{"id":49866,"date":"2024-09-18T11:35:47","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T09:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/?p=49866"},"modified":"2024-09-18T12:27:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T10:27:24","slug":"portugal-road-trip-tinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/portugal-road-trip-tinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"Portugal Road Trip: The Best Travel Itinerary for 2 to 3 Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Incredible rock formations, breathtaking beaches, and some of the most beautiful cities in Europe \u2013 you’ll find all this and more waiting for you in Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our opinion, Portugal is the perfect road trip destination<\/strong>! The distances are not too great, the roads are in great condition, and the costs are quite reasonable. Plus, you get to explore a truly stunning and diverse country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make your road trip planning in Portugal easier, we\u2019re sharing our travel itinerary in this blog post. We\u2019ve visited Portugal three times, and our itinerary is essentially a ‘best of’ with plenty of alternatives<\/strong>, so you can customize your trip to be either shorter or longer, just the way you like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Reiseroute<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Portugal<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Coimbra<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Road trip through Portugal: The best itinerary for 2 to 3 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We chose to do a multi-city flight<\/strong> for our road trip, kicking off in Porto and wrapping up in Lisbon. That means our travel plan is tailored accordingly. If you’re heading back from the same city (like Porto or Lisbon), stick around till the end of this chapter for a handy tip on how to extend your adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Porto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our journey kicks off in the stunning city of Porto<\/strong>. Even though it’s often in the shadow of its big sister Lisbon, we think Porto really stands out. From its vibrant Azulejos to its iconic landmarks, Porto had us falling in love from the get-go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s there to do in Porto? Well, you\u2019ve got the famous train station<\/strong> decked out in artistic tile work, the majestic Ponte Dom Lu\u00eds I,<\/strong> and the Torre dos Cl\u00e9rigos,<\/strong> which offers an incredible view over Porto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We reckon Porto is the perfect starting point for a road trip<\/strong>. It\u2019s small enough to stroll through all the key spots on foot, but still packs a punch with its stunning scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed travel guide<\/em>: Porto Travel Guide <\/a>
Recommended stay<\/em>: 2 to 3 nights<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our accommodation in Porto:<\/strong> Village by BOA<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Porto<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Porto<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cathedral<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stopover: Aveiro & Costa Nova<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Continuing south on our Portugal road trip, we recommend making a quick detour to Aveiro, which you can reach from Porto in about an hour’s drive. Often dubbed the “Venice of Portugal”<\/strong>, Aveiro is crisscrossed by several canals that truly give it a Venetian vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re feeling peckish and want to experience Portuguese cuisine at its best, we have a special recommendation for you: Salpoente Restaurant<\/strong>. Located in a traditional fisherman’s house, you can expect excellent food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a stroll through Aveiro, you might consider another stop and head towards the sea: Just about 20 minutes by car is the coastal town of Costa Nova. It’s known for its brightly striped houses<\/strong> along the promenade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Aveiro<\/a>
Aveiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Portugal<\/a>
Aveiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Portugal<\/a>
Costa Nova<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coimbra<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The next leg of our itinerary takes you to the university city of Coimbra<\/strong>. Coimbra is a compact town that you can comfortably explore on foot in a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city is home to the oldest university in Portugal<\/strong>, which is also its main attraction. The old town of Coimbra is situated on a hill, with narrow and steep alleys. So, make sure you have some comfy shoes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, make sure to catch the view of Coimbra from afar (like from the bridge) \u2013 especially during sunset. From this perspective, you won\u2019t see the many areas of Coimbra\u2019s old town that are actually in need of renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed blog post:<\/em> Coimbra Travel Guide<\/a>
Recommended stay<\/em>: 1 to 2 nights<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our hotel in Coimbra:<\/strong> Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Coimbra<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Coimbra<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Coimbra<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bonus Side Trips: The UNESCO Monasteries of Tomar, Batalha & Alcoba\u00e7a and\/or the Surf Spot Nazar\u00e9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Coimbra, you have a couple of options. You can either head straight to \u00d3bidos, which is just under 1.5 hours away, or you can take a scenic detour to visit the renowned Convent of Christ in Tomar, followed by the monasteries in Batalha and Alcoba\u00e7a, in that exact order. Opting for the detour will add about an hour to your drive time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting all three monasteries in one travel day is certainly a challenge, but it’s doable (we did it too). It’s definitely worth it for those interested in culture. It’s no coincidence that all three monasteries are UNESCO World Heritage Sites<\/strong> and are truly impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another possible stop is the surf spot Nazar\u00e9<\/strong>. This coastal town is known for its “Big waves.” With the right weather conditions, the waves here can get crazy gigantic in the winter months (between November and February)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Portugal<\/a>
Tomar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Batalha<\/a>
Batalha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Alcobaca<\/a>
Alcoba\u00e7a<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Nazare<\/a>
