From the Algarve to the Mountains, the Surf Coast, and the Soul of Lisbon
Portugal is a country made for slow travel. A land where mountains meet the sea, roads wind through olive groves, and every small town hides a bakery worth stopping for. This summer, my family and I took a 10-day road trip through Portugal, looping from Faro to the northern highlands, across to the Atlantic coast, and back down to Lisbon before returning south. It was part reunion, part exploration, and entirely unforgettable.
Trip Highlights
- Swim and glamp in Tavira – peaceful Algarve town with Moorish charm.
- Explore Serra da Estrela National Park – rivers, cheese, and mountain air.
- Surf and skate in Peniche – home to Boasombra Skate Park and endless beaches.
- Eat your way through Lisbon – street food, pastéis de nata, and Time Out Market.
- Celebrate in Faro – join the National Motorcycle Festival for a roaring finale.
Route Summary: 10-Day Road Trip Around Portugal
| Leg | Route | Distance | Drive Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faro → Tavira | 40 km | 45 min | Beaches, glamping, Tavira town, visit friends |
| 2 | Tavira → Seia (Serra da Estrela) | 460 km | 5.5 hrs | River beaches, mountain roads, local food |
| 3 | Seia → Peniche | 280 km | 3.5 hrs | Surf coast, skate park, beach picnic |
| 4 | Peniche → Lisbon | 100 km | 1.5 hrs | City life, food markets, music, culture |
| 5 | Lisbon → Faro | 280 km | 3 hrs | Scenic coastal drive, national bike festival |
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Starting the Journey in Faro and Tavira
We flew from Edinburgh to Faro, picked up a hire car, and hit the open road. The Algarve shimmered under summer skies; white villages, olive groves, and the scent of salt and grilled sardines. Our first stop was Tavira, one of the Algarve’s most beautiful towns. It sits astride the Gilão River, a place where time slows and the architecture still whispers of Moorish days.
We stayed at a glamping retreat, tucked among carob trees and singing cicadas. Evenings were spent under canvas with the warm breeze drifting in. Days began with strong Portuguese coffee and custard tarts, followed by slow walks through Tavira’s cobbled alleys and the Roman bridge that ties the town together.
One afternoon, we met our old friend Michael and his children Anjani and Samadhi, catching up as the kids ran barefoot through the square. Later, we took the ferry to Ilha de Tavira, a golden island beach just off the coast, where fishermen’s shacks serve grilled fish and cold beer.
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North to Seia and the Serra da Estrela Mountain
Leaving the coast, we crossed Portugal’s heartland. Olive groves gave way to cork forests, then granite peaks as we climbed into the Serra da Estrela National Park. This is the highest region in mainland Portugal, known for its winding passes, crystal rivers, and cheese that smells as wild as the hills it comes from.
We stayed in Seia with friends Isaac and Franzie and their boys, Ely and Saya. Days fell into a rhythm; lazy breakfasts, swims at praias fluviais, and walks through pine forests. These natural river beaches, with calm pools and shady banks, were the highlight for our daughter.
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In town, we visited the local park and wandered the old granite streets where laundry hung between balconies. Meals were long, filled with laughter, grilled trout, and local wine. On one sun-baked afternoon, our friend Katy invited us to cool off in her pool, a small luxury in the mountain heat.
The Serra da Estrela is where Portugal feels timeless. Shepherds still lead flocks across meadows, and stone villages cling to the slopes. We bought local cheese wrapped in cloth and honey from a roadside stall, reminders of a place that still lives by the seasons. There’s lots of activities around Seia.
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Across to the Surf Coast – Peniche
From the highlands, we drove west through wheat fields and rolling plains to the Atlantic. The air grew salty again as we neared Peniche, Portugal’s surf capital. Once a sleepy fishing town, it’s now famous for waves, skateboards, and sunsets.
We stayed with Kaia and Jago, who had just opened their new Boasombra Skate Park. The park buzzed with energy. Local kids perfecting tricks, surfboards stacked in the corner, laughter echoing off the ramps.
Days here were slow and sunlit. We had picnics on Praia do Baleal, where surfers carved across turquoise waves, and ate gelato on the promenade as the sun dipped below the cliffs. In Peniche, adventure meets community, everyone seems to know everyone, and the sea is the town’s heartbeat.
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Lisbon – Culture, Music, and Food
The final leg of our Portugal road trip took us south to Lisbon. The drive was easy—open roads and ocean views. We stayed with Dub FX and Sahida and their children, exploring the capital’s creative pulse.
Lisbon is a city that seduces you with sound and flavour. We ate at Wishbone, a new street food restaurant serving bold, smoky dishes, and wandered the nearby lanes alive with murals and music. For breakfast, we joined locals devouring pastéis de nata, still warm from the oven, dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
We also visited the famous Time Out Market, Lisbon’s bustling food hall—a sensory overload of Portuguese cuisine. Chefs shout orders, locals sip wine at counters, and everything smells like garlic, olive oil, and the sea.
We spent our last evening watching trams clatter past tiled facades, the city glowing in gold light. Lisbon felt like a celebration of everything Portugal is—historic, warm, and alive.
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The Return to Faro
Our final drive took us back down the Alentejo coast, through olive country and sun-baked hills. As fate would have it, Faro was hosting the National Motorcycle Festival that weekend. We joined the crowds, admiring rows of polished bikes and the deep thrum of engines echoing through the old town.
Dinner was grilled fish and crisp vinho verde at a small taverna by the harbour. We toasted to new memories, old friends, and the joy of open roads. The next morning, we flew home to Scotland—sun-kissed, tired, and happy.
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Why a Road Trip Through Portugal Works So Well
Portugal is a dream for travellers. Roads are smooth, distances short, and landscapes ever-changing. You can wake up by the sea, have lunch in the mountains, and dine in the city. Along the way, you’ll find friendly faces, wild beauty, and food that always tastes of home.
If you’re planning a road trip in Portugal, make it ten days. Start in Faro, loop north through Serra da Estrela, drift west to Peniche, and finish with a few days in Lisbon. It’s a journey that captures the best of the country—its coast, its culture, and its calm.
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FAQs: Road Trip Around Portugal
How long do you need for a road trip in Portugal?
Ten days is perfect. You’ll have time to enjoy the Algarve, explore the mountains, and linger in Lisbon without rushing.
Is driving in Portugal easy?
Yes. Roads are excellent, and drivers are courteous. Just remember that some motorways charge tolls, and smaller towns can have tight, cobbled streets.
What are the best family-friendly stops in Portugal?
Tavira for beaches and glamping, Seia for mountain swims, Peniche for surf and skate parks, and Lisbon for food, music, and museums.
When is the best time to road trip through Portugal?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal. The weather is warm, roads are quiet, and accommodation is affordable.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?
In summer, yes. Glamping sites, coastal stays, and mountain lodges fill fast. Out of season, you can travel more freely.
Trip Highlights Summary
- Route: Faro – Tavira – Seia – Peniche – Lisbon – Faro
- Duration: 10 days
- Total Distance: Approx. 1,160 km
- Best For: Families, culture lovers, outdoor explorers
- Top Experiences: Glamping under the stars, swimming in mountain rivers, skating by the sea, eating pastéis de nata in Lisbon, and watching motorcycles roar through Faro’s old town.
Portugal rewards the traveller who takes their time. Drive slow, eat well, and let the journey unfold, because in Portugal, the road is as beautiful as the destination.
