Scenic drives through Portugal
Portugal is a world-class driving country: the golden cliffs of the Algarve, an ocean coast with the giant waves of Nazaré, monasteries inland, and the volcanic islands of Madeira and the Azores with mountain roads above the clouds. These are our measured routes: the grand loop through the Algarve, the island loops around Madeira and São Miguel in the Azores, and the fly-drive classic from Porto to Lisbon. You drive every loop from your own location.
Scenic loops
The most beautiful drive in the Algarve
A 300 km loop past Ponta da Piedade, the Benagil sea cave, Cape St Vincent and Silves. Drive it from your own location.
The most beautiful drive on São Miguel (Azores)
A 150 km island loop past Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas and the Gorreana tea plantation. Drive it from your own location.
The best scenic drive on Madeira
A 145 km mountain drive around Madeira past Cabo Girao, Encumeada, the north coast, Porto Moniz, Santana and Pico do Arieiro. Drive it from your own location.
City-to-city routes
From one airport to the other, ideal as a fly-drive: pick up the rental car, drive the most beautiful route with every stop included, and drop it at your destination. Porto to Lisbon comes in two flavours: along the coast or inland past the monasteries.
Porto to Lisbon: along the coast
Ocean, fishing villages and the Estrada Atlântica: the classic, done properly.
Porto to Lisbon: inland past the monasteries
Buçaco, Coimbra, Tomar, Fátima and Batalha: three UNESCO sites in one day.
A route from your own address?
Enter your starting point and generate a route or loop with fine stops for free, right within the time you have.
Plan a routeFree, with a share link and export to GPX and Maps. You never pay for exports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful route from Porto to Lisbon?
There are two, both fully mapped: along the coast (approx. 370 km, via Costa Nova, the Estrada Atlântica and Nazaré) or inland (approx. 445 km, via Buçaco, Coimbra, Tomar, Fátima and Batalha: three UNESCO sites). Both come with every stop in Google Maps and a GPX on the route page.
Do you pay tolls in Portugal?
On many motorways no longer: since 1 January 2025 the A22, A23, A24 and A25, among others, are toll-free. But the roads between Porto and Lisbon (A1, A8, A14, A17, A29) stayed paid; the A1 costs about 25 euros for a car (2026 tariff). Rent a toll transponder (Via Verde) with the car, or follow our coastal route: it runs almost toll-free until Óbidos.
Can you drop a rental car in a different city?
Yes. Within Portugal a one-way trip (pick up in Porto, drop in Lisbon or the reverse) is normal and usually free or cheap with the big rental firms. Check the one-way fee in advance and whether you return the car at the airport or in the city.
When is the best time for a road trip through Portugal?
May, June, September and October are ideal: mild weather and room on the roads. In July and August the coastal towns are packed; start early. The giant waves of Nazaré are mostly a winter spectacle, and Madeira stays mild all year round.
Is it better to start in Porto or in Lisbon?
For the route it makes no difference: we map both directions separately, each with its own Maps link and GPX. So pick the cheapest flight or the handiest rental pick-up; the drive is just as beautiful either way.
Are the routes and exports free?
Yes. Viewing the routes, generating them from your own starting point and exporting to GPX or Google Maps are free, with a small Touren.app mark.