By car to portugal. Route in Portugal, giving a complete picture of the country

Portugal - amazing country on the very edge of Europe, famous for its unique views and its special atmosphere, which you can fully enjoy only by getting to know the local flavor on your own, without a guide and a noisy crowd, having time to feel every moment and consider every detail. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is by traveling through Portugal by car. After all, this country is rich in all kinds of beauty and entertainment, located not only near large cities, but also in secluded places where public transport often does not go, and taxis are very expensive. Therefore, have time to walk through the beautiful lemon and orange orchards, relax on the best beaches, you can visit popular water parks and admire the picturesque cliffs in one trip only by choosing a route in Portugal and renting a car.

Traveling around Portugal by car will help you to significantly save energy, time and money, as well as get the maximum experience. The territory of this country is small. If you have a car, it is easy to drive it from north to south in 6-7 hours, so you can safely plan a difficult route in Portugal, including several cities and even regions, and for a relatively short vacation. Also, the car can be useful when resting within the same city, because it allows you to comfortably get anywhere at any time, regardless of the schedule of public transport.

Car rental in Portugal

The most convenient and profitable way to rent a car in Portugal is to find a good car rental company in one of the largest airports such as Lisbon, Faro and Porto airports. Here the choice of rental companies and offers is especially wide, so it is not difficult to find the ideal option. Also, the advantage of car rental at the airports in Portugal is the convenient location of offices.

Many of them are located directly in the terminal, which greatly simplifies the search and saves time. Parking at such companies, as a rule, is located near the terminal itself, so a tourist can leave the airport in a rented car immediately after filling required documents... However, the cheapest cars in Portugal are usually offered for rent, the offices of which are 5-10 minutes away on a free branded bus. Since such a location is less expensive than maintaining an office at the airport, such companies are mostly distinguished by very reasonable prices, especially in winter. At the same time, it is not necessary to start your trip in Portugal by car from going from office to office in the hope of finding Better conditions... On our website you can find and book a suitable option in advance in Russian.

In Portugal, as well as throughout Europe, to get a car you only need international passport, a driver's license on a plastic basis and credit card in the name of the driver with the amount required to pay the deposit. The deposit is frozen in the account for the duration of the rental. If

Everything for independent routes in Portugal: features of driving and roads

Automobile traffic in Portugal is practically the same as in Russia. The driving style of the Portuguese is quite calm, not aggressive. Moving around Portugal by car is easy and pleasant, and many tourists prefer to explore the country by car. Often, during the high season, there are even more holidaymakers on the roads than Portuguese. However, this does not hurt at all to enjoy driving in Portugal by car. After all, the road network in this country is well developed. Its length is about 80,000 km. The road surface is different high quality, regardless of whether they are paid or not.

Thinking about routes before heading to Portugal self-guided tour, especially near Lisbon, it is important to remember that not everywhere you can travel for free. In addition to the usual roads with free passage, there are also autobahns or highways, designated in Portugal as autoestradas or simply A. These high-speed tracks with perfectly flat surfaces are well equipped. Clear signs, clear markings, reflectors, dividing barriers and numerous roadside cafes, gas stations and shops make getting around Portugal by car simple and comfortable, but at the same time fast. On motorways, speeds of up to 120 km / h are allowed.

Like anything comfortable and modern, expressways cost money. Fares are mostly moderate and vary depending on the specific road and vehicle class. You can pay for the use of the motorway both in cash and by card. Nevertheless, we recommend taking on a trip not only virtual, but also real money. Nobody is insured against plastic card failures. In this case, the motorist receives a check, which must be paid by mail. For long trips in Portugal by car, it is best to use Via Verde - a compact device for instant contactless fare payment, which is rented in a number of car rental companies and at some service stations, sold in specialized centers. The device allows you to drive along a dedicated lane without stops and barriers, because payment is read automatically when you enter the Electronic Toll gate, marked with a green V.

Also, getting acquainted with Portugal by car, you should pay attention to the roundabouts. Here the priority is given to those who drive in a circle. Thanks to this rule, the intersection is regulated without the participation of traffic lights.

Portugal by car: where to stay

The choice of accommodation in Portugal is great and the prices are varied. In winter, prices for self-catering apartments start at € 10 per night. In summer, accommodation in guest apartments and hotels is somewhat more expensive, but thanks to the variety of options, a good offer will be found in any season, if you start your search in advance.

