5 Most Beautiful Road Trips in Portugal

Portugal, known as the land of explorers, has some of the most picturesque and breathtaking scenery in Europe.

With its idyllic beaches, ancient castles, quaint villages, and gorgeous mountain ranges, Portugal is the perfect destination for any traveler. With so many great road trips on offer, however, it can be difficult to choose which one is best for you and your friends or family.

We’ve picked out the top five most beautiful road trips in Portugal to help you decide where to go next!

So If you’re planning on visiting this lovely country, why not take one of these 5 most beautiful road trips?

Before you start your road trip check out these tips for car rental and don't forget to be up to date on the latest travel restrictions in Portugal.

The trip from Porto to Braga

This is one of our favorite trips because it crosses Portugal from north to south.

If you want to stop and admire beautiful cities like Chaves, Guimarães or Braga, or if you want to spend some time enjoying nature at Fatima’s Sanctuary, which is one of Europe’s most visited places, that is your opportunity.

It begins in Porto and ends in its sister city Vila Nova de Gaia where we can find our last port wine cellar.

The trip from Sintra to the Algarve

Traveling from Sintra to Faro, you pass through numerous towns and villages, many of which are worth a visit. The trip begins with Queluz and ends with Lagos.

Make sure to stop off at Fátima en route to explore Saint Mary’s Shrine and pay your respects to Our Lady of Fátima.

The important events that took place there have made it one of Europe’s top pilgrimage sites.

The Minho Trip

One of our favorite road trips is from Braga to Guimarães, via Oliveira de Azeméis.

Not only does it feature two spectacular small cities, but there are two castles along that trip: Bouças and Penedo de Neiva.

This detour can add a little more than an hour to your travel time, but it's so worth it!

The Coimbra Trip

One of our favorites, Coimbra is a university town located about two hours from Lisbon.

Nestled between a river and a hillside, it’s one of those beautiful places that you instantly fall in love with and makes for a wonderful day trip from Lisbon.

Oh, and if you happen to be there on a Wednesday night, stop by Coimbra’s night market for some live music, homemade sangria, and local food!

The Norte Coastal Road Trip

For a road trip that meanders alongside massive cliffs and winds along seaside cliffs, take a spin on The Coast, or what many call The Norte Coastal Road Trip.

This route runs along some of coastal Portugal’s most dramatic and breathtaking landscapes, with cities like Porto and Viana do Castelo as major stops.

Take your time cruising through hillsides, stopping to enjoy sunny terraces as you go.