Portugal - amazing country on the very edge of Europe, famous for its unique views and its special atmosphere, which can be fully enjoyed only by getting acquainted with local flavor on your own, without a guide or a noisy crowd, having time to feel every moment and examine every detail. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is to travel around Portugal by car. After all, this country is rich in all kinds of beauty and entertainment, located not only near major cities, but also in secluded places where public transport often there is no service, and taxis are very expensive. Therefore, you can have time to stroll through beautiful lemon and orange gardens, relax on the best beaches, visit popular water parks and admire the picturesque cliffs in one trip, only by choosing your own route around Portugal and renting a car.

Traveling around Portugal by car will help you significantly save energy, time and money, and also get the most out of your experience. The territory of this country is small. If you have a car, it’s easy to travel from north to south in 6-7 hours, so you can safely plan difficult route in Portugal, including several cities and even regions, and for a relatively short vacation. A car can also be useful when vacationing within one city, because it allows you to comfortably get anywhere at any time, regardless of the public transport schedule.

Rent a car in Portugal

The most convenient and profitable way to rent a car in Portugal is to find a good rental company in one of largest airports, such as the airports of Lisbon, Faro and Porto. Here the choice of rental companies and offers is especially wide, so finding the ideal option is not difficult. Another advantage of renting a car at Portuguese airports is the convenient location of the offices.

Many of them are located directly in the terminal, which greatly simplifies the search and saves time. The parking lot of such companies is usually located right next to the terminal, so a tourist can leave the airport in a rented car immediately after it’s full. necessary documents. However, the cheapest cars in Portugal are usually offered by rental companies, whose offices are located 5-10 minutes away on a free company bus. Since this location is less expensive than maintaining an office at the airport, such companies are generally very different reasonable prices, especially in winter. At the same time, it is not necessary to start traveling around Portugal by car by walking from office to office in the hope of finding better conditions. On our website you can find and book a suitable option in advance in Russian.

In Portugal, as throughout Europe, to get a car you only need international passport, driver's license on a plastic base and credit card in the name of the driver with the amount required to pay the deposit. The deposit is frozen in the account for the duration of the rental. If

Everything for independent routes in Portugal: features of driving and roads

Car traffic in Portugal is practically no different from Russia. The Portuguese's driving style is quite calm, not aggressive. Getting around Portugal by car is easy and pleasant, and many tourists prefer to explore the country by car. Often, during the high season, there are even more vacationers on the roads than Portuguese. However, this will not stop you from enjoying driving around Portugal by car. After all, the network highways well developed in this country. Its length is about 80,000 km. The road surfaces are of high quality, regardless of whether they are tolled or not.

Thinking about routes before heading to Portugal self-guided tour, especially those located near Lisbon, it is important to remember that not everywhere you can travel for free. In addition to ordinary roads with free passage, there are also autobahns or highways, designated in Portugal as autoestradas or simply A. These high-speed routes with a perfectly smooth surface are well equipped. Clear signs, clear markings, reflectors, dividing barriers and numerous roadside cafes, gas stations and shops make moving around Portugal by car simple and comfortable, but at the same time fast. On motorways the speed limit is up to 120 km/h.

Like everything convenient and modern, highways cost money. Fares are mostly moderate and vary depending on the specific road and class of car. You can pay for using the motorway either in cash or by card. Nevertheless, we recommend taking not only virtual, but also real money on your trip. No one is immune from plastic card failures. In this case, the motorist receives a check, which will need to be paid at the post office. For long trips around Portugal by car, it is optimal to use Via Verde - a compact device for instant contactless fare payment, which is rented at a number of car rental companies and at some technical service stations, and is sold in specialized centers. The device allows you to drive along a dedicated lane without stops or barriers, because payment is read automatically when entering the Electronic Toll gate, marked with a green V sign.

Also, when exploring Portugal by car, you should pay attention to roundabouts. Here priority goes to those driving in a circle. Thanks to this rule, the intersection is regulated without the participation of a traffic light.

Portugal by car: where to stay

The choice of accommodation in Portugal is large and the cost varied. In winter, prices for self-catering apartments start from 10 euros per night. In summer, accommodation in guest apartments and hotels costs a little more, but thanks to the variety of options, you can find a good deal in any season if you start your search in advance.

Where to go in Portugal. Lisbon on your own

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, where the bulk of tourists fly. Modern city with a centuries-old history will be of interest to both connoisseurs of architecture and ancient artifacts, as well as lovers of shopping, vibrant nightlife And lazy rest on the beach. After all, here ancient castles, cathedrals, museums and archaeological sites blend harmoniously with shopping centers, famous boutiques, markets, atmospheric bars, clubs and beaches. To see all these popular places Lisbon on your own, you will undoubtedly need a car. Especially when this city is only part of the route around Portugal.

However, if you are staying in Lisbon for just a few days, you can do without it. If you need a car just to get from the airport, a transfer can easily replace it. This service includes meeting upon arrival and delivery of the tourist to the hotel door. The asking price is literally 10 euros.

Portugal route from Lisbon to Algarve

The best DIY routes to the north of Portugal

After your holiday in the Algarve, it's time to head to the northern regions. This is the longest route in Portugal, which means it would be a good idea to relax, which is also a wine house and a famous restaurant. The store at this interesting establishment sells locally produced wine, which will be an excellent gift for family and friends.

The north of Portugal attracts travelers the most beautiful cities. Porto, Coimbra and other significant places of tourism and recreation will not leave anyone indifferent. When staying in ancient cities, remember that their centers are quite cramped and there is not a lot of parking. When visiting these settlements in Portugal by car, it is more convenient to settle on the outskirts of the city. If you want to truly touch the nature and traditions of winemaking, you should go to the Dauro Valley - the wine “capital” of Portugal, a region spread over a vast territory.

Traveling by car around Portugal will give you many interesting moments, luxurious beaches where it’s nice to watch the sunset, opportunities to discover new cities and unexplored corners of this wonderful country. . Mark your favorite types of holidays and comfortable weather, get acquainted with suitable regions and relax in Portugal on your own along your own route.

Of course, I never cease to admire Portugal: this country will appeal to both those who adore Europe and those who love Asia. But at the same time, this is an absolutely unique place, unlike anything else. There is a lot of history here, castles, palaces, medieval cathedrals, it has its own unique architectural style (called neo-Manueline), so for history lovers this is truly a paradise. Although even if you are not a fan of ancient buildings (like me), you will still be delighted. For example, the park and palace of Quinta da Regaleira made a strong impression on me (I wrote about it), much stronger than the castles of the French Loire Valley, and not with its majesty and pomp (since they are rather very modest) , but just an unusual architectural style, soul, play with light and some kind of sophistication, endless attention to detail.

