One of the common questions I get asked after 26 years of helping visitors make the most of their holiday to Portugal is: where to go after Lisbon?

Many visitors plan to start with Lisbon, as logically it is the capital and the setting for the country’s primary airport, but then struggle to decide where to go next.

For most visitors, there are two common onward routes. The first leads south to the beautiful coastline and lively resort towns of the Algarve. The second well-trodden path heads north to Porto, a route that can include stops in the historic university city of Coimbra.

If you seek a less conventional trip, Portugal offers many fascinating alternatives. There is Évora with its medieval history and charm, the Templar stronghold of Tomar, or the raw power of the Atlantic in the surf towns of Ericeira and Nazaré. For a true escape from tourism, there is the little-visited and windswept coastline of the Alentejo, one of western Europe’s last hidden gems.

Equally for those visitors tempted by the stunning coastlines of the Algarve there is a multitude of varied towns to be based in. This guide will provide my two decades of Portuguese travel knowledge and help you decide the perfect destination to visit after Lisbon.

Note: This guide focuses on locations for onward travel from Lisbon and assumes you have already explored the popular day-trip destinations around Lisbon, such as Sintra, Cascais, and Setúbal.

Lisbon to Porto
Porto is the second city of Portugal and is famed for its Port wine production, rich history and charming riverfront. It offers a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere than Lisbon, yet still offers a wide variety of sights and activities. Porto’s other great advantage is that it can serve as an excellent base from which to explore Portugal, with day trips to Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro and the Douro Valley.

My Opinion: A wonderful introductory holiday to Portugal would split the time equally between Lisbon and Porto, and I would suggest 4 days in each that would include time for day trips. The best way to travel from Lisbon to Porto is via the express train and this is my preferred means of travel taking just 2 hours 30 minutes.

There is so much to do and see in Porto which a simple paragraph could never cover, and I have extensively written about in my Porto website, which can be found here.

The pretty waterfront of Porto

Lisbon to Lagos
Of all the towns in the Algarve, Lagos is the one which offers the most and is loved by most tourists. It sits on one of the finest sections of coastline, with golden cliffs concealing cove beaches such as the Praia do Camilo, one of my favourite beaches in the Algarve. The city has a pretty and historic centre with varied restaurants and nightlife, but it is significantly smaller than both Lisbon and Porto. From the harbour, there are boat trips, and Lagos is well-positioned to explore the western Algarve.

My Opinion: Lagos is one of the best towns in the Algarve, but I suspect the reason most visitors want to go there is because of social media recommendations. Lagos is fantastic for a week-long family summer holiday, and is primarily for relaxing on the beach and eating out. If you want to combine Lisbon with a relaxing beach trip, Lagos is ideal; however if you want to experience more of Portugal's variety, you may wish to spend your time elsewhere.
For my full guide to Lagos please click here.

Lagos is famed for its golden beaches

Lisbon to Evora
To be honest from the start I love Evora, it has an abundance of medieval charm, an infectious unhurried atmosphere and, with a car, can be used as a base to explore the wider Alentejo region.

The city has remained largely unchanged since its peak in the 16th century and boasts Roman ruins, Gothic churches, and a delightful old town. There is something refreshing about leaving the common tourist routes; the restaurants are of genuinely better quality, people have time to talk, and even the souvenir shops sell handcrafted gifts instead of mass-produced tat. Évora is perfect if you are seeking a slower-paced destination after visiting Lisbon.

My Opinion: Évora is fantastic, but a car is needed to explore the region as public transport is non-existent. Also, Évora doesn’t logically lead anywhere else for onward travel, so afterwards, you will find yourself heading back to Lisbon to go either north or south.
For my guide to show you why Evora is so good please click here.

The medieval cathedral at the centre of Evora

Lisbon to Coimbra
Coimbra is the university city of Portugal, known for its rich academic history and youthful student energy. The city boasts medieval architecture, lively cafés and traditional Fado music venues, and its unique mix of old and new makes it a captivating destination after Lisbon. Conveniently located on the high-speed train network, the city makes a fantastic location for a one-night stop between Lisbon and Porto. Click here to read our guide

Coimbra lies along the Mondego River

Lisbon to Tomar
Tomar is very similar to Evora, a traditional town with a gripping history which is unbecoming of its size.

This humble town with its calm streets and slow flowing Nabão river was the centre of the Knights Templar power during the 12th to 14th centuries. Their influence extended over the entire Iberian Peninsula was ruled from the Convento de Cristo, todays one of the finest tourist sites in Portugal.

