9 of the Best Weekend Getaways from Lisbon

Sintra is often top of the list when it comes to day trips from Lisbon—it’s only 45 minutes away, after all. Most people spend a couple of hours exploring its palaces and Moorish castle, but if you really want to get to the heart of it, it’s worth staying for the weekend. That way you have time to venture through the trails in the surrounding natural park, take the tram to Praia das Maçãs on the coast, or visit the sandy soil vineyards of Colares, one of the few to survive Europe’s phylloxera plague in the 19th century.

Insider tip: Avoid the day crowds and experience this mystical town after dark, toasting the night away with some honey mead at a medieval-style pub such as Casa do Fauno.

When you see rows of lonesome oak trees and vineyards while driving off from Lisbon, it’s a sign that you’ve arrived at the Alentejo. Évora makes for a good base to explore this rural Portuguese region. You can spend a day here touring the city’s ancient sites, from Roman ruins to medieval churches, then hit the road to visit lakeside towns such as Monsaraz (a prime spot for stargazing), see the marbled sites of Vila Viçosa, or regional wines, such as vinho de talha aged in ceramic amphorae around Vidigueira.

Insider tip: Visit in early November to catch the opening of the amphorae in an event known as Abertura das Talhas.

Lisbon isn’t the only city where you can listen to fado. Coimbra also offers its own style of this traditional Portuguese music genre: Instead of the usual singer and guitarist duo, Coimbra’s fado is typically sung by groups of male students with lyrics centered around cultural pride and student life. Many perform on the street, but you can also catch them at places such as Fado ao Centro or àCapella.

Your weekend tour from Lisbon should also include a visit to the historic University of Coimbra, the city's medieval churches, the botanical gardens, and the riverside promenade.

Some of the top weekend destinations from Lisbon involve a little bit of beach action. There are plenty of places to choose from, but if you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere, the Alentejo coast is always a safe bet. You’ll find a string of wide sandy beaches stretching south from Comporta to Zambujeira do Mar. If you don’t have a car, the town of Vila Nova de Milfontes is a great base, as you can get there by bus from Lisbon. You can easily walk to the beach from here or hike a section of the Fisherman’s Trail, one of the best-preserved coastal trails in Europe.

If you’re looking for Lisbon weekend travel ideas by train, Aveiro is a great choice. It takes little over two hours to reach this picturesque city famous for its chain of canals and moliceiros. These colorful boats used to carry seaweed up and down the stream, but are now used for sightseeing tours. Aveiro also stands out for its art nouveau buildings, oyster farms, and regional sweets known as ovos moles, a mix of egg yolk and sugar wrapped in wafer-like cases. You can taste them in pastry shops across the city or learn to make your own batch at Oficina do Doce.

When Lisboetas want to see snow they head for the hills, particularly Serra da Estrela. This is the highest mountain in mainland Portugal, and come winter it’s usually dusted in white. There are many towns where you can base yourself, but Covilhã is a great entry point. The town was once a popular textile hub, but it’s now famous for its street art murals, most of them created during the annual urban art festival, Wool. It’s worth spending a few days in the area to explore the hiking trails, sample the Serra da Estrela cheese, and take in the cool mountain air.

If you’re looking to escape the city completely and embrace village life, head to Serra da Lousã, another option among favorite Lisbon weekend destinations. This mountain range is dotted with small schist villages, such as Talasnal and Cerdeira. This last one has been turned into a creative hub, inviting artisans to teach anything from ceramics to woodworking and basketry. Beyond the mountain towns, other attractions nearby include river beaches, waterfalls, and a medieval castle.

One of the best weekend trips from Lisbon has to be Porto. There’s a longstanding rivalry between the capital and this northern city, and the best way to settle on your favorite is to visit both. Whether you hop on the train or book a tour, it takes little over three hours to reach Portugal’s second biggest city. Once there, you can spend your time capturing tiled facades, sipping a glass of Port, or tucking into a francesinha, a meat-layered sandwich drenched in a spicy tomato and beer sauce.

Insider tip: Come during the São João Festival on the evening of June 23 to see the city lit up with paper lanterns and lively street food stalls.

Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth visiting Braga to observe Portugal’s biggest collection of churches. The Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga) is the oldest, founded in the 11th century, but the city’s major attraction is the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Sanctuary framed by a steep 500-steps stairway. From Braga, you can easily reach Peneda-Gerês National Park, a natural oasis filled with waterfalls, hiking trails, and charming villages, such as Lindoso and Sistelo.