If you’re in Lisbon over the next few days, this itinerary could be just what you’ve been waiting for to get to know the Lisbon Metropolitan Area better.
We went in search of attractions in each of the 18 municipalities that make up the Lisbon Metropolitan Area: Alcochete, Almada, Amadora, Barreiro, Cascais, Lisboa, Loures, Mafra, Moita, Montijo, Odivelas, Oeiras, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra, Setúbal, Sintra and Vila Franca de Xira.
Join us on this trip and have fun with your friends or family on a different weekend in this huge Lisbon, which has so much to discover:
Alcochete
This land by the river has much more to visit than you might think, from salt pans to river beaches and a handful of centuries-old churches.
In Alcochete, our first suggestion is the beach, and Praia dos Moinhos is one of the town’s most popular spots on hot days. It owes its name to the windmills (now deactivated) that exist next to the beach and, in recent years, it has become well-known among wind sports enthusiasts, such as kitesurfing.
The municipality of Alcochete also has the Samouco River Beach, where there is a pedestrian circuit, a children’s playground and a picnic area.
Almada
By boat, train or car, it’s a short hop to Almada. There’s plenty to discover there too, including some well-kept secrets.
Almost always with the Tagus on the horizon, Cais do Ginjal is our suggestion on the south bank of the Tagus. Despite some deterioration of the buildings, it still offers one of the most beautiful walks in the municipality of Almada, always parallel to the river. Whether for a meal or a drink, the restaurants Atira-te ao Rio and Ponto Final are a must.
Amadora
Amadora is another of Lisbon’s most densely populated areas, but at the Parque das Artes e do Desporto there is space and lots of fun for everyone, young and old.
The new park covers 9 hectares, where 1552 trees have been planted, and in addition to all the green space, you’ll find 3 multi-sports courts; 2 tennis courts; 2 paddle tennis courts; 1 disc golf course; a walking circuit; a sculpture circuit; children’s play equipment; and inclusive equipment.
Barreiro
One of the best-known municipalities in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area has some places of interest that are worth a longer visit, but as it’s summer, perhaps it’s the beach you’re looking for.
Alburrica Beach, with its fine, clear sands, is therefore our best suggestion. It’s on our list of the 10 best river beaches near Lisbon and it’s home to three traditional windmills that bear witness to the milling past of this area of Barreiro: the Gigante windmill, the Nascente windmill and the Poente windmill.
As well as being very clean, it is equipped with showers, a maintenance circuit, a volleyball court, a spider for children to play on and a parking lot in the surrounding area.
Cascais
In Cascais there are many unmissable places to visit and get to know, this is our list, but there is one that we like to repeat every time we pass by: the Paula Rego House of Stories.
Since 2009, this building designed by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura has been showcasing the life and work of painter Paula Rego. In addition to the permanent exhibition, it usually hosts various temporary exhibitions and activities promoted by the educational service.
Then, of course, there are the famous beaches along the Cascais coastline, such as Tamariz (Estoril), the most cosmopolitan; Carcavelos, the most popular; or Torre, the most welcoming.
Lisbon
Well, there’s plenty to entertain you in Lisbon and, as you know, you can find a thousand and one ideas on our website.
But how about, for example, venturing out into the city streets to simply admire all that the city has to offer in the open air, perhaps taking advantage of one of these urban art experiences.
Loures
Loures isn’t exactly an obvious tourist destination, but it has a lot more to discover than you might think.
In our Loures itinerary, we’ve found 10 places you really must visit in this town, but taking a stroll through the four-hectare Adão Barata Park is one of our favorite things to do.
It’s one of the nicest green spaces in the city and, as well as housing the Vieira da Silva Municipal Gallery (in the former Expo 98 Macau Pavilion), it also has two playgrounds, picnic areas, a maintenance circuit and a multi-sports pavilion.
Mafra
Mafra is undoubtedly one of our favorite municipalities near Lisbon. The proof is in this spectacular guide to this town and Ericeira, as well as, of course, its National Palace and Mafra Convent and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
However, today we leave you with two very typical suggestions: a visit to Aldeia Típica José Franco and a trip to Aldeia da Mata Pequena, both around 30 minutes from Lisbon.
Moita
Just over half an hour from Lisbon, it’ s well worth a visit as a couple or with the family. Take a look at our itinerary and book a trip to the south bank of the Tagus.
