Buckle up, you’re going from Madrid to Lisbon! This lengthy road trip will take you from Spain's most populated city to Portugal's most populated city.
There are various routes you can take. The A-5 takes you past the 9th to 12th-century fortress Alcazaba de Trujillo in an elevated part of Cabeza del Zorro. If you take a private car transfer with Daytrip, you can stop through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the old town of Caceres as a sightseeing stop. Whichever method of transport you choose, there’s plenty to see both on the way to and in Lisbon itself.
About Lisbon
Before you make your way from Madrid to Lisbon, there’s some fascinating history behind Lisbon that will enhance your cultural journey. Lisbon has been inhabited by many groups that have left their footprint behind, including the Romans, Visigoths, and Norwegian Crusaders. After Athens, Lisbon is the second-oldest European capital city and one of the oldest cities in the world.
A must-see during your visit is the Alfama neighborhood, the oldest in Lisbon. The name originates from the Arabic word “al-hamma” meaning “hot fountains” or “baths.” This area holds many Fado restaurants and the Fado Museum.
If you’re a museum lover, you’re in the right city! You can delve into optical illusions, gravity-defying art, and plenty of photo opportunities at 3D Fun Art Museum Lisboa, which is excellent for families or couples with youthful spirits. Meanwhile, the National Coach Museum has an extensive display of royal carriages, and the Money Museum displays various currencies from over the centuries, including the gold coin “morabitino,” which is the last of its kind.
You’ll be spoiled with options for eating in this city, with delicious cuisine bursting from restaurants that line the cobbled streets. Check out Ti Alcina, located at R. do Crucifixo 25, or O Trevo located at Praça Luís de Camões 48, for genuine Portuguese restaurants, with the latter known for its delicious sandwiches. Fill your stomach with a meal that will go the distance, with a hearty old-school meal at As Velhas at R. da Conceição da Glória 21.
From Madrid to Lisbon: travel tips
Keep these travel tips in mind before your Madrid to Lisbon transfer!
Pack the essentials
Even though Lisbon has been graced with lovely weather, the sky can be unpredictable, so it's wise to pack layers. Even during summer, a light jacket for the evening is advisable. Lastly, comfortable walking shoes are necessary, as Lisbon has many steep hills and stairs.
### Don’t forget about your money
While Spain and Portugal are part of the Eurozone, making financial transactions seamless, you should notify your bank before you travel to prevent your card from declining.
### Safety first
Lisbon is generally safe, but like in any major city, maintaining awareness of your surroundings is key. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.
### Understanding local operations
Luckily, fewer people in Lisbon take a siesta than in Madrid. If they do, it’s likely to start after lunch between 1 pm and 3 pm.
Tipping is appreciated but optional. But remember that wages are low in Portugal and tipping is common in tourist places.
How to get from Madrid to Lisbon
You have many options for your Madrid to Lisbon transfer to fit any budget or timeline. Check out these methods of transportation below!
From Madrid to Lisbon by bus
You can take a bus from Madrid to Lisbon, but buckle up for a long journey. A bus ticket can cost between $30 and $80 (28 - 74 euros), and your trip will be about 7 hours and 30 minutes or 8 hours.
### From Madrid to Lisbon by train
Taking the train is a delightful option if you're not in a rush to go far and appreciate the journey as much as the destination. Prices range from $35 to $55 and require you to transfer a few times along the way. Taking an overnight train can also be a great way to get over jetlag without wasting time.
### From Madrid to Lisbon by plane
With a flight time of just over an hour and 20 minutes, you’ll be sipping Portuguese coffee in no time. Airlines offer several flights daily, so you can easily find a schedule that fits your itinerary. However, you must factor in arrival times at the airport, security line waiting times, and possible delays—this can bring travel time up to 4 hours. Flight costs range from $45 to $160, depending on the airline and season.
### From Madrid to Lisbon by private car transfer service
You can book your trip far in advance, knowing everything will be handled. Skip navigating public transportation and language barriers. Schedule a ride with Daytrip.
We ensure door-to-door dropoffs – meaning we don’t drop you off at the nearest landmark but at your exact destination. Each driver speaks English and will take you to your designated sightseeing stops between Madrid and Lisbon. The benefit of having a local driver is access to local insights. Prices range from $140 to $425 per seat depending on your choice of vehicle (van, compact MPV, sedan, or luxury sedan).
