Summer has arrived and we are all excited to be back on the road, exploring locally and meeting our loved ones again.
To celebrate the summer and support your travels around the country, my team and I have put together five of the best routes in Portugal to explore.
Described as one of the most picturesque roads in Europe, your drive along the Estoril Coast will take you through the spectacular diversity of Portugal’s landscapes and into the country’s heartwarming culture.
This scenic RoadTrip takes in views of the ocean and lush forests. From Lisbon, the route follows the coastline along the wonderful fishing port of Cascais. Pay a visit to Praia de Rainha beach, the natural wonder of Boca do Inferno, Guincho beach, and Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point. Heading inland, the scenery changes to an enigmatic green forest dominated by cedars, maritime pines, and gumtrees. Around Sintra, the sprawling Sintra-Cascais National Park is accented by villas, palaces, and other places of interest. Just after arriving in Sintra’s historic and UNESCO-listed city center, follow the lovely road going up to the hidden Pena Palace. This building is one of Portugal’s seven wonders and is a delight for the curious.
Portugal’s magnificent coastline is dotted with enchanting villages and has some of Europe’s best waves rolling onto it. Explore the best surfing spots on a RoadTrip though Portugal’s south.
Take in the sensational panoramas of azure water crashing against towering yellow cliff walls from Porto to Faro. Visit the buzzing surf beaches of Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Ericeira, and Sagres and park your car wherever the swell is picking up! If the waves start making you dizzy, take off your wetsuit and indulge in the vibrant culture surrounding you. Boost your energy levels with a taste of the delicious pastry pastéis de nata while listening to some Fado performance on the streets.
Estrada Nacional 2 is a 738-km stretch of road, known as the "Portuguese Route 66". It starts in Chaves and ends all the way down the coast at Faro.
This route has become a popular national and international tourist route. It crosses 32 municipalities, passes through central villages, and connects a variety of landscapes, such as the Douro vineyards, the plains of the Alentejo, and southern beaches.
A drive along this road is really a drive across the country; it is considered the longest road in Europe and the third longest in the world (after Route 66 in the United States and Route 40 in Argentina).
So, you are planning to take the kids on a RoadTrip. Nice!
Preparation is critical though you already know that. Our advice: if the destinations and the roadways between them are extraordinary, the ill-timed bathroom breaks, shifting dominance hierarchies, app-based entertainment bingeing, and low battery panics will each end up being a non-issue, maybe even an endearing moment.
Take the kids on a memorable-for-the-right-reasons road trip through Portugal's Alentejo region with this itinerary, designed for maximum family fun (or at least family-friendly fun).
This is a wonderful route from Porto to Pinhão. The route is accompanied by breathtaking views over the Douro Valley.
This RoadTrip includes 27 kilometers, 93 curves, and stunning views of the EN 222, from Régua to Pinhão, which is considered the best road in the world and an exceptional way to take in the splendor of the Douro wine region.
For exclusive tips on how to plan the perfect summer staycation, click or tap here.