To be honest, it is very difficult to recommend a universal route around Portugal: some people prefer natural beauty and views of the ocean, while others are just fans of old castles. Therefore, first of all, universal means balanced, but if someone likes one thing more, then he will be able to adjust the route, because Below I will describe which place is attractive. And the second balance is in the ratio of provinces and large cities. What appeals to me most now is the authentic outback: castles and restaurants in the central square that are not teeming with tourists, well-kept houses, calm people, genuine local flavor - this is what really impresses and leaves a true impression of the country. But when you go for the first time, it’s better to start with large cities, and go deeper the next time. Therefore, at the end I will write which cities to visit first and which ones next time.

So, the route at first approach: Lagos (6 nights for a beach holiday) - Lisbon (7 nights for exploring the surrounding area) - Batalha - Bussaco (night) - Porto (6 nights for exploring the surrounding area).

As you can see, there are no long distances in Portugal; the entire route between the main points takes 6 hours 41 minutes on toll highways. On average, a little over 2 hours between overnight stops. It can start from the south (beach holiday) and end in the north (sightseeing, walks along big city), or vice versa. But I started from south to north, because in the south the car will be useful every day, and when you get to Porto, you can return the car almost immediately. Where and how to book a car and what you need to pay attention to when traveling by car I described in the previous one. This route is designed for three weeks: a week to the south, a week to the central part, a week to the north. This is quite enough to relax and get a full impression of the country. But if your time frame is shorter, and your interests are more towards historical and architectural attractions (or vice versa, towards natural beach places), then my description below will help you adjust your route.

As I already wrote, the route is conditionally divided into three parts: the north, the central part and the south of Portugal. In a general sense: the north is more interesting in terms of history, when in the south there is practically nothing to see except the ocean. And the center is somewhere in the middle, here you can find unsurpassed palaces with parks and stunning capes and beaches.

1. South.

In terms of getting to know the country, the south is boring, but a resort is just that: a resort. So the only thing he's good at is beach holiday. So, if you are not interested in this, feel free to skip this part of the route: you can see the ocean, beaches, capes in the central part. Yes, the water here is warmer, but not much.

All palaces, museums, monasteries, castles are usually open from 10 am to 17:30\18:00, but before visiting, it is better to check the opening hours via the Internet.

By the way, if you travel from Sintra to Cape Roca or vice versa, take the N247. In my opinion this is very beautiful road along the river and railway tracks, especially at sunset.

There is another family restaurant with a grill not far from Sintra; it can only be reached by car, because... It works from 7 pm, so it’s better to go there immediately after Sintra, and then return to Lisbon. It's called Moinho Iberico and is located at: Avenida Moinhos Arneiro, 110/112 | Magoito, Sintra. Don’t be scared by the sparse crowds and the almost empty road leading up to it, the restaurant will always have a lot of cars and a lot of people inside, it’s easy to recognize by its mill (Moinho from Portuguese - mill), it’s open like everyone else from 19 to 23, except Tuesday. You can book a table by phone +351 916 343 970 or by mail [email protected], the owner there is already a man with his sister, always communicates with guests, and there is no such type of establishment in Russia yet.

If after all this you want even more museums, then the route can be adjusted:
1) One day trip to Tomar, with a return back to Lisbon: see the castle and the Convent of Christ, which includes examples of a wide variety of architectural styles, including Manueline.
2) Spend not a day, but two, between Lisbon and Porto (taking away this day from either Porto or Lisbon), visiting Batalha (Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria), Alcobaça (Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça), Leiria (a castle-fortress on a hill) and Coimbra (the Universidade de Coimbra and the Little Portugal park, which by the way is really very interesting). Additionally, you can stay in one of these cities, for example, in Leiria. And although the monastery in Batalha leaves one of the strongest architectural impressions along with the palaces of Sintra, I had the feeling that I had already seen it all, which is why I excluded this city from the main list.
3) The same as 2 - only capture Tomar as well, in two days you will get a very intense journey. You can spend the night in Leiria.

A place to stay overnight before heading to Porto is Bussaco, a castle hotel with a stunning garden. And also, when you choose hotels in other places, remember that there are a lot of different castle hotels, quintes, estates (wineries) where you can stay. All this immerses you much more into the world of Portugal and gives you more flavor than modern hotels.

3. North

First of all, this is of course a city Porto(Porto), there is a lot of things here, just a concentrate of Portugal: a city in which in a small space you can see much of what is inherent in this wonderful country: churches, towers, palaces, fortress walls and medieval cathedrals, openwork bridges and then there are the poor abandoned sloping houses with boarded up windows. Like all of Portugal, Porto seems to be very picturesque at a superficial glance, frightening with its untidiness and poverty when approaching, and ultimately an amazing and captivating city. In Porto, it’s fun to go to the Ribeiro embankment, walk along the Luis Bridge, look into wine cellars. It’s worth saying right away that in summer, unlike the central part, the weather here may not be sunny at all. There are many good restaurants local cuisine, just open TripAdvisor, but I want to recommend one quite interesting restaurant, Palco, at the Teatro Hotel (which, by the way, is also quite interesting and conveniently located). Address: Rua de Sa da Bandeira 84, Porto 4000 -427. Book a table: +351 220 409 620 or mail [email protected]. This restaurant, unlike all the others that I recommended, is in a completely different category, marked with Michelin stars, and has a sophisticated atmosphere inside. Here I advise you not to order a separate dish, but to take a “tour”, i.e. They will bring you 4-5 dishes (small portions, but in total it will be very satisfying) and, accordingly, 5 wines to go with it. It’s very inexpensive, but it turns out to be a kind of gastronomic journey through the dishes of Portugal in an elegant form.

Even for those who are not very fond of architecture, I recommend taking the one-day route Guimaraes-Bom Jesus-Braga.

There is also a funny Flintstones house not far from Braga and next to Fafe, its coordinates: 41.488202°, ​​−8.067809° (reminiscent of the village of Monsanto, which I did not include in the route, because it is located near the eastern Spanish border, I’m talking about it I’ll tell you at the very end and if you manage to insert this place into the route, be sure to do it, because this is one of the most interesting places Portuguese hinterland) and the road there is expressive.

And for those who didn’t have enough of the ocean in Lisbon or in the south, I advise you to go to one of these cities: Vila do Conde, Viana do Castelo, Costa Nova do Prado. In the first, the beaches are the widest and sandiest, stretching for several kilometers - one of the most famous in northern Portugal. And you can take a walk there too. There is more in Viana do Castelo historical center and you can take the funicular up to the basilica, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the Lima River, the city and the ocean. In Costa Nova, besides the ocean, there may be interesting striped houses, which used to be painted so that fishermen could see their house from afar and land with their catch closer to home.

