If you are looking to take a road trip in Europe then look no further than Portugal.
There are several scenic routes you can take but arguably one of the best takes you down the coastline from Porto in the north to Faro in the south.
Throw your luggage in the boot, settle in and wind down the window so you can feel the sea breeze as you drive along this stunning coastal road.
To drive the most direct route from Porto to Faro would take you just under 5 hours, but you may want to stick a little closer to the coastline because the views are incredible but be sure to make a few detours along the way.
As you plan out your route, here’s everything you need to know about the start, middle and end as well as a few places to stop along the way.
Start – Porto:
Before you hop in the car, spend a day or two here because you have to sample the port that Portugal’s second-largest city is famous for. One of the best places to try this delectable drink is Ferreira, a 260-year-old wine cellar. Take a tour, learn about the Douro region and taste the wine.
- Serra da Sintra National Park – about three miles from Lisbon. The beach at this park featured in the opening of the 1969 James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’ It is the perfect place for surfing and boasts one of the most magical sunsets on the coastline.
Middle – Lisbon:
About halfway through your road trip you’ll arrive in Lisbon – the sunniest capital city in Europe. You’ll want to park up the car and spend at least three days here. At the World Travel Awards 2019, it was named the best city break destination in the world and you’ll quickly see why. While you are here make sure you sample the famous – and mouth-wateringly delicious – Pastel de nata at Pasteis de Belem. This egg custard tart, which is creamy on the inside and flaky on the outside, was first created in nearby Belem.
- Albufeira: You’ve arrived in the south but before you drive east to Faro, make a stop in Albufeira and visit Praia da Falesia – a beach listed in TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards ‘Top 25 Beaches in the World’ in 2018.
Faro:
Now you’re in the capital of the Algarve. Boasting more than three thousand hours of sunshine a year, this is the sunniest city in Europe. The Algarve is home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches with some of the biggest waves in the world as well as the world’s best golf courses. Make this the destination you stay in longest, set up in a villa, like one of these from Oliver’s Travels and then you can make the most of your car and explore the southern coastline.
This route looks perfect, doesn’t it? Now you know where to go you can start planning your ultimate road trip and see everything the Portuguese coastline has to offer.
