Looking to go to Portugal for 3-4 weeks in May. I'm renting a car and driving myself, looking to stay possibly a bit longer in the Algarve. Would someone be able to recommend a driving route to see all the best sites, where to start (Lisbon airport or Faro airport) or should I start in one airport city, do a big circle, then return to that same airport? Also, do you recommend I find some places centrally located then do day trips to see the sites?
Posted by
MN
27 posts
A good starting place would be looking at Rick Steve's Portugal book (or online) as he has a driving tour. Also just google Portugual driving itinerary for ideas. From there you can research the places and decide what you would like to see. Then come back to the forum with more specific questions and you would get better help.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks. I'm waiting to get Rick's Portugal book and I will Google "Portugal driving itineraries"
Posted by
Lubbock, TX
417 posts
This is the itinerary I'll be doing this summer. This is my third time in Portugal. I'm not visiting the Algarve because it doesn't really interest me, so I'm focusing on Lisbon and everything north. I found better flights out of Porto, so I'm doing a one-way car rental. The drop fee at the Porto Airport is only 36 Euros. Everyone has different priorities, but this will give you an idea.
Lisbon: 7 nights
Cascais/Belém
Queluz
Pick up rental car at downtown Lisbon Hertz
Sintra: 1 night
Mafra on the way
Cabo da Roca
Quintinha de Monserrate
Evora: 2 nights
Cristo Rei/Setúbal on the way
Nazaré: 3 nights
Santarem/Obidos on the way
Alcobaca/Batalha/Leira
Fatima/Tomar/Almourol
Coimbra: 2 nights
Conímbriga on the way
Bussaco Palace
Aveiro
Braga: 3 nights
Viseu/Casa de Mateus on the way
Guimaraes
Porto: 3 nights
Viana do Castelo/Ponte de Lima on the way
Drop off rental car at airport
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15794 posts
Sadly, RS completely ignores the eastern part of the country. I spent nearly a week in the area, wonderful hill towns and much more. I used this trip report as a starting point for my planning. I also used Lonely Planet in addition to the RS guide. Because of the high drop-off charge at any other location and the low cost of trains, I did a double loop. First with a car from Lisbon through Evora to the east and northward, then west through the Douro Valley and south via Tomar to Lisbon. Then I took the train to Aveiro, Porto, Coimbra and back to Lisbon. I decided to skip the south. You will not want to drive in Lisbon or Porto! I wouldn't recommend driving in Sintra either. Sintra is worth an overnight (at least) and is easy to reach by uber from central Lisbon or the airport (about the same time/distance). Carolyn (whose report I linked to) did a series of one-nighters. I prefer 2 night stays and while I had the car, I used the intermediate day for day-trips. I spent 3N in Tomar to day-trip as well.
Be sure to get a toll-reader with the rental car. It will save you time and trouble. Tolls didn't cost a lot and the roads are very good. Once off them, it's mostly rather narrow 2-lane roads without shoulders. I rarely went as fast as the speed limit, though locals, presumably very familiar with the roads, were often above it. I tried to allow them to pass as much as possible. The roads were in good condition (my trip was mid to late May 2019 with the car, then early June w/o).
What you choose to see and do depends a lot on your own interests.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1194 posts
Hello from Wisconsin,
Fewer places rented, and more day trips.
I try to find a rental with near by restaurants and a location that is serviced by several roads. So one day I can head north and see those sights, the next day head off east and do the same.
Not having to pack and unpack every day gives you more energy for the day. And more time. As you are not searching for your next rental's location, finding parking.... I bet if you stay 4-5 days in one spot you begin to feel a bit like a regular at at least one restaurant per stay.
wayne iNWI
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8127 posts
Keep in mind that you do not want a car in Porto or Lisbon. We did about the same as you, spent a night in Lisbon after landing, then picked up the car at the Lisbon airport, traveled south, spent some time in Evora and a night in the very small but scenic town of Monsaraz, then time in the Algarve, visiting different towns, then North to Tomar, Coimbra, and the Douro Valley, with some day trips and stops along the way.
We returned the car at the Porto airport, then spent the rest of the trip in Porto and Lisbon before flying out.
We did have a base in the Algarve and daytripped to several towns and beaches, other places, we just stopped along the way picking someplace to spend a couple nights each stop,