Now the list of places in Portugal is sorted by tourist significance (* - must see, ** - you can look at it on your second visit or if you have time, *** - if you want to go deeper)

*: Lisbon and surroundings (4-7 days or more), Sintra (2 days), Bussaco (overnight and half a day), Porto (3-4 days or more), Braga (Bom Jesus), Guimarães (one day Guimaraes and Bom Jesus, although you can spend a day in Guimaraes).
**: (coastal town with beach, half a day), Monsaraz (small town, 3 hours), Marvao (walled city, 3 hours), Monsanto (cool town, half a day), Sortelha (village, half a day), Castelo -Rodrigue (village and castle, 3 hours), Penedon (castle, 3 hours).

Lamego, Chaves, Amarante, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima are little-explored corners of northern Portugal. In Lamego a staircase and a church similar to Bom Jesus were built. Chaves is a charming ancient town, sleepy and quiet, with lots of interesting but not great attractions. Interesting Ponte de Lima with its huge market on the river bank, as well as a long Roman-medieval bridge.

And for these little-known northern cities, I can suggest the following route with a return to Porto: Porto - Amarante - Lamego - Chaves (overnight) - Nationa Park Peneda-Geres (but you shouldn’t expect much from it) - Ponte de Lima - Viana do Castelo ( overnight, by the way, there are many quintas available for an overnight stay, various estates with beautiful views, etc.) - Braga - Bom Jesus - Guimaraes - Porto. It turns out to be three days, but if you wish, you can stay in Viana do Castelo for two nights.

In principle, the route can be developed towards Spanish Galicia, get through Santiago and other cities to A Coruna, see the ocean power on the capes (Cabo Finisterre, Cabo Esata de Bares, etc.), but that’s a completely different story.

There are still cities of eastern “medieval” Portugal: Monsaraz, Marvao, Monsanto, Sortelha, Castelo Rodrigo, Penedono. These are even more obscure cities (and some are just towns), all attractions inside these cities are free and open 24 hours a day, including castles. There are simply no caretakers there, just like there are no tourists. Sometimes this leaves the impression of fragility, because... no one cares or supports. Monsaraz is a small town on a hill. Quiet streets behind thick walls, whitewashed walls of houses, a small castle in the corner, great view to surroundings planted with cork oaks. Marvao is a rather interesting fortified city, surrounded by a powerful wall around the perimeter. Monsanto is the pearl of the Portuguese hinterland, it is very beautiful there. Sortelha is another soulful and colorful medieval village. Castelo Rodrigo - beautiful here panoramic views. Penedono is not the most charming village, but it does have an authentic castle.

Accordingly, you can drive through these cities along the eastern border from Lisbon to Porto, or vice versa, on the way back.

That's all. Based on all the route modules I have presented, you can easily create your own route for both your first trip to Portugal and your second. So I wish everyone a good trip!

P.S. They say the most best guide in Portugal -

Traveling by car Atlantic coast Portugal follows the western wind of change
Portugal has an endless variety of holiday options. You can bask on southern beaches or spend hours in art galleries Lisbon. You can grow a liver while drinking vintage wines, ports, muscatels and green wines in the Douro Valley or enjoying endless fields and simple cuisine Alentejo. You can climb the mountain Serra da Estrela, where they make delicious sheep cheese, and then slide down from its snowy peak on skis or a snowboard. But there is another great option: go on a journey along west coast from Cascais to Nazaré.
This route is for those who love to admire the ocean waves, high cliffs, wild beaches and lighthouses - solemn symbols of romance and determination.
Route: Cascais - Magoita - Ericeira - Santa Cruz - Peniche - Nazaré - Mafra - 469 km
Duration: 3 days

The journey begins in Lisbon. Stay in this city for a couple of days:

Now you can get into your car and drive along the scenic highway in Cascais. The freeway got from local residents Name "Margin"(from the Portuguese word margem - translates as "edge", "margin of the book" or, in this case, "shore")- due to the fact that it runs along the very edge of the water: first along the banks of the Tagus River, to the place where it flows into Atlantic Ocean, and further, towards interesting discoveries.

Cascais

It's worth spending half an hour exploring the rock known as Boca do Inferno(can be loosely translated as “Mouth of Hell”). It is very close to the Cascais Yacht Club, less than a kilometer from Santa Marta lighthouse. Waves burst into a hole in a steep rock with a roar. Hitting the rocks salty water whips into white foam, spins in whirlpools and rushes back into the ocean. Looking at this riot of elements, you don’t understand why the rocks have not yet been torn apart by the oncoming waves, why the collapsed stones have not filled up this hellish throat. There are many signs in the city directing the way to this impressive creation of nature. Parking is free, and for those who are especially hungry there are a couple of restaurants and cafes nearby.
If you follow the route, you can see the majestic lighthouse Farol da Guia- one of the first built in the 18th century with public money. Nowadays, the buildings adjacent to the lighthouse house the services of the Ministry of National Defense, so whether you will be able to get behind the fence and touch the warm stones of the brown and cream tower is a big question.
Then the road leads straight to Guincho beach and will begin to wind through mountain serpentines, climbing higher and higher. On the left is the lighthouse Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the continent. This article will be useful for planning your trip:

Further extends Praia das Maçãs - “Apple Beach”. According to local legend, the name appeared due to the fact that a river flowing into the ocean, flowing among orchards, often brings apples that have fallen into the water to the ocean. It is difficult to vouch for the veracity of this legend, because the local apple groves are no longer what they used to be, and are reluctant to share their harvest with the ocean, but I want to believe in this fairy tale, because the analogy with apples - strong, juicy, rosy, healthy - is very suitable this beach. It is spacious, with a very wide line of sand and easy access to the water. High hills protect from the wind, waves roll onto the shore gently and slowly - in short, an almost ideal picture for relaxation.

Magoitu

A tiny beach located far from all big and even small cities. Despite its remoteness, it enjoys the warm and strong love of tourists and local residents. The Portuguese love to hold surfing competitions here, especially bodyboarding (a type of surfing where the athlete does not stand with his feet on the board, but rolls while lying on it with his chest and stomach). For tourists, there is a wonderful boardwalk road leading over sand dunes between low pine trees. You can walk along this convenient path under spreading trees.
Be sure to pay tribute to the dishes in the local restaurant Dunamar (Ramp Beach Magoito), clinging to a high rock: from its terrace there is a beautiful view of the ocean, the dishes are worthy of the most flattering reviews, and the prices are quite affordable. Here you can try rare shellfish percebes, and any snacks from sea reptiles, and grilled fish, and finish it all with coffee and sweets.

