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A Portuguese road trip

By May 21, 2019October 5th, 2023FinGlobal

A Portuguese road trip

May 21, 2019

Portugal-road-trip-guide

Why a road trip in Portugal you might ask? We agree, when you think of ‘road trip’, Portugal might not be the first country that comes to mind. However if you are visiting or living in Portugal, you ‘ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that creating a road trip itinerary that offers both visual beauty and a wonderful experience is very easy to put together in Portugal. If you plan to hit the road in Portugal, consider trying this route.

 

Portugal is a great country to travel by car

Road tripping is one of the best ways to travel through and experience Portugal. It’s a small country, which makes exploring it a lot easier to quickly get to the best parts of it:

 

Day 1: Take a scenic drive from Lisbon to Sintra

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital is definitely worth a visit. There’s plenty to experience from indulging in the city’s delicious pastries at the famous Pastéis de Belém to experiencing the grandeur of the Praça do Comércio. When you leave the sights of Lisbon behind you, head out on the N6 and stop at the Cascais village, which is renowned for being the summer retreat of the Portuguese Royal Family and has many fine hotels and great places to eat.

 

 

When you finally arrive at Sintra, plan to spend at least a day here. This romantic and charming resort town at the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains is filled with pastel-coloured villas and palaces. Top places to see include the Pena Palace, the Quinta de Regaleira and the Castle of the Moors.

 

Day 2: Travel to Arrabida

Arrabida Natural Park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Portugal and consists of pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and magnificent scenery.

 

 

Day 3 and 4: The idyllic stretch from Setúbal to Sagres

Take your time on this journey. It consists of nearly 260km and while you can probably cover it in half a day, it is such a beautiful coastal drive it really must be savoured and enjoyed. Take your costume with you and stop off at any one of the beautiful beaches that are far less crowded than the ones in the Algarve. Top beaches to stop at and experience are the Praia de Samouqueira and Praia dos Buizinhos. When you finally reach Sagres you’ll find a paradise for surfers and nature-lovers alike.

 

 

Day 5: The beauty of the famous Algarve

The Algarve is probably the most famous region in the whole of Portugal and attracts tourists from all over the world in summer. When you visit here, it’s easy to appreciate why it’s so loved as you experience the magnificent seafood, the beautiful beaches and the vibrant nightlife. Two of the Algarve’s hot spots that you won’t want to miss are Albufeira and Lagos – which according to Condé Nast has one of the best beaches in the world – the Praia Dona Ana.

 

 

Day 6: The historic villages of the Alentejo region

In the Alentejo region are two of Portugal’s most beautiful and historic villages, Mértola and Monsaraz. The Alentejo region captures the historical past of Portugal, so don’t expect high-tech modern transport systems. Instead, this region is far more laid-back and is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy great food, amazing wine and incredible landscapes – the perfect way to end your road trip!

 

 

If you are a South African living abroad in Portugal and would like to know more about how you can maximise your finances through financially emigrating from South Africa, accessing your South African retirement annuity and our tailor-made tax solutions for South Africans around the world, contact FinGlobal today.

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