny country after all).

• September: Feels like a continuation of summer – autumn does, after all, only kick in from the autumnal equinox around September 22. Expect hot, sunny days, especially in the south – this is the time of year I take a summer vacation. 
• October: This is when fall starts to creep in. Some years I’ve had hot, sunny beach days as late as October 26, others the crisp air sneaks up sooner. One thing I find is that it’s humid. The locals will dress like it’s autumn, but some fall evenings in Lisbon are warmer than in summer, so I strut about in a T-shirt, sans jacket. The north will be cooler, and you should mentally expect rain, but hope for clear skies!
• November: The transition month into winter. This is when you should definitely pack a waterproof jacket and an umbrella, especially in Lisbon and Porto. That said, the famous São Martinho’s Day (November 11) often brings a short, glorious spell of sunny weather known as Verão de São Martinho (St. Martin’s Summer).

Autumn weather in the Algarve

The warmest destination is the southern Algarve coast. I often travel here mid-September for balmy nights and beach days – this time of year, the ocean is at its warmest! I’ve even escaped for a long weekend down here as late as Portugal’s October 5 bank holiday, and it feels like the true end of summer. While other parts of Portugal are starting to get chilly, the Algarve is still perfect for beach days and coastal hikes. Expect mostly clear skies, with very little rain until late November.

Autumn weather in Lisbon

Lisbon is glorious in autumn – but as with any shoulder season, you roll the dice with the weather. Usually, September is gorgeous; however, this year we did have some late September rain. October is often crisp and clear, although cloudy skies and some occasional, light showers make the air humid, and evenings sometimes feel warmer than summer! Regardless, you’ll need to pack a light jacket or sweater plus an umbrella. Rain is possible in October and becomes more frequent in November. On wet days, take care with the beautiful but notoriously slippery calçada portuguesa (cobblestone sidewalks). Only bring flat shoes with gooooood grip.

This was the final week of October in Lisbon. Monday was balmy, hot T-shirt weather, while Thursday was chilly!

Autumn weather in Porto & the North

The North is where you’ll find the most dramatic change and the most intense autumn colours. Porto is a wetter, cooler city than Lisbon – but the moody vibe is part of the charm. Expect more rain from mid-October onwards. The cooler weather is perfect for touring the Port wine cellars in Gaia, enjoying a francesinha, and taking a scenic train ride through the Douro Valley to see the vineyards in their autumnal glory.

Read next… My guide to winter in Portugal

What to wear in Portugal in autumn

I notice the Portuguese often dress to the season, not the weather – but I’d say the key to packing a suitcase for fall in Portugal is layers. Plus, if you come in September, you’ll need a swimsuit and summer dresses, while November calls for a jacket and umbrella.

• Light coat or jacket: Bring at least a denim jacket or blazer. You’ll only need a warm coat in late November in the North, but a light waterproof layer will save you from the sudden autumn showers in Lisbon and Porto.
• Sweater: Sim, it’s sweater weather – particularly in the North and towards the later half of the season. You might start the day in a sweater, shed it for a t-shirt at noon, and put it back on after dark.
• Raincoat or umbrella: ideally, your light coat might be waterproof too; otherwise, pack an umbrella..
• Layers: Bring layers. That September sundress might need a jacket layer for the evening, or a sunny late October day might turn to sweater weather the next day. In general, two layers – a T-shirt and a jacket – should be sufficient. 
• Trousers: For men, jeans and long trousers are standard in Europe, but if you’re visiting the Algarve in September, you’ll still be fine with shorts.
• Accessories: Never underestimate the power of a scarf – and don’t forget that umbrella.
• Boots or waterproof sneakers with grip: if you’ve seen pictures of Lisbon’s notorious yet beautiful cobblestone footpaths, you’ll understand – difficult in summer, dangerous when wet. 

The best things to do in Portugal in autumn

Now for the fun part – let’s dive into all the best things you can do in Portugal in autumn, month by month, from late beach days to cosy chestnut season. Here’s why it’s one of the best times to travel to Portugal.

Portugal in September: Things to do & places to visit 

September is the golden month – it has the best of summer without the peak crowds (though I’ll admit, people are cottoning onto Portugal for late-summer sunshine). The water temperature is perfect, and the cities are breathable again. I suggest:

• Head to the Algarve or the Costa Vicentina (Alentejo Coast) for sublime, late-summer beach days. European students head back to school, so the thick summer crowds are gone, but the sun is still reliable.
• Surf season kicks off – yes, the swell returns, so it’s a good time for keen surfers to visit spots like Peniche and Ericeira.
• Go for the Vindima – travel to the Douro Valley or wineries across the Alentejo to participate in the grape harvest. Many quintas (wine estates) offer unique harvest programs, including stomping the grapes.

