Duration
10 days/9 nights
Trip type
Road Trip
Accomodation
Casual
Premium
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Levels
Easy
We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.
Route
740 km/460 mi
Recommended airport
Porto Airport
Recommended season
January to December
Overview
The National Road 2 (EN2), the Portuguese version of America's famous Route 66, stretches almost 740 kilometres from Chaves in the north, close to the Spanish border, to the stunning beaches of the Algarve, in Faro. This route takes you through some of the best-preserved areas of the Portuguese heartland, passing through 18 classified areas, and demarcated wine regions such as the world-famous Alto Douro Wine Region, the world's first demarcated wine region. Along the way, the road is often lined by trees that form a living tunnel, offering stunning scenery, and crosses numerous watercourses, including some of Portugal's most important rivers. It is a sort of code of conduct to greet the adventurers you meet on the N2 with a honk or a wave. The province of Algarve is Portugal's southernmost coastline, 250 km of sheltered sandy beaches along a coastline bathed by a warm and calm ocean, the ideal Mediterranean climate.
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Itinerary & tour plan
Welcome to Portugal! On arrival at Porto airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Chaves, the starting point and kilometre 0 of the National Road 2. Once known as Aquae Flaviae by the Romans, in recognition of the quality of Chaves' natural mineral and thermal waters, the hottest in Europe. Cross the Roman bridge, explore the fortified old town and taste local specialities such as Presunto and Pastel de Chaves, the most emblematic dishes. This city played a key role in the resistance against Napoleon, marking the first defeat of his army in Portugal. Arrive earlier in Porto to discover this UNESCO World Heritage city, where you can take a guided tour of the historic centre, admire the stunning riverside views and visit a Port Wine cellar, where you can take part in a guided tasting to learn more about the wine making process.
Drive along the EN2 to the Douro Valley, passing through Vidago, known for its thermal baths and mineral waters. The gateway to the Douro wine region is Vila Real, home to the Mateus Palace, world-famous for appearing on the label of Mateus Rosé wine bottles, with its rococo style mansion and beautiful gardens. From there, head to Pinhão, in the heart of the Alto Douro Wine Region, the oldest established winemaking region in Portugal, and take a relaxing boat trip on a replica of the traditional Rabelo boats once used to transport Port wine. Follow the Port Wine Trail (8 km/5 mi, moderate level), a scenic circular route through terraced vineyards, seeing them for above is a delight for the eyes, but walking through them is a true balm for the soul. Finish the day with an overnight stay at a Quinta (wine estate), in vineyard village.
Head to Lamego, a monumental town in the heart of the Douro region, home to some of Portugal's finest sparkling wines, and visit the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. A staircase of 686 steps takes you through lush gardens, statues, fountains and beautiful tiles. Heading south, you'll reach the Montemuro Sierra, an area of outstanding natural beauty and part of Natura 2000. As you pass through, consider a guided visit and tasting to an organic producer of tea, medicinal herbs and honey. Take a detour off the N2 road to the village of Pena to hike the Rota da Cabra e do Lobo (11 km/7 mi, moderate level), a trail of vertical cliffs, waterfalls and lagoons, named after the mountain goat and the Iberian wolf, emblematic creatures of the region. Finish your journey in Viseu, a city rich in history with a well-preserved centre.
Do a quick detour to visit a Serra da Estrela cheese producer and witness the entire production process. Nestled among rolling hills between 400 and 700 metres above sea level, and one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in Portugal, the Dão Wine Region can’t be missed. Protected by mountain ranges, the vines are sheltered from the harsh Atlantic winds, allowing the wines to age gracefully and develop remarkable complexity. Why not take a break from driving and explore the Dão Eco-Trail by bike? The longest in Portugal, it winds through vineyards, forests and gentle hillsides. Continuing along the EN2, stop off at a black pottery workshop, one of the few places where this craft is still practised using traditional methods. Heading south, you cross the Mondego, Portugal's longest river entirely within its borders, before reaching Penacova, a riverside town with sweeping views of wooded hills and winding waters.
In the morning, if you're feeling adventurous, canoe down the Mondego River, surrounded by cliffs and granite outcrops. Alternatively, detour off the N2 to Coimbra. Wander its centuries-old streets, admire the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Joanina Library, famous for its impressive gilded Baroque woodwork. In the afternoon, head to the Schist Villages of the Serra da Lousã, starting with São Simão, one of the 27 Schist Villages. Walk along the Casal de São Simão Schist Trail (5 km/3 mi, easy level). Impressive wood walkways lead you to the viewpoint at the top of the São Simão cliffs, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley. At the end, take a refreshing dip in the beautiful São Simão River beach. The day ends in Sertã, where you can relax and enjoy the tranquillity of this historic village.
Just a few kilometres after leaving Sertã, you'll find the Picoto da Melriça viewpoint, where a 1st order geodetic landmark, dated 1802, marks the Geodesic Centre of the Portuguese mainland. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Serra da Lousã. Turn off the N2 and take the Pequena Rota de Alvega (12 km/7 mi, easy level), a circular route that mainly follows farm and forest tracks close to the Tagus River. As you move away from the river, the landscape changes to scrubland, cork oaks, pines and eucalyptus. Along the way you'll pass the Oliveira de Mouchão, one of the oldest olive trees in Portugal and declared a Tree of Public Interest in 2007. Before reaching your destination, enjoy a guided tour and olive oil tasting at a local producer. Finish the day in Abrantes, a historic town with military origins.
