Portugal is a popular tourist country with stunning natural landscapes. However, it is not always possible for tourists who come on a package tour to appreciate the natural beauties of this country. Therefore, traveling around the country on your own or rented car is becoming increasingly popular. Portugal by car is perceived in a completely different way, opening up as if from the inside, moreover, traveling by car along your own route is much more convenient.

Visa application

If you are traveling to Portugal as a tourist, you should apply for a Schengen visa category C. This visa can be single, double or multiple entry. The validity of this category of visa can be 1 month, 6 months, 12 months or 5 years. In each of these cases, the period of stay in the country should not exceed 90 days from the date of first entry. Most often, travelers are issued visas for a period of 1 month or 6 months.

What are the customs rules

According to the rules of entry into Portugal, travelers who are 17 years of age or older are allowed to import duty-free into the country:

• cigarettes - 200 pieces, or cigars - 50 pieces, or tobacco - 250 g;
• strong alcoholic drinks (with an alcohol content of more than 22%) - 1 l;
• wine (with an alcohol content of less than 22%) - 2 liters;
• coffee - 500 g;
• tea - 200 g;
• perfume - 50 ml;
• toilet water - 250 ml.

Goods for personal use imported into Portugal must not exceed 175 euros (185 US dollars) per person.

Features of the road

The first thing a foreign traveler needs to know is that most of the Portuguese roads, as well as some bridges, are tolls. At the same time, the average speed on highways is 100 kilometers per hour, while free roads passing through settlements limit the speed to 50 kilometers per hour. Tolls are traditionally calculated based on the distance between entry and exit points on the motorway. In order to pay the fare, there are special lanes of the corresponding color at the toll highway terminals: green - only for users of the Portuguese payment system ViaVerde, orange - for paying through the operator in cash or by card, red - for paying in cash or by card through the machine. In the latter case, you need to be careful, because when paying in cash, the machine does not give change.

Parking in Portugal is also paid, the average cost for 1 hour of use is 1 euro (1.05 US dollars).

In addition, travelers by car should be aware that in case of staying in the country for more than 90 days, it is necessary to obtain a local license.

Features of tourist routes in Portugal

When compiling your own route in Portugal for traveling, we recommend using the advice of experienced autotourists:

• find out in advance about the features and cost of renting a car and the nuances of payment, take into account the cost of gasoline and road use fees;
• do not try to see all the sights in one day - better plan to visit 3-4 points and take your time walking around the city;
• during the trip, spend more time contemplating the picturesque landscapes and visiting palaces and castles;
• going to Portugal by car, take care of booking a hotel or hostel with parking;
• drive no more than 150-200 km a day;
• do not forget to set aside time for lunch - for this, you can pre-select interesting places to visit on the Internet or stop at any local colorful restaurant you like;

And, finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is about the status of the debtor that it is easiest to “forget” when going on another vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid utility bills, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018, we recommend that you find out information about the presence of debt using a proven service not to fly.rf

• if you choose hotels on the highway for an overnight stay, instead of hotels in settlements, you can save a lot;
• for travelers who want to come to Portugal by car on their own, there is an opportunity to stay instead of a hotel in one of the car campings.

By car in Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal after the capital. There are no picturesque landscapes in the city, but you can fully enjoy the city architecture and museums. The unique attraction of the city is the Cathedral of Porto, built in the XII century. The cathedral has retained its original appearance, as it has never been rebuilt. You should definitely visit the Ribeira quarter, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - many residential buildings in it were built 300 years ago. Travelers by car should definitely cross the Ponti di Don Luis bridge, designed by Theophilus Seyrig, who was a student of the famous Gustave Eiffel. It is no coincidence that the elements of the bridge are very reminiscent of the world-famous creation of his teacher - the Eiffel Tower. By the way, there is a bridge in Porto, which was built according to the project of the Eiffel himself - the Ponti Di Dona Maria Pia Bridge.

By car in Faro

The city of Faro is worthy of attention primarily due to the Ria Formosa Natural Landscape Park located here. The park is a 60-kilometer lagoon along the coast. The total city area of ​​the lagoon is 18,400 hectares. As a tourist center, Faro is not the most popular city in Portugal, however, one of the best beaches in the country, Praia da Faro, is located here. The beach is quite large, but it is crowded here only at the height of the summer season.

Connoisseurs of architectural monuments can visit various castles, cathedrals, churches and monasteries in this city. To do this, go to the old central quarter. Not far from the city there is another attraction - the Eshtoy Palace, built in the Rococo style.

By car in Portimão

The most beautiful place in Portimão is its coast. Go to the Praia de Rocha beach - there is an observation deck that offers stunning views of the city and the seascape. Architecture lovers can stroll through the city center and visit the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Chapel of St. Jose, Alvor Castle or the Jesuit Monastery.

Driving to Sagres

The small town of Sagres is known for the fact that it was here that Prince Henry the Navigator founded a school of navigation in the 15th century. There is every reason to believe that the world-famous navigators Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama studied at this school. In addition, in this city it is worth visiting Cape San Vicente, which in the past was considered the edge of the world. One of the largest lighthouses in the world is located on the cape, the lighting range of which reaches 90 km.