Weather in Portugal in September (average temperatures)

Faro, Algarve: Average highs of 26°C (79°F), with minimums of 18°C (64°F).
Lisbon: Average highs of 26°C (79°F), with minimums of 17°C (63°F)
Porto: Average highs of 24°C (75°F), with minimums of 14°C (57°F)

September events in Portugal

• Chef’s On Fire, Cascais
• Alma do Vinho, Alenquer
• Festa das Vindimas, Palmela
• Feira de São Mateus, Elvas

Find more events in Portugal here.

Portugal in October: Things to do & places to visit 

October is an underrated sweet spot for Portugal-in-autumn travel. The temperatures are ideal for exploration, and the crowds have genuinely thinned out. 

• Explore Sintra’s misty magic – this microclimate is Lisbon’s top day trip, and the often misty weather adds drama and romance to the many palaces like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
• Hike the Portuguese Caminho – milder temperatures make October the perfect time to walk the Camino de Santiago from Porto, passing through stunning northern landscapes. Go early in the month for better weather!
• Madeira Island is gorgeous in October – the island’s subtropical climate means temperatures stay mild year-round. Ideal for dinner outdoors and hiking!

Weather in Portugal in October (average temperatures)

Faro, Algarve: Average highs of 22°C (72°F), with minimums of 15°C (59°F).
Lisbon: Average highs of 22°C (72°F), with minimums of 14°C (57°F)

Porto: Average highs of 20°C (68°F), with minimums of 12°C (54°F)

October events in Portugal

• Birdwatching & Nature Festival, Sagres
• International Puppet Festival, Porto
• Pilgrimages to Fátima
• Feira Nacional dos Frutos Secos (National Dried Fruit Fair)
• AngraJazz, Terceira Island
• Festival Nacional de Gastronomia (National Gastronomic Festival)

Find more events in Portugal here.

Portugal in November: What to do & places to visit

You’ve heard the saying about Saint Martin’s summer? Well, each November São Martinho falls on November 11 – and honestly, the weather around that date is usually brilliant with blue sky and sunshine. Towards the end of the month, Christmas lights start going up, and the cities are buzzing with festive cheer. 

• Celebrate São Martinho (St. Martin’s Day) – On November 11, Portugal celebrates Magusto. The tradition involves tasting the new year’s wine (água-pé) and eating roasted chestnuts (castanhas). Locally, you’ll find little festas in town squares or at restaurants. Or head to a wine-making area, like the small Alentejo village of Vila Alva, when the locals crack open the talhas (terracotta vessels) to taste the season’s wines.
• Chase the monster waves at Nazaré – winter swell starts to arrive on the west coast. Check the surf reports for Nazaré to see if there are any early-season giants on the forecast. Waves can reach record-breaking heights!

Weather in Portugal in November (average temperatures)

Faro, Algarve: Average highs of 19°C (66°F), with minimums of 12°C (54°F). But it does reach up to 25°C (77°F) during the day with around 9 hours of daylight.
Lisbon: Average highs of 19°C (66°F), with minimums of 12°C (54°F)
Porto: Average highs of 17°C (63°F), with minimums of 7.3°C (45°F)

This is the weather in Lisbon during the final week of November. Not bad, hey?

November events in Portugal

• São Martinho or Magusto
• Monchique Walking Festival, Algarve
• Feira Nacional do Cavalo Golegã (National Horse Fair), Ribatejo
• Festival da Batata-Doce (Sweet Potato Festival)
• Marvão Feira da Castanha (Chestnut Fair)

Find more events in Portugal here.

FAQs about autumn in Portugal

Is Portugal worth visiting in October?

Absolutely, yes. If you have flexibility, this is one of the best times of year to visit. You get the benefits of (usually) beautiful weather without the peak summer prices, crowds or extreme heat. The combination of wine harvest activities, comfortable city exploring and late-season beach days is unbeatable.

Do I need to book accommodation far in advance for the autumn?

For September, yes, especially in popular spots like the Algarve, Lisbon and the Douro Valley. For October and November, you can be more flexible, but book any special quintas or resorts in advance.

What to wear in Lisbon in October?

When in doubt, wear jeans and a T-shirt with sneakers or ankle boots to fit in with the locals. In October, add a light jacket like a trench coat or denim layer for cooler days. Sunny October days are super warm, while cloudy ones are humid and mild.

Where is the best place in Portugal to see fall foliage?