Where to go in Portugal. Lisbon on your own

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, where most of the tourists arrive. A modern city with a long history will be of interest both to connoisseurs of architecture and ancient artifacts, and to lovers of shopping. nightlife and lazy relaxation on the beach. After all, here ancient castles, cathedrals, museums and archaeological excavations are harmoniously combined with shopping centers, famous boutiques, markets, atmospheric bars, clubs and beaches. To watch all these popular places Lisbon on your own will undoubtedly need a car. Especially when this city is only part of the route through Portugal.

However, if you are staying in Lisbon for just a few days, you can do without it. If you need a car just to get from the airport, a transfer can easily replace it. This service includes a meeting upon arrival and the delivery of a tourist to the door of the hotel. The price of the issue is literally 10 euros.

Portugal itinerary from Lisbon to the Algarve

The best self-guided routes to the north of Portugal

After relaxing in the Algarve, it's time to go to northern regions... This is the longest route in Portugal, which means that it will not be superfluous to relax, which is also a wine house and a famous restaurant. The shop at this curious establishment sells local wine, which will be a great gift for family and friends.

The north of Portugal attracts travelers the most beautiful cities... Porto, Coimbra and other significant tourism and recreation destinations will leave no one indifferent. When stopping in ancient cities, remember that their center is rather small and not rich in parking lots. By visiting these settlements It is more convenient for Portugal to settle by car on the outskirts of the city. If you want to really touch the nature and traditions of winemaking, you should go to the Dauro Valley - the wine "capital" of Portugal, a region spread over a vast territory.

Traveling by car in Portugal will give you many interesting moments, magnificent beaches where it is pleasant to see off the sunset, opportunities to discover new cities and unexplored corners of this wonderful country. ... Celebrate your favorite types of vacation and comfortable weather, explore suitable regions and relax in Portugal on your own along your own route.

In this post, I tried to cover all the issues related to traveling by car in Portugal, and I will lay out a universal route in my opinion, as well as a complete (but short) overview of places to visit in Portugal (including not the most tourist ones, but very authentic). I'll tell you about the best restaurants and unforgettable beaches. Traveling by car in Portugal is ideal because it is more convenient and faster to get to many places in this way, while observing the nature around it, 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 save you a lot of time and money. Judge for yourself, you can always see where the traffic jams are, how to get where (to public transport) or drive by car, how long it will take, where to have a tasty and inexpensive lunch, book a table (which is important), where to stay, what attractions are around, what the weather will be in an hour, where is the nearest beach and how it looks, etc. Especially the Internet will be needed in the event of some kind of 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 directly at the airport or at the 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 the search engine, there will be several companies). The last option is suitable if you have a Eurotrip (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 is good even off the beaten track. 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, you can always use Viber.

3. It is best to order a car through a broker (aggregator of offers from different companies), because they will simply be cheaper. The three most popular are autoeurope.com, rentalcars.com or economycarrentals.com. The conditions are about the same, only economycarrentals.com does not tell the name of the car rental company before receiving the car, although the prices there are roughly the same as autoeurope.ru, and on rentalcars.com it is more expensive and there are a lot of negative reviews, I myself had an unpleasant situation, but that's all- 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, a Ford Fiesta of a mechanic for two weeks, taken at the Lisbon airport, together with insurance, will cost 450-500 euros. And Renault Megane automatic machine is also insured and for the same period - 1360-1500 euros.

4. I must say right away that when searching, not the total cost is displayed, but the cost without insurance... Therefore, the prices between the options on different sites must be compared with the final prices, i.e. having already passed half the way of 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 carefully the terms of the contract... If you don’t want to buy from a broker, you can order it from a distributor on the spot when you receive a car, without buying a brokerage. But if you bought from a broker, there is no point in contacting the rental company: in this case, the rental company usually deducts the cost of repairs from you (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, naturally, 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. They now include insurance for glasses, mirrors, tires and wheels separately and explicitly. But still, you should always carefully read the insurance clauses of whatever broker or distributor you book a car.

5. Two more nuances - this is that when you are given a car, the rental company will in most cases withhold a deposit from you (in case of fines and damages)... Usually the broker will tell you the 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, I had it between 500 and 1500 euros. Often for an additional fee (from 5 euros per day) or when taking out insurance with a rental company (and not with a broker), they allow you to reduce the amount of the retained deposit or completely exclude it. The second nuance is that the broker always undertakes to provide the car of the same class, and not 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 delighted with some Mercedes, rather than order a Mercedes, and get a ford fiesta.