One of the most picturesque and famous places on the west coast of Portugal, has existed for almost 800 years. Now it is a popular favorite Portuguese resort. Lisbon residents and residents of other surrounding towns flock here on weekends and holidays to sunbathe on the excellent beaches. Total in Ericeira 10 official beaches, best suited for swimming praia dos Pescadores (in the very center of the city) And Praia da Sul (slightly south of the center), and Foz do Lizandro– probably the most convenient, although it is not located in Ericeira itself. It’s about 3 km away, which you can cover by car in 2-3 minutes, by bike in 5-7, and on foot you’ll spend no more than half an hour. There are cafes, restaurants, a surf school, and a huge beach, but the most interesting thing is that a river flows into the ocean here, and lovers of calm water can spend time on its banks without going near the ocean waves.
For those who like to admire the ocean, we recommend taking a walk along the beaches in Ericeira Algodio And São Sebastião, and then spend the evening in one of the restaurants for which Ericeira is so famous - thanks to the excellent quality of food, generous portions and quite affordable prices, which you will not find in the capital. For example, in Ribas (Rua Mendes, 32)- seafood, Tik-Tapas (Rua 5 de Outubro n.7)- be sure to pay attention to the local lamb or El-Rei (Rua Capitão João Lopes, nº 14)— fish, meat, drinks, excellent service and a wonderful view of the sunset ocean.
Ericeira gained worldwide fame thanks to surfing. The city received the title of World Surfing Reserve; it is considered the main surf resort in Europe and the second in the world, second only to California. The main surf beaches of Ericeira for professionals are Ribeira da Ilhas And Coxos, and beginners and “continuing” souls do not like Foz do Lizandro. Therefore, if you want to look at muscular guys and flexible girls cutting through the waves on light boards, you definitely need to look at Ericeira.
If you are planning to spend the night in Ericeira, keep in mind that this is a resort city filled with people, so it is better to book a room in advance. The most the best hotel considered 4* Vila Gale Ericeira, but also a lot of hostels, surf camps and 2* hotels. For example, you can try your luck at something that was opened just a year ago guest house Blue Ocean– it has rooms to suit any budget.

Santa Cruz

Moving further west, we find ourselves in the absolutely amazing town of Santa Cruz. There are several beautiful beaches for swimming: white sand, fairly calm waves for the ocean, sun and beautiful views of the vast waters and picturesque cliffs. Choose any of the beaches: they smoothly transition from one to another, so you can think of it as choosing a place for your towel in a huge space white sand. Residents of all surrounding towns come to relax on this beach, and this is really the right choice.
The most surprising thing is that besides local residents, almost no one knows about Santa Cruz. In addition to the beaches, here you can enjoy views of picturesque rocks, a tall white tower above the embankment, or turn into a local local history museum, operating in the premises of an old water mill. Also very close to Santa Cruz there is an airfield for small 1-2-seater planes, and you can admire their takeoffs and landings.

Peniches

The city of Peniche is located on a cape protruding into the ocean, so it is always windy and fresh here. Climb the rock with the lighthouse and circle the entire cape to admire the beaches. By the way, there are also a lot of surfers here, and the beach Supertubos has long been a venue for international competitions. It is huge, stretches for several kilometers, and with a good wind, the waves here actually curl into large tubes, inside which skilled surfers love to fly.
However, even if a person is not inclined to surf, he should pay attention to this city. Especially if you find yourself here in February, during the carnival period: in Peniche the street procession is one of the most colorful in this part of Portugal.

Admire the old fortress and a working fishing port, or even go by ship to a nearby Berlengas Island- wild and picturesque, with a special natural world in which Portuguese scientists constantly find a breeding ground for new discoveries. Cruise ship companies Julius And Nevada, as well as a ferry Viamar depart from the port of Peniche three times a day in summer (at 9.30, 11.30 and 17.30), the rest of the navigation time (from September 15 to May 15)– only once a day, at 10.00, and returns back at 16.30 the same day. The cost of a cruise is from 18 euros in summer and 10-15 euros in low season. If you wish, you can stay and spend the night on the island in a fort converted into a hotel - this will probably be a special and very unusual pastime, given the seclusion of the island.

Perhaps Nazare is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. If it had not been separated from the capital by 130 km, it would have long ago become the main tourist center of the country, but for now it remains a place for those in the know and the elite.
A tour of the city should begin with the so-called Sitio- places on a high cliff with stunning views of the city, beach and endless ocean. The Nazaré lighthouse also stands here, and it was from here that surfers filmed the feat of Hawaiian Garrett McNamara, who conquered a record wave of almost 30 meters high in Nazaré. Then take the funicular down, stroll along the embankment, buy dried fish from the fishermen, and nuts, the main delicacy of Nazaré, from the grandmothers with baskets.
If you want to have lunch, go to one of the many cafes or restaurants on the huge embankment, or turn to a small square where, among other restaurants, there is one famous for its seafood dishes O Casalinho (Praça Sousa Oliveira, 6). Both the interior and the kitchen in it are beyond praise.
Stay overnight in Nazaré to watch one of nature's most spectacular attractions, as the hot sun hisses into the ocean, bathing the surface of the water and sky in liquid red gold. The seagulls mourn the passing of the day with their cries, but even they, foolish ones, know: tomorrow the sun will rise again over Portugal, and again thousands of eyes will look at the restless waves of the entire western coast of Portugal, from Cascais to Nazaré.
If you want to spend the night in Nazaré, you should pay attention to designer hotel Magic or eclectic Pensao-Restaurante Ribamar .

When returning to Lisbon, be sure to spend time on its suburbs, at least Mafra. The only and main attraction in the city is the huge Royal Palace , built at the beginning of the 18th century. The palace was built, literally, by the whole world. Pink marble was transported 12 kilometers from Lameiras, Peru Pinheiro, Montelavar; 92 bells, the largest selection in the world, were cast in Antwerp; the statues of saints were made by Italian sculptors from Carrara marble, and the 6 organs from Brazilian wood on the antiphons of the palace church were built by the French military during the period of occupation of Mafra from 1792 to 1807. Long time over musical instruments restoration work was carried out, and on June 2, 2012, they played together again, just like two centuries ago. The famous tenor Placido Domingo attended the opening concert as a sponsor.
The huge royal library, located right in the palace, is said to be protected from harmful insects by bats. And that's not all... The palace has 1,200 halls, 4,700 doors and windows, and about 160 staircases. In short, the Royal Palace of Mafra is a huge, outstanding marvel that should not be missed. The palace is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10.00 to 16.45, in winter (from November 1) a break from 13.00 to 14.00.
By the way, on the way back from Portugal to Russia, we recommend reading the work of Nobel laureate Jose Saramago “Memories of a Monastery” to refresh your memories of the wonderful journey and the magnificent palace.

Portugal is a country where there were no all these famous artists, sculptors, directors, musicians, writers... There is no need to run headlong through museums, monasteries, castles and cemeteries. There are generally only two cities in the whole country. And and...

