Lisbon road trip: 10 attractions within 80 km

It stares at Lisbon, with its open arms, from the opposite bank of the river Tagus, as if it was inviting you to a visit. As you get closer and cross the 25 de Abril Bridge, the emblematic Cristo Rei, which can be visited all year round, offers stunning views of Lisbon and Almada from its viewpoint.

A stunning building in the Serra de Sintra landscape, it is the ultimate exponent of Romanticism style in Portugal in the nineteenth century. With several architectural styles, namely Manueline and Neo-Islamic, it rises on a prominent point of the mountain, with privileged view over all the surrounding villages and and Nature. Make sure to also visit its interior.

Closer to Setúbal you can find one of the region's largest natural treasures, the Arrábida Natural Park. It has everything: beaches, mountains, flora and a landscape that, from the Pico do Formosinho, at 501 meters of altitude, stretches as far as the eye can see. The Park is 35 km long, a greater distance than the one you have to travel to get there...

The origin of its name is due to the water-mills built in the cliffs, and, in its bottom, there is an oceanic swimming pool. This small village, on Sintra's coast, is an exceptional tourist destination for combining the sea with the mountains and the urban "excitement". The restaurants are famous for their fish and seafood dishes.

It is one of the most emblematic monuments of Portugal. An unforgettable setting of the Baroque and Literature, thanks to José Saramago's “Baltasar and Blimunda”, this is a must-see stop . A multifaceted space, that allows you to visit royal chambers, a dream library and many other historical records, including a hospital.

A trip to Mafra is not complete without the Tapada. About 11 minutes away from the Palace, the Tapada was built by King John V as a playground for the court and also to supply firewood and other products to the convent. In addition to a varied fauna and flora, currently it also has pedestrian routes (or Mountain Biking routes), as well as traditional games and activities for children.

Western to Sesimbra - which is also worth a visit - is one of the most popular capes in the country. The natural beauty is breathtaking: there are stunning wild beaches, superb cliffs and challenging walking paths. Once you arrive at the viewpoint, the landscape is also the protagonist of this story, with the ocean on the background and "secrets" scattered throughout the coast.

Lourinhã was already known for dinosaur-related discoveries, but Dino Park added something more to this legacy. Imagining a "safe" Jurassic Park, since these dinosaurs are not going to skip the fence, the park provides a time travel through replicas of the Paleozoic, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous eras.

Bacalhôa is best known for its wine variety, but since 2006, Bombarral has been home to an oriental garden - named Garden of Peace for the tranquility it transmits - that houses more than 200 works of art. There you can easily find hand painted terracotta soldiers, golden Buddhas and perfect places to relax and even to meditate.

Not even Guincho's "difficult" climate keeps people away from this magical place. Known for its strong swell and strong winds, it is the perfect stage for surfing, bodyboarding and windsurfing. Near Praia Grande are other smaller beaches, bars and restaurants, famous for their seafood dishes, and the unforgettable Forte do Guincho.