Road trips in Portugal

Portugal’s small size packs a patch for road trip adventures

Portugal might not be among the largest countries of Europe, but it offers incredibly diverse geography. One whose borders surprisingly haven’t really changed much in its 900-year history. To the north lies rugged, rocky hills and mountains, deep river valleys, and forests, while the south is renowned for its beaches and sunny weather. In between, there is a little bit of everything, including rolling grassy plains and the dry, hot, almost desert-like area of Alentejo. This variety in landscapes, along with Portugal’s age, have shaped a tremendously rich and diverse culture and will make a Portugal tour unforgettable.

Through exploration and discovery of the new world, Portugal has played a tremendous role in world history – have you ever wondered why Portuguese is spoken in Brazil? Also, while the nation of Portugal might only be a few hundred years old, the human history of the area goes back much farther. Roman and Celtic ruins, like the temple in Evora or the ancient town of Citania de Briteiros outside Guimaraes (which itself is considered the birthplace of Portugal), dot the countryside from north to south. Some of the most astounding archaeological sites to see on your Portugal adventure are the megalith structures outside the town of Evora. Nearly anywhere you stand in this country will take you back hundreds or thousands of years, and you can see and feel that history all around you!

Why travel with Planet Ride ?


Prices up to 20% less than local prices


Direct contact with our local specialist partner


Secured payments


Quality checks & trusted third party

There are so many Portugal travel options it would be difficult to list them all here. One can start in the north with Peneda-Geres National Park, whose mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers are utterly pristine and make for some of the most scenic riding in the entire country. Moving south, you have the Douro river valley and its intricately terraced vineyards. The grapes found on those vines are used to make the famed Port wine (along with plenty of other varieties). Along the coast, between Porto and Lisbon, is the mecca of European surf – Nazare. Waves routinely reach dozens of feet tall and draw surfers from all over the world! A little further still is the bustling, contrastive mix that is the capital city of Lisbon. Home to wonderful cuisine, art, nightlife, and plenty of other excitement. Keep riding south, and you’ll reach the sun, sand, and beachside resorts of the Algarve. Or, you can head inland to finish out your Portugal tour and visit Alentejo, home to farms, cork production, ancient archeological sites, and more.

Arriving in Portugal won’t be difficult. Lisbon and Porto both receive numerous international and even intercontinental flights regularly, and a number of smaller cities are served by the domestic airline, as well as short distance international flights. Car and bus travel overland from Spain are also quite easy. Trains are a little more infrequent, but continue to improve. So, whether you are trying to arrive in northern, central, or southern Portugal, it should be easy to find something that fits your needs.

While late spring through early fall will generally offer the best weather, you can visit Portugal nearly any time of year. The southern coast stays sunny for most of the year. It might not be beach weather, but you’ll still be quite comfortable. Be aware, though, as you go further north and further into the mountains, the weather tends to be a little cooler and rainier. Also, the peak of the summer (July and August) can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching 40C or more! So, plan your riding and your packing accordingly.

What Planet Ride offers for road trip adventures in Portugal

Portugal travel options are wide open with a Planet Ride tour. We currently feature almost a dozen motorcycle treks, both on-road and off, along with quads and buggies, and even a motorhome expedition that spans more than three weeks! We have spent countless hours scouring guides and trip providers to find the select few that truly know Portugal and strive to provide the best tour possible. The guides we work with have spent years working or living in the country and know it as well as the locals, or at least know which locals to talk to for the insider secrets! They can also assist with anything you might need along your journey – directions, decoding street signs, translating the menu at the under-the-radar roadside eatery you just stopped at, maintenance on your vehicle, and anything else. We don’t settle for anything less than the top-notch professionals to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.

We also work with a few guides in Portugal who handle all the arrangements and logistics, but let you travel with complete freedom. On that particular type of Portugal tour, you’ll get a briefing at the start of your journey, get the keys to your ride, and then you have the power to head out independently.

Imagine, ten days cruising the country, nearly completely from north to south and back. Atop your Honda, Harley, or BMW, you’ll visit several of Portugal’s most renowned destinations – Porto, Pinhão, Lisbon, Evora, Faro, and others. You’ll experience historic places, amazing food, the famous Port wine, and gorgeous views the entire way! Maybe less pavement and more adrenaline are what you had in mind. Then, check out something like the Dirt bike Serra d’Arga trip in the north of Portugal. Over five days, you’ll explore Europe’s “Enduro Capital” which earned its name for the fantastically diverse mix of landscapes and awesome riding. This Portugal adventure starts in Viana do Castelo and hits Viana and Serra d’Arga as well.

If you’d rather make this a four-wheeled road trip adventure, then check out Quad Specialist Angela’s Mountain Tracks of Northern Portugal. A more leisurely option would be Pierre-Emmanuel’s Panoramic tour of Portugal. The former is a five-day exploration of the hills and trails of north-central Portugal. The landscapes will be serene and spectacular, and aside from the road of your engines, you’ll be immersed in the solitude of nature. On the other hand, our motorhome tour slows things way down, giving you 23 days to meander through the whole country!

So, no matter your thirst for adventure or vehicular preference, Planet Ride has a Portugal road trip that is sure to create some unforgettable experiences!