To Portugal by car. Part 1: Moscow-Algarve

Auto tourism, Travel report to Germany; Spain, Lleida (Lleida); Spain, Toledo; Portugal, Algarve; France, Orange; Poland; Belarus

Portugal is a country where there were no all these famous artists, sculptors, directors, musicians, writers... There is no need to run headlong through museums, monasteries, castles and cemeteries. There are generally only two cities in the whole country. And that’s why you need to relax there!

Something like this, briefly and succinctly, my friend Vasya directed me to where the apartments had already been purchased, and where I was supposed to be in a couple of months. Of course, I wanted to be there for a reason, I got into the Boeing in Sharik, sucked in a glass and was already there. No. The big goal was to take a ride in a car, cross Europe diagonally, take a “selfie” at Cape Roca, look at and touch the ocean, and the rest will be as it turns out.

When you plan a trip by car, you always identify some milestones along the way and scroll through the route in your head. Got up at 4:30. Coffee. Teeth. Cigarette. Read the news in the toilet. Maybe some more coffee. Another cigarette. We sat down on the path. And here is the long-awaited moment - the key is in the lock, the headlights turn on, the engine starts. Moscow traffic lights that have not woken up are blinking yellow, and the taillights of random fellow travelers, no longer uncommon at the beginning of six in the morning, are reflected in the asphalt wet from the watering machines. MKAD. M1... The road is not boring. Provincial cities. Forests. Fields. Rivers and rivulets. Dnieper. In the Smolensk region the terrain changes, small hills begin. The eye has something to grab onto and time flies by. Belarus. Very high average speed, but it will be mortally boring and the minutes will drag on for hours. Fighting sleep. Border, Bug. Warsaw, Wisla. A big, cheap, nasty dinner. New day. Early rise. Another 500 sad kilometers across Poland and we cross the Oder. Germany! Sasha's ritual bockwurst at the first gas station and vigorous traffic all the way to the Rhine. We would like to quickly cross it in Mannheim-Ludwigshafen and enter France, but we will go south. We cross the Rhine in the south of the Black Forest. And now on the second day of the trip, France. If you're lucky, there'll be a nice dinner in Alsace. Day three. Again we get up before dawn. Rona. Cotes du Rhone. We drink wine. We roll through the Pyrenees and in a couple of days we look forward to meeting the ocean. This is roughly how it seemed. The realities turned out to be a little different. This is in the report.

Plan

A trip to Portugal became the third item in my summer road trip plan. In February, we were sitting in our kitchen with friends and wondering where we could go. A month earlier, Natasha refused to run to Campania with the wording “it’s a very long drive, we’ll get tired” and bought tickets to Naples. In this situation, I was ready to agree to the traditional (for me) Arkhangelsk region. But somehow it turned out that in half an hour we were convinced that Portugal was not so far away, that the budget was feasible and that I would have a vacation of 3.5 weeks, compared to the standard two.

The general understanding of vacation is to rent a house for 2 weeks in the beach and bathing region, the province of Algarve, indulge in laziness, fun and drunkenness, and in between, enrich yourself culturally with one-day outings somewhere. Mandatory points of the program were Lisbon, Sintra and Cape Roca, and optionally the Tomar Castle of the Templars.

From the very beginning we planned South coast Portugal to the west of Faro, a month earlier Sasha went there on a business trip. But in the end the choice fell on the southern part of the western one. And as subsequent experience showed, it was correct and expectations were 100% met. On a 250 km stretch of coastline, several zones can be distinguished:

Faro and further east. Swim in the ocean. Quite wealthy citizens come here to watch flamingos and other birds. When you are already fed up with everything, this is probably a great option for relaxation. Specific and expensive.

Faro - Albufeira. Great beaches swim and sunbathe. Villas and golf courses nearby, usually included. Expensive.

Portimao and surrounding areas. The nature and weather are similar to the previous one, but there are a lot of people and they don’t give a shit. Gelendzhik.

Lagos. Quite a cultural place. Without the pathos of Faro-Albufeira. There is no wave. Heat (as on the entire south coast)

South of the West Coast. Great wave. The ocean is slightly colder than the southern coast. It’s not so hot that people don’t even have air conditioning in their houses. Not many people. And the price tag is good. In general, a corner of paradise.

We booked a separate house with a pool in the area of ​​the village of Aljezur, a kilometer from the ocean. With machines and the 0.5 ppm rule, we were more than happy with this.

The family's trip to Italy went very well with the train to Portugal. The road to the ocean for my wife and son was more than halved due to the flight Naples - Barcelona, ​​and I was guaranteed to have time to get there without hearing “Dad, will we be there soon?” True, we had to make a detour of several hundred kilometers. The shortest route in terms of distance lies through Hanover, Cologne, and Paris.

The total length of the one-way route is approximately 5,000 km. It is clear that in three days this is, in principle, insurmountable (we are not talking about shift taxiing without overnight stays). In four, of course, it is possible, but the connection in Barcelona on the way there and the reluctance to drive back determined our speed of travel - five days in each direction. In this mode, you will be able to take a short break, some day get up not at 5, but at 7 in the morning, and see the cities. Sasha took upon himself the development of the plan and the search for hotels.

In total, the road there: 2 long stretches Moscow-Warsaw and Warsaw-Belfort (Belfort, a small town in Alsace), on the third day buying wine in France and finishing in Bars, where I meet my family and, perhaps, some kind of walk around the city. Gaudi and all that stuff. The fourth day is a short drive to Toledo, a walk around the city. Day five - finish in Aljezur.

Return route: Aljezur-Salamanca in a relaxed mode, we spend some time exploring the city, Salamanca-Diguen (Degoin, a remote place in the heart of France) with the purchase of wine somewhere in Bordeaux. On the third day there is a short but quick drive to Nuremberg, with plans for “shopping”. For the last two days we have been going home as quickly as possible. Overnight in Biala Podlaska to get to the border early and waste as little time as possible there.

We and our transport

We went to Portugal with two cars, two families. Me, my wife Natasha, son Anton. Sasha Nikolaev with his wife Tanya and son Sergei. This was our first trip together. Seryoga already has a license and they will change periodically, if necessary he can replace me. As it turned out, we had very appropriate equipment for traveling around Europe. If you ignore the German autobahn, the VW Touran 2.TDI 110 hp. was ideal in terms of all its characteristics: comfortable seating, spacious interior, spacious trunk, fairly economical diesel engine. My son’s bike fit into the trunk; only one of the seats had to be moved 5 cm. The back row remained free and you could even lie down. Sasha Skoda Superb Combi 1.8T 152 hp with the Koni suspension, of course, it was more beautiful in Germany, but because of Seryoga’s bike, I had to fold ⅓ of the seat, and for the money it consumed 20-25% more fuel. However, both Skoda and Turan pleased their owners with their efficiency.

