Updated 2026
Since moving here in 2016 Ive dedicated endless hours to exploring my adopted home by all means possible. Plane, train, bus, boat, bicycle – you name it, I’ve done it – but my absolute favourite way to see Portugal is by road trip. I’ve embarked on road trips all over the country, including the archipelagos of Madeira and Azores, and these trips account for many of my best trip memories over the last 10 years. The freedom that comes from a road trip is unmatched and Portugal is built for these adventures.
Planning a trip to Portugal? You’re in the right place! Welcome to Travel Planning and Itinerary design by Candy. Olá! I’m an independent travel advisor living in Portugal (since 2016). I help people plan their dream trip to Portugal, Spain and Italy. You’re currently reading a post from my collection of travel guides. I also offer personal travel consultation and a bespoke itinerary service.
Road Trips in Portugal
Built from personal experience, I’ll share the best road trips in Portugal. Let’s get to it already! Vamos!
- Planning a road trip in Portugal
- Best car rental Portugal
- Douro Valley
- Western Algarve
- Silver Coast & Oeste
- Alentejo
- Madeira
- São Miguel, Azores
Why road trip in Portugal?
Despite it’s small size, Portugal is a diverse land where the culture, food and experience change as quick as the scenery. From breathtaking coastlines, mountainous provinces, rural hinterland, undiscovered pottery villages to and remote schist villages the possibilities are endless if you have a car.
With exception of the two biggest cities (Lisbon and Porto) driving is the best way to travel around Portugal. The biggest benefit to driving around Portugal is the freedom it gives you to move at your own pace. It allows you to be more spontaneous, leave earlier or later, and can even help beat crowds in some places. That’s just one small part of it though. The winning argument for renting a car is that it gives you access to the entire country.
BEST 10 DAY PORTUGAL ITINERARY
If you rely solely on public transport in Portugal you will miss out on some of the most vibrant and authentic parts of the country. The trip that made me realise this more than any other was a ten day road trip I put together in 2020. It was my first extended road trip in my adoptive country and it opened my eyes to what Portugal had hiding in its interior – magic and warmth. I’m not exaggerating when I say this trip changed the trajectory of my life in Portugal.
Planning a Road Trip in Portugal
Being on the road is all about freedom and we love that about it, but being able to fully embrace that freedom involves doing some pre-planning first. The more prepared you are before you go, the more time you have to enjoy the experience of being on the road trip.
One of the biggest joys of a road trip is going off-route and making new discoveries, but sometimes it helps to have some places or points of interest already in mind that can help shape your route. When you already have a list or map of options to choose, you’re not left scrambling last minute. This is exactly why I created the Portugal Travel Map.
Portugal Travel Planning Map
The best way to plan your Portugal itinerary is by having all of the options in one place. I’ve created a trip planning map for Portugal with hundreds of pins to help you plan your trip. Need trip inspiration or itinerary ideas? You’ll find everything you need on the map.
Where you do and don’t need a car in Portugal
If you have the time for a road trip then most regions in Portugal are best explored with a car. A car can be a convenient way to move between destinations during your Portugal trip; giving you the freedom to make as many stops as you like, seeing more of the country along the way.
However there are also a few places where it doesn’t make sense to use a car. Both Lisbon and Porto are tricky cities to navigate with a car due to small streets and very limited parking. Both cities also have sufficient public transport and taxi options that you don’t need a car to get around.
BEST PLACES TO STOP BETWEEN PORTO, LISBON & ALGARVE
If you want to explore Algarve deeply, visit iconic towns like Nazaré, discover the real Portugal in Alentejo, see the vines and views in Douro Valley or scale Serra Estrella, then I strongly recommend hiring a car.
Here is a quick run down of places you do and don’t need a car in Portugal…
- LISBON / PORTO
You don’t need one, most places can be easily reached by public transport. Parking is not particularly easy or fun in either city. It’s worth noting SINTRA is notoriously bad for driving and parking in busy seasons. I recommend using a tour guide to make the most of Sintra. - DOURO VALLEY
In my opinion the best way to see Douro Valley is by car. You get a completely different view and perspective of the vines from the roads compared to the river. Obviously drink driving is a no go so if you are visiting a few wineries then a taxi would be best between them. Alternatively you can hire a guide. Douro is another place that is best visited with a guide if you have the budget for it. - ALGARVE
If you are just staying in one place such as Lagos and don’t intend on exploring outside of that area then you can get away without a car, but otherwise I definitely recommend getting one. Algarve is a perfect example of why Portugal is best explored by car. There are so many hidden gems to find, not to mention remote beaches (yes, even in summer). The west coast between Sagres and Aljezur is great for driving. - ALENTEJO
Yes yes yes. Alentejo is the ultimate road trip destination in Portugal. Public transport in the region is poor with the exception of the train between Lisbon and Évora. There are so many amazing villages to explore in Alentejo, you can get a different perspective of the country. The roads in baxio Alentejo in particular are very quiet and peaceful. In the north I recommend driving around the São Mamede Natural Park. - THE AZORES – Yes. Tourist infrastructure is slightly better here but just like Madeira you will miss out on the best bits of the island if you don’t have a car. Part of the joy of it is the freedom it gives you to explore away from the main sites and see what you find. Without a car you need to rely on tour guides or private transfers. If you going to São Miguel I recommend creating a circular route around the entire island (I did this in 6 days and saw so much).
