Our most recommended things to do in Lisbon Metropolitan Area

Lisbon: Guided Day Tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & Cascais

1. Lisbon: Guided Day Tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & Cascais

Discover sintra’s beautiful landscape and architecture. Walk the narrow streets of Sintra in your free time and visit the emblematic Quinta da Regaleira with our fantastic tour guide. Its patrimonial importance has led UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site, so it is undoubtful a must site to visit due to their countless sculptures, gardens and fountains that you will discover there. You will also learn all the details of the famous Initiation Well, hidden in the northern part of the Quinta. It is a nine-story spiral well that symbolizes the nine circles of hell or paradise. In total, 27 meters that will make your hair stand on end. Arrive at the romantic Pena Palace in Sintra, which has a profusion of styles much in accordance with the exotic taste of Romanticism, such as Neo-Gothic, along with other Oriental styles such as Neo-Moorish and Indo-Gothic. Explore the ancient castle, which was one of the favorite residences of the royal family throughout the 19th century. Walk through the fairytale-style building and learn about its fascinating history. It is also listed among one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Take some free time to stroll through Sintra and purchase lunch if you're feeling hungry. Get recommendations on what to see, eat and buy in the area. Afterward, begin a guided tour of the main landmarks of Sintra, and hear about local secrets and stories. Visit the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, linked to the Portuguese royals who summered here. A walk around the promenade will allow you to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, mansions, museums and photogenic streets.

Lisbon: Sunset Boat Party Cruise with DJ and Open Bar

2. Lisbon: Sunset Boat Party Cruise with DJ and Open Bar

Cruise along the spectacular Tagus River in Lisbon as you take a musical journey from Balearic house and Ibiza house classics to innovative dance floor hits on a sunset party boat cruise. Sip on drinks from the open bar as you watch the city lights sparkle over the water. Begin your evening with a welcome drink as you board your motor catamaran, called Beirinha. Relax on the terrace and delight in the warm rays of the sun on your skin as you sail westwards. Make the most of the fully open bar and snap the best photos with friends old and new as you dance to the DJ's tunes into the night.

Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

3. Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

Benefit from a guided tour to Pena Palace, Sintra Historical Centre, Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Embark on an immersive journey that will uncover the Romantic enchantment of the Pena Palace and Sintra, the rugged beauty of Cabo da Roca and the charming seaside of Cascais. Meet your guide and driver at the Tugatrips Meeting Point (Parque Eduardo VII Viewpoint) where a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle awaits to transport you to your first destination. Depart from Lisbon while the first rays of dawn break over the city! Find the colorful Pena Palace hidden behind the tallest trees of Sintra! This unique masterpiece seems to make all the fairytales come true. Allow yourself to wander around the palace’s yards and gardens and take the chance to explore its lavish chambers. Next, head over to the center of Sintra and get 1.5-hour of free time to wander on your own. Take recommendations of the city’s must-see locations as well as the best restaurant options for delicious traditional Portuguese dining from your guide. Find Sintra’s local flavors where time slows, and every corner reveals a slice of the town's magnificent gastronomy. Immerse yourself in the town's romanticism as you explore its cobblestone and picturesque squares. You shall also have time to taste Sintra’s typical pastry, such as the Travesseiro and the Queijada, amongst others. Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Continental Europe and amaze yourself with the impressive views of the ocean crashing against the high rocky cliffs. Enjoy the harmony between the sound of the waves and the fresh breeze, where “earth ends, and the sea begins”. Allow yourself to be embraced by the Portuguese Riviera, while enjoying a short walking tour around the charming Cascais. Unveil this town’s unique gems, feel marveled with its amazing beaches and absorb the cascalense vibrant energy. After a short walk, take the chance to know your own adventurous self while discovering a little more of this place that was once called home by a humble fishermen community, but also the Portuguese Royal Family, with some free time! In a world where each corner holds a different facet of wonder, this journey becomes a chapter in your of exploration around Portugal. Finish this wonderful experience with amazing experiences etched in your mind and a camera roll filled with lifelong memories. Relax back on board your air-conditioned vehicle and admire more breathtaking views of the Portuguese coast, in Estoril, as you make your way back to Lisbon.

