The Best Road Trips and Scenic Drives in Portugal

Portugal is made for driving: vineyard roads along the Douro, clifftop routes on the wild west coast, mountain passes in the north and empty roads across the golden Alentejo. Here are the best road trips and scenic drives in Portugal.

Quick answer: the classic scenic drive is the N222 along the Douro between Peso da Régua and Pinhão. For a longer trip, drive the Costa Vicentina from Lisbon to the Algarve, the Alentejo from Évora to Monsaraz, or the mountain roads of Peneda-Gerês. Our classic route goes Porto to the Algarve in two weeks.

The best drives

The N222, Douro Valley

About 27km of river bends and terraced vineyards between Peso da Régua and Pinhão, once named one of the world’s best driving roads. Stop at quintas (with a designated driver). See the Douro itinerary.

The Costa Vicentina

From Lisbon south via Comporta, Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes to Odeceixe, Aljezur and Sagres, past wild beaches and cliffs. See Costa Vicentina and Comporta.

The Alentejo

Rolling plains, cork oaks and whitewashed villages from Évora to Monsaraz, Estremoz and Marvão. See Évora and Monsaraz.

Peneda-Gerês

Mountain roads, reservoirs, waterfalls and stone villages. See Peneda-Gerês.

Serra da Estrela

The road up to Torre, mainland Portugal’s highest point, and through the Zêzere glacial valley. See Serra da Estrela.

The Silver Coast

Óbidos, Peniche, Nazaré and São Martinho, with the monasteries inland. See the Silver Coast.

The historic villages

Monsanto, Sortelha, Belmonte and the frontier castles. See the historic villages.

The Algarve coast

From Tavira to Sagres on the now toll-free A22, with detours to cliffs and villages. See the 7-day Algarve itinerary.

Madeira

Spectacular (and steep) mountain and coastal roads. See the Madeira itinerary.

Full itineraries

See our two-week Portugal road trip from Porto to the Algarve.

Tips

• Rules and tolls: see driving in Portugal and Portugal tolls explained.
• Car hire: book early for summer and automatics. See car rental or compare on Discover Cars.
• Don’t drink and drive in wine country.
• Allow extra time on winding mountain roads.

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