Lisbon Adventure and Nature Activities

Lisbon has a privileged location surrounded by picturesque villages and natural landscapes. Take advantage of its adrenaline-filled water activities including amphibious boat rides, surfing lessons, recreational diving and dolphin watching. You can also visit Cascais, Sintra and Arrábida which are small neighbouring towns with incomparable beauty and adrenaline-filled plans.

And if you're looking for quieter plans, you can always opt for the zoo or the viewpoints and botanical gardens. Discover everything you can do and see in Lisbon surrounded by nature and adventure in this article.

If you want to combine a land and sea experience, you definitely have to get on the Hippotrip. Discover Lisbon aboard an amphibian that takes you around the city's main sites such as Praça do Comércio, Marquês de Pombal and the Jerónimos Monastery. After rolling through the streets, you will leave the road and dive with the same vehicle into a water adventure on the Tagus River.

From the flow of the river you will be able to appreciate the Belém Tower, Cais do Sodré and the 25th of April Bridge. Overall, this is an affordable and innovative option that lasts an hour and a half, with departures every two hours. It can be an ideal plan for those who plan to visit Lisbon in 1 day or want to get to know the local history and culture in a short time.

Lisbon is the perfect destination for surfing and extreme water sports. The gentle waters allow you to learn elementary moves and techniques to master the open water. It can be done at any time of the year, asneoprene wetsuits are available for summer and winter.

If you have no experience, you should not do this activity on your own. Instead, with a professional you will go to safe areas, such as the Costa da Caparica which is an ideal destination if you plan to visit Lisbon in summer and want to enjoy the beaches of the Atlantic sea.

When booking a surf lesson you will usually start by practising with the board on land, so that you will gradually build up your confidence. Later on, you'll jump into the sea and try different positions on the board.

To connect with nature you can participate in a dolphin watching experience, which takes you through the beauty of the ocean and its varied marine life. Become a marine biologist for a couple of hours on board a boat that will set sail from the Tagus River to the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. Amidst the calm waters you can search for these friendly animals and even spot sunfish, sea turtles, whales and jellyfish.

Lisbon also looks impressive from the Atlantic coast, with monuments such as the Se cathedral and St. George's Castle standing out. Generally, you will be accompanied by a professional guide, who will explain about the different species, their behaviour and the importance of marine conservation.

Portugal's capital is surrounded by natural attractions and coastal towns, perfect for unforgettable getaways. You won't want to miss Sintra, a charming Portuguese village with gardens and palaces that are the stuff of urban legends. Nor should you miss the fishing village of Cascais, where you'll find stunning beaches and buildings.

Getting from Lisbon to Sintra is relatively easy, from Sete Rios station you can take the Comboios De Portugal train. If you're on your own, I recommend an early start so you can cover both places, or split the itinerary into two days. Then, to get from Sintra to Cascais you can take the Carris Metropolitano and back to the capital by train to Cais do Sodré station.

The advantage is that both destinations are less than forty minutes apart, making the experience easy to access. For first-time travellers or those who want to leave the planning to professionals, you can book a tour to Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon. There are different packages and you should consider that some do not include entrance fees to monuments.

Sintra

Excursions to Sintra from Lisbon can offer:

• Visit to the Da Pena Palace.
• Grottoes through the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira.
• Tour of the historic centre.
• 4x4 jeep rides to the highest point of the village.
• Hiking experiences in the Sintra Natural Park.

Cascais

Cascais is a paradisiacal tourist destination where you will fall in love with its picturesque alleys and nature landscapes. During your visit you can't miss:

• Visit Cabo da Roca.
• A trip to the cliff of Boca do Inferno, located on a steep hill where the waves crash wildly.
• A dip in Praia do Guincho.
• Sign up for a surfing experience.

Another unforgettable plan is to buy tickets to Sintra's Castelo dos Mouros, a historic fortress created by the Arabs between the 8th and 9th centuries. It was used as a protective wall for the town and served to guard the movements between Cascais and Mafra. To discover the history in detail I recommend going inside the castle, where you can admire its architecture and finds from the Bronze and Iron Ages.

It is on a hill and to get to its location you can venture on a nature walk, choosing between twosteep paths. The first option is the Caminho de Santa Maria with a moderate-low difficulty. It will take you about an hour and you will start on a paved route, which then leads into a forest with some steep climbs. The Villa Sassetti trail, on the other hand, is of moderate-high difficulty and, although faster, some sections are more demanding and risky.

For an added touch of fun and adventure, you can explore the walls surrounding the castle and reach secret corners at the highest points.

If you're travelling to Portugal, don't miss the Arrábida National Park, just 45 minutes from Lisbon. This place combines natural beauty, adventure activities, culture and gastronomy, making it an excellent choice for an excursion. It is popular for snorkelling sessions that invite you to dive a few metres down to paradisiacal beaches, while learning about its biodiversity of fauna and flora.

To recharge your batteries you can enjoy a seafront meal in the restaurants of the area based on fresh fish, as well as a variety of wines and cheeses. If you want to go in a group, there are different options and some offer transfers, sports insurance and a guide. In addition, there are other extreme activities that take place in this destination. I personally recommend:

• Hire a 4x4 jeep tour in Arrábida: you will discover the rugged terrain of the Arrábida Mountains, as well as the underground cave of Santa Margarita.
• Go mountain biking.
• Take a scenic hiking route to explore places such as the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Arrábida and the Fort of São Felipe.
• Combine a trip to Azeitão and Arrábida to immerse yourself in two historical gems and visit a wine region.