There

A little late, at about 6:30 we left the Moscow Ring Road. We promptly drove to the last Russian gas station, where we also had a snack with household supplies. Seryoga moved next to me to disturb me from sleeping, and in the usual chatter, having fun reading about settlements that are funny to the Russian eye (Arekhavka, Alshanka, etc.), we quietly reached the last Belarusian gas station. Before Brest on the right there is “Belneftekhim”. According to the experience of knowledgeable people, the DT in this network is quite decent, they are daddy’s. Cayenne ate and did not get sick. The cost of fuel is only slightly, 10 percent, higher than ours.

Border. Boringly we pass Russian border guards, Polish customs officers and border guards. No one rummaged in the trunk, no one snatched sausage from his mouth, they only asked about cigarettes.

From the border we trudge through the population, staring at the life and structure of the lords. Everything is decorous, noble, with an eye on the Germans, but in the Polish manner. Between the villages and towns there is a decent smell of some kind of chemical manure. Maybe they add something to it, maybe the cows are already crap from the feed, I don’t know, but it’s better to drive with the windows closed.

We got lost around Warsaw - all in repairs and detours. It probably took us an hour to cross it. As a result, we got to the Rest Hotel (29 euros for a double room without breakfast). A good place to spend the night. Its main advantage on the way to Europe is that there is only a highway ahead. All other Polish hemorrhoids were resolved on the first day. The food is not tasty, but it is cheap and plentiful, haha. Local beer (a little better than ours, very hard water) and zubrovka (excellent vodka) are on the menu.

Total for the day: 1,255 km from the Moscow Ring Road. Consumption ~5.8 liters per 100 km.

We get up early again, drink coffee and head out. The Polish Autobahn is fresh, newly built, smooth and fast. Limit 140 km/h. But it’s an incredibly boring landscape, it would be more fun even in Belarus. Because fuel in Poland is still somewhat cheaper than in Europe, we fill up the tanks before the Oder. We have a snack at the first German gas station with Bockwurst and go to the banya with its very dynamic traffic, requiring regular lane changes. The dream that came to Poznan disappeared as if by hand.

German motorways are an interesting topic. The first thing that catches your eye is that the roads are very busy. There are many reasons: lack of tolls, high population density (in the GeDeriye nothing yet, but further on there really are a lot), probably the largest number of cars per 1000 people. among European countries, well, and then this is still a country with an automotive history. But despite this, the entire motley army of motorists moves very quickly. Each road user is a cell of a single organism. All lane changes, acts of politeness or, conversely, rejection, are subject to a certain meaning and are designed to ensure high speed safe movement from point A to point B. I have learned the operation of several rules (they are also spelled out in our traffic rules, but they are only spelled out):

1. Overtaking can only be done on the left. The basis of the entire line of behavior on the road and the key to accident-free movement of traffic. Consequently:
- The “don’t occupy the left lane”, which is familiar only from hearsay, works. Cars move in the right lane as far as possible. Overtook, moved to the right.
- You can’t even get ahead on the right. That is, if, while driving in the first row, you catch up with a rider in the second row, you must go to the third, overtake and return to the first. Yes, it’s inconvenient, yes, the person being overtaken is wrong or just lost in thought (which is the same thing), but you can’t disturb the order.
2. Do not force other road users to apply the brakes unless absolutely necessary. General rule, which helps maintain a high average flow rate:
- The Germans always move to the second row in advance before entering their road from another ban. Even if there are two acceleration lanes.
- If you see that in the right lane the car you are going to overtake is in turn overtaking another car, move into the third row if possible. Well, etc., there are a lot of situations!
Guided by simple rules, Germans are polite and expect reciprocity. If, before repairing the bathhouse, in advance, as soon as traffic begins to form, you start to change lanes to the left (when repairing the lane in one direction, there is a narrowing from three to two lanes), they always let you through. An attempt to get into an already formed flow is nipped in the bud. The attitude towards boors, idiots and simply gaping people is approximately the same.

The canvas that is now used to pave roads also deserves special attention. Something very similar to concrete, quickly drains water and allows you to reduce interest costs by 10-15%! Compensated by increased speed. I couldn’t accelerate more than 190 km/h according to the speedometer. At the same time, my main rivals have always been Mercedes Sprinter minibuses :) This is the fastest car on the autobahn! Another fast one was the Porsche Panamera with Moscow license plates. He finally overtook us in Thuringia on the ninth road. We left the Moscow Ring Road at the same time :)

It would seem that when driving through Germany, you can’t help but stock up on beer. But no, it’s possible! Outside Nuremberg, we went to the town of Ansbach and did not find this German drink in two supermarkets. Those. there was Ottinger, Franciskaner and other rubbish, but there was no beer.

Some Taiwanese navigator with the function of receiving information about traffic jams in the FM band helped a lot. Absolutely necessary thing. Before Heilbronn we went to Stuttgart, thus avoiding a large number of congestions on the 100-kilometer section to Karlsruhe.

It was already quite late when we arrived in Belfort in Premiere Classe Belfort (37 euros for a double room without breakfast). This is not a hotel, more like a cramped stall, but it is clean. Plus one thing - the price tag. There is no catering, so we had a sliced ​​dinner with beer, zubrovka and went to bed. Tomorrow it’s early to get up again, you need to be in Barcelona at 3-4 pm.

Total for the day: 1,434 km. Consumption ~6.1 liters per 100 km.

At 4:30 we got up, at 4:45 Sanya already asked when Seryoga and I would go down to the cars. We got ready very quickly and after dark we were already driving to the nearest gas station in the hope of at least drinking coffee and eating a croissant.

The roads are toll, there are few cars and we drive fast. In Leon we find ourselves in a small traffic jam. The French already allow deviations from German “concepts”, all this is a little reminiscent of their homeland. The “Route du Soleil” (“Road of the Sun”, along which the entire northern, densely populated Europe goes on vacation to the Mediterranean Sea) is quite crowded, but we successfully avoid the traffic jams and after Orange we leave the motorway to the Cotes du Rhone vineyards in the area Chateauneuf du Pape, a village in which one of the papal residences was supposed to be built during the so-called “Avignon captivity of the popes”).

Vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape

We turn to the nearest “chateau”. We try 5, then 10, then 20 euros per bottle. It's not tasty. Those. It's not tasty at all. The hostess says that this wine (which costs 20) needs to sit a little longer. No need. Orevoir, madam. We drive a couple of kilometers to the Domain de Saint Siffrein. The hostess is a southerner, chattier and much friendlier than the previous one. They have 20 hectares of vineyards, of which 15 are under the “premium” AOC Chateauneuf du Pape. Let's try. 10 is excellent, 19 is excellent. We shop for Moscow, plus we take a package of 10 liters for 37 euros in the hope that we will take another 10 somewhere in Languedoc.