6. How can you reduce the cost of booking a car? There are three tricks here: 1. Have a euro account on the card and pay from it to avoid conversion losses when paying, canceling, depositing. 2. Book one week before the desired date. This is usually cheaper within one season than, say, two weeks. An exception is when the low season turns into the high one. 3. Book on a domain of another country... 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 have 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 I did not use any proxy. One thing, but in such cases, you need to carefully look at the conditions of insurance - namely, for the residents of which countries it is valid. Those. again, all terms must be read carefully.

7. There is also a 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 will be better there. But the best option in terms of price and quality is to buy in Germany, for example, in Dusseldorf. For example, there are almost no vending machines in Portugal, and the requirements for the car fleet 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. All this is useful to understand if you suddenly decide on a Euro tour, or it is banal 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 you can in another city), or pay for the haul. Therefore, sometimes, the cost of two runs and an extra day make local offers more profitable. And naturally, the higher the class of the car, the greater the difference in cost, i.e. for the cheapest options, it may not be so significant. Therefore, look in a specific case, consider the benefits. The option to take a car in Germany and get to Portugal after spending a day can be profitable also because air tickets to Germany are cheaper than to Portugal, and a car in Germany at a lower price will give a much newer one.

8. The car must be taken during working hours, ie. it is better not to rely on a broker, but to check at what time the counter of the required distributor is open and order a receipt / 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 journey in some big city where you will have 3-4 days, but you will return the car, leaving yourself with public transport for the rest of the time. I think this is already obvious.

10. Which car to take? Diesel. If the trip includes several countries, it is convenient to pre-print a map or a table of prices for diesel / gasoline, Portugal has 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 ... So diesel saves money a lot, however, 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 designated as diesel, but take the risk yourself. If the company is large and the journey 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. In the event of an accident or you just came, and there is a dent in the car, often the insurer needs a protocol from the police. In Portugal, they may say that with minor scratches, protocols are not drawn up and even ask for money for the protocol, but you need to stand your ground. If someone scratches your car, it is not necessary to call the police, you can drive to the police station yourself and register there.

12. If the car needs repair or replacement, then in Portugal it may happen that after calling the rental office you will be told that “they are no longer working and you will need 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 handed over, go to the round-the-clock center of your distributor and they will help you there.

13. Now about where it is better not to drive by car - it is in Lisbon and Porto, as 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 the city itself can be viewed by public transport. In Sintra, there may also be parking difficulties near palaces and parks (but solvable :)

14. Traffic jams in Portugal can be at the exit and entry to Lisbon / Porto. On a toll bridge in Lisbon that connects the two banks. And, of course, in Sintra (all day long).

15. In Portugal, you cannot leave things in plain sight in the car, in the parking lot near the beach, they will easily break the glass and drag them away. Put everything in the trunk.

16. You can read about the traffic rules in Portugal, the speed limits are 90 km / h in the city, 120 km / h on the highway, but they all exceed. The stream reduces the speed near the cameras, they warn about the cameras always in advance. Parking in areas 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 another peculiarity: you can often see people in the free parking area who, for a tip, help you find a place and park - this is such a local way to earn extra money and here everyone chooses whether to tip or not. Also, if you go to very popular beaches on weekends, it can be a problem. Therefore, on the weekend, 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 roads. Some bridges are also paid. Moreover, you can often pay only in cash. Approximate cost: Lisbon - Albufeira (240 km) - 20 euros, i.e. 12 km about 1 euro. You can only drive through without a barrier if you connect to the local electronic system Via Verde. Indicated as 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 too stressful and often ride South coast If you are not going to Lisbon, then there is no point in renting a transpoder. You can rent a Via Verde transpoder from a dealer or at service stations on the highways (they are all marked with the same sign). The price depends on the time of use, it will cost approximately from 8 to 15 euros + refundable deposit. The highways are pretty free, you often go alone. Payment without Via Verde is based on the principle: I drove in, took a coupon, and gave the coupon at the exit and paid, like at airports in Moscow. If you accidentally pass Via Verde without a transpoder, then just stop in your side pocket right after and go to the checkpoint - pay to remove the photo from the base, no fines.

