5 Scenic Routes with Hidden Gems Road Trips in Portugal

A road trip is one of the best ways to explore Portugal’s scenic beauty and discover hidden gems that are off the beaten path. Here are some of the best road trips in Portugal that offer breathtaking views, charming towns, and unforgettable experiences.

Douro Valley Road Trip – This road trip takes you through the Douro Valley, one of the most picturesque regions of Portugal, famous for its terraced vineyards and wine production. The drive takes you through winding roads that offer stunning views of the river, the hills, and the vineyards.

The Douro Valley is one of Portugal’s most beautiful places and a popular place to go on a road trip. There are several starting and ending points for a Douro Valley road trip, depending on your interests and travel plans. Here are some options:

1. Porto to Pinhão: This is one of the most popular routes, as it takes you from Porto, a vibrant city on the coast, to Pinhão, a charming town in the heart of the Douro Valley. Along the way, you’ll drive through scenic roads that offer breathtaking views of the river and vineyards. You can visit several wineries and taste the famous Port wine, and explore charming villages and towns like Régua, Peso da Régua, and Lamego.

2. Pinhão to Miranda do Douro: If you want to explore the northern part of the Douro Valley, you can start your road trip in Pinhão and drive all the way to Miranda do Douro, a historic town on the border with Spain. Along the way, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and charming towns like Vila Real, Mirandela, and Bragança. You can also visit several wineries and taste the local wine and olive oil.

3. Douro International Natural Park: If you want to combine your road trip with nature and outdoor activities, you can explore the Douro International Natural Park, which spans over 85,000 hectares along the Douro River. You can start your road trip in Miranda do Douro and drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the river, the valleys, and the mountains. You can also hike, bike, or kayak in the natural park and explore the local wildlife and flora.

No matter which routes you choose, a Douro Valley road trip is a great way to explore the natural beauty, history, and culture of Portugal.

Alentejo Coastal Road Trip – This road trip takes you along the Alentejo coastline, where you can experience some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. The drive takes you through charming fishing villages, historic towns, and stunning cliffs and rock formations.

Portugal’s Alentejo Coastline is a beautiful area and a great place to go on a road trip. There are several starting and ending points for an Alentejo Coast road trip, depending on your interests and travel plans. Here are some options:

1. Lisbon to Faro: This is one of the most popular routes, as it takes you from Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, to Faro, a popular tourist destination in the Algarve. Along the way, you’ll drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline. You can visit several charming towns and villages like Comporta, Porto Covo, and Vila Nova de Milfontes and explore the natural beauty of places like the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.

2. Santiago do Cacém to Sagres: If you want to explore the southwestern part of the Alentejo Coastline, you can start your road trip in Santiago do Cacém and drive all the way to Sagres, a historic town on the western tip of the Algarve. Along the way, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and charming towns like Zambujeira do Mar, Aljezur, and Lagos. You can also visit several beaches and surf spots and taste the local seafood and wine.

3. Évora to Setúbal: If you want to combine your road trip with history and culture, you can explore the inland part of the Alentejo region and the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve. You can start your road trip in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the countryside and the coast. You can also visit several historic towns and villages, like Monsaraz, Arraiolos, and Palmela, and taste the local wine and cheese.

No matter which routes you choose, an Alentejo Coastal Road Trip is a great way to explore the natural beauty, history, and culture

Costa Vicentina Road Trip – This road trip takes you along the southwest coast of Portugal, where you can explore the rugged coastline, pristine beaches, and hidden coves. The drive takes you through small villages, historic towns, and natural parks that offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Costa Vicentina is a rough and untouched part of Portugal that makes a great place to go on a road trip. There are several starting and ending points for a Costa Vicentina road trip, depending on your interests and travel plans. Here are some options:

1. Lisbon to Sagres: This is one of the most popular routes, as it takes you from Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, to Sagres, a historic town on the western tip of the Algarve. Along the way, you’ll drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline. You can visit several charming towns and villages like Cascais, Sintra, Aljezur, and Lagos and explore the natural beauty of places like the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.

