ROAD TRIP

I’m travelling between Porto and Algarve, where should I stop on the way?

I saw this question on one of the Portugal travel groups for the zillionth time so I thought I would finally sit down and put together a guide for how to get between the main destinations in Portugal and more importantly, the best places to stop along the way. 

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.

This website was built to help you plan your dream trip to Portugal and I have several services and tools to help you do just that.

I travel between Lisbon, Porto and Algarve very regularly, for work and pleasure. I usually travel by car between Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve but if I am only visiting Porto I tend to take the train. When I’m driving  I always try to stop off in a new town or village to experience something different so I’ve naturally built up a list of best places to visit between the main cities. After years of this process I thought it would be great to share my favourite places to stop or overnight between Portugal’s most popular destinations.

BEST 10 DAY PORTUGAL ITINERARY

How to get between Lisbon and Porto

Most people use a train, rental car or a private driver to travel between Lisbon and Porto. Depending on your plans, budget and time restraints. 

How to get between Lisbon and Porto by Train

Train is arguably the easiest/most comfortable way to get to Porto from Lisbon and vice-versa. The train station you’ll catch the train in Lisbon is Oriente, which is 2 stops from the airport on the metro or a short Uber/Bolt ride away.  The train takes between 3 – 3.5 hours and will drop you at Campanhã station in Porto. At Campanhã you can either change trains and take another 5 minute ride to São Bento central station or grab an Uber/Bolt from Campanhã straight to the centre or your accommodation.

Always book tickets in advance from the official website www.cp.pt. If you book more than two weeks you have access to promo prices.

How to get between Lisbon and Porto by Car

If you’re only staying in Lisbon and Porto during your trip you probably don’t need a car. Both cities are easy to explore without one and having one can sometimes be annoying in terms of traffic and parking. However, having a car has one big benefit – you have the freedom to stop anywhere you like on the route between the two.

If you’re looking for a rental car I can recommend the broker Zest. I’ve personally used them all over Portugal (including the islands) , Spain and Italy. They work with a wide range of big and small companies and have really great no-excess insurance included. I’ve used the insurance 3 times now and have always had the full amount returned to me.

HOW TO RENT A CAR IN PORTUGAL | BEST ROAD TRIPS 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.

BEST ROAD TRIPS PORTUGAL

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.

How to get between Lisbon and Porto by Private Driver

Last but by no means the least, the final option is to hire a private driver.

Pro’s :

• You can sit back and enjoy the ride. (Great after a night flight)
• No need to worry about navigating, tolls and parking.
• If you are working with a tour guide and not only a transfer then this can serve as a guided tour and you can learn about Portugal while you travel.
• You can drink as much wine at lunch as you like 

Con’s: 

• Depending on your budget and plans, it can be expensive.

Transport in Porto

Porto is a very walkable (but hilly) city. You can take a train to Douro Valley (Pinhão) from Porto. The metro is available to take you around the city centre and out to Foz and Matosinhos. Uber and Bolt are widely available.

How to get between Lisbon and Algarve

Getting between Lisbon and Algarve depends on a few things.

Where your final destination in Algarve is. Lagos, Faro, Tavira, etc? If you’ll stay in one place when you reach Algarve, or if you’re planning to visit multiple places?

How to get between Lisbon and Algarve by Train

If your final destination in Algarve is Faro, Lagos or Tavira you can take a train from Lisbon Oriente station. If you’re heading to Faro or Tavira you can stay on the same train for the whole trip. If you’re going to Lagos you’ll need to change trains at Tunes and take a second train to Lagos. 

Although the train is an option, strongly consider renting a car if you are spending longer than a few days in Algarve. The public transport in the region isn’t great and you’ll have much more freedom and see much more by car. 

How to get between Lisbon and Algarve by Bus

There are several bus companies that run a service between Lisbon and Algarve including Rede Express and Flixbus. There are several bus stations in Lisbon but the most frequently used for this service is Oriente and Sete Rios.  

How to get between Lisbon and Algarve by Car

The best way to get between Lisbon and Algarve, especially if your final destination is another location than those mentioned above, is by car. The other reason a car is the best option is because it gives you the freedom to stop off in places the train or bus doesn’t go; such as the Alentejo Coast.

ALGARVE OFF THE BEATEN PATH EXPERIENCES

Transport in Algarve

Public transport exists but it is limited. There is a train line running between Lagos and Tavira with trains every few hours. Uber is available.

Best Places to Stop Porto <> Lisbon <> Algarve

Okay, now you know how you’re travelling between Porto, Lisbon and Algarve, you can plan the best places to stop between Porto, Lisbon and Algarve

Lisbon <> Porto 

A list of places to stop and what to see between Lisbon and Porto.

Best places to stop between Lisbon and Porto by Train

Coimbra – best for history and a laid back city experience

Portugal’s third largest city (and once upon a time, the capital) is a really great stop off. The city is small enough to walk around, has some interesting sights (such as Coimbra university) and also some lovely restaurant choices.

