Discover the best road trips in Lisbon with the travel spots on Google Maps to help you to make the most of your trip to Portugal
- 7 days Road Trip in Portugal - Lisbon to Porto
- Is Porto worth visiting from Lisbon?
- Are the beaches better in Porto or Lisbon?
- Is the drive from Lisbon to Porto nice?
- Is it easy to drive around Porto?
- Where can you drive from Lisbon?
- Where can I spend the night between Lisbon and Porto?
Navigation
7 days Road Trip in Portugal - Lisbon to Porto
If you're looking for an amazing road trip, look no further than Portugal. This 7-day trip takes you from Lisbon to Porto, and is packed with incredible scenery and experiences. From stunning coastal drives to charming villages and towns, you'll fall in love with Portugal on this road trip.
Day 1 - Lisbon
Lisbon is the westernmost capital of continental Europe. It is a city with a historic and cultural atmosphere, which owes its fame to its charming cobbled and winding streets, lined with pastel-coloured houses.
The perfect starting point for your road trip!
To make sure you don t miss anything during your visit to Lisbon, here are the must-see places in the Portuguese capital:
- Praça do Rossio : This is one of Lisbon s liveliest spots and a great place to start your day. The enchanting square boasts a central monument to the former Portuguese king and elaborate fountains, all lined with impressive classically decorated buildings.
- Alfama : Alfama is renowned for being the oldest district in Lisbon. This area offers a wide range of unusual shops and cafes, beautiful views and an artisanal atmosphere.
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol : The viewpoint of Portas do Sol offers the best perspective on the historic Alfama district.
- Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market): The Mercado da Ribeira is worth a visit, if only for its impressive façade. The exterior of the market is topped by a Moorish-style dome and features a striking dial, and the interior is no less captivating.
- Jerónimos Monastery : A unesco World Heritage Site, the Jeronimos Monastery in Belém is impressive for its sculptures. Its size and perfection make a difference.
- Belèm Tower : Listed as a unesco World Heritage Site, the Belem Tower is an icon of Portuguese cultural heritage spread around the world.
- The Museu Coleção Berardo traces the history of 20th-century art with almost 900 works presented chronologically.
- The National Coach Museum exhibits a unique collection of richly decorated coaches from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, including carriages, sedans, litters and horse-drawn carriages.
Day 2 - Cascais and Guincho
Cascais is a seaside resort with beautiful sandy beaches and a rich cultural heritage. Its glamorous atmosphere, historic center and picturesque architecture, cozy bars and restaurants make Cascais a popular place for visitors and locals alike. Only a few kilometers from Lisbon, this privileged little gem is a must-see stop on your road trip.
During your stay in Cascais you can :
- Discover the beaches: The coast of Cascais-Estoril-Lisbon has a succession of splendid beaches, where you will find golden sands, clear waters and all the bars, cafes, restaurants and tourist facilities you could wish for.
- Visit the Cascais Cultural Center : The Cascais Cultural Center is an art museum that offers visitors the chance to see its permanent collection as well as several temporary exhibitions. Admission is free as in all museums in Cascais.
- Take a walk to the Cape of Roca : The Cape of Roca is the most westerly point in Portugal and Europe. This windswept place offers a desert landscape where the huge cliffs and the raging sea reign supreme: it's a beautiful excursion from Cascais.
- Walk the promenade from Cascais to Estoril : There is an incredibly pleasant walk along the coast between Cascais and Estoril. It follows the seafront promenade past beautiful 19th century mansions, a natural seawater pool, and many cafes and bars.
- At the end of the day you can drive back to Guincho to watch the sunset on the beach.
Praia do Guincho is a beautiful beach set in the spectacular landscape of the Serra de Sintra hills. It is exposed to the power of the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for its huge waves, ideal for surfing.
Day 3 - Sintra
Visiting Sintra is a must during your stay in Lisbon! Exuberant palaces, stone castles, rugged cliffs overlooking a tumultuous ocean... Often considered a day trip to make during a stay in Lisbon, it deserves several days of visit. Indeed, Sintra is a unique town that should not be missed to understand the complexity of Portugal.
Here are the must-sees in Sintra:
- The Pena National Palace : El palacio Pena was commissioned by King Ferdinand II, who fell under the spell of an opera set and requested a similar rendering. This is what makes the Pena Palace such a special monument. It combines multiple influences: Neo-Romanticism, Manueline, Gothic, Baroque, Moorish, Renaissance, etc. The result is exceptional.
- The National Palace of Sintra : The symbol of Sintra, the National Palace, o Palácio da Vila, is a must-see. Its silhouette is characterized by two white conical chimneys that rise to a height of 33 meters.
- The Quinta da Regaleira : Don't miss the Quinta da Regaleira. This vast architectural complex is a true Gothic jewel. As you walk through the manor, its gardens, caves and secret passages, you will come across many amazing details.
- The Palace of Monserrate : It was built in the 19th century, in the heart of a huge garden, and is a remarkable example of neo-oriental architecture.
Day 4 - Obidos and Batalha
Obidos is the finest example of a Portuguese walled city and one of the best tourist destinations in the Lisbon area.
During your visit to Obidos, you will discover traditional houses, beautiful cobbled streets and an impressive medieval castle. Although the town is small, requiring only a few hours to explore, you will thoroughly enjoy your time here.
Obidos is best discovered on foot. Start by visiting the tourist office near the main entrance. You will be given a map of the historic center.
Walking along the fortification walls of Obidos offers the best views of the surrounding area.
