Portugal
Road Trip
Nine days from Porto and the Douro Valley down to Lisbon, Sintra and the Algarve coast: port wine, terraced vineyards, tiled towns and cliffs over the Atlantic. About 800 km by the main roads.
Porto and the Douro
Start in Porto, where the Ribeira district and the port-wine cellars across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia are the main draws. Then drive east into the Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards climb the hillsides above the river.
The riverside roads in the Douro are winding but scenic; allow more time than the distances suggest.
Coimbra to Lisbon
Head south via Coimbra, home to one of Europe's oldest universities, and on to Lisbon. Lisbon is built on hills, so parking is awkward and many visitors leave the car at the hotel and use trams, the metro and their feet.
Sintra, about 30 km from Lisbon, has hilltop palaces and is an easy day trip.
Motorway tolls
Many Portuguese motorways use electronic tolls. Ask your rental company about a toll transponder before you set off.
Down to the Algarve
The Algarve, in the far south, has dramatic limestone cliffs, sea caves and sandy beaches. Lagos and the coast around it are popular bases; go early in the day in summer to find parking.
Pastéis de nata
Custard tarts are sold in bakeries all over Lisbon.
The Douro riverside roads
Slow, winding and very scenic.
Quintas in the Douro
Wine estates that offer rooms and tastings.
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