Driving to Lagos

5 km from Portimão and 45 km from the city of Faro is the small town of Lagos (Lagos). This resort town is great for families. The main thing to see here is the ocean, beaches and rocks. On the cape of Ponta da Piedade there is an observation deck and a lighthouse. By the way, free parking is provided for car travelers near the lighthouse. Leaving the car in the parking lot, you can take a boat trip through the grottoes and water caves. There are several beaches in this city, but the most impressive of them, which should definitely be visited by car tourists, is Marinha Beach.

Driving to Madeira

The only way to get to Madeira by car is by ferry from Porto Santo (once a day). The cost of ferry tickets depends on the month, class, and whether you are a resident of the island. Buying tickets for a group of two to four people, you can get significant discounts. The average cost of tickets for one person with a car is shown in the table:

There are no ferry connections between the mainland of Portugal and Madeira, but you can bring the car by cargo ship, and use the plane yourself. In addition, you can rent a car directly on the island.

When traveling by car on the island of Madeira, the main thing to see is nature. The island is dominated by a mountainous landscape, so the roads here are quite winding. Go by car to the viewing platforms. For example, Eira do Serrado is located at an altitude of 1,053 meters, Pico dos Barcelos - at an altitude of 355 meters. The first platform offers a view of the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) - this name appeared in the 16th century, when pirates attacked the nearby monastery of Santa Clara, and the nuns were forced to hide in this valley. The second site is closer to the ocean, and from here the sea vessels are better seen.

Driving to Lisbon

Perhaps the most important sight to see in the vicinity of Lisbon is the statue of Jesus Christ. To get here, you need to cross the Tagus River on the April 25 Bridge. And the bridge itself is also worth seeing. It is absolutely identical to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, as they were built by the same American construction company. So, on the other side of the Tagus River, at the place where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the town of Almada is located. Here, at an altitude of 113 above sea level, a monument rises, which was built in 1959 as a token of gratitude for the non-participation of Portugal in World War II. The statue of Christ can be seen from anywhere in Lisbon.



Walking through the city center, be sure to look at the Commerce Square. Here, the Arc de Triomphe of Augusta Street immediately catches the eye, which you can climb for 2.5 euros (2.65 US dollars). The observation deck offers a beautiful view of the bay, colorful streets, castles and monasteries, which you can spend the rest of your time visiting and exploring.

Traveling by car in Sintra

Sintra is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. It is said that the beauty of this city surpasses even Lisbon. On the first day of your stay in the town, you can leisurely visit two places: the Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Near the palace there is a large park, the entrance ticket to which can be purchased separately without buying a ticket to the palace. Another attraction is the Castle of the Moors. This fortress was built in the IX-X centuries. You can get to the castle by a long staircase going through the forest.

An equally interesting object worthy of the attention of travelers is Montserrati Palace, located 4 km from the city. The palace has a botanical garden with 2,000 species of plants from around the world.

Another monument is Quinta de Regaleira, an architectural building in neo-Gothic style. On the territory of this palace and park complex, you can find various mysterious signs and symbols of the Templars and Masons everywhere.

If you like to study history not only through acquaintance with castles and palaces, you can visit the News Museum. Here you will get to know the history of Portugal through media coverage.

And finally, while in Sintra, one cannot help but visit one of the most significant places not only in Portugal, but also in the entire continent - Cape Roca. This is the most extreme point of Eurasia in the West, where a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean opens.

How to rent a house in Portugal

When traveling in Portugal, you need to stop somewhere. If you are not satisfied with the option with parking lots and hotels, you can rent housing. When traveling, it is better to consider options for daily rental housing. Ads can be found on the Internet on forums, on popular sites for daily rent of real estate, or you can ask around from local residents.

Driving to Portugal: Video

Travel by car along the Atlantic coast of Portugal, following the western wind of change
Portugal has an endless variety of holiday destinations. You can bask on the southern beaches or spend hours in art galleries Lisbon. You can grow a liver by pouring yourself with collection wines, ports, muscatel and green wine in the Douro Valley or enjoy endless fields and simple cuisine Alentejo. You can climb the mountain Serra da Estrela, where they make delicious sheep cheese, and then ski or snowboard down its snowy peak. But there is another great option: take a trip along the west coast from Cascais to Nazare.
This route is for those who love to admire the ocean waves, high cliffs, wild beaches and lighthouses - solemn symbols of romance and determination.
Route: Cascais - Magoita - Ericeira - Santa Cruz - Peniche - Nazare - Mafra - 469 km
Duration: 3 days

The journey starts in Lisbon. Stay in this city for a couple of days:

Now you can get into the car and drive along the scenic freeway to Cascais. The freeway was named by the locals "Marginal"(from the Portuguese word margem - translated as "edge", "fields of the book" or, in this case, "shore")- due to the fact that it runs along the very edge of the water: first along the banks of the Tagus River, to the place where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and then, towards interesting discoveries.