Why did the neighbor's wine not be as good? Madame explained it as follows: farms specialize in different categories of consumers. She, or rather her son, are adherents of the old school of winemaking, and the neighbors make wine for young people. There are also winemakers who focus on the American market and other horrors. It turns out that everything is so complicated. Madame happily told Tanya about her wine and answered all her questions.

Naturally, there is a completely special attitude towards wine here. Perhaps wine is even the basis of self-identification in France.

“Lunch without wine is like a day without the sun”

Finally we stopped at another chateau. The stone house looked more like a dilapidated barn. We were met by a couple of Labradors (although purebred dogs are more rare here than the norm, unlike Russia), then for about three minutes we called for at least someone. In response to our question “does he have inexpensive wine?” the owner, who appeared from the darkness of the closet, was sleepy and slightly hungover, and said that in HIS establishment the price tag starts from 40 euros. But everything is very nice. The bonus for spending 10 minutes was the view of him and his farm.

A visit to a winemaker is not only good for the wallet, but also quite exciting. Not only do you get the wine you like (!) at the lowest (!) price. You can still bargain, and for French speakers you can also babble in this beautiful language with the villagers. If you're lucky, you might meet a local grandfather or peasant who will take out a bucket and ask the owner to pour it straight from the barrel. Or look at the townspeople who came to replenish their supplies for the year ahead.

Let's move on. Time is running out, the plane from Naples takes off exactly on schedule, which means that we pass by 10 liters of wine. Closer to the border, smart young ladies in uniform set up speed cameras, and violators are received at the next payment point. And here is Barcelona. A city that a huge number of my friends have visited, about which there are a lot of admirations left in reviews, where there is Sograda Familia, some kind of Rambla, etc. But we approached from the other side and the first thing we encountered was a natural favela on the outskirts of Barca! We find a hotel and while the guys are checking in, I rush to the airport. The plane landed about an hour ago. It took no more than an hour to travel there and back, find the terminal, park and meet. Upon our return, a surprise awaited us all: the hotel where we planned to spend the night, Center Esplai Alberque, turned out to be a hostel with all that it implies. Dirt, poor air conditioning, uncomfortable beds, etc. We decided to leave the city. Sasha and Serega found a hotel in Lleida, Jardins del Segria (69 euros per family with a good breakfast). This is for the best; tomorrow there will be more time in Toledo.

The asshole from the Barcelona hostel could not immediately return the money (we paid at the reception before we saw the room) to the card. The return took about a month. And then, probably only because of letters with a promise to inform booking.com

We drove to Lleida along the free highway. Unlike France, you can drive on free roads in Spain, but in some places, for example, to cross the Pyrenees, only toll highways or roads passing through populated areas are available. On the road, we share our impressions of a month and a half and look at the landscapes outside the window. The hotel turned out to be quite decent, frequented by the local population. We relaxed a little, tomorrow the distance is a little more than 500 km, we don’t have to rush to get up. Rioja is still a very good wine.

Total for the day: ~1178 km. Consumption ~6.1 liters per 100 km.

The morning of the fourth day turned out to be gloomy. It started to rain. Small at first, then it intensified.

Outside the window there are very pleasant pictures up to Sigüenza, passes of ~1000 meters, then to Guadalajara a flat plateau with fields. All of Spain is quite high above sea level, and Madrid is generally the most “high-altitude” capital in Europe. Spain also has the cheapest fuel on the European part of our route. And if for diesel fuel the difference with France is not so great, then for gasoline it is ~15%. This is something to keep in mind when planning your trip. Below are photos taken while driving from the car:

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We arrived in Toledo in the afternoon. The hotel is located in the very center of the so-called "historic city of Toledo", Hotel Conquista de Toledo (69 euros per family without breakfast). About 200-300 meters away, a little higher, opposite the alcazar, there is an underground parking lot. 20 euros per night, after all the facility world heritage UNESCO:)

Having dropped off our things, we set off on an excursion. The city itself ( historical city) is located on a decent hill and at one time was the capital of Castile until the king moved it to Madrid. Very for a long time was a defensive fortification. First the Visigoths defended themselves against the Visigoths, then the Moors against the Castilians, then the Castilians against the Moors, and finally Franco's supporters against the Republicans. On one side, Toledo is surrounded by a fortress wall, on the other, it is naturally protected by the Tagus River (the same Tagus, which in Lisbon will be called Tagus) and the abyss.

In the city a large number of attractions. Hordes of tourists from all over the world follow clear routes: one minute you were in a crowd and suddenly you find yourself alone on the whole street. Many buildings look unnaturally fresh. All this together gives the feeling that there are no local residents in Toledo at all. But this is not true, they are:

We galloped across Europe and covered the entire city. Fortunately, there is an escalator, a gift from King Juan Carlos. Therefore it is absolutely free.

On the narrow streets of Toledo:

Portugal - popular tourist country with stunning natural landscapes. However, tourists who come on package tours are not always able to appreciate the natural beauty of this country. Therefore, traveling around the country in your own or rented car is becoming increasingly popular. Portugal by car is perceived in a completely different way, opening up as if from the inside, and besides, traveling by car along your own route is much more convenient.

Visa application

If you are traveling to Portugal as a tourist, you should apply for a Schengen visa category C. This visa can be single, double or multiple entry. The validity period of this visa category can be 1 month, 6 months, 12 months or 5 years. In each of these cases, the period of stay in the country should not exceed 90 days from the date of first entry. Most often, travelers are issued visas for a period of 1 month or 6 months.

What rules apply at customs?

According to the rules for entry into Portugal, travelers aged 17 years and older are allowed to import duty-free into the country:

• cigarettes – 200 pieces, or cigars – 50 pieces, or tobacco – 250 g;
• strong alcoholic drinks (with an alcohol content of more than 22%) – 1 l;
• wine (with alcohol content less than 22%) – 2 l;
• coffee – 500 g;
• tea – 200 g;
• perfume – 50 ml;
• eau de toilette – 250 ml.

Goods for personal use brought into Portugal must not exceed €175 ($185) per person.

Traffic Features

The first thing a foreign traveler needs to know is that travel on most Portuguese roads, as well as some bridges, requires a toll. However, the average speed on highways is 100 kilometers per hour, while free roads passing through populated areas limit the speed to 50 kilometers per hour. Tolls are traditionally calculated based on the distance between highway entry and exit points. In order to pay for travel, at toll highway terminals there are special stripes of the corresponding color: green - only for users of the Portuguese ViaVerde payment system, orange - for payment through an operator in cash or by card, red - for payment in cash or by card through a machine. In the latter case, you need to be careful, since when paying in cash, the machine does not give out change.

Parking in Portugal is also paid, the average cost for 1 hour of use is 1 euro (1.05 US dollars).

In addition, travelers by car should be aware that if they stay in the country for more than 90 days, they must obtain a local license.

