Portugal may be a small country, but it’s packed with scenic beauty, vibrant culture, and historical marvels. From the rolling vineyards in Douro Valley to the dramatic cliffs of Algarve, each corner offers unique and weird landscapes.
We’ve spent weeks driving virtually Portugal and have had the pleasure of road tripping from the top lanugo to the bottom. No matter where we stopped, we found the people friendly, the desserts succulent and the port wine flowing freely.
Best Road Trips in Portugal
From scenic coastal drives to inland trips, we’ve seen a lot firsthand, but know there’s unchangingly increasingly to explore. Whether traveling as a couple, a family, with a group of friends or on your own, we’ve seen there’s something in Portugal for everyone.
Lisbon to Porto: Coastal Bliss
Excited to see what road trips Portugal has to offer? Here’s your guide to the weightier road trips in Portugal for a journey you’ll never forget.
Quick Summary
This classical Portugal road trip route offers a perfect tousle of city, sea, and history. Starting from the vibrant wanted Lisbon, you’ll trip north withal the coast, exploring stunning beaches, medieval towns, and popping cities surpassing reaching Porto, famous for its port wine and historic charm.
Route:
Lisbon РCascais РSintra РNazar̩ РCoimbra РAveiro РPorto
Distance/Time:
433km – Approx. 5.5hrs travel time – Google Maps
Road Trip Duration:
5-7 Days
Highlights:
- Lisbon: Wanted municipality of Portugal with gorgeous tracery like the Jerónimos Monastery, tomfool street tiles, plenty of unusual things to do as well as the home of our favorite Portuguese dessert, the succulent Pasteis de Belem.
- Cascais: The Boca do Inferno, a dramatic cliffside chasm is worth stopping for.
- Sintra: Explore both the colorful Pena Palace as well as the trappy Quinta da Regaleira palace (plus both their wondrous gardens).
- Nazaré: Stand in awe of Nazarés huge waves, visit Our Lady of Nazaré Sanctuary plus trammels out the Miradouro do Suberco, a viewpoint offering superstitious panoramic ocean views.
- Coimbra: Home of the Joanina Library, one of the most trappy libraries in the world as well as the popular University of Coimbra.
- Aveiro: Canals ornate with brightly colored boats tabbed moliceiros line this Portuguese city, often tabbed the Venice of Portugal.
- Porto: Sample variegated ports, go on a Douro river cruise and trammels out Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most trappy bookstores.
Tip:
While Nazaré is popular for day trips, consider spending a night here. At night, once the day tourists leave, you’ll get the endangerment to wits the quiet recreate of this fishing village, which is both rich in tradition and local flavor.
Douro Valley: The Wine Circuit
Quick Summary:
For port and wine lovers, this route is paradise. Beginning in Porto, you’ll journey into the heart of Portugal’s wine country, pursuit the Douro River through scenic towns and valleys, and stopping for vineyard tours and tastings withal the way.
Route:
Porto РAmarante РPeso da R̩gua РPinḥo РVila Real
Distance/Time:
188km – Approx. 3hrs travel time – Google Maps
Duration:
3-5 Days
Highlights:
- Porto: The iconic Ribeira District withal the Douro River and the Porto Cathedral, a 900 year old towers with wondrous tile art.
- Amarante: Ponte de São Gonçalo, an protuberant underpass with tons of historical significance.
- Peso da Régua: Douro Museum, exploring the history and culture of the Douro region.
- Pinhão: The train station ornate with blue-and-white Azulejo tiles.
- Vila Real: The 18th-century Mateus Palace and its gorgeous gardens.
- Peso da Régua: Douro River Trip and Museu do Douro.
- Pinhão: Wine estates and Azulejos-decorated train station.
- Vila Real: Mateus Palace.
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Tip:
The Douro Valley is the rookery of port wine, and no visit would be well-constructed without diving into this local specialty. Many vineyards offer tastings and tours where you can learn well-nigh the winemaking process from grape to bottle. But it’s not just well-nigh port; the region moreover produces unrenowned red and white wines. Make sure to take a guided tour of at least one wine manor to fully fathom the region’s rich viticultural history.
The Algarve: Sun-Kissed Splendor
Quick Summary:
This southern loop offers the quintessential Algarve experience: golden beaches to lounge yonder the hot summer days, rocky coves to explore and popping towns filled with nightlife. The route takes you from the historic municipality of Faro to the westernmost point of the Algarve, providing a well-rounded tour of this sun-soaked region.