Cascais

It is worth spending half an hour and seeing the rock known as Boca do Inferno(can be loosely translated as "Mouth of Hell"). It is very close to the Cascais Yacht Club, less than a kilometer from Santa Marta Lighthouse. Waves roar into a hole in a sheer cliff. Hitting the rocks, the salt water whips into white foam, spins in whirlpools and rushes back into the ocean. Looking at this violence of the elements, you don’t understand why the rocks have not yet been torn apart by oncoming waves, why the collapsed stones have not filled up this hellish throat. There are many signs in the city directing the way to this impressive creation of nature. Parking is free, and for those who are especially hungry, there are a couple of restaurants and cafes nearby.
If you follow the route, you can see the majestic lighthouse Farol da Guia- one of the first, built in the XVIII century with public money. Now the buildings adjacent to the lighthouse house the services of the Ministry of National Defense, so whether you can get through the fence and touch the warm stones of the brown and cream tower is a big question.
Then the road leads straight to Guincho beach and will begin to wind in a mountain serpentine, climbing higher and higher. Lighthouse on the left Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the continent. Here is an article to help you plan your trip:

Further extends Praia das Maçãs - "Beach of Apples". According to local legend, the name appeared due to the fact that a river flowing into the ocean, flowing among orchards, often brings apples that have fallen into the water to the ocean. It is difficult to vouch for the veracity of this legend, because the local apple groves are no longer the same as before, and are reluctant to share their harvest with the ocean, but I want to believe in this fairy tale, because the analogy with apples - strong, juicy, ruddy, healthy - is very suitable this beach. It is spacious, with a very wide line of sand and easy access to the water. High hills protect from the wind, the waves roll on the shore gently and slowly - in a word, an almost perfect picture for relaxation.

Magoytu

A tiny beach located away from all big and even small cities. Despite its remoteness, it enjoys the warm and strong love of tourists and local residents. The Portuguese love to hold surfing competitions here, especially bodyboarding (a type of surfing when the athlete does not stand on the board, but rolls, lying on it with his chest and stomach). For tourists, a beautiful boardwalk has been arranged here, leading over sand dunes between low pines. You can walk along this comfortable path under spreading trees.
Be sure to give credit to the dishes in the local restaurant Dunamar (Ramp Beach Magoito), clinging to a high rock: its terrace offers a beautiful view of the ocean, the dishes are worthy of the most flattering reviews, and the prices are quite democratic. You can also try rare shellfish here. percebes, and any snacks from marine reptiles, and grilled fish, and finish all the coffee with sweets.

One of the most picturesque and famous places on the west coast of Portugal, it has existed for almost 800 years. Now it is a popular Portuguese resort. Lisboners and residents of other surrounding cities flock here for weekends and holidays to sunbathe on excellent beaches. Total in Ericeira 10 official beaches best suited for swimming Praia dos Pescadores (in the very center of the city) And Praia da Sul (just south of downtown), and Foz do Lizandro- probably the most convenient, although it is not located in Ericeira itself. It is about 3 km away, which you can drive in 2-3 minutes by car, 5-7 minutes by bike, and spend no more than half an hour on foot. There are cafes, restaurants, a surf school, and a huge beach, but the most interesting thing is that a river flows into the ocean here, and lovers of calm water can spend time on its banks without approaching the ocean waves.
Fans of admiring the ocean are advised to take a walk in Ericeira along the beaches Algodio And São Sebastiao, and then spend the evening in one of the restaurants that Ericeira is so famous for - thanks to the excellent quality of food, solid portions and quite affordable prices that you will not find in the capital. For example, in Ribas (Rua Mendes, 32)- seafood, Tik Tapas (Rua 5 de Outubro n.7)– be sure to pay attention to the local lamb or El Rei (Rua Capitão João Lopes, nº 14)- fish, meat, drinks, excellent service and a wonderful view of the sunset ocean.
Ericeira gained world fame thanks to surfing. The city received the title of World Surfing Reserve (“World Surfing Reserve”), it is considered the main surf resort in Europe and the second in the world, behind only California. The main surf beaches of Ericeira for professionals are Ribeira da Ilhas And coxos, and beginners and "continuing" souls are fond of Foz do Lizandro. Therefore, if you want to stare at muscular guys and flexible girls cutting through the waves on light boards, you should definitely look into Ericeira.
If you are planning to spend the night in Ericeira, keep in mind that the city is a resort filled with people, so it is better to book a room in advance. The best hotel is 4 * Vila Gale Ericeira, but also quite a few hostels, surf camps and 2* hotels. For example, you can try your luck in a guest house opened just a year ago blue ocean- it has numbers for any wallet.

Santa Cruz

Moving further west, we find ourselves in the absolutely amazing town of Santa Cruz. There are several beautiful beaches for swimming here: white sand, waves that are quite calm for the ocean, the sun and a beautiful view of the boundless waters and picturesque rocks. Choose any of the beaches: they smoothly transition from one to another, so you can treat this as choosing a place for your towel on a huge expanse of white sand. Residents of all surrounding cities come to relax on this beach, and this is really the right choice.
The most surprising thing is that, apart from the locals, almost no one knows about Santa Cruz. In addition to the beaches, here you can enjoy views of the picturesque cliffs, a tall white tower above the embankment, or turn into the local museum of local lore, which operates in the premises of an old water mill. Also, very close to Santa Cruz there is an airfield for small 1-2-seater planes, and you can admire their takeoffs and landings.

Peniche

The city of Peniche is located on a promontory protruding into the ocean, so it is always windy and fresh here. Climb the rock with the lighthouse, make a circle around the cape to admire the beaches. By the way, there are also many surfers here, and the beach Supertubes has long been a venue for international competitions. It is huge, stretches for several kilometers, and with a good wind, the waves here really curl up into large pipes, inside which skillful surfers love to fly so much.
However, even if a person is not inclined to surf, he should pay attention to this city. Especially if you find yourself here in February, during the carnival period: in Peniche, the street procession is one of the most colorful in this part of Portugal.