2. Faro to Sines: If you want to explore the southern part of the Costa Vicentina, you can start your road trip in Faro and drive all the way to Sines, a historic town in the Alentejo region. Along the way, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and charming towns like Tavira, Olhão, Vila do Bispo, and Porto Covo. You can also visit several beaches and surf spots and taste the local seafood and wine.

3. Alentejo Interior to Porto Covo: If you want to combine your road trip with nature and culture, you can explore the inland part of the Alentejo region and the coastline around Porto Covo. You can start your road trip in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the countryside and the coast. You can also visit several historic towns and villages like Odemira, São Teotónio, and Vila Nova de Milfontes and explore the natural beauty of places like the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.

No matter which route you choose, a Costa Vicentina road trip is a great way to explore the natural beauty, history, and culture of Portugal.

Portugal’s Alentejo Coastline is a beautiful area and a great place to go on a road trip. There are several starting and ending points for an Alentejo Coast road trip, depending on your interests and travel plans.

Serra da Estrela Road Trip – This road trip takes you through the highest mountain range in Portugal, where you can experience stunning landscapes, natural parks, and charming towns. The drive takes you through winding roads that offer breathtaking views of the mountains, the valleys, and the forests.

The Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in Portugal and a great destination for a road trip. There are several starting and ending points for a Serra da Estrela road trip, depending on your interests and travel plans. Here are some options:

1. Porto to Covilhã: This is one of the most popular routes, as it takes you from Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, to Covilhã, a historic town at the foothills of the Serra da Estrela. Along the way, you’ll drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the Douro Valley and the mountains. You can visit several charming towns and villages like Viseu, Seia, and Belmonte and explore the natural beauty of places like the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

2. Lisbon to Guarda: If you want to explore the eastern part of the Serra da Estrela, you can start your road trip in Lisbon and drive all the way to Guarda, a historic town on the Spanish border. Along the way, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and charming towns like Castelo Branco, Fundão, and Covilhã. You can also visit several historic sites and taste the local cuisine and wine.

3. Coimbra to Viseu: If you want to combine your road trip with culture and history, you can explore the central part of Portugal and the region around Viseu. You can start your road trip in Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the countryside and the mountains. You can also visit several historic towns and villages like Lousã, Penacova, and Viseu and explore the local culture and traditions.

No matter which routes you choose, a Serra da Estrela road trip is a great way to explore the natural beauty, history, and culture of Portugal.

Historical Villages Road Trip – This road trip takes you through some of the most charming and historic villages in Portugal. The drive takes you through winding roads that offer stunning views of the countryside and takes you to places like Sortelha, Belmonte, and Castelo Rodrigo.

The Historical Villages of Portugal are a group of 12 fortified villages in the interior of the country. Each has a long history and a unique cultural heritage. A road trip through these villages is a great way to explore the history, culture, and traditions of Portugal. Here are some starting and ending points for a Historical Villages Road Trip:

1. Porto to Castelo Rodrigo: This is one of the most popular routes, as it takes you from Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, to Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified village near the Spanish border. Along the way, you’ll drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the Douro Valley and the mountains. You can visit several charming towns and villages like Lamego, Vila Real, and Trancoso and explore the local culture and traditions.

2. Lisbon to Sortelha: If you want to explore the southern part of the Historical Villages, you can start your road trip in Lisbon and drive all the way to Sortelha, a well-preserved medieval village in the Guarda district. Along the way, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and charming towns like Belmonte, Castelo Branco, and Idanha-a-Velha. You can also visit several historic sites and taste the local cuisine and wine.

3. Coimbra to Marialva: If you want to combine your road trip with culture and history, you can explore the central part of Portugal and the region around Marialva. You can start your road trip in Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and drive through scenic roads that offer stunning views of the countryside and the mountains. You can also visit several historic towns and villages, like Piodão, Linhares da Beira, and Marialva, and explore the local culture and traditions.

No matter which routes you choose, a Historical Villages Road Trip is a great way to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Portugal.