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Joao, travel writer and filmmaker, takes you on a road trip around his homeland.

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Scenic drives and road trips to do in Portugal

The best way to really see Portugal is to drive around it, stopping where you fancy, staying a few days if you like a place and driving on when you're ready for new scenery. Whether you base yourself in one place and take day trips in the surrounding area, or your whole holiday is a road trip around Portugal, you'll see so much more.

Pick up your hire car in one of our airport or city branches and go exploring, the road is your limit!

Short Drives (2-4 Hours)


Douro Valley Wine Route

Duration: 3 hours
Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Pick up your car from the airport and head straight to the Douro Valley for a pictureque road trip through the vineyards.


Sintra to Cascais Coastal Road

Duration: 2.5 hours
Nearest Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport, also called Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS).

If you're staying in Lisbon for a few days, don't miss out on the surrounding area. Pick up your hire car from one of our branches for a scenic day trip along the coast. The route from Sintra to Cascais is full of stunning landscapes and pretty villages to stop and enjoy


Arrábida National Park Loop

Duration: 4 hours
Nearest Airport: Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon.

Enjoy the sights of Lisbon, then pick up a hire car and head south for the picturesque drive through Arrábida National Park on the N379.

Longer Road Trips (1-5 Days)

Porto to Santiago de Compostela

Duration: 4 days

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Spend some time in Porto before you head out along the ancient pilgrim trail from Portugal into Spain and the historic town of Santiago de Compostela. You'll probably pass plenty of pilgrims on foot so don't forget to call out 'Bom Caminho' as you drive past.


Costa Vicentina and Southwest Alentejo National Park

Duration: 3 days

Nearest Airport: Faro Airport (FAO).

Fly into Faro, pick up a car, and head off to explore the wild beauty of the Costa Vicentina and the Southwest Alentejo National Park along the rugged Atlantic coast.


Estoril to Douro Valley

Duration: 5 days

Nearest Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS).

Start your journey from Lisbon, exploring the coastal charm of Estoril before heading north to the Douro Valley.


Central Portugal Highlights

Duration: 2.5 days

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Begin your exploration of central Portugal after arriving at Porto's airport and set off to discover Coimbra, Óbidos, Tomar, and the Bussaco Forest.

Douro and Trás-os-Montes Loop

Duration: 4 days

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Fly into Porto, pick up your car, and head off on a scenic loop through the Douro Valley and Trás-os-Montes.

Exploring Portugal

Driving a hire car is the easiest and best way to explore Portugal. With your own personal vehicle to use, you won't have to be tied down to the strict timetables of group tours or public transport, and you'll be able to enjoy both privacy and comfort as you explore Portugal's many attractions. One of Portugal's most popular attractions is São Jorge Castle, a one-thousand-year-old Moorish fort that stands imposingly atop a wooded hill. The 19th-century Pena Palace is an impressive Romanticist-style creation that's well worth a visit. Another must-see destination is Peneda-Gerês National Park, one of western Europe's last strongholds for the wolf, which offers glorious rural scenery that's sure to take your breath away. For a more urban experience, Casa da Música, Porto's striking concert hall, is a great place to spend some time.

Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Trip

It's important to choose a vehicle that suits your needs during your stay in Portugal, which makes the wide range of vehicles that Enterprise offers a great plus. If you're planning to cruise the Algarve coast while enjoying Portugal's warm summer weather, a convertible will allow you to soak up the sun as you drive along the stunning shoreline. If you'd rather head inland and explore the attractive valley of Douro River, a luxurious premium or full-size saloon will make the journey much more comfortable.

At the Airport

Enterprise has car hire branches at several of Portugal's airports, making it extremely easy for travellers to pick up a car and be on their way. You can find an Enterprise car hire branch at Lisbon International Airport, and outside the nation's capital, Enterprise has conveniently located branches in other popular city airports as well, including Faro Airport and Funchal Airport, among others. By renting a car directly at the airport itself, you can avoid long taxi queues and overcrowded airport shuttles, which means you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

Cheap Car Hire in Portugal

Enterprise's total commitment to great customer service doesn't mean having to compromise on quality or value when hiring a car rental in Portugal. It's highly recommended to book vehicles in advance using their online booking service since Enterprise's lowest rates are exclusively found this way. You can enjoy and discover many discounts and promotions by booking online. Enterprise also offers weekend rental specials that can help you save even more on a cheap car hire. Whatever your needs are for a car rental in Portugal, you'll discover that Enterprise's hire quotes are always an outstanding value.

Knowing the Driving Rules in Portugal

The driving rules in Portugal are quite similar to other parts of western Europe. Portuguese traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. You must also give way to traffic coming from the right unless there are signs that indicate otherwise. Take stop signs seriously and always make a full stop. If you don't come to a complete halt, you can be fined. When driving on a toll motorway, be sure to stay in the correct lanes because green lanes are reserved for vehicles fitted with an automatic toll-pay device. Unlike some countries, drivers in Portugal do not flash their lights to give way; in fact, it means the exact opposite!

Enterprise Services

With Enterprise, from the first moment to the very last, you can rest assured you'll be looked after during your stay in Portugal. There's so much more to Enterprise's service than simply providing car rentals. Enterprise's staff will help ensure your trip to Portugal is hassle-free and truly memorable. Enterprise provides many convenient services, such as free pick-ups and one-way car hires. They also offer extra add-ons that can help make travelling easier and more comfortable, including GPS navigation systems and child safety seats. Enterprise will always go the extra mile to make sure you're well taken care of.

Car & Van Hire - Portugal

Visit Portugal and you'll discover many things to see and explore. They have fascinating cities with centuries-old buildings, as well as cobbled streets in quaint villages that live a slower pace of life. There are beaches almost without end, and golden sand that runs for miles along rugged shorelines. Portugal also has an excellent culinary scene, with influences from places as far away as South Africa and Latin America. Add all of that to its fine, warm climate and superb scenery, and it's clear to see why many people decide to travel to Portugal. A car rental in Portugal will help you see even more of the wonderful country, and the best way to achievethat is with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Enterprise has branches located in several major cities across the country, so you can party in Porto, enjoy lunch in Leiria, and travel around Cascais to your heart's content.