Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Portugal
Portugal at your pace reveals charm in abundance. Explore Lisbon's hills and Fado, drive to Porto's wine cellars, discover Douro Valley vineyards, visit medieval Óbidos, and relax on Algarve beaches. You have the freedom to stop whenever the views demand it, tasting pastéis everywhere, while experiencing Portugal's affordability and beauty. Self-driving in Portugal is easy with rewards around every bend.
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We had a wonderfully immersive and scenic 8 days throughout Portugal! However there are 2 very important details that were not provided to by Tour Radar. 1. Being previously unfamiliar with being in Europe it would have saved us a lot of initial stress if we were given some basic instruction on the car’s operation, for example: how to get the gear shifter into reverse. There was zero information that you needed to pull up the shifter knob before getting it into reverse. The car rental stalls are so narrow it’s impossible to pull out of your stall and turn onto the parking garage path without having to pull ahead and back up multiple times in order to get out. I blocked traffic and had car horn blowing at me until a good samaritan came and showed me what to do. 2. Once on the road I became immediately aware that listening to Google Maps telling me the names of the roads I needed to drive on was almost useless. There are very few, if any, road/street signs in Portugal. Driving the highways was much better identified with road signs but they are heavily tolled. Once you exit the highway's you are left completely without any signs to indicate what road you need to follow because Google Maps most often only provides you the long Portuguese street names to follow however, there are no street signs to tell you what the road names are and there’s often multiple roads branching out from your exit. The only way I succeeded was to follow which way the arrow was pointing along the bard blue line on the Google Map on the car screen. This was truly the most annoying and continuously stressful part of the self driving experience in Portugal. Aside from these 2 experiences the rest of the trip was wonderful! 3: we were given a final itinerary of where each night’s hotels were located however, the only information provided on what to be sure to see or do was only provided in the initial travel description on the site when your looking for places to travel. Without that initial travel site information we would have been left with nothing. As it was I also had to Google a lot on what to see or experience in the areas we were in. So all being told, we saw many wonderful things and loved Portugal!! Lastly, absolutely buy the rental car insurance because Avis came up with 5 or 6 dings or scrapes that were never initially tagged prior to our rental and wiuld have cost us nearly $1,000 to repair. But our insurance covered all if it. By the way, I was an extremely careful driver and never encountered any of the issues Avis Rental Return noted upon our return.
Portugal Discovery, Self-driveIf was great everything was organised. Accommodation was good too, I highly recommend this tour for those who want flexibility but you need to enjoy driving
Portugal North and South, Self-driveThe hotels were very good. The car rental was a little inconvenient as it was offsite from the airport. The only improvement would be either to include GPS in the rental car or a proper detailed map. We arrived on a rainy, foggy night and it was almost impossible to find our guest house the first night.
Discover Madeira, Self-drive
10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive Portugal tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaPortugal travel expert at TourRadar
- Portugal Discovery, Self-drive
- Portugal North and South, Self-drive
- Ultimate Portugal Roadtrip: Through History & Stunning Landscapes
- The Best of Northen Portugal Road Trip
- Portugal Scenic Multi-Activity Self-Drive Road Trip - 9 Days
- 9-Day Off-Road Self-Drive Through Portugal’s Nature and Picturesque Villages (from Madrid)
- Best of São Miguel Island
- Discover Madeira, Self-drive
- Hidden Secrets of Algarve & Alentejo, Self-drive
- A Road Trip Through Portugal's Natural Wonders
Portugal Discovery, Self-drive
“Hotels were quite nice with breakfast included. Highways in Portugal may be the best in the world.”
Ted, traveled in October
The open roads of Portugal await in a VW Polo with unlimited mileage. The route winds along coastal paths from Espinho to Figueira da Foz, through medieval towns like Tomar and Castelo de Vide. Your stay includes daily breakfast at Vila Galé properties.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lisbon, Evora, Alter do Chão Municipality, Castelo De Vide, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Guimaraes, Espinho, OvarSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Destination Services Portugal From
- US$1,138
Portugal North and South, Self-drive
“Accommodation was good too, I highly recommend this tour for those who want flexibility.”
Jodie, traveled in January
Your Portuguese adventure unfolds in a VW Polo with unlimited mileage. The route stretches from Porto's Ribeira district to Algarve's coastline, with stays at Vila Galé hotels and stops at medieval towns and hidden beaches.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Fatima, Batalha, Alcobaca, Óbidos, Lisbon, Sintra, Cape Roca, Cascais, EstorilSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Destination Services Portugal From
- US$1,406
Ultimate Portugal Roadtrip: Through History & Stunning Landscapes
“The itinerary was excellent and quite adaptable to circumstances. It was a great experience that met my expectations.”