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

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

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

Traveling by car along the Atlantic coast of Portugal following the westerly wind of change
Portugal has an endless variety of leisure options. You can laze on the southern beaches or spend hours in art galleries Lisbon... You can grow a liver with collectible 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, on which delicious sheep's cheese is made, and then slide down from its snowy peak on skis or snowboard. But there is another great option: take a trip along 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 begins in Lisbon. Stay in this city for a couple of days:

Now you can get into your car and drive along the scenic highway in Cascais... The highway got its name from the locals "Margin"(from the Portuguese word margem - translated as "edge", "fields of the book" or, in this case, "coast")- 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 of its confluence with Atlantic Ocean, and further, towards interesting discoveries.

Cascais

It is worth spending half an hour to explore the rock known as Boca do Inferno(can be conditionally translated as "Mouth of Hell")... It is very close to the Cascais Yacht Club, less than a kilometer from lighthouse Santa Marta... Waves burst into a hole in the sheer cliff with a roar. Striking the rocks, the salt water churns into a white foam, swirls in whirlpools and rushes back into the ocean. Looking at this riot of the elements, you do not understand why the rocks have not yet been torn apart by the oncoming waves, why the falling stones have not filled this hellish throat. There are many signs in the city that guide the way to this imposing 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 18th century with government money. Nowadays, 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-cream tower is a big question.
Further, the road leads straight to Guinshu beach and will begin to zip along the mountain serpentine, climbing higher and higher. On the left is the lighthouse on Cabo da roca, the westernmost point of the continent. This article is useful for planning a 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 what they used to be 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 sand line and easy entry into the water. High hills protect from the wind, waves roll to the shore gently and unhurriedly - in a word, an almost ideal picture for relaxation.

Magoit

A tiny beach located far from all large and even small cities. Despite its remoteness, it enjoys the warm and strong love of tourists and locals. The Portuguese love to hold surfing competitions here, especially bodyboarding (a type of surfing when an athlete does not stand with his feet on the board, but rolls, lying on it with his chest and stomach). For tourists, there is a wonderful boardwalk leading over sand dunes between low pines. This comfortable trail allows you to walk under the spreading trees.
Be sure to pay tribute to the food in the local restaurant. Dunamar (Ramp Beach Magoito), clinging to a high cliff: a beautiful view of the ocean opens from its terrace, the dishes are worthy of the most flattering reviews, and the prices are quite democratic. Here you can also taste rare shellfish percebes, and any snacks from sea creeps, 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 nearly 800 years. Now it is the popularly beloved Portuguese resort. Lisbon residents and residents of other surrounding cities flock here on weekends and holidays to sunbathe on great 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 (slightly south of the center), as well as Foz do Lizandro- probably the most convenient, although it is not located in Ericeira itself. It is about 3 km to it, which by car you will pass in 2-3 minutes, by bicycle - in 5-7, and on foot you will spend no more than half an hour. 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 going to ocean waves.
Those who like to admire the ocean are advised to walk along the beaches in Ericeira Algodio and São Sebastião, and then spend the evening in one of the restaurants for which Ericeira is so famous - thanks to the excellent quality of food, solid portions and quite affordable prices, which cannot be found 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 worldwide 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, second only to California. The main surf beaches of Ericeira for professionals are Ribeira-da-Ilhas and Coxos, and beginners and "continuing" souls do not like Foz do Lizandro... Therefore, if you want to gawk at the muscular guys and flexible girls cutting 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 city filled with people, so it is better to book a room in advance. The most the best hotel considered 4 * Vila gale ericeira, but also quite a few hostels, surf camps and 2 * hotels. For example, you can try your luck in the open just a year ago guest house 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: white sand, waves that are quite calm for the ocean, sun and a beautiful view of the boundless waters and picturesque cliffs. Choose any of the beaches: they smoothly merge into one another, so you can treat this as choosing a place for your towel on a vast expanse of white sand. Residents of all surrounding cities come to relax on this beach, and this is really the right choice.
The most amazing thing is that, except for 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 to the local museum of local lore, operating in the premises of an old water mill. Also, very close to Santa Cruz there is an airfield for small 1-2-seater aircraft, and you can admire their takeoffs and landings.

Peniches

The city of Peniche is located on a promontory in the ocean, so it is always windy and fresh here. Climb the cliff with the lighthouse, circle the entire promontory to admire the beaches. By the way, there are also many surfers here, and the beach Supertubos has long been the 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 working fishing port, or even take a ship to the nearby Berlengash Island- wild and picturesque, with a special natural world, in which Portuguese scientists constantly find a breeding ground for new discoveries. Cruise ships companies Julius and Nevada as well as 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 back at 16.30 on the same day. Cruise costs from 18 euros in summer and 10-15 euros in low season. If you wish, you can stay and spend the night on the island in the fort, converted into a hotel - this will probably be a special and very unusual pastime, given the island's seclusion.

