When it comes to creating your perfect Portugal road trip itinerary, let this inside guide help you find your way.
Portugal Road Trip Itinerary: Why Portugal?
Ah, the sun kissed, salt whipped country on the west of mainland Europe, looking out across the Atlantic and to the rest of the world.
Portugal has centuries of history, the dashingly handsome, rugged coastline, big cities and quiet corners ready to reward thoughtful travellers with a wanderlust soul and a sweet spot for the beach.
Yet for all its variety, Portugal is compact, welcoming and easy to navigate from behind the wheel.
This guide shares the ultimate Portugal road trip itinerary, beginning and ending in Faro, making it simple to fly in, rent a car, and head off to explore. You’ll find food-rich regions, medieval towns, striking viewpoints and the chance to walk through one of the oldest university cities in the world. Whether you have two weeks in Portugal, a 10 day trip, or even just a short trip to the south of Portugal, this route helps you design the best way to experience the country without rushing.
Designing Your Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
I love driving through Portugal and, let’s be honest, there are many ways to do it. While most people in Europe know about Portugal’s sandy Algarve coast and the steep-streeted city of Lisbon, I’m not the only one to be surprised by how many other world class sights you can find.
Porto has risen to fame recently, with its inky black rabelos at the start of the Douro valley. Coimbra offers a kind of Portuguese Harry Potter world and the wild surf and fierce beauty of the Costa de Vicentina still seems something of a chamber of secrets.
But practicalities abound in the non-magical world and so, I’ve planned this itinerary for you from Faro. It’s the third biggest airport in Portugal but it avoids the instant trap of picking up a hire car in Porto or Lisbon and immediately struggling with parking.
It’s easy to sort out your car hire in Faro airport with Europcar and then you can hit those (very good) raods.
So, without further ado, let’s walk you through how to make the most of your time in Portugal.
Portugal Itinerary Overview
Faro → Évora → Lisbon → Óbidos → Coimbra → Porto → Douro Valley → Alentejo Coast → Faro
This circular route works beautifully as a Portugal road trip because it covers the coast of Portugal, inland wine regions, UNESCO cities and those small, atmospheric little town centres with narrow streets that are worth visiting. It also avoids backtracking, helping you use your time well.
Day 1-2: Faro – First Stop in the Algarve
Faro is the main hub of the Algarve and an easy entry point for those planning a trip to Portugal. It’s perhaps most famous for being a springboard to the beaches, but the little town has its own quiet charm (plus it’s easy to find flights and car rentals.)
Wander through the narrow streets of the old centre, watch the light shift across the Ria Formosa wetlands and settle in with a fresh seafood dish and a glass of wine.
If you’re arriving late or feel the pull of the open road, spend a single night and set off early. Faro makes car collection simple, and driving in Portugal is generally straightforward. See our section below for more details.
Day 2-3: Évora – UNESCO History and Alentejo Calm
Leave the coast and head north into the Alentejo and the Costa Vicentina, a sprawling region of cork forests and open fields. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, feels timeless with its Roman temple, bone chapel and sunlit squares.
Évora is made for slow travel: a full day is ideal, though many travellers choose to spend the night and enjoy the relaxed evenings. This is also an excellent place to learn about Alentejo wine culture as several vineyards and a local winery or two are close enough for a day exploring the countryside.
Day 4-6: Lisbon – Big City Energy with Coastal Ease
Next comes Lisbon, a compact capital filled with viewpoints, trams, tiled façades and music drifting down its steep lanes. Allow at least three days for a thoughtful Lisbon itinerary, especially if you want to balance cultural sights with atmospheric people-watching.
A typical day in Lisbon might include the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, MAAT or the Time Out Market. Meanwhile a day trip to Sintra or Cascais adds palaces or ocean views without complicating your plans.
If you prefer not to drive in big cities (you wise thing, you) leave the car on the outskirts and use trams, metro or Comboios de Portugal.
Day 6 (Afternoon): Óbidos – One of the Most Beautiful Medieval Towns
A short hop north brings you to Óbidos, one of the most beautiful fortified villages in mainland Portugal. With its whitewashed houses, medieval walls and literary festivals, it’s the kind of little town that feels made for an unhurried wander.