Admire the old fortress and the active fishing port, or even go by ship to the nearby Berlengas Island- wild and picturesque, with a special natural world in which Portuguese scientists constantly find a breeding ground for new discoveries. Cruise ship companies Julius And Nevada as well as the ferry Viamar depart from the port of Peniche three times a day in summer (at 9.30, 11.30 and 17.30), the rest of the navigation (from September 15 to May 15)– only once a day, at 10.00, and returns at 16.30 on the same day. The cost of the cruise is from 18 euros in summer and 10-15 euros in the low season. If you wish, you can stay and spend the night on the island in a fort converted into a hotel - this will probably be a special and very unusual pastime, given the seclusion of the island.

Perhaps Nazare is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. If it had not been separated from the capital by 130 km, it would have become the main tourist center of the country long ago, and so far it remains a place for the knowledgeable and the elite.
Inspection of the city should begin with the so-called Sitio- places on a high cliff with stunning views of the city, the beach and the boundless ocean. The Nazare lighthouse is also located here, and it was from here that the surfers filmed the feat of the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara, who conquered a record wave almost 30 meters high in Nazare. Then go down on the funicular, take a walk along the embankment, buy dried fish from the fishermen, and nuts, the main delicacy of Nazaré, from grandmothers with baskets.
If you want to have lunch, go to one of the many cafes or restaurants on the huge promenade, or turn into a small square, where, among other restaurants, is located famous for its seafood dishes. About Casalinho (Praca Sousa Oliveira, 6). Both the interior and the kitchen in it are beyond praise.
Stay overnight in Nazaré to watch one of nature's most scenic rides as the hot sun hisses into the ocean, bathing the surface of the water and sky with liquid red gold. Seagulls cry out for the day gone by, but even they, foolish ones, know: tomorrow the sun will rise again over Portugal, and again thousands of eyes will look at the restless waves of the entire western coast of Portugal, from Cascais to Nazare.
If you want to spend the night in Nazaré, then you should pay attention to the design hotel Magic or eclectic Pensao-Restaurante Ribamar .

Returning to Lisbon, be sure to spend time in its suburbs, at least Mafra. The only and main attraction in the city is a huge Royal Palace built at the beginning of the 18th century. The palace was built, literally, by the whole world. Pink marble was transported 12 kilometers from Lameiras, Peru Pinheiro, Montelavara; 92 bells, the largest selection in the world, were cast in Antwerp; the statues of the saints were made by Italian sculptors from Carrara marble, and the 6 Brazilian wood organs on the antiphons of the palace church were built by the French military during the occupation of Mafra from 1792 to 1807. For a long time, restoration work was carried out on musical instruments, and on June 2, 2012 they again played together, like two centuries ago. The famous tenor Placido Domingo attended the opening concert as a sponsor.
The huge royal library, located right there in the palace, is said to be guarded from harmful insects by bats. And that's not all... The palace has 1,200 halls, 4,700 doors and windows, and about 160 stairs. In a word, Mafra Royal Palace is a huge outstanding marvel not to be missed. The palace is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:45, in winter (from November 1) a break from 13:00 to 14:00.
By the way, on the way back from Portugal to Russia, we advise you to read the work of the Nobel laureate José Saramago "Memories of a Monastery" to refresh memories of a wonderful journey and a magnificent palace.

About how easy it is to organize a trip for yourself and your friends to Portugal, including applying for a Schengen visa, weather, choosing accommodation and choosing a route in Portugal. Travel budget, photo.

In principle, there is nothing complicated, you need a strong desire to see this beautiful country, which we back up with some technical details and knowledge, and forward towards the fresh wind of the Atlantic, sardines, wine and natural beauties.

As usual, this article is a simple algorithm or step-by-step instruction which is easy to organize travel to portugal for yourself and friends without contacting intermediaries and without leaving the pages of this site. I do not deny the need for travel agencies, often it is they who do a significant part of the organization work for us - for this we pay extra money. But believe me Portugal that country, a trip to which is better to organize on your own and be alone with the most beautiful places in the extreme west of southwest Europe.

Getting a Schengen visa

We start with the Schengen visa and only then do the rest of the details. If you still don’t have a visa, you can find out how to get it at no additional cost in the article. Schengen visa. Instructions for receiving. And don't forget about insurance. You can fly to Portugal with a Schengen visa of any country. For example, we traveled with a Spanish visa, and the first entry was precisely in Portugal. There will be no questions. From June 11, 2017 citizens of Ukraine do NOT need a Schengen visa to visit EU countries with a biometric passport.

Planning an itinerary for Portugal

Portugal, despite the seeming diminutiveness, has something to offer even to the sophisticated traveler. I traveled through vintage hilly Lisbon with a centuries-old history, which, as if specially turned out right on the narrow streets, is well complemented by the magical landscapes of the coast and Algarve beaches.

Whatever you choose - Algarve, the center of the country with river valleyDouro(Duero, Douro) Porto and surroundings, it is worth to include Lisbon and dedicate at least two full days to it.