A key point in the town’s development, Moita Pier is now one of the municipality’s picture postcards, with its colorful boats on the waters of the Tagus. It is from here that the tourist trips aboard the “O Boa Viagem” sailboat now depart.
Montijo
The history of this municipality is closely linked to the River Tagus, as are some of the towns featured here.
As soon as you cross the Vasco da Gama Bridge and arrive in Montijo, you’ll find yourself in a modern and dynamic town, full of things to discover, such as its vast natural heritage, which extends along the riverfront and the Municipal Park.
Odivelas
Odivelas has a vast historical and cultural heritage, with opportunities to see monuments such as the Monastery of São Dinis and São Bernardo, churches, mills, the aqueduct, the fountains of Caneças and, of course, the famous white Marmalade of Odivelas.
Oeiras
We have, of course, already created an itinerary of places to see and visit in Oeiras, as it is one of the most active areas in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
Oeiras is rich in history and is also located on the riverfront of the Tagus estuary, which is a perfect excuse to take advantage of its long promenades, whether for exercise or a stroll with family and friends.
And of course, don’t forget to visit one of our favorite gardens: Parque dos Poetas.
Palmela
The municipality of Palmela is the largest in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, located in a central area of the Setúbal Peninsula, between three of the most important national protected areas: the Arrábida Nature Park; the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve; and the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve.
The Serra da Arrábida and the beaches that abound in these parts are, therefore, our suggestions for a visit. For example, we recommend a trip to Praia dos Galapinhos, considered by The Guardian to be one of the best beaches in Europe in 2019.
Seixal
The municipality of Seixal is a land of fishermen and manor houses with a close connection to the river, as it was through the river that products such as fish, cereals, salt, olive oil, wine, fruit and other raw materials were shipped to Lisbon and even exported abroad.
In Seixal we suggest a visit to the Corroios Mill, built in 1403 by order of Nuno Álvares Pereira, who owned most of the land around the Coina River, the tributary of the Tagus that enters Seixal.
Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, it began to lose its importance in the 1970s, but Seixal Town Hall transformed it into an ecomuseum that delights visitors of all ages. Today it is one of the few examples of tidal mills (in the world) working for the public.
Sesimbra
There’s no turning back: to talk about Sesimbra is to talk about its spectacular beaches, such as Praia da Ribeira do Cavalo, the most “secret”, or Praia do Meco, one of the most famous nudist beaches, but also frequented by many families.
So, without further ado, here’s our list of the best and most “secret” beaches in Sesimbra.
Setúbal
We love the city of Setúbal and, because it’ s so close to Lisbon, we often cross the bridge to a place that has a bit of everything: sea and land; nature and urban environment; and tradition combined with modernity.
So, as well as enjoying the beaches that kiss the Serra da Arrábida, which are just around the corner, Setúbal is one of our favorite places to eat fresh fish and, of course, the famous fried cuttlefish.
But as sometimes it’s not very convenient to go to Setúbal just to eat the real fried cuttlefish (we guarantee it’s worth the trip) , it’s in a small house in Penha de França, Choco Frrito, that we can satisfy our cravings for this delicacy.
Sintra
Of course, we have our own Sintra itinerary, with 15 unmissable and truly magical sites.
In fact, the whole town of Sintra is pure magic, full of secrets and many places to visit over many days. One of our favorites is the Pena National Palace, located in the Sintra Parks, all of which are enchanting.
Vila Franca de Xira
Lastly, but only because this list is presented in alphabetical order, let’s get to know a bit about Vila Franca de Xira, a municipality with both urban and rural characteristics.
Throughout the municipality you’ll find beautiful footpaths and natural areas, always with the Tagus as company, but also palaces, buildings with modern architecture and, of course, the symbols of bullfighting culture, as well as many other ideas, which you can find on this itinerary.
Our suggestion goes, of course, to the “Tagus Walkways”, which still don’t have an official name, but everyone calls them that.
They are part of an extensive network of pedestrian and cycling paths, 5627 meters long, made up of four routes. The first one takes you through the Urban Park, which houses the “Póvoa and the River” museum, a cafeteria and a children’s playground.
The River Linear Park/Trilho do Tejo takes you to Praia dos Pescadores, in Forte da Casa, and the surrounding areas, such as the picnic area and the environmental interpretation center. In addition to these two, there is also the Forte da Casa Trail and the Verdelha Trail.
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