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 long been the main tourist center country, and so far remains a place for the knowledgeable and the elite.
Inspection of the city must begin with the so-called Sitio- places on a high cliff, from where a stunning view of the city, the beach and the boundless ocean opens up. Here is the Nazaré lighthouse, and it was from here that surfers filmed the feat of the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara, who conquered a record wave of almost 30 meters in Nazar. Then go down the funicular, walk along the embankment, buy dried fish from fishermen, and from grandmothers with baskets - nuts, the main delicacy of Nazaré.
If you want to dine - go to one of the many cafes or restaurants on the huge promenade, or turn into a small square, which, among other restaurants, is famous for its seafood dishes. O Casalinho (Praça Sousa Oliveira, 6)... Both the interior and the kitchen in it are beyond praise.
Linger in Nazar for the night to watch one of nature's most scenic rides, the hot sun sizzle into the ocean, pouring liquid red gold over the water and sky. Seagulls cry out to mourn the past day, but even they, unreasonable, know: tomorrow the sun will rise over Portugal again, and again thousands of eyes will look at the turbulent waves of the entire western coast of Portugal, from Cascais to Nazare.
If you want to spend the night in Nazar, then you should pay attention to the design hotel Magic or eclectic Pensao-Restaurante Ribamar .

Returning to Lisbon, be sure to take some time to 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 erected, literally, by the whole world. Pink marble was transported 12 kilometers from Lameiras, Peru Pinheira, Montelavar; 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 6 organs from Brazilian wood 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 the musical instruments, and on June 2, 2012, they played together again, as they had two centuries ago. The opening concert was attended by the famous tenor Placido Domingo, 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 1200 halls, 4,700 doors and windows, and about 160 staircases. In short, the Mafra Royal Palace is a huge outstanding wonder not to be missed. The palace is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:45, at winter time(from November 1) break 13.00 - 14.00.
By the way, on the way back from Portugal to Russia, we advise you to read the work of Nobel laureate Jose Saramago "Memories of a Monastery" to refresh the memories of a wonderful journey and a magnificent palace.

Fly to Portugal and sit on the same beach is not the smartest option, unless you live an hour's flight or drive away. It is worth renting a car already at the Lisbon airport and heading towards adventure. I used the Gold Car services and was satisfied. This is our third meeting with this European distributor, which is in danger of soon developing into a friendship that grows stronger thanks to the good price and quality of service. At times very worthy Herz or Sixt are trying to break this friendship, but so far to no avail.

Main points along the route:

Lisbon - Cabo da Roca - Sintra - Vila do Bispo - Sagres - Lagos - Ferragudo - Silves - Lagoa - Albufeira - Lisbon

Only about 800 km. With visits to local points - observation points, beaches and just the places you like - 900 km.

On the map, our route looks like So :

1.Around Lisbon: Lisbon - Cape Roca - Sintra - Lisbon

On the Lisbon you need at least 3-4 days, one of which should be devoted to Cape Roca and historical Sintra, which are half an hour away.

Cape Roca(Cabo da Roca) is the extreme western point of Europe and is interesting precisely for its location. Attractions include a lighthouse and beautiful views of the coastline. However, the skyline in other places along the route will be no worse.

Sintra- an ancient town, quite nice, although very touristy. It is ideal to arrive in Sintra in the morning, right after the lighthouse at Cape Roca, until 10 o'clock. Firstly, there are more options for parking, and secondly, the city itself will take at least 6 hours. We see the palace, the fortress, walk along the winding steep streets and taste delicious treats in local pastry shops.

2.The second part of the route is the road from Lisbon to the Algarve

We go by regional roads N5, N253, N261, N120, N268, N125. Follow the signs to the beaches and choose "The best of"

Point number one on the itinerary is Comporta, a winery and Knocking Heaven-style beach. A beach from horizon to horizon, a boardwalk, a huge rampart.
Beach coordinates: 38.381372, -8.802608

Can be skipped Sines if there is little time and immediately move to the side Villa do Bispo- this is the extreme southwest of Europe. There are several beautiful beaches, but the water in these places rarely exceeds the temperature of +20, they are interesting from the point of view of wandering, enjoying the ocean and meeting the sunset.