For example, independent trip for 10-14 days in Portugal may be like this. 2-3 days in Lisbon. Then we take one day to the tourist, but very much with a stop at the extreme western point of Europe - Cape Roca. Moving south Portugal- V province of the Algarve and week beach holidays in Lagos with excursions to Cape Sao Vincente - the extreme southwestern point of Europe and the surrounding beaches, then moving to the remaining time in Albufeiro and travel along the surrounding most beautiful beaches in the south of the country.

It is worth remembering that Portugal is a country where you need to travel by car, although there are train + bus options. You should not linger in one place, as there are a lot of beautiful locations - then you will regret that you did not see a lot. Portugal is NOT a classic beach holiday country - there are an infinite number of beaches here, but they are all so different and beautiful that it is simply impossible to sit still.

Detail our itinerary in portugal You can see it in the Routes section:

Weather in Portugal: Lisbon and the Algarve coast

winter in Lisbon rainy at a temperature around +12 Celsius, south of the Algarve- comfortable +20 Celsius, of course you can’t swim in January, but walking along the coast is very comfortable. peak season coincides with the vacation period for Europeans and the most comfortable weather for swimming and sunbathing is mid-July-August. In July-August, the highest prices and the largest number of people - it is better to book accommodation for this time in advance, good options diverge three months before the start of the vacation. The water temperature in July-August is 18-22 depending on the beach. The warmest beach in the Algarve was found by us in the city Lagos, wrote in detail about the rest in this place in his report.

September is also suitable for swimming, relaxing and traveling, in winter, spring and in the middle of autumn it is very cool to travel around the country - low prices, comfortable weather in the south, it can rain in Lisbon and to the north, but not more often than in our latitudes.

Buying airfare to Portugal

We flew to Portugal from Kyiv. The most convenient way to get there is by such airlines - Lufthansa, Air France or KLM with a transfer, since 2018, WizzAir has been flying to Lisbon without a transfer. In my case it was a flight Kyiv-Paris-Lisbon (Air France) on the way there and Lisbon-Amsterdam-Kyiv (KLM) on the way home. In both cases, I deliberately planned a long connection - 12 hours in order to be able to walk along and Amsterdam respectively. It is also convenient to get to Porto or Lisbon from cities in Poland, Germany or the Baltic States with Ryanair or easyJet airlines. In this case, the flight will cost no more than 100 euros round trip.

We book accommodation in Portugal according to our capabilities

For the first trip, we book hotels or apartments for 3-5 days in Booking.com - Lisbon and 4 to 6 days for Algarve coast . I lived near the city of Lagoa - the place is in the middle coast of the Algarve. Lagoa ideal for radial outings around the area. Many like more party Lagos or Albufeira.

About the hotel we stayed in town of Lagoa I wrote a separate review with photo- we really liked it, the ideal price-quality ratio-location-location-goodwill of the owner. I recommend it to active travelers who like to return to comfortable conditions. I will definitely go back there again.

How to save money on housing in Portugal

Economy option for family or company travelers to rent an apartment. At Booking about 2000 apartment offers in Lisbon .

Booking a rental car

Many do without a car, a matter of taste, but in my opinion, having a car in Portugal makes it much easier to explore the local beauties. If the goal is to lie on the beach and go on a couple of excursions from Lisbon, then you can do without a car.

Automobile- this is your transfer from the airport to the place of rest and the place of storage and transportation of luggage. Parking at Algarve coast free almost everywhere Lisbon will cost no more than 10 euros per day. You should not choose expensive underground parking lots, it is better to ask the hotel where the inexpensive private parking is located - prepare a phrase in English and ask for the address of the parking lot. Further on the navigator in a smartphone or a paper map, you can easily find it.

The long and inefficient way to rent a car is to go to the airport website at Lisbon, see which rental offices are located there and choose one of them using the selection method. Briefly and effectively - use the car booking service. It's as simple as renting an apartment or a hotel and can be done on the website rentalcars- just select the country and city in which you need a car. Then choose a machine and easily and naturally just like we did.

Details about car rental abroad can be read in the article: Car rental abroad

Prices, budget for a trip to Portugal

For those who have more money than time, this item traditionally does not apply. I advise everyone else to read it.

The travel budget consists of the cost of the flight, the cost of accommodation, the cost of renting a car, and the cost of food. We count together and remember about statistical errors, so we add 10% -20% to the amount in case of unforeseen expenses or buying souvenirs.

Airfare to Lisbon– it’s good if the flight costs no more than 150 Euros round-trip. You can always look in the calendar of low prices for airline sales.

budget housing costs 30-50 euros per day for a double room, housing is more expensive with a swimming pool - 70-100 Euro per day for two.

Car rent- 30 euros per day, car insurance - another 10 euros per day and depends on the type of insurance, fuel - European prices, we spent about 70 euros in 10 days, driving about 700 km. To book a car, we used the site rentalcars- reliable plus a good price, but they don’t look for good from good, you know.

Total it turns out about 800-1000 euros, including flights, per person per season, cheaper in winter and spring. Remember that Portugal is good at any time, including the winter months. Nutrition. Breakfast is usually included in the price of the hotel, while lunch can cost from 7 euros to 20 euros per person, including local wine, depending on the choice of location.

The money saved is worth spending on a port or light Portuguese rosé. If you don't like wine - give it to your friends!