Cascais: Sunset Boat Trip with Welcome Drinks

4. Cascais: Sunset Boat Trip with Welcome Drinks

Navigate along the charming coast of Cascais, where you will see all the famous sights from the sea. From the center villa to the classic chateaux and mansion, to the fortress used to protect the coast against pirates a long time ago, to the Casino, as well as other famous 007/ James Bond spots. Then you'll travel toward the open sea to the beautiful cliff of Costa da Guia. Relax and admire the sun "touching" the sea as you sip on a welcome drink.

Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

5. Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

The palace is situated in the eastern part of the Park of Pena, which one has to pass through to reach the steep ramp built by the Baron of Eschwege that provides access to the castle-like building. The palace itself is composed of two wings: the former Manueline monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and the wing built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II. These wings are ringed by a third architectural structure that is a fantastical version of an imaginary castle, whose walls one can walk around and which comprises battlements, watchtowers, an entrance tunnel and even a drawbridge. In 1838, King Ferdinand II acquired the former Hieronymite monastery of Our Lady of Pena, which was built by King Manuel I in 1511 on the top of the hill above Sintra and had been left unoccupied since 1834 when the religious orders were suppressed in Portugal. The monastery consisted of the cloister and its outbuildings, the chapel, the sacristy and the bell tower, which today form the northern section of the Palace of Pena, or the Old Palace as it is known. King Ferdinand began by making repairs to the former monastery, which, according to the historical sources of that time, was in very bad condition. He refurbished the whole of the upper floor, replacing the fourteen cells used by the monks with larger-sized rooms and covering them with the vaulted ceilings that can still be seen today. In roughly 1843, the king decided to enlarge the palace by building a new wing (the New Palace) with even larger rooms (the Great Hall is a good example of this), ending in a circular tower next to the new kitchens. The building work was directed by the Baron of Eschwege. The 1994 repair works restored the original colors of the Palace’s exterior: pink for the former monastery and ochre for the New Palace. In transforming a former monastery into a castle-like residence, King Ferdinand showed that he was heavily influenced by German romanticism, and that he probably found his inspiration in the Stolzenfels and Rheinstein castles on the banks of the Rhine, as well as Babelsberg Palace in Potsdam. These building works at the Palace of Pena ended in the mid-1860s, although further work was also undertaken at later dates for the decoration of the interiors. King Ferdinand also ordered the Park of Pena to be planted in the Palace’s surrounding areas in the style of the romantic gardens of that time, with winding paths, pavilions and stone benches placed at different points along its routes, as well as trees and other plants originating from the four corners of the earth. In this way, the king took advantage of the mild and damp climate of the Sintra hills to create an entirely new and exotic park with over five hundred different species of trees. The Palace of Pena was designated a National Monument in 1910 and forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, which has been classified by UNESCO as World Heritage since 1995.

Lisbon: Oceanarium Of Lisbon Entrance Ticket

6. Lisbon: Oceanarium Of Lisbon Entrance Ticket

Join the 28 million visitors from 182 countries that have visited the Oceanario in Lisbon since it opened in 1998, making it one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon. Located on the grounds of the Expo 98 site, it is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. Your entrance ticket allows you access to all permanent and temporary exhibitions. Celebrate life on earth through stunning displays of more than 8,000 creatures from 500 species and learn about the complexity of the world’s oceans. Divided into 4 separate bodies of water - representing the North Atlantic, Antarctic, Temperate Pacific, and Tropical Indian Ocean - large acrylic panels cleverly divide each from a central aquarium to create the impression that all living creatures roam in one single mass of salt water!

Sesimbra: Arrabida Natural Park & Caves Guided Kayaking Tour

7. Sesimbra: Arrabida Natural Park & Caves Guided Kayaking Tour

Venture along the caves and coves of Arrabida Natural Park on this kayaking tour from Sesimbra. Stop for beak and enjoy a snack of traditional sweets and some refreshing water. Plunge into the water at Ribeiro do Cavalo beach.  Meet your guide and get set up with high-quality kayaking gear. Stay safe and comfortable with the included backrest and life jacket. Keep your things dry with the use of a dry bag. Set off along the coast and keep an eye out for local wildlife along the way. Visit spaces that are only accessible by boat. Soak up the tranquility of the sea without the noise from a motor.  Go for a swim in the turquoise waters of the beach of Ribeiro do Cavalo. Take a walk on the beach and put your toes in the sand. Replenish with a delicious snack and some water before returning to Sesimbra.