Before reaching Vila do Bispo we stop at Amado beach - beautiful views, surfer beach, but you can swim in summer.

You can spend the night in the town of Vila do Bispo, exclusively as a transit lodging, or you can immediately go to the town of Sagres - the extreme southwestern point of Europe.

Interesting not so much Sagres, how S. Vicente lighthouse... Very beautiful lighthouse and great view of coastline, several viewing platforms.

Coordinates of the parking near the S. Vicente lighthouse: 37.16858, -8.665534

Next to the lighthouse on the road to Lagos interesting beach Beliche, popular with locals. Uncrowded with a good inexpensive restaurant, azure ocean, surrounded by beautiful rocks. (37.02421, -08.99426)

3. Part three along the route - the southern coast of the Algarve, the warmest and most favored by tourists of all calibers.

Points of Interest: Lagos is a beautiful tourist town with old narrow cobbled streets, a promenade and restaurants. In the vicinity there are several beaches and lookouts.

Praia dona Ana - (37.091233, -8.0669761)

Urban longest and warmest sand beach Maia Praia (37.106858. -8.665534)

Ponta da Piedade, from which the observation deck opens beautiful view on the rocks, from here you can ride along the local grottoes by boat. (37.08162, -08.66978)

More interesting places:

Ferragudo village, beautiful fishing village on a hill, good location for a photo - (37.125894, -8.52227)

Praia da Roca beach near Portimao

Lagoa is the best place to spend the night in my opinion, conveniently located 3 km. from the ocean and equidistant from all interesting places... For us, this was the main base for researching the Algarve coast and historical monuments.

Silves - here is an old Arab fortress, well preserved, you can devote a couple of hours in front of the beaches.

Praia do Marinha (37/090073, -8.412599) is one of the most beautiful on the coast, but in summer it is difficult to swim due to the blooming of black algae almost all over the beach. Great for sunbathing, drinking wine and enjoying the rocks)

- Senhora da rocha- guidebooks say it is the most photographed beach in the Albufeira area. Probably because there are a lot of hotels nearby ... :) The beach is beautiful, but somewhere at the end of my conditional top ten of the Algarve. Coordinates: 37.09750, -008.38643

- Albufeira... White houses, several beaches in the surrounding area make it the most popular town in the Algarve. I would still prefer for research the Algarve Lagos or Lagoa.

- Praia do castelo- our favorite beach in the Algarve, which has been awarded the title of beach number 1, is located between Albufeira and Lagos. There are no hotels in the vicinity, so the contingent is mostly local and independent car travelers. The Pic Nic restaurant is open all year round, overlooking the ocean and bright yellow cliffs of indescribable beauty. Coordinates: (37.07354, -008.29812)

4. The road to Lisbon

We return, or rather we fly along the E1 Autobahn in 2.5 hours without stopping, we enter the city through the very long bridge in Europe Vasco da Gama and spend an unforgettable 10 hours in the city before departure.

P.S. The Algarve is full of beautiful beaches and beautiful places so it's wise to schedule a little more time and just follow the signs at random.

Of course, I never cease to admire Portugal: this country will appeal to both those who adore Europe and those who love Asia. But at the same time, this is an absolutely unique, unlike anything else, place. There is a lot of history, castles, palaces, medieval cathedrals, it has its own unique architectural style (called neo-Manueline), so for history lovers here is really a paradise. Although even if you are not a fan of ancient buildings (like me), you will still be delighted. For example, the park and palace of Quinta da Regaleira made a strong impression on me (I wrote about it), much stronger than the castles of the French Loire Valley, and not by its majesty and pomp (because they are rather very modest) , but just an unusual architectural style, soul, play with light and some kind of sophistication, endless attention to detail.

Honestly, it is very difficult to advise some kind of universal route in Portugal: some are more fond of natural beauty and ocean views, and some are just a fan of old castles. Therefore, first of all, universal means balanced, but if someone likes one thing more, he will be able to correct the route, because Below I will describe which place is attractive. And the second is the balance in the ratio of provinces to large cities. I am now most impressed by the authentic countryside: not teeming with tourists castles and restaurants on the central square, well-kept houses, calm people, local genuine flavor - this is what really impresses and leaves a true impression of the country. But when you go for the first time, it is better to start with large cities, and go deeper in subsequent times. Therefore, at the end I will write which cities to visit first, and which in subsequent times.

