3 unmissable places to visit by car in Portugal

It’s very common to rent a car to visit Portugal because it’s easy to visit more than one city on the same trip. So, how about taking note of this mini tour itinerary to visit the Portuguese country?

If you like to travel to countries that have history, architectural beauty, incredible landscapes, and impeccable gastronomy: Portugal is for you! Besides, the country has a cost-benefit ratio above average among the countries in Europe.

Discover 3 unmissable places to visit by car in Portugal:

Quinta da Regaleira

Do you like mysticism? Quinta da Regaleira, one of the most impressive monuments in the Sintra Mountains, has a unique mystical energy! Its shape makes it one of the most enigmatic places in Portugal.

Located only 40 minutes by car from Lisbon, you’ll find there a set of buildings, where the Poço Iniciático (Initiation Well) stands out. It’s worth visiting! In the surroundings, you can visit wonderful gardens, with their exuberant nature and great scenery for photos. 

The construction is by António Carvalho Monteiro and the architect Luigi Manini. It ‘s exactly in the historical center of Sintra, which has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Unmissable, right?

The best way to visit Quinta da Regaleira is to leave the car outside the historic center, more precisely in the parking lot of the Anjos Teixeira Museum. From there it’s close enough to make the most of your visit.

Castle of São Jorge

For those who wish to have one of the best views of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, here is a must-see attraction: Castle of São Jorge. It’s only a 25-minute drive from the Empire Square in the center of Lisbon, which is also the location of the famous Jerónimos Monastery.

Leave the car in a place nearby, before the climb that leads to the castle, and walk up. Prepare your legs because the ascent is steep, but nothing impossible. Besides, you’ll be able to enjoy even more the Portuguese architecture present on the way.

The Castle of São Jorge is an 11th century complex that was built during the medieval period to be a fortified city. On the tour, you can see the ruins of the Alcáçova Royal Palace, some gardens, and of course have an incredible view of Lisbon from the top of the hill. The ticket costs 10 euros.

Besides the amazing landscapes, the traveler can participate in the Câmera Obscura (Obscure Camera). The sessions are separated by time and language. Inside, there is a room where the result of an optical system of lenses and mirrors is displayed, allowing one to observe in detail the city of Lisbon. Incredible!

Sunset in Cascais

Cascais is an excellent option for those looking for comfort on a weekend. The village is only 40 minutes by car from Lisbon, the capital, and presents an impeccable seaside landscape. On sunny days, it’s possible to go for walks and enjoy an ice cream with the family.

There, watching the sunset is a absolute must. Choose a spot among the rocks, there will probably already be a large concentration of people there, take some snacks and wait for the most awaited moment of the day. The sun finishes its passage over the horizon of the sea… It’s a spectacular view!

Also, take the chance to see the famous “Boca do Inferno” (Hell’s Mouth) , a rocky formation where the waves hit hard and make the whole view even more impressive. 

Are you interested in visiting any of these cities?

No matter which city you choose, you’ll certainly get to know its main attractions much better and with much more quality if you do the trip by car.

Europcar is one of the largest car rental companies today. It was founded in 1949 and has more than 200,000 vehicles and service in over 140 countries worldwide. If you are planning to travel to Europe soon, Europcar is a great choice for your car rental. Book your car rental now and enjoy your trip!