There's no fuller, more adrenaline-filled sensation than jumping off Lisbon's cliffs. They are a real attraction in the middle of beaches surrounded by nature. I think it's ideal for adventurers because it combines climbing, swimming and jumping from heights depending on your level of experience.

For safety, it's best to do it with professionals and a good idea is to book a snorkelling, kayaking and cliff jumping excursion. This option combines several adrenaline activities and allows you to explore the marine life. It usually takes place in Sesimbra, where golden beaches and calm currents await you.

To make the experience more exciting, you'll get into a kayak to explore the mythical sea caves that characterise the region and stop for lunch at a family farm.

Lisbon is an attractive city from every angle and its beaches are no exception. These types of experiences usually depart from Ribeira das Naus or Cais do Sodré, ideal places to enjoy a walk in the open air and take advantage of the nearby Time Out Market, as well as the ferries that connect to Almada.

Another thing to do in Sintra is to check out the Cabo de Roca, where you can squeeze in a variety of adventure activities. It is the most westerly point in Europe, which is perhaps why it is one of the top excursions from Lisbon Centuries ago a fort was built on its cliff, but nowadays you can only see its remains and remote paths.

It rises almost 150 metres above sea level, offering panoramic views of the ocean and surroundings. The scenery is very impressive because it reflects calm and chaos in the same setting. Of course, the aim is to have fun and here you can go hiking or, if you are more adventurous, dare to paraglide and climb the rock formations.

Recreational scuba diving in Lisbon offers an exciting activity that allows you to explore the rich marine life and underwater landscapes of the region. It differs from snorkelling in that you can dive into the depths, without exceeding safe limits. The most recommended locations are Cascais and the Arrábida Natural Park, and the best season is from spring to summer due to the pleasant temperatures.

You can see everything from reefs to shipwrecks and it is advisable to dive with professionals or at least know the area and use the necessary equipment. Also bear in mind that you cannot have been on a plane for 24 hours before, as after the class you must allow at least 12 hours to board a flight.

This precaution is due to the fact that nitrogen accumulates in the blood and tissues when submerged. Waiting the recommended hours allows it to be eliminated naturally from the body, reducing the risk of decompression problems. Alternatively, you can stay on land and book a traditional boat trip.

It's a sin to pass through Lisbon and not book a tour to Evora, a magical city just an hour and a half away that is a melting pot between the Middle Ages and the present day. Natural viewpoints, ruins of Ancient Rome and an infectious atmosphere await you here.

See the spooky Cathedral of Bones, known for its macabre decoration made of human bones. It's also a popular destination for paragliders to see the Alentejo region, with its golden fields and olive groves. You can choose to jump at 3000 or 5000 metres and with options of 10, 50 or 70 seconds of freefall.

:::link|text=Lisbon'|element=sc-138-5401::: s :::link|text=hiking tra|element=sc-138-5401::: ils are one of the most appealing attractions to unwind, due to their enchanting landscapes that include fishing, coastal and nature trails. There are experiences for all tastes and levels of experience, here are my favourite options.

Monsanto Forest Park

Monsanto Forest Park is the largest park in Lisbon, with a network of trails winding through the forest. From the top you get stunning views of the Tagus River and part of the city. It is open 24 hours a day and is close to the city centre.

• Intensity: medium-easy.
• When to go: All year round, especially in spring and autumn for pleasant temperatures.
• When not to go: avoid rainy days as the trails can become slippery.

Almada to Cacilhas Trail

One of the most underrated places in Lisbon is Cacilhas, which is located across the Tagus River. From Cais do Sodre you can take a ferry and enjoy a scenic walk of at least ten minutes. When you arrive, walk along the paths by the water, appreciate the street art and trace a route to the National Sanctuary of Christ the King

• Intensity: easy.
• When to go: All year round, most beautiful at sunset.
• When not to go: on windy days, as it can be uncomfortable to walk near the water.

If you plan to visit Lisbon with children you can't miss the Zoological Garden, one of the oldest zoos in Europe. You will walk along its open-air paths to appreciate the animal exhibits and a bird show. It has more than 2,000 animals belonging to different species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, among others.

It offers a themed train to tour its facilities, as well as the possibility of taking a cable car to admire its facilities from above. On Saturdays they usually organise special activities that take you through the care and conservation of the animals.

Just outside the city you can also connect with nature at Badoca Safari Park, a place where you can enjoy a tractor safari to observe the animals.

Portugal's oldest botanical garden is located in Lisbon, and offers a unique experience in a natural setting. This is the Ajuda Botanical Garden, where you can see flora from different parts of the world.'

These Italian-style gardens are the perfect place to relax and learn about different ecosystems. In fact, you can take an educational tour to learn about its history. In passing you can visit the National Palace of Ajuda, a monument that was the residence of the Portuguese Royal Family in the 19th century and offers around 11 themed rooms.

• Map and familiarise yourself with the routes and trails you plan to take.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
• Consider a tour guide. It is always advisable to do these activities in a group or with at least one other person. If you go alone, inform someone about your itinerary.