Five off the Beaten Track Places to Visit Near Lisbon

Today we welcome local guide Marta in beautiful Lisbon as she shares her favourite off the beaten track destinations to explore with visitors in the popular town of Sintra.

I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year university degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession in Portugal.

I am a mother of 3 and I love planning family trips. I know how important it is to create special family memories. So if you're in need of someone to guide you and your kids and have them thrilled about travelling, I'm your guide! I'm also very fond of small groups of friends, extended family trips and solo travellers. It's a much more personal approach and very interesting and gratifying, too. It's so lovely to get to know you! My wish is to make you feel all the unique details of this fairytale country the way I proudly do, welcoming you as a friend, however always assuring professional, original and interesting tours.

Here are my suggestions for five off the beaten track places to visit in and around Lisbon.

Head up the hill for murals and a view to die for in Graça

The neighbourhood of Graça is a must see in Lisbon. Located up a hill, it arose around a 13th century Convent. The spectacular "Villas" were born in the 19th century and they're simply charming. What about the views…? Unforgettable…! Delight your eyes with fantastic panoramic views at some viewpoints. It's an open-air gallery, not only for its beautiful tile-covered façades and the Portuguese pavement, but also for its urban art. The Portuguese capital is now recognized as one of the cities with the best urban art, and some local artists who have their works all over the world, an explosion of amazing murals which are even commissioned by the City Hall!

Step away from the crowds at Monserrate Palace

Visit Monserrate Palace, near Sintra, while everyone else is battling the crowds at Pena Palace. Unbelievably calm, this was the home to several English families since the 18th century, and a true masterpiece. The ideal quiet spot to learn about its connection to the first hospital of Lisbon, writers like William Beckford and Lord Byron, Sir Francis Cook the British trader and art collector, who all together made Monserrate one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.

Escape the city: head to Óbidos

Tired of places where everyone goes? Your unforgettable day will start just an hour away from Lisbon! You can keep dreaming as we'll drive towards Óbidos, located on a hilltop and encircled by a fortified wall, the dowry for several Portuguese Queens and one of the most picturesque and well preserved medieval towns in Portugal. All year round there are several events going on such as the Chocolate Festival, the Medieval Fair, the Christmas Village, to name a few. A calm and charming day trip only a few minutes away from Lisbon is waiting for you!

Explore a Cork Forest in Alentejo

Looking for a different sort of day trip from Lisbon with your family and friends? This is the perfect tour to discover the Alentejo region and a unique cork tree forest, not forgetting the tasting of some local gastronomical products such as bread, jam, cheese, chouriço, wine and fruit of the season.

On foot or by bicycle or if needed on a 4x4 (you can choose but it's not more than one mile.) We'll make several stops along the property and experience unique moments, while you will learn all about the special cork trees, strolling through the fields, where you can also help to feed the farm animals! Kids will love it.

Also part of this experience away from the city is to visit an amazing prickly pear plantation! You’ll get to learn all the secrets about the wonderful world of the cork oak forest and the beauty of the fruit orchards, ending with a delicious tasting. Note: The cork harvest season is from July to September, so it's not guaranteed that off season you might experience watching it happen.

See Sintra without the crowds

Start this tour day with an early stop in the town of Sintra before all the crowds arrive to its historic centre, and discover a fascinating small town at the foot of the mountain, a UNESCO site since 1995. It just looks purely and unexpectedly lost in time.

Then it’s time for some local pastries and unique flavours at a local bakery. Continue through a marvelous road passing by Colares, a charming little town, famous for being part of the smallest demarcated wine region in Portugal.

After this, the hidden gem of Azenhas do Mar, a picturesque village by the sea with a beautiful pool dug in the cliff. Stop for some astonishing views in Adraga: it could almost cross your mind that those cliffs were carved to fit perfectly that wild and rugged beach. Delight the eyes at the breathtaking Cabo da Roca, the most western point of mainland Europe and dream with the white waves of Guincho along the Atlantic, before returning to Lisbon.

Planning to explore Lisbon in 2025? You can start a conversation with local guide Marta to come up with the perfect itinerary for you and your travel companions.