Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 13 June 2026

Day Trips beyond Lisbon, Part 2: Palácio do Bucaco, Grutas da Mira de Aire, Quinta do Cerejeiras, and Buddha Eden Gardens

Summary of Episode

We're back with another round of day trips from Lisbon — and this batch might be our favourites yet. In this episode, Shelley and Beth head into some of Portugal's most surprising corners: a fairy-tale palace lost in an ancient forest, the largest caves in the country (that almost nobody outside Portugal knows exist), and a vast sculpture garden full of Buddhas and terracotta warriors tucked between vineyards. Yes, really.

If you loved our first Lisbon day trips episode, this one goes even deeper off the well-worn path.

In This Episode

Palácio do Buçaco (~2.5 hours from Lisbon)

A neo-Manueline palace inside a UNESCO-protected forest — the kind of place that genuinely feels like it shouldn't exist. We talk about the centuries-old forest (planted by monks, over 700 tree species), the extraordinary palace interior, and the shadow of King Carlos I, who was assassinated just a year after it was completed. 

We also get into the Battle of Buçaco from the Peninsular War and why the old convent on the grounds is worth seeking out. Our honest take: this one is better as an overnight or paired with Coimbra, just 30 minutes away.

Grutas de Mira de Aire (~1.5 hours from Lisbon)

The largest open caves in Portugal, discovered by accident in 1947 when a local farmer noticed steam rising from the ground on a cold morning. Formed during the Middle Jurassic era (yes, dinosaur times), the caves stretch 11 km but 600 metres are open to visitors. 

We walk you through what the guided tour is actually like, the app you can use if your tour is in Portuguese, and that final room with the fountain show — a little kitsch, absolutely wonderful. A car is needed if you are doing it yourselves, but you can get a tour through Get Your Guide from Lisbon, and it pairs beautifully with Fátima for a full central Portugal day.

Buddha Eden & Quinta das Cerejeiras (~1 hour from Lisbon, near Bombarral)

This one needs to be seen to be believed. Thirty-five hectares of Buddhist statues, Easter Island heads, and terracotta warriors set among vineyards in the Óbidos wine region — created by collector Joe Berardo as a response to the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas. We share what the experience is actually like, why you need comfortable shoes and more time than you think, and Beth tells the story of the train. We also cover Quinta das Cerejeiras nearby — the historic home of Abel Pereira da Fonseca — and how to actually get inside (hint: you need to call ahead).

Key Topics

[01:10] Palácio do Buçaco–Sorry about calling Luís I, Louis. I guess we went French for a minute. Make sure you check out our episode on Braga too!

[09:50] Grutas Mira de Aire underground caves

Quinta do Cerejeiras and wine tasting

[27:15] Buddha Eden Gardens 

Mãe d’Água Restaurant

Important Links 

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