At the southern end of the walls, you can climb the Obidos Tower for a panoramic view of the surroundings.
After exploring Obidos properly, you can take the road towards Batalha.
Batalha is a charming little town, but it must be said that few visitors would stop here if not for the Batalha Monastery.
It is worth noting that its construction was launched in honor of the battle of Aljubarrota (14th August 1385), and the victory of the Portuguese troops over the Castilian army, which was a major event in Portuguese history.
It is possible to visit the Monastery of Batalha free of charge, as an accessible part gives you access to the exterior, the medieval stained glass windows and the main gothic church.
To access the other wonders hidden in the monastery, such as the founder's chapel, the cloisters, the unfinished chapel, etc., you will have to buy a ticket for €6.
Day 5 - Coimbra and Bussaco
Coimbra is considered the best university city in Portugal. However, for over 100 years it was the medieval capital of the country. The mixture of history and progressive student ideals has made Coimbra an absolutely fascinating tourist destination.
As a tourist, you will find that Coimbra has three very different aspects: the modern city, the university and the historical attractions.
With its beautiful old buildings, many of which date back to the time of Manuel I (15th century), Coimbra is well worth a visit during your trip to Portugal
While in Coimbra, visit the famous Universidade de Coimbra : one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Exit the university through the Porta Férrea (Iron Gate) and walk straight on to Praça Dom Dinis, then down to the right towards the 16th century aqueduct to reach the entrance to the Jardim Botânico.
On the other side of the riverbank, you will find the partly sunken ruins of the Gothic monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, founded in 1286, which was gradually destroyed by the flooding of the river.
Opposite the monastery of Santa Clara is the Portugal dos Pequenitos, a miniature village created in 1940 to help children and adults alike discover Portugal and its heritage through its history, geography and architecture.
Afterwards, take the road again to discover the Buçaco forest : one of the oldest forests in Europe.
The Buçaco National Forest is surrounded by a wall with eleven access gates. This area contains no less than 400 plant species from the Portuguese Atlantic coast and 300 species from other climates. Numerous paths lead through this magical and enchanting area.
In the middle of the forest lies the fabulous Buçaco Palace, considered one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, as well as a restaurant offering high quality cuisine in a remarkable setting.
Day 6 - Aveiro and Porto
It is called "the little Venice of Portugal". Indeed, the city of Aveiro is built around several canals on which the moliceiros circulate. These are small, colorful gondolas that can be seen everywhere and which give Aveiro a charming character.
What to do in Aveiro?
- Visit the Aveiro Museum : It contains a vast collection of religious objects, including paintings, sculptures and jewelry from the Renaissance.
- Ride a moliceiro : Emblems of the city, these colorful boats look a bit like Italian gondolas.
- Admire the Art News buildings Facing the canals, magnificent Art News buildings stand out with their wrought iron balconies and colorful facades
- After visiting the Portuguese Venice, head to one of Portugal's largest cities for the final leg of your road trip: Porto.
You can start exploring the city and take a walk at nightfall along the banks of the Douro River before having dinner in a nice place.
Day 7 - Porto
Oporto is a fascinating and dynamic city that is made to be explored on foot, enjoying as much as possible its small streets full of history and nostalgia. Walking along the Douro River, being surprised when entering the Bolhão Market or tasting the sweetness of the typical wines are some of the things you can do in Porto.
It's the perfect city to end your road trip in style!
For your last day, here are the must-do's to discover Porto at its best:
- Lello and Irmao bookshop : One of the most beautiful bookshops in the world with its Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic decoration.
- Torre Dos Clerigos : 70 metres high, it offers a superb 360° panorama over the city of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
- The historical belly of Porto : La Ribeira, the historic city center of Porto, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow streets and buildings covered in colorful azulejos.
- The Palácio de Bolsa : The neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa is Porto's stock exchange palace. Built in 1834, it remains today the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce of Porto. The tours are guided and show very interesting aspects of the place and its history.
- Dom Luis Bridge 1 : This mythical bridge of Porto. Its particularity is that this bridge has two levels.
Is Porto worth visiting from Lisbon?
-The drive from Lisbon to Porto is about 3 hours
-Porto is a coastal city with a lot of history and charm
-There are many things to see and do in Porto, including visiting the Port wine cellars
-Porto is a great place to eat, with many seafood and Portuguese specialty restaurants
-If you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere than Lisbon, Porto is definitely worth a visit
Are the beaches better in Porto or Lisbon?
Some people might prefer the beaches in Porto because they are less crowded than those in Lisbon. Others might find the beaches in Lisbon to be more scenic
Is the drive from Lisbon to Porto nice?
-The drive from Lisbon to Porto is a great road trip.
-The scenery is beautiful and there are plenty of places to stop along the way.
-The drive is about 3 hours long, so it can be a perfect day trip.
Is it easy to drive around Porto?
-The roads in Portugal are generally in good condition
-However, some areas of Porto can be difficult to navigate due to narrow streets and one-way streets
- Parking can also be difficult to find in the city center
-Overall, driving around Porto is doable, but be prepared for some challenges
Where can you drive from Lisbon?
-Drive to Sintra to see the castles
-Drive to the beaches in Cascais
-Drive to the wine region in Estoril
-Drive to the historic town of Obidos
Where can I spend the night between Lisbon and Porto?
-Stay in Coimbra
-Stay in Figueira da Foz
-Stay in Leiria
-Stay in Nazaré
-Stay in Peniche
-Stay in Póvoa de Varzim
-Stay in Viana do Castelo