Do you want a destination that has it all?
…well with Breathtaking Beaches, Captivating Cities and the best food on the planet, Portugal is the place for you!
Portugal is one of the few destinations that has something for everyone. Not only does it offer lovely weather all year round but it is so diverse. You can travel 20 Minutes up the road and feel like you are in a totally different Country.
With so many things to do, the best way to explore this Stunning Country is by Road!
So Pour yourself a Glass Of Port, Sit back and explore the Ultimate Portugal Road Trip Guide to help you plan the ultimate getaway 🍷
Is Portugal good for a road trip?
Portugal is one of the best places in Europe for a road trip!
With its fantastic roads, amazing service stations and plenty to see, driving around Portugal is a great way to explore.
No matter if you visit Portugal for 2 or 10 days, a car is the best way to see and enjoy a lot of the sites.
When is the best time to Visit Portugal?
☀️ If you are a Sun Worshiper, August is the Hottest time of year in Portugal.
But if you want slightly cooler temperatures to explore, Spring(February- May) or Autumn( September-October) is the perfect time to book your visit.
During these seasons you will still have the Warm Sea Waters and Warm Climate but there will be fewer Tourists.
If you want to escape the Cold winter, December is a great time to visit too.
Portugal is a great destination All Year Round.
The only decision you need to make for planning when you want your Portugal Road Trip is Simply, How Hot you want the Weather
Tip: Traveling Outside of the Summer Season is great for those travelling on a Budget. Hotels are usually Cheaper and the queues at tourist attractions are non-existent!
Don’t forget to grab your Free Europe Language Guide Below ⬇️
How to get to Portugal
The Easiest way to get to Portugal is by Air. The 3 Main Airports are Lisbon, Faro and Porto.
You can fly to these Airports easily and for a pretty good price.
To Check out Flight options and the best prices for your Portugal Road Trip, SkyScanner is one of the best flight comparison tools out there.
You can even see the Cheapest Months to Fly to Portugal from your Chosen Airport (How Great is That?)
If you want to do a Portugal Road Trip on a Budget, Saving money on flights is a great way to start!
What is the best way to travel in Portugal?
Portugal is very easy to navigate around.
For those who can’t drive but want to explore like you can with a Road Trip, the Train System is Awesome.
But for exploring everything Portugal has to offer, a Road Trip is the best way!
Driving in Portugal
Is it easy to drive around Portugal?
If you are thinking about doing a Portugal Road Trip, the first thing you will want to know is “Is it easy to drive around Portugal?”
You will be happy to hear that Driving in Portugal is fairly easy!
The Roads are well maintained and the signs are easy to follow if your Sat Nav loses connection. This makes exploring Portugal’s roads so much easier!
Warning: In some of the more rural areas and small towns the roads are a lot more narrow and unkempt, so drive carefully. Also, some streets also don’t have pavements so make sure you keep your eyes out for pedestrians.
👉 But if you are worried about driving on your trip, Check out these simple driving tips
Renting a car in Portugal
In Portugal, there are a few options out there for Car Rentals.
To look at the type of vehicle you want for your road trip the best place to start is with a comparison site, this will help you explore your options from rental prices to the number of seats.
Tip: If you are planning to drive into Spain or any other Country you will probably be charged a Cross Border Fee by the Rental Company (on Average it costs 30 Euros) so just be aware of this extra charge.
Tips for Picking up your Car Rental in Portugal
Portugal is not only incredibly safe for Tourists but pretty easy to drive around.
Here are a few tips to make your road trip go as smoothly as possible.
🇵🇹 Use a device to Film around the car when you do the vehicle check. This is the best way to show any damage on the car before you received it.
🇵🇹 If you spot any damage when receiving your car, don’t be polite and point it out. It is so important to make sure it is pointed out and the company makes a note of it.
🇵🇹 Before you set off, take a photo of car miles. This helps avoid any additional millage charges.
🇵🇹 Know your insurance options. Many people sort out their own car insurance before their trip because they know exactly what is covered and any additional costs.
Your ready to use Map of the Best places for city lovers in Portugal
This Map shows the must visit locations for Urban Explores.
Just click on the Orange Buildings to Explore the amazing things to do in these Cities.
Your ready to use map of the best Portugal driving route for beach lovers
Click on the Yellow Umbrellas on the Map below to explore some of Portugal’s most stunning areas for Beach Lovers.
These Sea-Side destinations are a must for any road trip through Portugal.
Tip: Download a Playlist and Navigation APP just in case the signal cuts out.