I think the Douro Valley is the best location. It’s just such a unique landscape to start with, then when the vines turn deep red and gold, it becomes something else entirely. You can easily jump on the train or (if you’re short on time) join a Douro Valley guided day trip from Porto. For deep forest colours, head north to Peneda-Gerês National Park.

Any questions about what autumn in Portugal is like? Drop me a comment below… or I can help plan your trip with a private call.

Read next…

• Best Festivals & Cultural Events in Portugal
• Food Festival Guide: Best Gastronomic Events in Portugal
• 23 Best Medieval & Historic Events in Portugal
• Sardines & pimba: Your guide to Lisbon’s Santo António Festival
• Devil on the loose: 7 traditional pagan carnivals to attend in Portugal
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2024

The post Guide to autumn in Portugal: Where to go, things to do & more appeared first on Olá Daniela.

One of my favourite summer day trips from Lisbon combines the coastal park with the underrated port city of Setúbal and vineyards and artisans of Azeitão. It’s a day trip that combines breakfast oysters and beach time, a scenic road trip and seafood, and ends with a wine tasting or tile shopping. Bliss.

Let’s dive into this one-day Setúbal and Arrábida itinerary – which you can do independently or with a guided tour. At the bottom I’ll include ideas

How to do this day trip from Lisbon

I have a car and usually explore Arrábida independently, but there are some traffic restrictions in the park through the summer months (which you can read about in my Arrábida Natural Park guide). If you’re just visiting Lisbon, I’d suggest joining this guided day trip, which is basically my perfect day in Arrábida! If you’d prefer a private guided tour option instead of small-group, try that one instead.

Route: Lisbon → Setúbal → Arrábida Natural Park → Azeitão → Lisbon
Total drive time: ~2 hours (round trip) – check the drive on Google Maps

This Setúbal & Arrábida day trip at a glance

9:30 AM	Start in Setúbal – Explore Mercado do Livramento, grab oysters and coffee, wander the old town and maybe stop at the castle café for views.
12:00 PM	Scenic drive to Arrábida – Take the upper coastal road via Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida for panoramic views.
1:00 PM	Lunch at O Farol, Portinho da Arrábida – Order seafood rice or clams on the waterfront terrace.
2:30 PM	Beach time at Praia do Creiro – Swim, read, or relax on the soft sand (watch for curious wild boar!).
5:30 PM	Head inland to Azeitão – Visit Azulejos do Azeitão tile studio, enjoy a wine tasting at José Maria Fonseca or Bacalhôa, and try Queijo de Azeitão with a glass of moscatel.
7:30 PM	Return to Lisbon – Drive back as the sun sets over the Arrábida hills.

Morning: Start at Setúbal’s Mercado do Livramento

On most day trips I take from Lisbon to Arrábida Natural Park, I’ll first detour to Setúbal, the nearby port city that’s reachable in 45 minutes by car or train. The fun starts at the incredible daily market – Mercado do Livramento. We always end up at the oyster stall, shooting back breakfast oysters before grabbing a quick bica (espresso) at another stall.

This market is easily one of the best in Portugal with a selection that often outshines what you can find in Lisbon. There’s a great stall with all sorts of fresh chillis, fisherman slicing up ginormous swordfish or whole tuna, and glass counters stuffed with local cheeses that glisten like jewels.

Setúbal itself flies under the radar, but it’s actually a super cute little coastal city. There’s a historic centre with some cobblestone streets, historic churches, a grand promenade and an ancient castle looming above (complete with a café inside offering views over the city). If you set off early, you could explore the market and the small city before heading to the park.

Alternative: You could pre-organise a visit to a local cheese factory, Queijaria Simões, then explore Palmela Castle befire heading into Arrábida.

Midday: Scenic Drive to Portinho da Arrábida for lunch

For lunch, I’d either stay in Setúbal for the local specialty – choco frito (fried cuttlefish), or drive the curving mountain roads along the coast to Portinho da Arrábida. It’s worth taking the upper road, past Miradouro do Portinho do Arrábida, to gain a perspective over the protected reserve and coastline with its turquoise waters framed by limestone cliffs. This spot is perfect to pull over for a quick photo stop.

Then, drop down into the bay of Portinho. My go-to spot is O Farol, a restaurant with a waterfront terrace and some of the best seafood rice I’ve ever had. Message them ahead (on WhatsApp) to reserve a table ahead of time. The menu here is great, and the quality is top-notch.

Afternoon: Relax on Praia do Creiro, then go wine tasting or tile hunting

The afternoon is spent with a good book on the sand at Praia do Creiro, where you might be joined by a family of wild boar – a beach party with a touch of chaos. To reach this soft, sandy beach it’s just a 5-minute walk along some coastal Mediterranean scrubland.