Best places to stop between Lisbon and Porto by Car/ Private Driver

Obviously with a car there are infinite possibilities of places to stop between Lisbon and Porto. Here are just a few ideas. If you have the time these also make a great overnight stop.

I haven’t mentioned Óbidos because it is already very well known as a place to stop off. The town itself is one of the most touristy places in Portugal but it is pretty. You don’t need much time here so if you’d like to stop off you only need an hour or so to see the town.

Nazaré  – best for local feel, BBQ fish and big waves (if you’re lucky)

A common and worthwhile quick stop between Lisbon and Porto is the seaside town of Nazaré famous for its big waves (most likely between October and March) and fresh seafood. My restaurant choice for grilled fish or clams is O Varino. This is also a great place to stay overnight., since most tourists only stop in the day you can experience it quieter.

Caldas da Rainha – best for pottery and produce market

This town one hour north of Lisbon is really easy to reach but often missed off people’s itinerary. The town has a daily produce market, fantastic food scene and ceramic shops and home to the Bordallo museum. Maria dos Cacos is worth booking a table at.

24 Hidden Gems and Popular Places to Visit in Portugal

Peniche & Baleal – best for beaches and surf

Peniche isn’t a pretty town but it has heaps of character and some great beaches. The island of Baleal is definitely worth stopping. Book a terrace table at Prainha for the best view.

Lisbon <> Algarve

A list of places to stop and what to see between Lisbon and Algarve.

Best places to stop between Lisbon and Algarve by Train

Évora – best for history and culture

If you’re travelling by train there aren’t loads of good options for places to stop but you can make a detour to Évora. I recommend spending the night in Évora if you have time because there is plenty to see and shouldn’t be rushed. Enjoy coffee in one of the cafes at Praça do Giraldo. Book the tasting menu at Taberna Típica Quarta-feira or for cheap, cheerful and traditional go to Obelix 2.

ÉVORA TRAVEL GUIDE

To get to Algarve from Évora,  take the train to Pinhal Novo and change trains to Faro. 

Best places to stop between Lisbon and Algarve by Car/ Private Driver

A list of places to see between Lisbon and Algarve. You’ll drive through the lower section of Portugal’s biggest region – Alentejo which has so much character I definitely recommend spending some time there if you can.

ALENTEJO 10 DAY ROAD TRIP

The Alentejo Coast – best for exploring the coast and seafood lunch

In my opinion one of the best places to visit between Lisbon and Algarve is the Alentejo coast. This stretch of coast is full of wild beaches and coves, plus some cute fishing villages. Here are a few perfect beach towns to stop off on your way between Lisbon and Algarve:

• Porto Covo
• Vila Nova de Milfontes
• Zambujeira do Mar

PORTO COVO TRAVEL GUIDE

VILA NOVA DE MILFONTS TRAVEL GUIDE

Monsaraz – best for a quick wander, lunch and pretty photos 

One of the most popular hilltop villages in Alentejo, located in Interior Alentejo, close to Spain. This tiny mediaeval town overlooks the breathtaking Aquelva dam. It’s only small but there are a couple of fantastic restaurants (try Taverna Os Templários) and even a small castle. It’s one of the more picturesque villages. Important to note Monsaraz isn’t technically ‘on the way’. It involves a detour but is worth it.

I partner with some booking platforms such as BookingCom and Zest which means some links in my travel guides are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and then make a booking, the platform splits their commission from the booking with me. The commission is usually just a few euros and is what I use to host my website each year. You don’t have to read many of my guides to realise everything is written from scratch and my recommendations come from personal experience. I don’t use any ads on my website or in my travel guides.

I partner with some booking platforms such as BookingCom and Zest which means some links in my travel guides are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and then make a booking, the platform splits their commission from the booking with me. The commission is usually just a few euros and is what I use to host my website each year. You don’t have to read many of my guides to realise everything is written from scratch and my recommendations come from personal experience. I don’t use any ads on my website or in my travel guides.

Vidigueira – best for wine

Vidigueira is one of the most important wine regions in Alentejo and here you can find many fantastic wineries. Highly recommend staying the night and indulging in a tasting at Adega Cooperativa Vidigueira. Book a table at Quinta do Quetzal for dinner. Important to note Vidigueira isn’t technically ‘on the way’. It involves a detour but is worth it.

BEST TOWNS & VILLAGES BAIXO ALENTEJO

Sagres – best for some beach time or a surf

Also known as ‘The end of the world’, Sagres has a unique position in Algarve, located at the most south westerly point of mainland Europe. Even in the middle of summer you can find a cool breeze here. Great for surfing, beach days and chilled out vibes.

I’m constantly adventuring around Portugal so i’ll keep adding to this list as I go. I hope it helps you create a perfect itinerary of places to visit between Lisbon, Porto and Algarve.

Other places to stop between Lisbon and Algarve

• Aljezur
• Alcoutim
• Bordeira/ Carrapateira