Roadtrip Portugal: The Ultimate 2 week Portugal trip itinerary
If you’re planning to roadtrip Portugal then you are in for the adventure of a lifetime! Portugal is one of the best European countries for a road trip because you can whiz from cities to coastlines and wine regions to mountains so easily. Hiring a vehicle and driving are so easy in Portugal too and, thanks to the popularity of road tripping in Portugal, the infrastructure is all there for you with great campsites and loads of online information to help.
Here’s how to see the best of Portugal with a 2 week road trip…
Ultimate 2-Week Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
Overview:
- Start/End: Lisbon (loop itinerary) – Check Skyscanner for all your flight options.
- Transport: Rental car or campervan – Check Yescapa for a great range of campervans and motorhomes
- Accommodation: Campsites or car parks. You are allowed to park up your campervan and sleep in it unless you spot signs saying it is prohibited in that area. A good app to check is park4night to see lots of options.
Day 1-2: Lisbon – The Capital Charm
Lisbon is a great place to start and end our Portugal road trip itinerary. You’ll find plenty of cheap flights in and out and more options for picking up your campervan. You could end in Porto but with campervan hire it’s often cheaper to do a round trip and return where you’ve picked up.
Things to see in Lisbon:
- Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Alfama district
- Tram 28 ride
- Time Out Market for lunch
- LX Factory for modern vibes
Tips:
- For more ideas on how to spend 2-3 days in Lisbon, check out our Weekend Itinerary for Lisbon
- You won’t need a vehicle in Lisbon so pick it up on Day 3. If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful, city centre hotel in Libson then opt for the Ibis Styles Lisboa Centro. I always stay in the Ibis Styles hotels when I want a city centre location on a budget. They’re fairly basic but they’re clean and comfortable and leave you with extra in the budget to have some fun!
Day 3: Sintra + Cascais
Drive: 45 min from Lisbon
Sintra is a colourful, fairytale town and this is going to be the place to get your Instagram snaps! Get there as early as possible to beat the crowds.
Highlights:
- Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Moorish Castle
- Lunch in the historic town
- Sunset at Cabo da Roca (westernmost point of Europe)
- Chill in seaside Cascais
Day 4: Évora (Alentejo Region)
Drive: 1.5 hrs
Évora isn’t a well-known stop for us Brits but it’s well worth visiting. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage city in Portugal’s Alentejo region and is a real foodie destination with lots of traditional restaurants! Surrounded by medieval walls, you’ll find Roman ruins like the Temple of Diana and the eerie Chapel of Bones. Its whitewashed houses, Gothic churches, and cobbled streets reflect centuries of Moorish and Portuguese influence.
Highlights:
- Roman Temple, Chapel of Bones, Évora Cathedral
- Wine tasting & olive oil tours
Day 5-6: Algarve (Lagos / Sagres / Benagil)
Drive: 2.5–3 hrs
Stay: This is a great time to park up your camper and stay near a beach
OK, now we’re getting to my favourite part of the Portugal roadtrip! The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region and is known for its gorgeous, golden coastline, beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs. From the buzzing resort towns of Albufeira and Lagos to the peaceful fishing villages of Tavira and Carvoeiro, the Algarve offers something for everyone. Its turquoise waters are ideal for swimming, surfing, and boat trips to sea caves like Benagil.
Inland, rolling hills and whitewashed towns reveal a quieter, authentic side which is well worth exploring.
Highlights:
- Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Camilo, Benagil Cave (by boat or kayak)
- Sagres Fortress & dramatic cliffs
- Relaxed beaches & seafood feasts
Day 7: Faro (Eastern Algarve)
Drive: 1.5 hrs
I often think Faro is such an underrated destination in Portugal. It’s the capital of the Algarve region and is often just used as a hub to fly in and out of but it’s got so much going on. There are fewer crowds than other Algarve towns so Faro feels authentic and laid-back.
Highlights:
- Tavira’s Roman bridge, churches, and island beach
- Faro’s Old Town and stork-topped cathedrals
Day 8: Drive North to Alentejo Coast (Vila Nova de Milfontes or Zambujeira do Mar)
Drive: 2.5–3 hrs
We’ve got a bit of a drive today but if you want to roadtrip Portugal then this is the place to enjoy it for the incredible views and beautiful beaches you’ll be seeing. This is the time to follow your nose wherever it leads without too much of a plan.
Highlights:
- Scenic SW Alentejo & Vicentine Coast
- Cliffside hikes and hidden beaches
- Seafood & sleepy villages
Day 9-10: Lisbon – Nazaré – Óbidos
Drive: 3–4 hrs (with stops)
You’re going to drive past Lisbon on this leg of your journey so you have the option to pop back into the city or drive straight past it to the surf of Nazare! Nazar is world-renowned for its record-breaking waves and big-wave surfing so sit back and watch the surfers. Obidos is a tiny town but it’s so pretty and authentic that you have to have a stroll around while you’re near.
Highlights:
- Nazaré: Surf capital with giant waves
- Óbidos: Fairytale walled town
Day 11-12: Douro Valley (via Coimbra or Aveiro)
Drive: 4 hrs
Optional stop: Coimbra (university town) or Aveiro (the “Venice of Portugal”)
The N222 is often hailed as one of the best driving roads in the world and you may have seen it already on Top Gear. The road hugs the river, offering panoramic views of the valley, with its terraced vineyards producing Portugal’s world-famous Port wine.
You can’t miss Aveiro, also known as the Floating City of Portugal. It’s so pretty and colourful and is famous for its salt pans, sweet ovos moles (a sweet egg dessert), and nearby Costa Nova beach with striped houses.
Douro Highlights:
- River cruises, wine tastings (Port!), terraced vineyards
- Scenic drive along N222 road
Day 13-14: Porto – End on a High Note
Drive: 1.5–2 hrs
We’re finishing our Portugal road trip in Porto. Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and you’ll see a big difference between Porto and Lisbon.
Porto is famous for its Port wine, colourful Ribeira district, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. The city offers riverside views, baroque churches, lively markets and traditional restaurants.
Highlights:
- Ribeira, Dom Luís I Bridge, Livraria Lello
- Port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia
- Francesinha sandwich or seafood at Matosinhos
Road Tips:
- Portugal has toll roads – get a Via Verde transponder
- Driving is easy, but watch out for narrow old-town streets
- Gas is pricey, so budget accordingly