Agree, it is unlikely that an organized and not the most intense tour for 10 days will cost less. Freedom is often also quite economical.

Useful links when planning a trip to Portugal

TicketsUA– inexpensive air tickets, it is convenient to pay in hryvnia with a Ukrainian bank card, there is no additional conversion

Aviasales- budget flights around the world

UIA– website of Ukraine International Airlines

Hotels Combined (Room Guru)– allows you to save up to 30% when searching for budget accommodation, hotels and apartments as it searches all popular booking sites, including Agoda, Booking.com and others

Booking.com– a familiar and convenient site for searching and booking accommodation around the world

Airbnb– the world leader in finding apartments and apartments for travel, register using the link and get a cash bonus on your first booking

rentalcars– a site for searching and renting cars around the world with the possibility of free cancellation

Farvater– online purchase of tours from Ukraine

Hotline Finance– travel insurance for citizens of Ukraine, green cards for traveling abroad by car, round-the-clock online support

The best online service for selling insurance services from leading insurance companies

In this post, I tried to cover all the issues related to traveling by car in Portugal, and I will post a universal route in my opinion, as well as a complete (but brief) overview of places to visit in Portugal (including not the most touristy, but very authentic). I'll tell you about the best restaurants and unforgettable beaches. Traveling by car in Portugal is ideal. it is more convenient and faster to get to many places in this way, while observing nature around, which is atypical for the rest of Europe.

1. Internet. When traveling by car, the most important thing is not the car, but the availability of mobile Internet. This will greatly save you time and money. Judge for yourself, you can always see where the traffic jams are, how to get there (by public transport) or by car, how long it takes, where to have a tasty and inexpensive lunch, book a table (which is important), where to stay, what attractions are around, what the weather is like. will be within an hour, where is the nearest beach and what does it look like, etc. Especially the Internet will be needed in the event of an incident (for example, an accident). And to communicate with locals who often do not know English, you may need a translator (Google translator is enough). I usually take a tablet for this and insert a SIM card. Internet can be purchased from a local operator right at the airport or at a sales office (for example, Vodafone, approximate cost 1 Gb up to 15 euros; you can find cheaper promotions from other operators, such as MOCHE, but their office may not be at the airport), or buy a tourist SIM card in Russia (type “tourist SIM card” in a search engine, there will be several companies). The last option is suitable if you have a European tour (i.e. several countries), because SIM card will operate the same in all countries, but this option will be more expensive, 1Gb somewhere up to $75. Speed ​​and coverage in Portugal are good even off the beaten path. For 3 weeks you need at least 1 Gb(if you do not watch the video, but only use it for travel and calls). Some operators block Skype, but, for example, Viber can always be used.

3. It is best to order a car through a broker (an aggregator of offers from different companies), because they will just be cheaper. Here are the three most popular: autoeurope.ru, rentalcars.com or economycarrentals.com. The conditions are about the same, only economycarrentals.com does not report the name of the rental company before receiving the car, although the prices there are approximately the same as autoeurope.ru, and rentalcars.com is more expensive and has a lot of negative reviews, I myself had an unpleasant situation with him, but still- with a positive outcome (see below). When looking for an option, I use all brokers, but most often I end up ordering through autoeurope.ru. So, some Ford Fiesta mechanic for two weeks, taken at the Lisbon airport, together with insurance will cost 450-500 euros. A Renault Megane automatic also with insurance and for the same period - 1360-1500 euros.

4. I’ll say right away that when searching, it is not the total cost that is displayed, but the cost without insurance. Therefore, prices between options on different sites should be compared total, i.e. already halfway through booking a car on each site. It is better to take insurance, but you need to understand that you buy insurance from a broker, not from a distributor and read the terms of the contract carefully. If you do not want to buy from a broker, you can arrange it on the spot, upon receipt of the car, already from the distributor, without buying a brokerage one. But if you bought from a broker, it makes no sense to contact the distributor: in this case, the distributor usually deducts the cost of repairs from you (the prices are adequate), and the broker will already have to reimburse you. I had a story with rentalcars.com: I had a broken side front passenger glass, but as it turned out, the insurance does not cover the side windows, which was written in small print in the contract with the broker. And, of course, that in my case I was refused. However, after my letter to the account of such a not entirely transparent and convenient service, they nevertheless returned the money to me. Now they include insurance for windows, mirrors, tires and wheels separately and explicitly. But still, you should always carefully read the insurance points from whichever broker or rental car you book.

5. Two more nuances are that when they give you a car, the rental company will in most cases withhold a deposit from you (in case of fines and damages). Usually the broker will give you a range of possible amounts, but the exact amount will not be known until you take the car. The higher the cost of the car, the higher the deposit will be, but it also depends on the company. In most cases, it was between 500 and 1500 euros for me. Often, for an additional fee (from 5 euros per day) or when you take out insurance from a rental company (and not from a broker), they allow you to reduce the amount of the deposit withheld or eliminate it completely. The second point is that the broker always undertakes to provide a car of the same class, and not exactly the one that you booked. If you booked a Mercedes A class automatic, you can get any car of this class with automatic transmission. Therefore, it is better to take the cheapest in the class, such as a ford fiesta and then suddenly be happy with some kind of Mercedes, than to order a Mercedes and get a ford fiesta.