Route:
Tavira – Faro – Albufeira – Lagos – Sagres
Distance/Time:
168km – Approx. 3hrs travel time – Google Maps
Duration:
5-7 Days
Highlights:
- Tavira: The Roman Bridge, a picturesque seven-arched bridge.
- Faro: Arco da Vila, an protuberant gateway dating when to Moorish times.
- Albufeira: Nightlife hub of the Algarve. Moreover trammels out Old Town, a vibrant zone filled with shops, restaurants, and bars.
- Lagos: Ponta da Piedade, known for its stunning waddle formations and Praia Dona Ana.
- Sagres: Fortaleza de Sagres, a cliff-top fortress with panoramic sea views and Cape St. Vincent. Moreover very popular with kite surfers.
Tip:
Tavira offers a less crowded, increasingly pure Algarve experience. It’s relatively untouched by large-scale tourism, making it an platonic spot for a quieter waterfront escape and to explore traditional Portuguese culture. If you want to be where the whoopee is, Albufeira is where you want to be.
Madeira: The Garden Isle
Quick Summary:
Portugal’s southern island of Madeira provides a unshared road trip wits full of natural eyeful and old-world charm. Starting in Funchal, this island route offers lush gardens, volcanic pools, and coastal views that are second to none.
Route:
Funchal РC̢mara de Lobos РRibeira Brava РPorto Moniz РSantana
Distance/Time:
117km – Approx. 2.5hrs travel time – Google Maps
Duration:
4-6 Days
Highlights:
- Funchal: Monte Palace Tropical Garden offering views over Funchal Bay, take a crazy Toboggan ride in a traditional wicker basket lanugo the municipality roads and visit the lovely Mercado dos Lavradores.
- Câmara de Lobos: Picturesque fishing village immortalized by Winston Churchill’s paintings.
- Ribeira Brava: Forte de São Bento, a historic fort with scenic sea views.
- Porto Moniz: Natural lava pools perfect for a unique swimming wits and the Madeira Aquarium.
- Santana: Thatched-roof A-frame houses showcasing traditional Madeiran tracery Queimadas Forest Park.
Tip:
The Laurisilva Forest is a must-see in Madeira. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers well-nigh 20% of the island. A walk here reveals a rare glimpse of Europe’s prehistoric landscapes. The flora and fauna are unique, and the sense of tranquility is unparalleled.
Azores: Volcanic Adventure
Quick Summary:
Portugal’s Azores islands are an off-the-beaten-path treasure in the middle of the Atlantic. Starting in Ponta Delgada, this route offers a journey through volcanic landscapes, cliffside viewpoints, and lush greenery that encapsulates the untamed eyeful of these islands.
Route:
Ponta Delgada – Sete Cidades – Furnas – Nordeste
Distance/Time:
126km – Approx. 2.5hrs travel time – Google Maps
Duration:
4-6 Days
Highlights:
- Ponta Delgada: Forte de São Brás, a 16th-century fortress plus trammels out Twin lakes and Vista do Rei.
- Sete Cidades: Visit Lagoa do Fogo, a stunning crater lake.
- Furnas: Terra Nostra Garden, a trappy botanical garden with thermal pools.
- Nordeste: Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego, offering panoramic views of cliffs and ocean.
Tip:
The Azores are one of the world’s weightier spots for whale watching. While most visitors come between April and October, each season offers a variegated variety of species. Book a tour with a reputable operator to enhance your chances of sightings and to ensure upstanding practices.
Travel Tips for Any Route:
- Toll Roads: Portugal has many toll roads. A Via Verde (Green Lane) electronic device can be rented to automatically pay some tolls while others require a toll pass, both will save you time and fuss.
- Gas Stations: Fuel up in larger towns as rural areas may have limited services. Gas stations moreover often tropical early in remote regions.
- Local Laws: Unchangingly have your ID and driving license with you. Portuguese traffic police are known for random checks, and fines for not having proper identification or a proper toll pass can be steep.
The Weightier Road Trips in Portugal
With each road trip offering its own unique set of attractions and nuances, Portugal promises an venture that caters to all kinds of travelers. We loved our time here and the unshortened family unchangingly enjoyed jumping into the car knowing that the next stop was going to be just as wondrous as the last. Safe travels!
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