Things to do in Lisbon
You’ve finally arrived! After your transfer from Madrid to Lisbon, you’ll want to see these sights:
Iconic landmarks
Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) is a symbol of Portugal’s age of discoveries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers breathtaking views of the Tagus River. It’s a masterpiece of Manueline and Moorish architecture that you shouldn't miss.
Another iconic UNESCO site is the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery). This monastery reflects Portugal's wealth during the age of discoveries. It’s a great example of the late Gothic Manueline style of architecture.
You can’t miss Praça do Comércio, the grand square previously known as the Royal Yard, which faces the Tagus River and is where the royal palace stood until the devastating earthquake of 1755. Today, it's a spacious area surrounded by yellow Pombaline architecture, ideal for sunset strolls.
### Off-the-beaten-path attractions
Once an industrial complex, LX Factory is a vibrant cultural and creative center filled with shops, art installations, and quirky spaces. You can check out the market on Sundays to buy crafts, unique accessories, and produce.
Head to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for one of the most spectacular 360-degree views of Lisbon, yet it's less crowded compared to other viewpoints.
### Outdoor activities
Named after Britain’s Edward VII, who visited Lisbon in 1903, Parque Eduardo VII offers stunning greenhouses and a unique view of the city that welcomes tourists and locals. Jardin da Estrala is another romantic and family-friendly garden opposite the Basílica da Estrela. Perfect for couples who want to bask in the sun and have a picnic.
### Nightlife and entertainment
Grab a drink at the Restaurante Javá Rooftop bar, offering stunning views of the city. Afterward, make your way to Plateau, an 80s-themed nightclub full of youngins and older generations alike. If you’re looking for authentic Fado music, head to Clube de Fado, located in the historic Alfama district, to experience Portugal’s soulful sound.
The best time to visit Lisbon
When traveling from Madrid to Lisbon, remember that in spring, from March to May, Lisbon experiences mild temperatures and blooming landscapes, making it an ideal time to visit. Days are warm, while nights are cool. June to August sees hot and dry days, but rainfall increases from September to November in the fall. Lisbon's winters are milder from December to February than in most European cities.
Regarding tourist season, the peak months are June to August, when you can expect crowds at significant sights and higher accommodation rates. The off-peak season is from November to February.
This ancient town’s native sons conquered the New World, and enriched their home with their newfound wealth. Almost El Dorado
Caceres
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town of this ancient city is a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. The Monumental City
Merida
This ancient Roman capital is home to the most impressive and extensive Roman ruins in all of Spain. Rome Away from Rome
Elvas
The premier frontier fortress south of the Tagus, Elvas is a town literally built for battle. Star of the Frontier
Evora
Encircled by ancient walls, the entire old town of this ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bursting with History
Palmela
This charming small town he heart of Portugal’s wine country is rich in culture and scenery. Wine with a View
"i was very anxious to make this trip but daytrip made my experience much better. Ivo our driver is spectacular and we were lucky to have him with us."
Zeina B.
2024年9月13日
"The trip was great. Carlos was great. And you had to make changes to my trip and you did it with patience and communication. I will highly recommend you. Thanks tom
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thomas h.
United States
2024年9月8日
"The trip was great and Carlos was very pleasant and helpful. He also was very informative. All in all a very comfortable and pleasant ride. Will definitely recommend it.
"
Kanury R.
India
2024年6月16日
"I’m sending you this email to say a special thank you to Marco O. and Angelo who were our drivers for the day from Madrid to Lisbon, they were very professional and helpful I can’t thank them enough for making our trip even better!
"
Nora A.
Saudi Arabia
2024年6月16日
"I’m sending you this email to say a special thank you to Marco Oliveira and Angelo who were our drivers for the day from Madrid to Lisbon, they were very professional and helpful I can’t thank them enough for making our trip even better!
"
Nora A.
Saudi Arabia
2023年11月28日
"Marco is a great driver. He arrived earlier to the spot and since we was ready we started our trip from Madrid immediately. Electric Tesla car is comfortable and quiet. We have to stop for charge a few times, but it help us stay in shape and be eco friendly. Me and my brother enjoyed the trip with Marco and it goes in chill and relaxed manner, but still get a good timing to arrive at Lisbon. Thank you for the trip. Will go again."
Igor G.
Spain
2023年10月26日
"LOVED Pedro! Trip was great - he even drove us through Toledo (which we did not expect) but what a bonus!!! Pedro was on time (early). Car was immaculately clean and very comfortable. Pedro is a great guy and very easy to talk to. He educated us throughout the ride which we loved. He even played some FADO music for us which I had asked him about. Perfect ride - perfect day. Arrived on time in Lisbon. Door to door service. Highly recommend Daytrip and Pedro."