I usually bring my own beach umbrella, but this praia does have sun loungers and parasols for rent at reasonable rates. If you prefer adventure, you can also rent kayaks, silly slide paddle boats or go snorkeling. 

Alternative: Lace up your boots after lunch and go for a hike through the hills.

When it’s time to wrap up at the beach, I’d drive over the mountain towards the wine-and-cheese town of Azeitão. I like to take friends to Azulejos do Azeitão, a small artisan studio where the owner usually explains the tile-making techniques as we explore the atelier and showroom. 

If you prefer the art of winemaking to artisans, pre-book a wine tasting at José Maria Fonseca or Bacalhôa, or just stop at a café in town for local cheese or sweet tortas.

Go guided – This guided day trip from Lisbon is basically my perfect day in Arrábida! Here’s a private guided tour option, too.

Where to stay in Arrábida Natural Park

Despite being a reserve, you’ll find some hotels and guesthouses within the park. Here’s my pick of the best:

• Hotel Casa Palmela – just the most beautiful 5-star property in the park
• Pédebicho – guesthouse with studios and pool in the park
• Quinta De Catralvos – wake up in a guest room at this winery
• Quinta da Arrábida – a series of smaller holiday homes
• YMCA Camp Alambre – little bungalows and cabins in nature

Otherwise, your options are to rent a huge house – there are lots to choose from with 4-5 bedrooms, perfect for groups of friends or big families on vacation (try Chalet Machado, Arrabida Country Retreat or Villa Casal Assis), or you can opt to stay in Setúbal or Sesimbra.

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Read next… Lisbon’s best beach day trips

Extend the fun in Setúbal, Sesimbra or Azeitão

Things to do in Setúbal

Life has always revolved around fish in this historic port city, set on the Sado Estuary. Come here and don’t miss trying choco frito (fried cuttlefish).

• Setúbal has one of the best local mercados. Drop into Mercado do Livramento to see fishmongers slicing up whole tuna or swordfish, tuck into local oysters from the producer, and pick up some fresh fruit.
• Wander the historic old town, popping into churches (like the Igreja de São Julião) and strolling along cobblestone streets past traditional commerce.
• Board a dolphin-watching cruise and meet the best locals of all.
• Drive (or hike) up to the Castelo de São Filipe for coffee or a juice with a view.
• Take the car ferry across to the Troia Peninsula for even more sandy beaches, with a touch of Roman ruins.

Things to do in Sesimbra

Sitting at the other side fo Arrábida Natural Park is Sesimbra, a fishing village that feels like a vacation. The downtown has a great vibe, where the historic centre opens up to two sandy beaches on either side of a fort. Instead of starting in Setúbal, you could come here.

• Laze on the beach right in front of the town, or stop for a seafood lunch with a view.
• Promenade along the waterfront with a gelato from ECHO.
• Hike down to Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, one of the most beautiful beaches in the area (or book this return taxi boat from Sesimbra).
• Take this boat tour to explore secret beaches and caves in the landscape.
• Try farinha torrada, a local sweet slice from this town.
• Join a guided kayaking and caves tour from Sesimbra.

Things to do in Azeitão

Trade salty air for vineyards and olive groves when you visit this inland town that’s small but full of flavour. Here are more ideas for things to do in Azeitão.

• Azeitão is famous for its creamy sheep’s cheese. You can join a cheese factory tour and tasting at Queijaria Simões to see how one of my favourite Portuguese cheeses, Queijo de Azeitão, is made before sampling.
• Visit Azulejos do Azeitão to pick up a souvenir with heart and see how tiles are made.
• Join a wine tasting at either Bacalhôa or José Maria. Both are large wineries, but it pays to book your tasting ahead of time.
• Better yet, if you’re more into wine than beaches, book a full-day guided wine tour of the Azeitão region.
• Kick back in a café with a glass of local syrupy moscatel dessert wine and a golden torta de Azeitão sponge roll.

So, now you can steal my favourite day trip from my adopted city of Lisbon. Leave me a comment if you do it –I want to know! Don’t forget to read my main guide to exploring Arrábida Natural Park.

Keep reading about Lisbon….

• 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
• Best day trips from Lisbon for history lovers
• Where to eat in Lisbon
• Where to Find the Best Views in Lisbon: 11 Top Miradouros
• Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
• Lisbon’s best vintage shopping
• Best Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon
• The best cooking classes in Lisbon
• Where to find the best Portuguese street food and snacks in Lisbon
• 20 best things to do in Évora, the Alentejo capital
• My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
• Guide to Arrábida Natural Park – things to do, where to eat, where to stay

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