Winter Day Trips from Lisbon: 7 Best 2026 Escapes

Let’s start with the obvious choice, but let’s do it right. Everyone visits Sintra in the summer, battling crowds and heat to see the Pena Palace. They are doing it wrong. Winter is when Sintra reveals its true, gothic soul. The mountains trap the moisture, creating a mystical blanket of fog (a bruma) that weaves through the ancient forests. The damp air carries the scent of wet earth and laurel. This is the season to walk the grounds of the Quinta da Regaleira without breaking a sweat, to feel the damp chill of the Initiation Well, and to see the Pena Palace appear and disappear in the swirling mists like a mirage. It’s less Disney, more Brontë sisters.

When the city gets gray, I crave the raw, cleansing power of the Atlantic. Ericeira is the answer. This is a designated World Surfing Reserve, a town of white and blue houses clinging to cliffs above a churning sea. In winter, the waves are colossal, drawing professional surfers from around the globe. You don’t have to be a surfer to appreciate the spectacle. The air here is different—charged with salt and ozone. It’s a place to walk the cliff paths, feeling the wind whip your hair, and then retreat into a tiny, family-run restaurant for a plate of the freshest seafood imaginable. The local specialty is sável (grey mullet), which is in its prime in the colder months.

If you’re visiting between late November and early January, Óbidos transforms into something truly special. For the rest of the year, it’s a stunningly preserved medieval walled town. But in winter, it becomes the Vila Natal, or Christmas Village. The entire town is decorated with lights, garlands, and festive cheer. You’ll find artisanal markets, carol singers, and even a "Santa's House." Walking the ramparts on a crisp December afternoon, with the bare winter branches framing the views of the surrounding countryside, feels like stepping into a storybook. And the local Ginja (a sour cherry liqueur) served in a tiny chocolate cup is even more warming when the air is cold.

This is my go-to escape when I need to feel the sun on my face in January. The Serra da Arrábida, just south of Lisbon, creates a unique rain shadow effect. The result is a microclimate that is significantly warmer and sunnier than the city. Driving the winding road that hugs the mountainside is an experience in itself, with breathtaking views of the turquoise sea below. The park is home to rare flora and fauna, and the air smells of wild herbs like rosemary and thyme. You can hike one of the many trails or simply drive up to the viewpoint at Portinho da Arrábida to have a picnic while the rest of the region is shrouded in cloud.

While Sintra gets all the fairytale glory, Mafra holds a different kind of power. Its National Palace is a jaw-dropping example of Baroque architecture, a colossal complex of marble and gold that was built to impress. In the winter, the lack of crowds allows you to appreciate the sheer scale of the place. The silence in the vast, echoing courtyards is profound. The highlight is the Royal Library, a stunning room with a collection of over 36,000 ancient books, where the floor is made of exotic wood arranged in a geometric pattern. The air is still and smells of old paper and beeswax. It’s a place for quiet contemplation.

For a journey deeper into Portugal’s foundational history, Tomar is unparalleled. This town was the headquarters of the Knights Templar, and their legacy is etched into every stone. The Convent of Christ is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an architectural marvel that blends Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles. Walking through its cloisters and the eerie, vaulted Charola (the round church) is like stepping back into the age of crusades and secrets. In winter, the town’s narrow streets are quiet, and you can feel the weight of centuries. The nearby Aqueduct of Pegões is also a magnificent sight, its rows of arches standing stark against the winter sky.

This is a two-for-one trip that combines wine, food, and a stunning natural park. Azeitão is a charming town famous for two things: its unique, slightly sweet Moscatel wine and its savory, flaky tortas de Azeitão. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely winter lunch, followed by a visit to a local adega (winery) for a tasting. From there, it’s a short drive to the city of Setúbal, which sits at the mouth of the Sado River. In winter, you have a good chance of spotting the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins that live in the bay year-round. The light over the Sado at sunset in winter is pure liquid gold.