All that said, you don’t need all that long here. It’s perfect as a half-day stop en route. Taste the local ginjinha, peer through the battlements, and continue north. Nazaré is another interesting stop if you have the time: it’s famous for the biggest waves in the world and attracts a dedicated, professional surer crowd.
Day 7: Coimbra – A Touch of Harry Potter
Halfway between Lisbon and Porto lies Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in the world and one of my favourite places stay. A single night works well here and breaks up the journey but make sure you stay in the centre of town.
Wander past the Joanina Library, explore the Upper Town and listen to Coimbra’s distinctive form of fado.
Day 8-10: Porto – The Heart of Northern Portugal
Next up is Porto, a city where steep hills, colourful houses and sparkling water form an instantly recognisable skyline. Leave yourself a few days here to enjoy the contrasts between the atmospheric Ribeira, the port lodges of Gaia and the Atlantic-facing neighbourhoods to the west.
A single day in Porto can include São Bento station, the bridge walk and a port tasting, but the city is better appreciated with slower mornings and evening strolls.
Don’t use your car in Porto – but It’s still handy to have a car for side trips, such as taking a day trip from Porto to Braga or Guimarães.
Day 10-11: Douro Valley – Vineyards and River Bends
No trip to Portugal is complete without time in the Douro heartland. A trip to the Douro Valley, or even a single day trip to the Douro, reveals a river landscape sculpted into steep, terraced vineyards.
Choose a quinta to spend the night, sample local wines, and take a boat trip on the Douro River. Picture slow mornings with scenic drives and golden light.
Day 11-12: Alentejo Coast – Quiet Beaches and Wide Horizons
Return south along the coast of Portugal, passing the serene beaches of the Alentejo coastline. This area is less visited than the Algarve but equally, if not more, rewarding, especially if you like simplicity: sand, sea, seafood and silence.
It’s a good mid-route pause before re-entering the south of Portugal, with time for a day exploring seaside towns and cliffside viewpoints.
Day 12-14: Return to Faro – Final Beach Time
Back in Faro, your final days can be as active or as restful as you wish. Take the boat across to the barrier islands for quiet beach time, revisit the old town or enjoy one last glass of wine outdoors.
What if You Don’t Have Two Weeks in Portugal?
You can adjust this loop depending on whether you have 10 days in Portugal, two weeks in Portugal, or several weeks in Portugal. It also adapts easily for families, solo travellers or first-timers visiting Portugal, with a few twists.
If you only have a few days, I’d recommend just staying in one region or taking a short cruise along the Douro. If you’re looking for mainstream beaches, head to the Algarve. If you enjoy remote beaches, the Alentejo. You can easily fill three days in Porto and the same for Lisbon, while Coimbra is more compact.
Useful Tips for Driving in Portugal
Driving in Portugal is generally smooth, but older towns have narrow historic cores (and we are talking narrower than a pair of skinny jeans here.) Avoid driving into them when possible, otherwise you’ll face a major downhill, complicated reverse procedure to get out.
But in general, major roads are well-maintained and signposted to high European standards.
Don’t try to drive around Porto and Lisbon. Keep the car for side trips and the rest of this roam around Portugal but don’t torture yourself in the city centres.
Tolls are electronic on many main roads; ask your car rental company for details when picking up your car in Portugal to avoid nasty surprise fines.
Always use our rental car checklist before you drive away.
More Portugal Travel Stories
- Work out where to eat in Lisbon with our food guide crafted from local advice.
- Authentic and unusual things to do in Portugal
- Check out the best places to stay in Lisbon here.
- The best Spain and Portugal itinerary
- 21 Unusual things to do in Porto, city of the north
- Avalon Alegria Review: Is a Portugal Douro River Cruise for You?
- The best souvenirs from Porto
- Bola de Lamego: the Portuguese treat that’s better than it looks
- The best things to do in the Costa Vicentina, the untamed coast of Europe
- Is Porto worth visiting?
- How to spend one day in Porto
- Secret streets of Lisbon: your self-guided tour
