Car Hire Portugal

Portugal’s mild climate, rich culture and diverse landscape make it a pleasure to explore by car. The extensive modern road network ensures you can easily find your way around. Just remember that when hiring a car in Portugal, children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in the front and that you need to carry photographic ID at all times.

Speed limits are 50kph in urban areas, 90-100kph on open roads and 120kph on motorways, and are strictly enforced. Toll roads are easy for you to spot, with toll booths at the entrance or exit for easy payment by cash, credit or debit card. Just avoid using the green lanes, as these are reserved for people using the automatic payment system. You should also be aware of electronic toll roads. These have no toll booths, but use electronic devices to record the license plates of vehicles using them. If you’re going to use these roads you may want to consider renting a toll device, using pre-paid credit or purchasing a three-day ticket, available from Portugal Tolls.

In towns and cities, residential parking zones will make it difficult to park on-street, while some areas prohibit parking altogether – look for ‘Estacionamento Proibido’ signs and yellow or red lines on the curb, or play it safe and pay for parking.

There are a wealth of stunning sights to enjoy when you travel by car in Portugal, whether you’re on holiday or squeezing in some sightseeing on a business trip. From forested mountains in the north, rolling hills and vineyards in the centre to the lush golf courses and sandy beaches of the Algarve, this is a marvellously diverse country. And with its year-round sunshine, there’s little wonder the country has so much appeal to visitors.

Bustling boutiques and art

Once the capital of a worldwide empire, Lisbon offers a fantastic mix of classical and contemporary culture that has fascinated visitors for centuries. Here you can explore the bustling boutiques of the Principe Real, the winding streets of the Chiado district, and the Moorish alleyways of Alfama. On the outskirts of Lisbon, you’ll find sprawling woodlands, idyllic beaches and quaint villages which, if you find yourself wandering their cobbled, winding streets, offer an authentic taste of this delightful country.

UNESCO World Heritage site

A short journey out of the capital, you can enjoy the spectacular Atlantic coastline at Cascais, and the picturesque clifftop UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Sintra. With its striking mountainous backdrop, this long-time royal sanctuary offers respite from the searing heat in summer months. It is home to the Castelo do Mouros, Palacio Nacional and the stunning Palacio da Pena – some of Portugal’s most iconic buildings, steeped in history.

Waterside restaurants and fresh seafood

Further up the coast, you’ll find the beautiful fishing town of Peniche, where you can enjoy outstanding seafood at the many harbour-side restaurants and take a ferry to the Berlengas archipelago. Here you can lose yourself in miles of unspoiled nature trails, and some of the most amazing scenery in Portugal.

Spectacular surfing and beaches

In the north, you’ll find spectacular surfing and endless beaches at the coastal city of Figueira da Foz and historic Porto, the country’s second-largest city and the gateway to Portugal’s wine country. It’s here among the vineyards where you can savour dramatic hillside views as you wind between the UNESCO World Heritage towns of the Douro Valley.

Handmade ceramics and lively market

Slightly north of Porto, the medieval walled city of Barcelos is renowned for its handmade ceramics. Every Thursday, tourists and locals travel for Feira de Barcelos. At this lively and colourful market, one of Portugal’s most famous, you’ll find seasonal fruit, homemade cheeses and the aforementioned beautifully detailed ceramics.

Water sports, mountains and golf on the Algarve

To the south is the Algarve, Portugal’s most popular holiday destination, which enjoys a mild year-round climate and some of the country’s finest beaches. From fast-paced beach resorts to boat trips along the coast and every water sport imaginable, you’ll not be short of something to do here. The coastline from Faro through to Albufeira is where the tourists flock, but it remains picturesque and well worth a visit. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main centre, take in the tranquillity of the Caldeirao Mountains and discover the nature trails of Ria Formosa, Monchique and the Sagres Cape.

Whatever your destination, when you hire a car in Portugal you can look forward to stunning scenery, welcoming people and a truly memorable visit. From sun-drenched beaches and fairy-tale castles, to the old world cities, whether you want to be in the centre of things, escape the crowds or travel for business, this is a country so diverse that it caters for everyone.