There are three day trips that are recommended. One is to Cascais village and if you have a car you can drive to Guincho beach. Here there are very good restaurants where you can taste grilled fish or seafood and try a chilly white wine. Visit the centre of the village, it is worth while. Guincho is a famous beach where you can surf or wind surf, it is a nice and clean beach. A little windy but there are also good restaurants in front of the sea.
To leave the bustle of the city for a day and explore some of Portugal's beautiful coastline, try a bicycle tour in Parque Natural Arrabida, or the Sado River Estuary, both just a quick train ride from Lisbon to Setúbal. The natural park system remains nearly untouched and serves as a fine example of original mediterranean landscape. This region goes almost unnoticed as there is little advertised in the way of Arrabida, but remains a must see for anyone travelling to Lisbon. The local bicycle outfitter will set you up with a good bicycle and detailed map of the park so you might explore on your own or with a guide. There's little but breathtaking coastal scenery standing in your way of exploring the area wineries and expansive beaches.
Another day trip is to Sintra, a famous a picturesque village. This village is world heritage. It has narrow streets and beautiful old houses. You can also visit Palacio da Pena e Castelo dos Mouros. There are good hotels and typical restaurants. Try the famous queijadas de sintra. Also, packing a picnic would be great. Once you get up to the area of the palace and castle, there are so many lovely areas to walk through and vistas to sit and enjoy a snack.
And what about a picnic gourmet in Sintra? Can you find something more romantic?
Tomar (IC3 and 9) - Tomar’s castle is massive and powerful, much like the knights Templars, which built it 800 years ago. One of the most impressive defensive and religious structures in Portugal today, the castle of Tomar and its Convent of Christ, is a well-maintained glimpse of life in the days of the Reconquest.
Like so many of the towns in the fertile lands between the Tejo and the Mondego, Tomar had many conquerors and builders in ancient times. Much remains of the great castle. The 12th century Templar abbey, know as the Convent of Christ, with its round alter, and huge door (made high enough for a knight to attend mass on horseback) is a unique site. The keep, and ruins of the Templars’ castle still tower above Tomar. And, the 16th century portion of the Convent of Christ offers some of the finest examples of Portuguese Manueline architecture. The window behind the abbey is considered the masterpiece of the Manueline movement, and a symbol of Portugal’s age of exploration. The castle walls offer fine views of the town, adjoining parks, and the fine aqueduct that supplied the castle with water. The castle’s gardens are well maintained, and the more recent buildings of the abbey often host art and historical exhibitions. It should be added that Tomar is a monumental city, with fine churches, parks, and a well-preserved historic district
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