Nina, traveled in July
Duration 8 days Destinations Lisbon, Sintra, Fatima, Coimbra, Aveiro, Porto, Vila Nova da Gaia, Peneda-Geres National Park, Braga, NazareSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
- US$517
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Soajo, Peneda-Geres National Park, Barcelos, Braga, Chaves, Braganca, Miranda do DouroSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Operator Authentic Trails From
- US$850
Duration 9 days Destinations Lisbon, Cascais, Tomar, Coimbra, Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Porto Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Indie From
- US$2,029
9-Day Off-Road Self-Drive Through Portugal’s Nature and Picturesque Villages (from Madrid)
“We highly recommend both Portugal and this way of traveling. The scenery and side roads were a delight.”
orit, traveled in August
Take your Toyota Land Cruiser through Serra da Estrela Natural Park's glacial Zêzere Valley and climb to Portugal's highest point for sweeping Atlantic views. You'll follow old Roman dirt roads past ancient milestones in Peneda-Gerês National Park, then stop at the viewpoint above Armaló Waterfall, the country's largest cascade.
Duration 9 days Destinations Madrid, Belmonte, Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Piodao, Porto, Peneda-Geres National Park, Marialva Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Indie From
- US$2,176
Best of São Miguel Island
“This was a self-drive tour and everything from the accommodation to car hire was great. Highly recommend this trip to any nature lover, hiker, and someone who simply wants to have a relaxed vacation.”
Marc, traveled in April
Duration 6 days Destinations Sao Miguel Island, Ponta Delgada, Sete Cidades, Furnas, Lagoa das Furnas, Parque Terra Nostra, São Roque, Lagoa, Vila Franca do Campo, Ribeira Grande Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Portuguese Operator Destination Services Portugal From
- US$1,227
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Portugal
What are the must-see highlights on a Portugal Self Drive tour?
A Portugal Self Drive tour connects you with UNESCO sites coastal views and historic towns across the country. Key stops include the Benagil caves near Portimão the ancient Roman temple in Évora and Cabo de São Vicente's cliffs. In Porto the historic center and Vila Nova de Gaia's port wine cellars deserve dedicated time while Sintra's palaces need a full day to explore properly. A TourRadar traveler shared, "The highlight was driving along the Algarve coast and discovering hidden beaches like Praia do Beliche then ending the day at a local restaurant in Lagos." Accommodations range from the central Vila Gale Evora in Alentejo to the spa-focused Hotel Central Monchique.
How many hours of driving should I expect per day on a Portugal Self Drive tour?
Daily drives typically last between 1.5 to 3 hours letting you spend most of your time exploring sites. The route from Lisbon to Évora takes about 1.5 hours across 130 kilometers while the coastal journey from Monte Gordo to Lagos runs about 2 hours with beach and viewpoint breaks. A TourRadar traveler noted "The driving distances were very manageable leaving plenty of time to explore places like Óbidos and Fátima along the way." Routes include regular stops at natural attractions like Ria Formosa Natural Park and cultural sites such as Coimbra's historic university.
Which regions are best for a Self Drive tour in Portugal?
Each Portuguese region offers unique driving experiences. The Algarve stretches from Lagos to Monte Gordo with routes passing Praia da Marinha and Praia da Falésia. Alentejo's roads wind through cork forests and vineyards near Évora. One TourRadar traveler shared "The variety was incredible - from the rugged Costa Vicentina to the historic streets of Coimbra." Porto and the Douro Valley appeal to wine enthusiasts while Madeira's mountain roads provide dramatic views with stays at properties like Hotel Central Monchique.
What documents do I need for a Self Drive tour in Portugal?
Requirements include a valid driver's license held for 2+ years a passport or ID and a credit card for car rental deposit. Drivers must be 23 or older with companies like Europcar charging extra for drivers under 25. Hotels such as The Noble House in Évora and Vila Gale Porto require passports at check-in. A TourRadar traveler advised "Make sure to have both a physical and digital copy of your driver's license and request the rental car documents in English if needed." While recommended International Driving Permits aren't mandatory for licenses using Latin alphabet.
When is the best time to go on a Self Drive tour in Portugal?
Portugal's Self Drive season peaks from April through October with regional variations. The Algarve region shines June through September ideal for combining drives with stops at beaches like Praia da Falésia. Spring (April-May) offers pleasant temperatures for inland exploration around Évora and Coimbra plus blooming wildflowers. One TourRadar traveler noted "The weather in May was perfect for driving through the Alentejo region not too hot and all the countryside was in full bloom." Winter drives along Costa Vicentina offer solitude though mountain roads need careful navigation.
What type of vehicle is typically provided for Portugal Self Drive tours?
Standard vehicles include mid-size cars like VW Polo or equivalent with unlimited mileage and full insurance coverage. Pickup locations often include Hotel Vila Gale Collection Douro and Hotel Turim Porto. Cars come with air conditioning optional GPS navigation and required safety equipment. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The car rental was straightforward though having GPS was essential for navigating Portugal's winding roads through the Douro Valley."