So, the route at a first approximation: Lagos (6 nights for a beach vacation) - Lisbon (7 nights for exploring the surroundings) - Batalha - Bussaco (night) - Porto (6 nights for exploring the surroundings).

As you can see, there are no great distances in Portugal, the entire route between the main points takes 6 hours 41 minutes on toll high-speed roads. On average 2 hours with a little between overnight places. It can start in the south (beach vacation) and end in the north (sightseeing, walking big city), or vice versa. But I started from south to north, because in the south the car will be useful every day, and when you reach Porto, the car can be returned almost immediately. Where and how to book a car and what you need to pay attention to while traveling by car, I described in the previous one. This route is calculated for three weeks: a week to the south, a week to the central part, a week to the north. This is quite enough to relax and get a full-fledged impression of the country. But if you have less time, and your interests are more in the direction of historical and architectural attractions (or vice versa, in the direction of natural beach places), then my description below will help you to adjust the route.

As already written, the route is conventionally divided into three parts: north, central and south of Portugal. In a general sense: the north is more interesting in terms of history, when, as in the south, there is practically nothing to see except the ocean. And the center is something in the middle, here you can find unsurpassed palaces with parks and stunning headlands and beaches.

1. South.

In terms of knowing the country, the south is boring, a resort - it is a resort. Therefore, the only thing he is good at is beach vacation... So, if you are not interested in this, feel free to throw out this part of the route: you can also see the ocean, beaches, capes in the central part. Yes, the water is warmer here, but not much.

All palaces, museums, monasteries, castles work mainly from 10 am to 17: 30/18: 00, but before visiting it is better to check the opening hours via the Internet.

By the way, if traveling from Sintra to Cape Roca or vice versa, take the N247. In my opinion, this is very beautiful road along the river and railway tracks, especially at sunset.

There is another family restaurant with a grill not far from Sintra, you can only get to it by car, because he works from 7 pm, then it is better to go there immediately after Sintra, and then return to Lisbon already. It is called Moinho Iberico and is located at: Avenida Moinhos Arneiro, 110/112 | Magoito, Sintra. Do not be alarmed by the sparsely crowded and almost empty road to it, the restaurant will always have a lot of cars and a lot of people inside, it is easy to identify it by the mill (Moinho in Portuguese means a mill), it works like everything from 19 to 23, except Tuesday. You can book a table by phone +351 916 343 970 or by mail [email protected], there the host is already a man with his sister, always communicates with guests, and there is no such type of establishment in Russia yet.

If after all this you want more more museums, then the route can be adjusted:
1) Go one day to Tomar, with a return back to Lisbon: see the castle and the monastery of Christ, which includes examples of the most different architectural styles, including the Manueline.
2) Spend not a day, but two for the interval between Lisbon-Porto (taking away this day either from Porto or Lisbon), visiting Batalha (Santa Maria da Vitoria monastery), Alcobasa (Santa Maria de Alcobasa monastery), Leiria (castle-fortress on a hill) and Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra and Little Portugal park, by the way, it is really very interesting). You can additionally stay in one of these cities, for example, in Leiria. And although the monastery in Batalha leaves one of the most powerful architectural impressions on a par with the palaces of Sintra, I had the feeling that I had already seen all this, therefore I excluded this city from the main list.
3) The same as 2 - only to capture Tomar as well, in two days it will turn out to be a very intense journey. You can spend the night in Leiria.

The place to stay before your trip to Porto is Bussaco, a castle hotel with a stunning garden. And yet, when you choose hotels in other places, remember that there are a lot of different castles, hotels, quintas, estates (wineries) where you can stay. All this immerses you in the world of Portugal much more, gives more color than modern hotels.

3. North

First of all, this is of course a city Porto(Porto), there is a lot of everything here, just a concentrate of Portugal: a city in which, in a small space, you can see much of what is inherent in this wonderful country: churches, towers, palaces, fortress walls and medieval cathedrals, openwork bridges and then the poor abandoned sloped houses with boarded up windows. Like the rest of Portugal, Porto seems to be very picturesque at a superficial glance, frightening with untidiness and poverty when approaching, and ultimately an amazing and not leaving indifferent city. In Porto, go to the Ribeiro promenade, walk along the Pont Luis, look into the wine cellars. It should be said right away that in summer, in contrast to the central part, the weather here may not be sunny at all. There are many good restaurants here local cuisine, it is enough to open TripAdvisor, but I want to recommend one rather interesting restaurant Palco at the Teatro hotel (which by the way is also quite interesting and conveniently located). Address: Rua de Sa da Bandeira 84, Porto 4000 -427. Book a table: +351 220 409 620 or post office [email protected] This restaurant, unlike all the others that I have advised, is of a completely different category, has been awarded with Michelin stars, and has a sophisticated atmosphere inside. Here I advise you not to order a separate dish, but to take a "tour", i.e. they will bring you 4-5 dishes (small portions, but in total it will be very satisfying) and, accordingly, 5 wines to it. Very inexpensive, but it turns out to be a kind of gastronomic journey through the dishes of Portugal in an exquisite form.