- MADEIRA. Definitely. It’s almost impossible to see the island properly without a car. Madeira is an adventure island. As soon as you leave Funchal you’ll discover amazing roads, remote beaches, mountains, waterfalls, authentic restaurants, I could keep going…. Without a car you will need to rely on tour guides or private transfers. There is a road that runs through the middle of the island between Ponta do Sol and São Vincente which is breathtaking!
This is not intended to make people feel bad for choosing not to hire a car, it’s to empower those that are thinking of hiring to go for it. If you can’t or don’t want to rent a car in Portugal so can still experience the magic of Portugal by car. I recommend working with a private driver if you want to see some of the harder to reach areas or making the most of the train and bus system to visit some of the lesser known towns.
Book trains using the official website
For buses you can use Rede Expressos or FlixBus to many destinations in the country.
A few tips for car hire in Portugal:
- If you are on the mainland, it is likely you will use toll roads for at least some of your trip so add the Via Verde transponder which costs a couple of euros a day to use.
- Portugal drives on the right side of the road
- Outside of Lisbon and Porto (and south coast Algarve in summer) the main roads are generally quiet.
- Road conditions are generally good and well maintained on the mainland
- You can find both manual and automatic options easily
- You will need a credit card to be able to book with the majority of companies
- To embrace the full road trip spirit ‘switch off motorways’ on GoogleMaps
Best Car Rental in Portugal
If you’ve read any of my other travel guides for Portugal you’ll see I work with Zest. I’ve been using them for many years now all over the country. Before this point I had so. many terrible car rental experiences with dishonest providers until I reluctantly tried Zest. The first thing that struck me was how user friendly the website is. It is easy to use and information is presented in a way you can actually read and understand. The best thing is the fact that prices are shown upfront, there are no surprises when you get to checkout. They also have a fabulous insurance policy which I have had to use several times (scratched wing mirror in São Miguel and broken tail light in Algarve) without any trouble.
Which roads to drive in Portugal
All of the best driving experiences I’ve had in Portugal have been when I’ve switched off ‘motorways’ on GoogleMaps and took the road less traveled. I definitely suggest trying this for at least some of your trip. The rural backroads and national parks in Portugal are a a true experience not to be missed. Take you time, drive the small roads and you’ll find hidden gems and unspoilt views to marvel at.
Toll roads in Portugal
There will be times you can’t avoid the motorways. Apart from the outskirts of Lisbon or Porto motorway traffic is usually light and easy. Some occasions you may need to use one of Portugals toll roads especially if you are covering long distances. If this is the case I recommend adding the toll responder to your car hire agreement. It’s usually just a few euros a day and saves you having to work out how to pay it after. On the rare occasion you’re on a toll road that doesn’t fall under the transponder you can pay by card or cash. It’s getting better but some of the toll booths are fussy with international cards. I recommend carrying some cash for these situations.
What are the best road trips in Portugal?
Now to the good bit. I’ve been exploring Portugal deeply since 2016 and although I still have a lot to see I’ve been lucky enough to experience some truly amazing driving. Here are some of my most memorable drives in Portugal through all the regions.
Douro Valley Road Trip
So many visitors choose train or boat to visit Douro Valley but to really witness the beauty of this wine region you need a car. Winding roads reveal breathtaking scenery at every corner. Drive slow and take it all in. If you’re here for multiple wine tastings (and I certainly hope you are) then leave your hire car at your hotel and grab a taxi. You’ll still get to experience those beautiful winding roads but safely. A few villages I absolutely recommend adding to your Douro road trip itinerary are Valença do Douro and Provesende.
