Portugal’s compact size makes it perfect for travellers who enjoy discovering varied landscapes without marathon drives. From towering sea cliffs to high mountain passes and volcanic islands, the country’s roads deliver expansive views, fresh air, and plenty of opportunities to stretch the legs.

Each of the following 7 road trips can fill a long weekend or expand into a week of slow exploration, allowing drivers to linger in fishing villages, mountain lodges, or clifftop viewpoints. No historical markers are required to appreciate these routes; instead, they focus on present-day scenery, local flavours, and peaceful detours.

1. Atlantic Coast Route From Porto to Lagos

Starting in Porto, follow the N109 and coastal highways southward. Early stretches reveal rolling dunes near Aveiro before wilder shorelines emerge around Nazaré, where Atlantic swells crash against high promontories. Midway down the coast, detour to Serra de Sintra for shaded cork forests and sea-facing cliffs.

Continue past Sines and into the Costa Vicentina, where single-lane roads weave between scrubland and turquoise bays. End at Lagos, where golden coves and calm waters encourage sunset walks. This entire descent covers around 600 kilometres yet feels shorter thanks to frequent beach stops and ocean viewpoints. Shoulder-season months provide quieter roads and near-deserted sands, perfect for unhurried exploration.

2. Douro Valley Terrace Drive

Leaving Porto in the opposite direction, head east on the N222 toward Peso da Régua. The road hugs the Douro River, rising and falling along terraced hillsides planted with olive groves and orchard rows. Frequent pull-outs allow drivers to photograph neat lines of stone walls curving above mirror-smooth water. Small riverfront cafés serve regional tapas, perfect for lunch under shaded verandas.

Beyond Pinhão, the valley narrows, and each bend seems to reveal a fresh set of geometric contours. Overnight options include rustic guesthouses perched above the river or modern hotels with balconies overlooking quiet inlets. Shoulder-season months provide quieter roads and near-deserted sands, perfect for unhurried exploration.

3. Serra da Estrela Mountain Loop

Portugal’s highest mainland peaks sit inside Serra da Estrela Natural Park. Start in Covilhã, ascend winding N339 switchbacks, and pause at Torre, the roof of mainland Portugal. Even midsummer afternoons can feel cool here, so light jackets are handy. Continue through valleys dotted with grazing sheep and granite boulders that look sculpted by wind.

Village stops such as Manteigas offer hand-woven blankets and hearty mountain stews. During clear evenings, skies fill with stars unobstructed by city glow. Drivers can complete the loop back to Seia within a day, though spending a night in a stone cottage lets visitors catch the sunrise mist rolling over glacial valleys. Keep an eye out for the friendly Estrela mountain dogs that often lounge near farmhouses along the route.

4. Alentejo Plains and Coastal Cliffs

Begin in Évora and cruise northwest on quiet IC1 lanes through golden fields broken by stands of umbrella pines. Whitewashed villages appear, their bright façades contrasting with terracotta rooftops. Locally pressed olive oil, fresh cheeses, and herb-infused bread make ideal picnic staples for roadside stops.

Near the coast, switch to more minor roads threading past cork forests and open pasture toward Porto Covo. Here, clifftop paths overlook rough Atlantic coves framed by wildflowers. The route ends near Vila Nova de Milfontes, where calm estuary water invites paddleboarding or relaxed shoreline walks. Short detours onto dirt farm tracks at golden hour reward drivers with sweeping vistas punctuated by solitary cork oaks.

5. Peneda-Gerês National Park and Minho River Circuit

Portugal’s only national park sits in the remote northwest, offering lush valleys, granite ridges, and stone shepherd huts. From Braga, drive north to Gerês village, then follow the N308 and winding forest roads to viewpoints over emerald reservoirs. Look for wild horses grazing along heather slopes and small waterfalls dropping into clear pools.

Continue west to the Minho River border area, where wooden boardwalks extend over wetlands rich with birdlife. Riverside towns such as Melgaço provide chilled terraces serving local honey pastries. The loop back to Braga covers roughly 220 kilometres, yet its tight turns and photo stops justify a whole day.

6. Madeira Atlantic Perimeter Drive

Rent a compact car at Funchal Airport, then head west along the VR1 coastal highway that hugs cliffs rising sharply from the deep blue ocean. Levada footpaths intersect the road, offering detours to fern-lined tunnels and cascading streams. After passing Câmara de Lobos, narrow lanes climb toward the Cabo Girão skywalk for glass-floor views 580 metres above the sea.

Continue north through laurel forest twists where mist drifts across the asphalt. Porto Moniz offers natural lava pools for a midday swim before the route curves east past volcanic plateaus and terraced banana farms. Return via the southern stretch, catching golden hour above cloud layers.

7. São Miguel Island Green Route, Azores

The main island of the Azores rewards drivers with crater lakes, caldera hot springs, and hydrangea-lined lanes in a single 200-kilometre circuit. Depart Ponta Delgada eastward toward Furnas Valley, stopping for roadside viewpoints over Lagoa do Fogo’s turquoise water.

At Furnas, steaming vents rise beside walking paths lined with tropical plants; nearby cafés serve corn bread cooked in geothermal ovens. Continue north to Ribeira Grande for surf-friendly beaches, then loop west toward Sete Cidades for twin crater lakes separated by a narrow bridge. Finish along the island’s south coast, where pastures meet black-sand coves under dramatic sea cliffs.

Conclusion

Portugal’s diverse landscapes pack an impressive range of experiences into relatively short drives. Whether winding along Madeira’s cliffside highways, climbing Serra da Estrela’s high pastures, or cruising the Douro’s terraced riverbanks, travellers encounter new textures every hour: salt spray, eucalyptus scent, or cool mountain air.

These 7 road trips prove that the country rewards curious drivers with panoramic views, welcoming towns, and quiet moments beside waves or under pine canopies. Pack flexible layers, a camera, and an appetite for roadside markets, and Portugal will deliver road memories long after the engine cools.