Enterprise

Scenic drives and road trips to do in Portugal

The best way to really see Portugal is to drive around it, stopping where you fancy, staying a few days if you like a place and driving on when you're ready for new scenery. Whether you base yourself in one place and take day trips in the surrounding area, or your whole holiday is a road trip around Portugal, you'll see so much more.

Pick up your Rental car at one of our airport or city branches and go exploring, the road is your limit!

Short Drives (2-4 Hours)


Douro Valley Wine Route

Duration: 3 hours

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Pick up your car from the airport and head straight to the Douro Valley for a pictureque road trip through the vineyards.


Sintra to Cascais Coastal Road

Duration: 2.5 hours

Nearest Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport, also called Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS).

If you're staying in Lisbon for a few days, don't miss out on the surrounding area. Pick up your rental car from one of our branches for a scenic day trip along the coast. The route from Sintra to Cascais is full of stunning landscapes and pretty villages to stop and enjoy


Arrábida National Park Loop

Duration: 4 hours

Nearest Airport: Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon.

Enjoy the sights of Lisbon, then pick up a rental car and head south for the picturesque drive through Arrábida National Park on the N379.

Longer Road Trips (1-5 Days)

Porto to Santiago de Compostela

Duration: 4 days

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Spend some time in Porto before you head out along the ancient pilgrim trail from Portugal into Spain and the historic town of Santiago de Compostela. You'll probably pass plenty of pilgrims on foot so don't forget to call out 'Bom Caminho' as you drive past.


Costa Vicentina and Southwest Alentejo National Park

Duration: 3 days

Nearest Airport: Faro Airport (FAO).

Fly into Faro, pick up a car, and head off to explore the wild beauty of the Costa Vicentina and the Southwest Alentejo National Park along the rugged Atlantic coast.


Estoril to Douro Valley

Duration: 5 days

Nearest Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS).

Start your journey from Lisbon, exploring the coastal charm of Estoril before heading north to the Douro Valley.


Central Portugal Highlights

Duration: 2.5 days

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Begin your exploration of central Portugal after arriving at Porto's airport and set off to discover Coimbra, Óbidos, Tomar, and the Bussaco Forest.

Douro and Trás-os-Montes Loop

Duration: 4 days

Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

Fly into Porto, pick up your car, and head off on a scenic loop through the Douro Valley and Trás-os-Montes.

Portugal Car Rental Guide

How to rent a car in Portugal

Requirements for renting a car in Portugal include: 

  • Renters must have had a valid driver's license for at least one year. 
  • During pickup, you must present two valid credit cards as well as a return ticket to the country of origin. 

Should I rent a car in Portugal?

If you are interested in exploring small or rural areas of Portugal, a rental car is necessary because mass transit does not stop at these locations. Another great place to travel by car is Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region known for its beautiful beaches and pleasant climate. 

What are the age requirements for renting a car in Portugal?

The minimum age to rent a car in Portugal is 18 years old. The maximum rental age is 80 years old. Please see age policy details below. 

Age 18 - 20

Cars available for rent include Mini, Economy, and Compact.

  • A young drivers fee of 7.70 EUR per day will apply, up to a maximum 77.00 EUR per rental. Prices are subject to change. 

Age 21 - 24

Cars available for rent include Compact Automatic, Compact Wagon, Intermediate, Intermediate Wagon, Convertible, and all Commercial Vans. 

Age 25 and Over

Cars available for rent include all the above, plus Intermediate Van, Standard Van, Fullsize, Fullsize Wagon, Fullsize Van, and Premium Vehicles. 

How much is a rental car in Portugal?

To get the most accurate price for your rental car, start a reservation by inputting the dates, times, and location. There are several factors to consider:

  • Type of car
  • Seasonality
  • Additional insurance and protection products included in reservation
  • Other add-ons such as Wi-fi access, GPS, child seats, and ski racks
  • Whether the car is picked up and dropped off at the same location or domestic one-way
  • Number of additional drivers

Tips for driving in Portugal

While traveling throughout Portugal, be sure to keep the following info in mind:

  • You should only use the left or middle lanes to pass other cars. Passing on the right is not permitted and can lead to hefty fines. 
  • Highway on-ramps are usually much shorter than the ones in the United States. If traffic is not clear, you may have to come to a complete stop before merging onto the highway. 
  • Some gas stations and toll booths do not accept credit or debit cards. It is recommended that you keep cash with you in case this happens. 
  • Roundabouts are used commonly in Portugal, and oftentimes they consist of two lanes. The right lane should only be used if you're taking the first exit. Otherwise, stay in the left lane until you're ready to exit the roundabout. 

Portugal Car Rental Locations

Portugal is a popular destination with tourists and business travelers alike. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or staying for a longer period of time, you can count on Enterprise to provide the perfect vehicle for your transportation needs.