Karin N.
United States
2023年10月9日
"Our Daytrip ride went very well. Carlos arrived promptly on schedule, the vehicle was clean, new and very comfortable for four of us plus all our luggage. And the entire journey (including stop for lunch) went as anticipated. Carlos is clearly an experienced limousine driver - smooth stops, starts and lane changes made for no anxious passengers. Based on our experience from this ride, we will use Daytrip again and recommend your service to our friends.
"
Roger Clay H.
United States
2023年10月4日
"Lara was an excellent driver and was prompt and on schedule at our excursions and got us to Lisbon hotel safely through rush hour. We requested to start an hour earlier and she responded quickly to affirm the change.
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Bruce B.
United States
2023年8月20日
"Pedro was excellent we really enjoyed the ride and conversation. He was very knowledgeable about the local area and we learned a lot. This was a great trip!! "
Tiffany M.
United States
2023年7月18日
"FANTASTIC trip! Highly recommend this if you are traveling from Madrid to Lisbon. We looked at trains and planes, but in the end thought it would be cool to drive and see Merida and Evora - And we were so glad we did!! Serafim - our Driver - was SO AWESOME. First of all, he was an EXCELLENT driver. But more than that - we was so pleasant and nice and made the trip feel like we were traveling with family :-). The Roman ruins in Merida were unbelievable and the ride FANTASTIC. ABSOLUTELY would recommend this trip. We will definitely use DayTrips again for our future travels."
Frances A.
United States
2023年7月13日
"As said, it was a far better experience than I had expected. Rodrigo was absolutely great, he was compassionate, helpful and thoughtful. He made certain that my request was fulfilled. Please pass on my thanks and appreciation of his extra efforts.
"
Balkrishna B.
Australia
2023年5月2日
"We had a fabulous trip. Rodrigo was superb - professional; nice/friendly; knowledgeable… Also, we really liked the Mercedes van, perfect for our group of five, along with luggage.
"
Helena B.
United States
2023年4月28日
"Great experience. Gustavo was most accommodating and knowledgeable. We wouldn’t hesitate to use you again. Thank you.
"
John N.
United States
2023年3月23日
"Our trip from Madrid to Lisbon was PERFECT. We are picky world travelers and were very impressed with the impeccable service. Our driver Tiago went above and beyond to make sure the trip was on time, the vehicle was clean and comfortable, and all the sightseeing stops were exactly how we wanted. It was a beautiful day full of new memories - we thank Tiago for giving us his best. We highly recommend this service and this specific driver and would use it again without hesitation."
Natalia M.
United States
2022年9月29日
"Really appreciate your service!
Ride with Gustavo was perfect!
He was a great and very pleasant driver.
His driving skills was very smoothbas well that I wlept the entire trip ;) "
BENJO G.
Philippines
2022年9月24日
""Wanted to let you know that your driver, Ruben S. did an excellent job of driving us from Madrid to Lisbon. He has a tremendous knowledge of the history and culture of both Spain and Portugal and although we did not do any side trips this time, we would have been comfortable with him being our guide. He also helped us with our luggage, important since we are staying in the Alfama district of Lisbon.""
Don L.
United States
2022年9月16日
"Nabiel did a fantastic job on our trip from
Madrid to Lisbon, he was very effective and efficient with his driving behaviors, and was also very good with his knowledge of the area. He was great at pointing out points to see during our two stops in Trujillo and Merida"
Kevin B.
United States
2022年8月19日
"Just wanted to let you know that our trip with Alexandre was FANTASTIC!! Our trip included stops in Trujillo, Madeira and Evora and he was knowledgeable of each destination . His vehicle was excellent and he supplied us with water along the way. His final part of the trip included a “name that tune” game which made the trip fly by. Our 11 hour excursion with him couldn’t have been better. Thanks to you at Daytrip for making our trip to Spain and Portugal fun and memorable."
James M.
United States
2022年7月20日
"I would like to tell you about our day trip from Madrid to Lisbon with Luis. It was the best experience of our trip. We absolutely loved Luis, he was so polite, so informative, so fun, such gentleman and would recommend him to anyone that uses your service. The trip was awesome, he pointed out a lot of things on the way, went through a tough time finding us a restaurant at our stop, the experience all in all was a 10+."