Day 7
Ribatejo and Alto Alentejo
The majestic Tagus River and the important wine region of Alentejo.
Ribatejo and Alto Alentejo
The majestic Tagus River and the important wine region of Alentejo.
Following the N2, the river accompanies you as you enter the Alentejo, with olive groves, cork oaks and oak woods framing the landscape. In Mora, it's worth doing the Percurso do Gameiro circular trail (5 km/3 mi, easy level), part of the Gameiro Ecological Park, which starts from a river beach and follows the Raia stream, offering the chance to observe some of the region's birds, such as herons, kingfishers and jays. As you approach Montemor-o-Novo, you will see the ruins of the castle on the hill where D. Manuel I is said to have finalised plans for Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. Consider a detour to visit a wine estate on a jeep tour, followed by a guided tasting of Alentejo wines. Arriving in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, the transition to urban life preserves green spaces and the contrast of white houses against the blue Alentejo sky.
Prepare to drive through authentic Alentejo landscapes of open plains and cultivated fields. In summer you may come across vibrant fields of sunflowers in full bloom! Take a detour to the walled village of Monsaraz, which offers stunning views over the Alqueva reservoir. Continue to Ferreira do Alentejo and admire the mural dedicated to the Cante Alentejano, which pays tribute to a traditional musical genre listed as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Consider visiting a local olive oil producer for a guided tasting. Take a break from driving to walk the Rota do Cerro da Águia (14 km/9 mi, easy level), which offers peaceful views of endless fields of corn, olive groves and livestock. Finally, you will arrive at Aljustrel, known for its important mining and industrial heritage, and characterised by typical Alentejo architecture, with quiet streets and whitewashed houses.
The last few kilometres of the EN 2 road heads towards the Algarve, where the south-facing coastline receives warm waters from North Africa! Faro is one of the gateways to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, an important stopover for migratory birds and a sanctuary for many species, especially the colourful flamingos. It has one of the world's largest populations of seahorses and is the birthplace of the endangered Portuguese Water Dog. And for an extra special way to experience it all, why not try a Segway tour? You can then choose to walk from Cacela Velha to Tavira (15 km/9 mi, moderate level), passing salt pans where artisans still harvest salt using traditional methods. Overnight in Tavira, a town that stretches along both banks of the river, inviting you to stroll at a leisurely pace.
All good things come to an end quickly, and there is no exception to this in this case. On the last day, you can go to Faro Airport to drop off your rental car and fly back home.
What is included?
What you get on this adventure
- Accommodation 9 nights BB, in double standard room
- River cruise in a rabelo boat
- National 2 Road Passaport
- City taxes
- Daily post-drive messages
- Access to the Ride With GPS app on your smartphone
What is not included
- Flights
- Rental car
- Insurance
- Meals and wine tastings (optional)
- Personal expenses and other items not mentioned
Tour facts
- The longest road in Portugal, which crosses the country from north to south
- A wide range of outdoor activities, such as walking trails, canoeing and cycling
- Behold the Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where centuries of winemaking tradition are etched into the terraced hills
- The Schist Villages, a collection of 27 historic villages in the Serra da Lousã
- Cross the Serra de Montemuro, where it reaches the highest point on the EN2
- Visit the Ria Formosa Natural Park, voted as one of Portugal’s Seven Natural Wonders
- Algarve, enchanting coastline and beaches, exotic flamingos and dolphins
- Guided wine tastings opportunities in world-renowned demarcated regions
Special dates
Dolphin watching season, Faro, May to September
- Experience the magic of dolphin watching, especially in the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Atlantic Ocean, where these playful creatures bring the ocean to life during their season of wonder.
- Witness the timeless craft of salt harvesting in traditional salt pans, where nature and tradition come together to create the Algarve’s finest "white gold."
- Since 2012, Primavera Sound has transformed Porto into a global music hub, featuring legends, rising stars and cutting-edge sounds. It's an unmissable event!
- https://www.primaverasound.com/pt/porto
- Savour sardines, caldo verde, and port wine as the streets come alive with laughter, music, playful plastic hammers, fireworks, and balloons to celebrate St. John!
Feira de São Mateus (St Matthew's Fair), Viseu, 7th August to 21st September 2025
- One of Portugal's oldest and most emblematic fairs, it offers a wide range of attractions, including concerts by national and international artists and cultural exhibitions.
- https://feirasaomateus.pt/feira.php
F Festival, Faro, 4th to 7th September 2025
- One of Portugal's oldest and most emblematic fairs, it offers a wide range of attractions, including concerts by national and international artists and cultural exhibitions.
- https://feirasaomateus.pt/feira.php
F Festival, Faro, 4th to 7th September 2025
- The festival turns the city centre into one of the best music festivals in the country. For three days, the country's best artists make the hot nights even better.
- This is your chance to get involved in the grape harvesting, try traditional grape treading and take part in Douro and Port wine tastings at local wineries!
- Join the olive harvest season, where families hand-pick ripe olives to create fresh and tasty olive oil.