Our Top Portugal Road Trip Stops
- Lisbon
- Praça do Comércio
- Belém Tower
- Sanctuary of Christ the King
- Faro
Lisbon
Lisboa is Portugal’s Coastal capital that is a must stop location no matter how long your stay is!
When stopping here you can expect amazing food, wonderful city views and fantastic places to shop.
For a few hours or a few days, you will find so much to do in Lisbon. It is one of them very few places where you can just keep walking and not want to stop.
Praça do Comércio
When visiting Lisbon stop by Praça do Comércio, the buildings in this area are amazing.
This Square is one of the best across Europe due to it’s amazing views. It faces the harbour so no matter the weather, it is worth a visit!
Exploring here is done best by picking up some Pastel de nata from the shops nearby.
There are lots of places to grab a drink and a bite to eat but it’s not the cheapest place in Lisbon.
Belém Tower
If there is one spot you have to visit on your Portugal driving itinerary, it’s Belem Tower.
This Historic site 6 KM for Lisbon can’t come recommended enough.
The ancient tower sits in such a pretty area it’s worth visiting just for a walk. You can stroll around the area for free (for many this is more than enough) but if you want to have a tour of inside the tower, there is a charge.
The average price for a visit here is € 6 (the tower is closed on Mondays)
Opening Times:
October – April: 10 am to 5:30 pm.
May – September: 10 am to 6.30 pm.
Sanctuary of Christ the King
As you look over the bridge as you are driving into Lisbon you may think you are in Rio de Janeiro.
This is because of the Statue that watches of the city of Lisbon, The National Sanctuary of Christ the King.
Just driving past this statue will wow You. For the most impressive views of Lisbon, stopping here is definitely worth it (even in the rain!)
Entry to the Sanctuary of Christ the King is free, but tickets are needed to use the lift to the viewing platform. Tickets are €6 for adults and €3 for children.
There is also a free car park here so is an easy stop on your Portugal itinerary!
Faro
Every drive through Portugal should include a stop at the Algave. There is so much to do in this region, including exploring the Algave’s charming Capital, Faro.
Faro is often overlooked by tourists, so make sure you don’t do the same. Faro is one of the few places that just oozes Portuguese vibes. From the Medieval old town to the vibrant Harbour, Faro has so much to offer.
If your Portugal Road Trip itinerary doesn’t give you much time to stop you can explore the delights of Faro in just few hours.
But if you are looking for a break from driving the roads of Portugal, somewhere to relax and enjoy the best local dishes, Faro is the place for you!
A Portugal Road Trip in 5 days
It’s surprising how much of Portugal you can see in 5 days.
It only takes a few hours to drive between the Cities and you can stop of at a few Beaches and sites on the Way!
However, with only 5 days you may want to plan some days where you can relax and enjoy the sun.
Tip: Try not to fit everything and anything into your 5 days if you want a relaxing trip as you will spend most of your trip driving.
A Portugal Road Trip in 10 days
Exploring Portugal in 10 days by road will give you a chance to take it as slow as you like and still see a lot.
Make the most of having so much time here (We are Not at all Jealous) and enjoy a beer or two!
This amount of time will give you so many chances to eat your way around Portugal and get a pretty decent tan.
Top Spots to stay on your visit to Portugal
The Land of Port and Sunshine is a dream for whatever type of traveller you are.
For Foodies to History lovers, there are gems for everyone to find. So here are a few Top Spots to Stay in Portugal and our Must Stay Hotel.
🍷Lisbon
🍷Madeira
🍷Douro Valley
Best Spots for Foodies
🍴Lisbon
🍴Porto
🍴Faro
Best Spots for Sun Seekers
☀️Faro
☀️Albufeira
☀️Lagos
Best Spots for History Lovers
🇵🇹Lisbon
🇵🇹Sintra
🇵🇹Porto
To find the best spots to stay during your trip, Booking.Com is the perfect tool.
It will help you explore the different Room Rates, Facilities and best places to stop for a break from driving.
Must Stay Hotel: The Eva Sense Hotel in Faro is a favorite Hotel for many when visiting Portugal. The Hotel has an amazing view of the harbor. It also has a spa and a Roof Top Pool. The most relaxing setting to appreciate the Portuguese Sun!
Things you need to try on your trip
Portugal is full of wonderful local products.
Here are just a few things you don’t want to miss sampling:
✔️Pastel de nata (Custard Tart)
✔️Vinho Verde (Green Wine)
✔️Sardinhas (sardines)
✔️Bifanas (pork sandwiches)
☀️Portugal Road Trip Sign Off: Portugal is the Perfect Holiday Destination for anyone and everyone. So What are you waiting for? Use this Guide to Plan the Best Portugal Road Trip ever!
Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