Tomar is only a small town but is the perfect base to explore the surrounding region, which include the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, the pilgrimage destination of Fátima, and the extensive cave network of Mira de Aire. A little further with a car is Óbidos, Nazare, Peniche, and São Martinho do Porto, and in my opinion Tomar is the best town as base within the region.
Also Tomar is close to the main north south train route (via Entroncamento) and makes for a convenient destination before Coimbra along with offering a chance to experience small town Portugal on a train route holiday between Lisbon and Porto. Click here to read our guide to Tomar

Tomar is ideal if you want to experience small-town Portugal.

Lisbon to Faro
Faro is the capital of the Algarve region, offering a rich mix of history and culture. The city features a charming old town with cobblestone streets and ancient city walls, overlooking the mudflats and saltwater lagoons of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.

Faro’s central location and reliable public transport make it an excellent base for exploring the Algarve, with easy day trips to Olhão, Loulé, Vilamoura, and even Tavira. It's important to note that Faro's beaches are some distance from the city centre, so it should not be considered a beach destination. . Click here to read our guide to Faro.

The historic quarter of Faro

Lisbon to Tavira
Tavira is a quintessential Algarve fishing town located in the tranquil eastern Algarve. Known for its Moorish heritage and traditional Portuguese architecture, Tavira offers a peaceful retreat from the more developed parts of the region. It's our favourite town in the Algarve. Click here to read our guide to Tavira.

Lisbon to Vila Nova de Milfontes
Vila Nova de Milfontes lies at the heart of the stunning Alentejo coastline and is the perfect location to truly escape the tourist masses. A visit here offers vast, pristine beaches and dramatic natural scenery, combined with the laid-back atmosphere of rural Portugal. For a similar experience to Vila Nova de Milfontes but in a village setting, consider Porto Covo. Click here to read our guide to Vila Nova de Milfontes.

The wild and rugged beaches of the Alentejo coastline

Lisbon to Madrid
Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is the next logical step if you are doing a rushed tour of Europe. However, be warned that Madrid largely shuts down in August due to summer holidays.

The interactive map below shows the location of these onward destinations. (Note: zoom in or out to see all of the points)

Key: 1) Porto 2) Lagos 3) Evora 4) Coimbra 5) Tomar 6) Faro 7) Vila Nova de Milfontes 8) Tavira

All of these suggested destinations assume that you have fully explored the Lisbon region before moving on. There is a lot of variety close to Lisbon, and it's possible to spend a packed week’s holiday within the region. Suggested day trips from Lisbon before leaving include:

Sintra - A town of wondrous palaces, cooling hills, and the setting of the magical Pena Palace. Sintra is a must-visit destination, and you shouldn't move on from Lisbon without spending at least one day here. . Our Sintra guide.

Cascais - A charming resort town surrounded by beautiful beaches. Cascais is the best beach town in the Lisbon region and is the perfect mix of 19th-century grandeur and modern tourism. . Our Cascais guide.

Setubal - A port city with a distinctive Portuguese atmosphere, Setúbal is unashamedly non-touristy and the best place to experience authentic modern Portugal. Known for its delicious seafood and the stunning Serra da Arrábida, Setúbal offers a genuine taste of Portuguese life away from the tourist crowds. Our Setúbal guide

The Palácio Nacional da Pena in Sintra

Many visitors new to Portugal are drawn to the Algarve because of images they have seen on the internet or social media. While the Algarve is indeed beautiful, there are equally stunning places near Lisbon. During the summer, the Algarve can be overwhelmed with tourists, making it crowded and less enjoyable.

Cascais, located just 40km from Lisbon, offers a similar holiday atmosphere and equally glorious beaches to those in Lagos in the Algarve. The advantage of Cascais is its proximity to Lisbon, which saves you the 4-hour bus ride (320km) to Lagos.

Tavira may be the prettiest town in the Algarve, but Sesimbra and Ericeira, both near Lisbon, are equally appealing. Sesimbra boasts an authentic Portuguese atmosphere and wonderful seafood restaurants, while Ericeira has the relaxed beachside holiday vibe that many travellers seek.

Even Faro, the capital of the Algarve, could be compared to Évora. In fact, Évora is better in every way except for not having beaches. It offers a rich cultural experience, stunning architecture and fewer crowds.

If you are considering Albufeira for its nightlife, it's better to stay in Lisbon instead. During the summer, Albufeira can be tacky and chaotic, whereas Lisbon offers a more sophisticated and diverse nightlife scene.