Features of tourist routes in Portugal

When creating your own travel route around Portugal, we recommend using the advice of experienced motor tourists:

• Find out in advance about the features and cost of renting a car and the nuances of payment, take into account the cost of gasoline and road tolls;
• don’t try to see all the sights in one day - it’s better to plan to visit 3-4 points and take your time walking around the city;
• during your trip, spend more time contemplating picturesque landscapes and visiting palaces and castles;
• when traveling to Portugal by car, make sure to book a hotel or hostel with parking;
• drive no more than 150-200 km per day;
• don’t forget to set aside time for lunch - to do this, you can pre-select interesting places to visit on the Internet or stop at any local colorful restaurant you like;

And finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is the status of the debtor that is easiest to “forget” when getting ready for your next vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid housing and communal services receipts, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018; we recommend finding out information about the presence of debt using the proven service nevylet.rf

• if you choose hotels on the highway for an overnight stay, instead of hotels in populated areas, you can save a lot;
• For travelers who want to come to Portugal by car on their own, there is the opportunity to stay in one of the campsites instead of a hotel.

By car to Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal after the capital. You won’t find picturesque landscapes in the city, but you can fully enjoy the city’s architecture and museums. A unique attraction of the city is Cathedral Porto, built back in the 12th century. The cathedral has retained its original appearance, as it was never rebuilt. You should definitely visit the Ribeira quarter, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - many residential buildings there were built 300 years ago. Travelers by car should definitely take a ride along the Ponti di Don Luis bridge, built according to the design of Théophile Seyrig, who was a student of the famous Gustave Eiffel. It is no coincidence that the elements of the bridge are very reminiscent of the world-famous creation of his teacher - the Eiffel Tower. By the way, in Porto there is a bridge that was built according to the design of Eiffel himself - the Ponti Di Dona Maria Pia bridge.

By car to Faro

The city of Faro is worthy of attention primarily due to the natural beauty located here. landscape park Ria Formosa. The park is a 60-kilometer lagoon along sea ​​coast. General city The area of ​​the lagoon is 18,400 hectares. How tourist centre Faro is not the most popular city in Portugal, however, it is home to one of the best beaches countries of Praia da Faro. The beach is quite large, but it gets crowded only at the height of the summer season.

Connoisseurs architectural monuments can visit various castles, cathedrals, churches and monasteries in this city. To do this, you should go to the old central quarter. Not far from the city there is another attraction - the Estoi Palace, built in the Rococo style.

By car to Portimao

The most a nice place in Portimao - this is its coast. Head to Praia de Rocha beach - there is an observation deck with stunning views of the city and seascape. Architecture lovers can stroll through the city center and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Virgin Mary, the Chapel of St. Joseph, Alvor Castle or the Jesuit Monastery.

By car to Sagres

The small town of Sagres is famous for the fact that it was here in the 15th century that Prince Henry the Navigator founded a school of navigation. There is every reason to believe that it was in this school that the world-famous navigators Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama studied. In addition, in this city it is worth visiting Cape San Vicente, which in the past was considered the edge of the world. On the cape there is one of the largest lighthouses in the world, the illumination range of which reaches 90 km.

By car to Lagos

5 km from Portimao and 45 km from the city of Faro is the small town of Lagos. This resort town is great for family vacation. The main thing to see here is the ocean, beaches and cliffs. At Ponta da Piedade there is an observation deck and a lighthouse. By the way, free parking is provided for car travelers near the lighthouse. Leaving your car in the parking lot, you can take a boat trip through the grottoes and water caves. There are several beaches in this city, but the most impressive of them, which motor tourists should definitely visit, is Marinha Beach.

By car to Madeira

Madeira Island can only be reached by car by ferry from Porto Santo Island (operating once a day). The cost of ferry tickets depends on the month, class, and whether you are a resident of the island. By purchasing tickets in a group of two to four people, you can get significant discounts. The average cost of tickets per person with a car is shown in the table:

There are no ferry connections between the Portuguese mainland and Madeira Island, but you can transport your car by cargo ship or fly. In addition, you can rent a car directly on the island.

When traveling by car around the island of Madeira, the main thing you can see is nature. The island is dominated by mountainous terrain, so the roads here are quite winding. Go by car to the observation decks. For example, Eira do Serrado is at an altitude of 1,053 meters, Pico dos Barcelos is at an altitude of 355 meters. From the first platform there is a view of the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) - this name appeared in the 16th century, when the nearby monastery of St. Clare was attacked by pirates, and the nuns were forced to hide in this valley. The second site is closer to the ocean, and sea vessels are better visible from here.

By car to Lisbon

Perhaps the most important attraction to see in the Lisbon area is the statue of Jesus Christ. To get here, you need to cross the Tagus River on the 25th of April Bridge. Moreover, the bridge itself is also worth seeing. It is absolutely identical to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, as they were built by the same American construction company. So, on the other side of the Tagus River, at its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean, is the town of Almada. Here, at an altitude of 113 above sea level, stands a monument that was built in 1959 as a sign of gratitude for Portugal's non-participation in World War II. The statue of Christ can be seen from anywhere in Lisbon.



While walking around the city center, you should definitely look at Commerce Square. What immediately catches your eye here is Triumphal Arch Augusta street, which can be climbed for 2.5 euros (2.65 US dollars). Co observation deck there is a beautiful view of the bay, colorful streets, castles and monasteries, which you can spend the rest of your time visiting and exploring.

Traveling by car to Sintra

Sintra is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. They say that this city surpasses even Lisbon in beauty. On your first day in the town, you can leisurely visit two places: Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Located near the palace big park, admission ticket which can be purchased separately without purchasing a ticket to the palace. Another attraction is the Castle of the Moors. This fortress was built back in the 9th-10th centuries. You can get to the castle via a long staircase going through the forest.

No less interesting object worthy of the attention of travelers is the Montserrati Palace, located 4 km from the city. At the palace there is Botanical Garden with 2 thousand species of plants from all over the world.

Another monument is Quinta de Regaleira, architectural structure in neo-Gothic style. On the territory of this palace and park complex you can find various mysterious signs and symbols of the Templars and Masons everywhere.

If you like to study history not only through visiting castles and palaces, you can visit the News Museum. Here you will learn about the history of Portugal through media coverage.

And finally, while in Sintra, you can’t help but stop by one of the most significant places not only Portugal, but the entire continent - Cape Roca. This is the most extreme point Eurasia in the West, where it opens beautiful view to the Atlantic Ocean.

How to rent a house in Portugal

When traveling around Portugal you need to stop somewhere. If you are not satisfied with the option of parking lots and hotels, you can rent housing. When traveling, it is better to consider options for daily rental housing. Advertisements can be found on the Internet on forums, on popular sites for daily real estate rentals, or by asking local residents.

By car to Portugal: Video