Douro Valley Road trip Route Idea
Porto >> Provesende >> Casal de Loivos >> Pinhão >> Ervesa do Douro >> Valença do Douro >> Folgosa >> Lamego/ Peso da Regúa
Douro Valley Road Trip Route
Route Map Link available on Portugal Travel Map
Talking about wine…. BEST WINE EXPERIENCES IN DOURO VALLEY
Western Algarve Road Trip
Algarve. The most misunderstood region in Portugal. So many resort to believing the region is only what you can find in Albufeira. I’ve said it more than once and I’ll continue to say it a thousand times; Algarve is home to some of the most authentic places in Portugal. I know this because I spent my first 4 years in Portugal living in Algarve. While it’s true that the south coast beaches can get pretty jammed in summer and *some* tons ave lost charm, that is such a small section of the region. Head west and seek out the wild, windswept beaches costa Vicentina, stopping off at market towns and villages. You’ll find stunning natural beauty, tumble-down whitewashed villages and…. sweet potatoes.
Western Algarve Road Trip Route Idea
Lagos >> Burgau >> Praia da Ingrina >> Sagres >> Praia da Arrifana >> Monte Clérigo >> Aljezur >> Monchique >> Silves >> Ferragudo
Western Algarve Road Trip Route
Route Map Link available on Portugal Travel Map
Authentic Wine Tasting Algarve
Alentejo Road Trips
Ah, my beloved Alentejo. My favourite region in Portugal is also home to the very best driving. Alentejo is a huge region so I’ve split it into two. If you’re up for a mega road trip do both!
Alentejo Road Trip Route Idea (Alto, Baixo & Litoral)
Marvão >> Estremoz >> Évora >>Redondo >> Monsaraz >> Vidigueira >> Serpa >> Mértola >> Odeceixe >> Vila Nova de Milfontes
Alentejo Road Trip Route Map
Route Map Link available on Portugal Travel Map
One of my oldest travel guides is a road trip around Alentejo : 10 DAY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Baixo Alentejo
Baixo Alentejo is one of the bet road trips you can take in Portugual for an authentic experience. The region remains Portugal’s most undiscovered and a quite but beautiful land await you. Expect agriculture, pottery and historic wine tasting experiences. This is a place to take your time driving around. Try not to rush through this region because although there are many beautiful vistas to set eyes on this place is more about how it makes you feel. The only way to know is to go. Make sure you tick off the following… Mértola, Alvito, Redondo, Moura, Monsaraz and Vidigueira.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BAIXO ALENTEJO
Alto Alentejo
Still slow and warm but dramatic too. Expect towering medieval castles, vast vineyards and breathtaking scenery. My must-visits include Castelo de Vide, Marvão and Arraiolos. I particularly love driving through Serra da Sao Mamede Natural Park, a wild and green area.
Silver Coast and Oeste Highlights
You’ve probably heard of Nazaré as it’s one of the most popular stops between Lisbon and Porto but there is a lot more to this region (Oeste e Vale do Tejo) of Portugal than you may realise. The definition of which towns are included on the Silver Coast seem to vary depending on where you get your information but in my eyes it’s stretches from just below Peniche all the way up to Aveiro. The coast brings you Nazaré and Peniche just but you should also plan stops at Caldas da Rainha and Alcobaça.
Madeira road trip
Without a doubt, the island of Madeira is one of the best places for a road trip in Portugal. A true driving adventure with some of the countries most impressive landscapes and breathtaking roads. This tropical paradise is full of dramatic peaks, tropical plants and some of the best roads I’ve ever driven. One of the ebst drives is I driving between Ponta do Sol on south coast and São Vicente on the north.
São Miguel, The Azores
São Miguel is the biggest of 9 islands in The Azores and the roads are so fun to drive. There is a ring road that basically follows the coast the whole way around the island with various natural parks, villages, waterfalls and miradouros to fill your itinerary. Definitely add São Miguel to your road trip bucket list.
Here is a suggested route but the reality is that your route will depend on the weather conditions. Sao Migues is an island of natural beauty (which is very likely why you are visiting). Some sites like Furnas and the thermal pools can be visited in any weather but Sete Cidades (crater lakes) and Lagoa do Fogo are pointless to visit if you cannot see them. The crater lakes call for clear days so you’ll need to fit them into your route whenever you can.
São Miguel Road Trip Route Idea
Ponta Delgada >> Mosteiros >> Sete Cidades (Lagoa Verde, Lagoa Azul) >> Caloura >> Nordeste (via the southern road if you are up for an adventure) >> Ribeira Grande >> Lagoa do Fogo
São Miguel Road Trip Route
Route Map Link available on Portugal Travel Map
EN2 Road trip
Did you know the longest road in Europe is in Portugal? The N2 goes straight through the middle of the country and it’s one of the best ways to see and experience real Portugal. There are several fantastic itineraries and you can read more about the route on the N2 website.
Planning a road trip to Spain too? >> ANDALUSIA, SPAIN | A ROAD TRIP TRAVEL GUIDE
More amazing road trips in Portugal…
There you have a quick rundown of the best road trips in Portugal. Ready to start planning your itinerary?
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