6. How can you reduce the cost of booking a car? There are three features here: 1. Have a euro account on the card and pay from it to avoid conversion losses when paying, canceling a booking, depositing. 2. Book a week before the desired date. It's usually cheaper within one season than, say, two weeks. The exception is when the low season turns into high. 3. Book on a domain of another country. In order for the booking service to be sure that you are from this country, you need to have an ip inside this country, for this you need to use a proxy. I myself never bothered with this topic, since the difference is not so big, but now I checked it. And, for example, booking through autoeurope.it is cheaper than through autoeurope.ru, although no proxy was used. One thing, in such cases, you need to carefully look at the conditions of insurance - namely, for residents of which countries it is valid. Those. Again, all conditions must be read carefully.

7. There is also Portuguese specificity. It goes without saying that it will be better and cheaper to take a car at the airport of a large city than in some village,— this works for any country. But it is even cheaper to take a car not in Portugal, but, for example, in Spain, in Madrid. Moreover, the cars there will be better. But the best option for price and quality is to take it in Germany, for example, in Düsseldorf. Let's say there are almost no vending machines in Portugal, and the requirements for a car park are lower than in other countries. In Spain, an automatic car will cost 1.5-2 times cheaper. And in Germany, the same option is already 2-3 times cheaper. It is useful to understand all this if you suddenly decide on a European tour, or it’s commonplace to take a car in Germany and drive to Portugal in a day. The nuance is that you will need to hand over the car either in the same place (in Germany, but it is possible in another city), or pay for the transfer. Therefore, sometimes, the cost of two hauls and extra days make local offers more profitable. And it is natural that the difference in cost is the greater, the higher the class of the car, i.e. for the cheapest options, it may not be so significant. Therefore, look in a particular case, consider the benefit. The option of renting a car in Germany and driving to Portugal in a day can also be beneficial due to the fact that air tickets to Germany are cheaper than to Portugal, and a car in Germany will be given a much newer one at a lower price.

8. The car must be taken during working hours, i.e. it is better not to rely on a broker, but to check what time the counter of the desired distributor is open and order a pick-up / return for this time.

9. It is not necessary to return the car on the day of departure. You can build a route so that you complete the trip in some major city, where you will have 3-4 days, but you will hand over the car, leaving yourself public transport for the remaining time. I think it's obvious.

10. What car to take? Diesel. If the trip includes several countries, it is convenient to print out a map or a table of prices for diesel / gasoline in advance, in Portugal one of the lowest cost per liter for both gasoline and diesel in Western Europe, but still at least 2 times more expensive than ours . That's why diesel saves a lot of money, though the broker does not always indicate what type of fuel the car uses. But most of the rental cars are now diesel ones: you don’t have to bother and overpay on the broker’s website for a car marked as diesel, but take the risk. If the company is large and the path is long, then it is better to take a large and comfortable car. If there are two of you, then you can take a hatchback.

11. When an accident occurs or you just come, and there is a dent in the car, often the insurer needs a protocol from the police. In Portugal, they may say that they don’t draw up protocols for minor scratches and even ask for money for the protocol, but you need to stand your ground. If someone scratched your car, it is not necessary to call the police, you can drive to the department yourself and file it there.

12. If the car needs repair or replacement, then in Portugal it may be that after calling the rental office you will be told that “they are no longer working and you will have to wait until Monday”. This can be said both on Friday and Thursday. Therefore, after the call, just go to the airport to the place where the cars are rented, go to the round-the-clock center of your rental company and they will help you there.

13. Now about where it is better not to drive a car - this is in Lisbon and Porto, since you will be looking for parking for a long time. In such cities, it is better to live on the outskirts - so that you can easily leave and enter the city, and see the city itself by public transport. In Sintra, near palaces and parks, there may also be parking difficulties (but solvable :)

14. Traffic jams in Portugal can be at the exit and entrance to Lisbon / Porto. On the toll bridge in Lisbon, connecting the two banks. And, of course, in Sintra (during the whole day).

15. In Portugal, you can't leave things in plain sight in your car., in a parking lot near the beach, glass is easily broken and dragged away. Put everything in the trunk.

16. You can read about the traffic rules of Portugal, speed limits are 90 km / h in the city, 120 km / h on the motorway, but everyone exceeds. The flow slows down near the cameras, they always warn about the cameras in advance. Parking in places marked with red or yellow markings is prohibited. On Sunday all day and on Saturday after two, paid parking (indicated by signs) is free, but you can find a lot of free parking anyway, and outside the city there are no problems at all. There is one more feature: you can often see people in the free parking area, who help you find a place and park for a tip - this is such a local way to earn extra money and here everyone chooses whether to tip or not. Even if you go to very popular beaches on weekends, there may be problems. Therefore, on weekends, it is better to choose not the most popular destination or a place with a very large parking lot.