Lisbon: Jerónimos Monastery Entrance Ticket

8. Lisbon: Jerónimos Monastery Entrance Ticket

Get entrance tickets to Jerónimos monastery, a national monument classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located near the city of Lisbon. Learn about how King Manuel I commissioned the monastery in 1496 to honor the Infante for his devotion to Our Lady and faith in St. Jerome. Once inside, marvel at the Manueline or Portuguese Late Gothic architecture. Discover how the monastery of St. Mary of Belém was donated to the monks of the Order of St. Jerome. For this reason, it is commonly known as the Jerónimos Monastery. In 1833, when the order was dissolved, the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until 1940. In the 19th century, the church became the monument for local heroes and poets such as Luís de Camões and Vasco da Gama. Come and discover what is not simply a notable work of architecture, but also an important part of Portuguese identity and culture.

Melides: Horse Riding on the Beach with Wine Tasting

9. Melides: Horse Riding on the Beach with Wine Tasting

Enjoy a horseback ride that will connect you with nature. Breathe in the fresh sea air under an immense sky. Explore the woods of Grândola near the coast and discover the local wildlife. Pass through dunes and pine forest of the protected area of Melides. Ride along a beach that stretches out for over 60 kilometers with the ocean at your side. After the beach, you will ride close to the Melides freshwater lagoon, where you will be able to spot a variety of bird species. If selected, at the end of your activity, enjoy a wine tasting session of three different types of wine produced in the region or a barbecue lunch. You can also opt to book a private instructor and enjoy a memorable day with a group of your friends or family.

Sesimbra: Arrábida Natural Park Secret Beaches and Caves

10. Sesimbra: Arrábida Natural Park Secret Beaches and Caves

Enjoy a boat tour in Arrábida Natural Park, starting at Sesimbra and heading towards Cabo Espichel. Wild beaches, stunning bays, caves and cliffs are some of the highlights of this magnificent tour. Set out on an adventure to discover all the splendour of this unique ecosystem. The tour will start at the sheltered port of Sesimbra. Firstly, visit the famous Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach. Enjoy the surrounding landscape as you dive and swim in the crystal clear waters. The tour will then proceed to the west where you will visit the mythical beaches of Mijona and Inferno.  Continue along the Arrábida Natural Park and see the famous whaling bay, taking the opportunity to learn a little about the history of the fishermen who used to hunt whales in this same area. Dive and swim in the crystal clear waters of this same beach. Typical liquor from the Setubal region will also be served. After this stop, sail towards Cabo Espichel where you will visit more caves and landscapes of incredible wonder. After all this adventure, return to the harbor of Sesimbra where this experience ends.

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What people are saying about Lisbon Metropolitan Area

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 91,010 reviews

This experience was amazing. I booked this as a team building activity for my work colleagues to help us bond and experience the city so if anyone is looking for a low maintenance activity that can get competitive, this is a good one. Our hotel was within the area as well so it was really convenient and simple getting around. Everything felt safe and simple to follow also. We had a really good time learning through the stories and exploring the city of Lisbon. I will say for parts of the game you have to go into some hotels or facilities to participate so be aware that staff may not know what you're doing. Just show them the game you're playing and they were happy to help. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating.

Our tour guide Nunu is a local and very knowledgeable about the place. He told us the most romantic love story of the Queen Dona Maria II and the King consort Ferdinand. Ferdinand acquired the old castle to remodel and extend it for the Queen Maria. It took 12 years to complete but sadly the Queen died of giving birth to their 11th child and didn’t see the completed palace. As we entered Peña Palace, it made us feel everything inside has a story to tell…….

Magical place exceptional exhibition. Interesting comments !! No queue ... Easy access to the paintings because not too many people ... rare ... I had taken premium tickets but it was not useful suddenly .. (1st week February holidays)

Thank you Lili for the magnificent tour, what an amazing way to see Lissabon. For us it was a present and we are very grateful!

The Aquarium was immaculate! And it was very nice!