Nazar\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00d3bidos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tiny medieval town<\/strong> of \u00d3bidos is the next stop on our Portugal Trip. With its white, flower-decked houses and cobbled streets, \u00d3bidos is definitely one of the prettiest towns in all of Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The absolute highlight in \u00d3bidos is its medieval city wall<\/strong>, which you can climb. Stretching 1.5 kilometres, it encircles the town centre. Those who aren’t afraid of heights can enjoy splendid views of \u00d3bidos from up there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many visit \u00d3bidos on a day trip<\/strong> (Lisbon is about an hour’s drive away). However, we’d recommend planning an overnight stop on your route here. This way, you can comfortably explore \u00d3bidos in the quieter evening hours, away from the tourist crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed travel guide<\/em>: \u00d3bidos Travel Tips<\/a>
Recommended stay<\/em>: 1 to 2 nights<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our accommodation in \u00d3bidos:<\/strong> Cavalo di Madeira<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Obidos<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Obidos<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Obidos<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00c9vora<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our rod trip now continues further inland to the city of \u00c9vora. From \u00d3bidos, it’s just over a two-hour drive to reach \u00c9vora. This city turned out to be one of the biggest surprises<\/strong> of our road trip\u2014and pleasantly so. Here, you’ll discover a delightful, well-maintained town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unique charm of \u00c9vora is enhanced by the Roman Temple<\/strong>\u2014a major highlight. Right beside it, you’ll see the impressive Cathedral of \u00c9vora<\/strong>, the biggest cathedral in Portugal. A visit to the cathedral is a must; the Gothic cloisters are stunning, and the atmosphere on the cathedral’s roof is unlike any other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Including \u00c9vora in your Portugal itinerary comes highly recommended. We absolutely adored it here. Given that the town is fairly compact, you can explore all its main sights on foot in just one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed travel guide:<\/em> \u00c9vora Travel Guide<\/a>
Recommended stay:<\/em> 1 to 2 nights<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our hotel in \u00c9vora:<\/strong> Moura Suites Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Evora<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Evora<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Evora<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Algarve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No itinerary through Portugal would be complete without visiting the Algarve! The southernmost region of Portugal has a magnetic pull for travellers and serves as the country’s tourist hub. And for good reason: the rugged coastal landscape<\/strong> here is spectacular \u2013 we’ve never seen anything quite like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Algarve covers a relatively large area. If you have time, consider dividing your stay between the quieter east<\/strong> and the more touristy west,<\/strong> spending a few nights in each area to fully experience the diversity of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great place to explore the Algarve is Lagos<\/strong>. Not only is Lagos a quaintly beautiful town; it also offers easy access to many incredible beaches nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed travel guide:<\/em> Algarve Road Trip Itinerary<\/a>
Recommended stay<\/em>: 4 to 7 nights<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our accommodation in the east of the Algarve<\/strong>: \u00c2mago Guesthouse<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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Our accommodation in the west of the Algarve (Lagos):<\/strong> Casa Marg\u00f4<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Algarve<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Algarve<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lagos<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lisbon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least, our Portugal road trip concludes in the capital<\/strong>, Lisbon. Widely considered one of Europe’s most stunning cities, we wholeheartedly agree. With Azulejos at every turn, and its narrow, hilly streets, Lisbon’s charm is absolutely one of a kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though Lisbon’s beauty is well-known, it has become quite touristy<\/strong> (even in the off-season). Still, we reckon that no Portugal itinerary is complete without a visit to Lisbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During your stay in Lisbon, consider taking a day trip to the nearby town of Sintra<\/strong>. This quaint town is home to the colorful Pal\u00e1cio Nacional da Pena, one of Portugal’s most iconic photo spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed travel guide<\/em>: Lisbon Highlights<\/a>
Recommended stay<\/em>: 3 to 5 nights<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our hotel in Lisbon:<\/strong> Memmo Alfama<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Lissabon<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Lissabon<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lisbon<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Extended Tip: A Round trip Tour of Portugal Instead of a One-way<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re flying return to Lisbon or Porto (instead of flying in and out from different locations), here’s a tip for you. You could travel around Portugal in a circle by incorporating the mountainous inland, such as the Serra da Estrela<\/strong> (the highest mountain range in Portugal), into your itinerary. A stop in the picturesque town of Viseu would also be possible. You can find more tips on these places in this blog article: Roadtrip Centro de Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the route might go as follows: Lisbon \u2013 Algarve \u2013 \u00c9vora \u2013 Serra da Estrela \u2013 Viseu (stopover) \u2013 Porto \u2013 Aveiro (stopover) \u2013 Coimbra \u2013 Tomar, Batalha & Alcoba\u00e7a (stopover) \u2013 \u00d3bidos \u2013 Lisbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sortelha<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Map: Our Portugal Travel Itinerary at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To help you visualize the route better, we have marked all the stops<\/strong> of our road trip on this map. You can find out how to turn a one-way road trip into a circular tour (starting and ending at the same place) in the previous chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n