Self-Drive Tour of Portugal

Portugal Self-Drive Tours

Unique and diverse, from coastlines to mountaintops. A Portugal road trip rewards the curious.

Sunny Shores and Ancient Sites

Hit the road toward the city of Évora, the capital of Portugal’s Alentejo region. Head south toward the sunny golden beaches of the Algarve. Drive to Porto, one of the most ancient cities in Europe, and discover its historic and cultural traditions. And in the Douro Valley, stop at the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, an open-air Paleolithic site with prehistoric rock art.

The sides of Portugal are many and fascinating. One of the oldest countries in Europe, Portugal has much to offer, not just for history buffs. And driving yourself around is the best way to uncover it all, just the way you like.

Ready to plan your trip?

Get a free 30-minute travel consultation about Portugal when you request a quote.

Build Your Tour Sample Itineraries

Itinerary
As expert itinerary planners, we’ll help you craft the perfect tour.
Accommodations
Pousadas, boutique hotels, and hotels.
Vehicles
Choose your vehicle type and size, from motorcycle to van.
Attractions
Design your trip based on the things you want to see and do.
Interests & Themes
Love beaches, wine, or history and culture? Use your interests to personalize your trip.
Book With Confidence
Your Self-Drive vacation comes with our By-Your-Side Service^SM

Inclusions
- Your choice of overnight stays, in some of our favorite places
- Accommodations for every night of your trip in Pousadas, boutique hotels, and hotels.
- Rental vehicle, a variety of vehicle types and sizes
- All accommodation taxes/fees
- Breakfast every morning
- 24/7 Traveler Hotline
- By-Your-Side ServiceSM
Accommodations
Hotels
- We’ll suggest preferred partner properties with a wide range of options, from old-style charm and boutique to modern and luxury options.
Pousadas
- Traditional historic buildings—former monasteries, castles, palaces, and fortresses—converted into luxury hotels.
Quintas
- Portuguese country homes (similar to Italian villas), guesthouses, and sometimes working farms that offer wonderfully authentic experiences.
Vehicles
Your self-drive car rental comes with:
- Rental vehicle with available pick-up/drop-off at the airport of your choice and most city centers.
- Choose from different car sizes, transmission (manual or automatic), vans, luxury options, or motorcycle.
- Included extras
  - All compulsory insurance: Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with a deductible), theft protection insurance (TP), VAT sales tax, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, airport surcharge, and a free road map. Upgrades to Super CDW available.
Travel Tips
The most common mode of transportation between major cities is by car. The Portuguese drive on the same side as in the U.S. but Portugal uses the metric system, so be prepared for speed to be measured in kilometers.

Portugal has a safe and well-kept highway system, but some of the smaller country roads can be hard to navigate. An international driving permit (IDP) is not required to drive a rental car in Portugal, but if you are planning a drive into neighboring Spain, an IDP will be required.

Other Ways to Explore

Hit the road on your own or enjoy the luxury of having someone else in the driver’s seat. Embark on a scenic rail journey or mix things up to get you there in whatever mode fits your journey best. Take a private tour custom-made for your group, or the most romantic chapter to add to your story.

No two tours are the same. So how do we get you there? That’s up to you.