Even for those who are not very fond of architecture, I recommend driving along one-day route Guimaraes -Bom Jesus -Braga.

There is also a funny house of "Flintstones" not far from Braga and next to Fafe, its coordinates are: 41.488202 °, −8.067809 ° I'll tell you at the very end, and if you manage to insert this place into the route - be sure to do it, because this is one of the most interesting places in the Portuguese hinterland) and the road there is expressive.

And for those who did not have enough ocean in Lisbon or in the south, I would advise you to go to one of these cities: Vila do Conde, Viana do Castelo, Costa Nova do Prado. In the first, the beaches are the widest and sandy, stretching for several kilometers - some of the most famous in northern Portugal. And you can take a walk there too. More in Viana do Castelo historic center and you can take the funicular up to the basilica, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the Lima River, the city and the ocean. In Costa Novo, in addition to the ocean, there can be interesting striped houses, which were previously painted so that fishermen could see their house from afar and moor with their catch closer to the house.

Now the list of places in Portugal sorted by tourist significance (* - must see, ** - you can look at the second visit or if you have time, *** - if you want to go deeper)

*: Lisbon and surroundings (4-7 days or more), Sintra (2 days), Bussaco (overnight and half a day), Porto (3-4 days or more), Braga (Bom Jesus), Guimaraes (in one day Guimaraes and Bom Jesus, although you can spend a day in Guimaraes).
**: (coastal town with beach, half a day), Monsaras (small town, 3 hours), Marvao (a wretched town, 3 hours), Monsanto (cool town, half a day), Sortella (hamlet, half a day), Castelo -Rodrigu (village and castle, 3 hours), Penedona (castle, 3 hours).

Lamego, Chaves, Amarante, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima are little-known corners of northern Portugal. In Lamego, there is a staircase and a church similar to Bom Jesus. Chaves is a charming ancient town, sleepy and quiet, with many interesting but not great sights. Interesting Ponte de Lima with its huge market on the river bank, as well as a long Roman-medieval bridge.

And in these northern little-known cities I can offer such a route with a return to Porto: Porto - Amarante - Lamego - Chaves (overnight) - Nationa Park Peneda-Geres (but you shouldn't expect much from it) - Ponte de Lima - Viana do Castelo ( overnight stay, by the way there are many quintas available for overnight stay, various estates with a beautiful view, etc.) - Braga - Bom Jesus - Guimaraes - Porto. It turns out three days, but if you wish, you can stay in Viana do Castelo for two nights.

In principle, the route can be developed towards Spanish Galissia, drive through Santiago and other cities to A Coruna, see the ocean power on the promontories (Cabo Finisterre, Cabo Esata de Bares, etc.), but this is a completely different story.

There are still cities of eastern "medieval" Portugal: Monsaraz, Marvao, Monsanto, Sortelha, Castelo Rodrigo, Penedono. These are even more little-known cities (and some are just villages), all attractions within these cities are free and open around the clock, including castles. There are simply no caretakers, as well as no tourists. Sometimes this leaves an impression of fragility, because no one cares or supports. Monsaraz is a small town on a hill. Quiet streets behind powerful walls, whitewashed walls of houses, a small castle in the corner, an excellent view of the surroundings, planted with cork oaks. Marvao is a rather interesting fortress city, surrounded by a powerful wall along the perimeter. Monsanto is the pearl of the Portuguese hinterland, it is very beautiful there. Sortelha is another soulful and picturesque medieval village. Castelo Rodrigo has beautiful panoramic views. Penedono is not the most charming village, but it has an authentic castle.

Accordingly, you can drive through these cities along the eastern border from Lisbon to Porto, or vice versa, on the way back.

That's all. Based on all the route modules I have presented, you can easily create your itinerary for both the first trip in Portugal and the second. So I wish everyone a good trip!

P.S. They say the most best guide in Portugal -