Lisbon's Top 7 Weekend Getaways

Tourists usually mark Lisbon on their European travel bucket lists and the city offers plenty of attractions to keep most curious minds entertained. Spend a few days talking to fellow travelers and locals, however, and you may notice a growing desire to see more of Portugal. Why not follow your instincts? Here are the best weekend getaways from Lisbon.

Let’s start with the least obvious city. Although Porto is located in the north of Portugal, it’s a short 1-hour flight or 3-hour drive from Lisbon. Plan in advance, and airlines like RyanAir may sweeten the deal with flights as low as €30 (or less). Since it is the second largest city in the country, there is a lot to do and you may feel that one weekend isn’t enough, but it’s plenty of time to see the main landmarks, try the local cuisine, and whet your appetite to return for more. Try the famous Francesinha sandwich if you’re not afraid of a meat-based calorie bomb, discover the city’s azulejo art with a walking tour, take photos of (and from) a few of Porto’s emblematic bridges, and sip sweet Port wine or crisp Vinho Verde (green wine) from the local wineries.

Sintra is one of those places you see in the pages of travel magazines and think, “One day, I need to go there.” From Lisbon, jump on the train at Rossio Station and in 40 minutes you’ll be in one of the most mesmerizing towns in the world. The green mountainous woods offer plenty of hiking paths and the city is a mecca for architectural masterpieces. Visit the eerily charming Quinta da Regaleira and its dark wells and caves, walk through the jaw-dropping Pena Palace, and visit the beautifully ornate Monserrate Palace. Head towards the coast to the westernmost point in continental Europe called Cabo da Roca and take a photo by its iconic lighthouse. Traveling to Lisbon and missing Sintra would be a tragedy.

If whitewashed cottages covered in colorful flowers, charmingly eclectic souvenir shops, castle walls, and book-themed locales pique your interest, consider spending the weekend in Óbidos. This is a town that has attracted attention for its beauty and the fact that it is haloed by medieval castle walls. If you visit, pay special attention to the Porta da Vila, the gated entrance that’s covered in traditional azulejo tile art, and taste the cherry liqueur called Ginja de Óbidos. Usually, this town makes for a great day visit, since it’s easy to soak in within a few short hours. If you want to turn a visit into a weekend event, however, consider staying at the Literary Man Hotel (which is covered from the floor to ceiling in books) or at the Pousada Castelo de Óbidos (a 700-year-old castle).

Since we began with the least obvious location, we’ll end with the most obvious one. Algarve is one of the most popular spots in Portugal, due to its white expanses of sandy beaches, energetic nightlife, fresh seafood, and opportunities for immersing in nature. The buses and trains leave from Oriente Station and arrive in Algarve within two and a half to three hours, depending on your final destination. For dramatic cliffs juxtaposed against sparkling blue water, visit Camilo Beach in Lagos. If trendy and music-thumping clubs are more your style, Vilamoura is the place to go. Faro is the capital of Algarve and blends traditional Portugal with the more typical resort aura expected from Algarve.