17. The roads are good (though worse than in Germany), but toll. Some bridges are also toll. And often you can only pay in cash. Approximate cost: Lisbon - Albufeira (240 km) - 20 euros, i.e. 12 km about 1 euro. It is possible to pass without a barrier only by joining the local electronic system Via Verde. Designated as shown in the picture below. Via Verde saves a lot on the bridge in Lisbon, but if 5-10 minutes in a traffic jam is not very annoying and you are not going to travel to the south coast of Lisbon often, then there is no point in renting a transpoder. You can rent a Via Verde transpoder from a distributor or at service stations on highways (all marked with the same sign). The price depends on the time of use, it will approximately cost from 8 to 15 euros + a refundable deposit. Motorways are quite free, often you go alone. Payment without Via Verde follows the principle: I drove in, took a ticket, and at the exit I gave the ticket and paid, as at airports in Moscow. If you accidentally pass through Via Verde without a transpod, then just stop in the side pocket right after and go to the post - pay to have the photo removed from the database, no fines.

18. Of course, do not forget to take a car charger for your phone/tablet, you can take movies in case of traffic jams and music in your phone or player with bluetooth, it is almost always available in rental cars. You can immediately go to the supermarket and buy water in large bottles, as well as all sorts of cookies in case there are no restaurants open on the way one day. In the daytime, this is quite possible, and shops can be closed on weekends.

19. Before the trip and the final choice of the route, it would be good to see festivals or some events (holidays) in the cities in order to, if possible, adjust the route for this matter.

That's all. It seems to have covered all possible issues related to the rental and travel by car in Portugal. This country is bright and unforgettable, unlike all the others, it leaves only positive and rather strong impressions. Traveling by car there is a pleasure and a real adventure. I advise everyone!

Traveling around Portugal by car can be very exciting, the main thing is to prepare well and learn all the nuances. This section will answer the necessary questions and help you properly prepare for the trip.

Speed ​​Limit

Light passenger vehicles without a trailer:

• 50 km/h in built-up areas;
• 90 km/h outside the built-up area;
• 100 km/h on highways;
• 120 km/h on the motorway;

Gasoline in Portugal

Gasolina sem chumbo 95– gasoline with an octane rating of 95

Gasolina sem chumbo 98– gasoline with an octane rating of 98

Diesel/Gasoleo- diesel fuel

GPL– gas

In addition, there are many places to charge electric vehicles in Portugal. And in Lisbon, they are in almost every parking lot.

The cost of gasoline in Portugal

The cost of gasoline depends on the cost of oil. In January 2016, at a low oil price, the cost of 95th gasoline dropped to 1.2 euros per liter. In Madeira and the Azores, the cost of fuel is lower than on the continent.

You can find the current average prices for gasoline, diesel fuel and gas in

The table contains prices in all European countries.

You can see that petrol prices are higher in Portugal than in neighboring Spain and France. That is why many locals living near the Spanish border travel to their neighbors in Spain to refuel.

Road map of Portugal and navigation

It makes sense to connect yourself to the Internet and use Google maps. He calculates the route and travel time well. I have no complaints, I use it all the time. The map is current and does not require updates. Now it is possible to download a Google map in advance and use it without an Internet connection, but the accuracy of determining your location will be lower.

• Reflective vest (in the absence of a fine from 60 to 300 euros);
• Warning triangle;
• Identification document with a photo;
• current insurance;

The driver must have an international driver's license. The ideal option is to obtain an international driving licence.

This is not necessary, since Portugal, like the Russian Federation, signed the Vienna Convention, in particular annex number 6, which concerns driver's licenses. But maybe it’s worth playing it safe and issuing an additional international certificate? Since in the new, "pink" rights, the translation into French of the words: "Driver's license" disappeared.

International driving license

This is a booklet where national driving licenses are translated into different languages ​​of the world. In principle, if you don’t have it, then ordinary rights are suitable, both for rent and when checking documents. But they must be transcription and translation. These rights are an application and are not valid without the usual "plastic rights".

Getting them is no problem. It is enough to pay the fee, fill out an application and bring a photo. You can sign up through the State Services website.

But all this is for reinsurers. Most likely, you will need a license in Portugal only once - when renting a car.

The use of studded tires is prohibited.

Use of seat belts mandatory for the driver all passengers in vehicles in which belts are provided by design. The driver is not obliged to monitor adult passengers, since everyone pays the fine for himself. In the case of transporting children, the driver is responsible. The fine ranges from 120 to 600 euros.

The use of radar detectors is prohibited. The fine for this violation is from 500 to 2500 euros.

Rules for transporting children in a car in Portugal

Children under 12 and under 1.35 must ride in the back seat in a child seat appropriate for their height and weight. Exceptions are vehicles not equipped with seat belts.

Actions in the event of an accident or breakdown of the car

First of all, even before getting out of the car, you must put on a vest and only after that set the emergency triangle.

The use of a reflective vest and an emergency triangle is mandatory. This is very important as the penalties for these violations are high. Moreover, they are summed up if you have not met both requirements.

You will be fined both for the lack of a vest and for the badge. For each of these violations, a fine of 120 to 600 euros is imposed, respectively, you will pay from 240 to 1200 euros. Moreover, if the violation is committed on the freeway, then the amount of the fine will be maximum!

emergency numbers

Emergency number - 112

I want to draw your attention to the fact that in Portugal it is forbidden to talk on the phone while driving while driving, if you do not have a speakerphone or a headset. Stopping at a traffic light or in front of a stop sign is no exception.

There have been cases where drivers have been fined for speaking on the phone while stopped at the side of the road. Fine from 120 to 600 euros.

Here we have highlighted the main points you need to know for traveling around Portugal by car. We wish you a good trip!