Road Trip Through Portugal & Spain: Epic 2-Week Itinerary & Insider Tips
Why a Portugal & Spain Road Trip?
Roadtrip Portugal and Spain is the perfect adventure if you’re dreaming of dramatic coastlines, historic cities, rich food culture and endless sunshine. These neighboring countries are diverse, scenic, and full of surprises — and best of all, they’re easy to explore by car.
First Stop: Porto
A few months ago, a friend and I set off on a road trip through Portugal. We started in Porto, a beautiful city in northern Portugal, where we flew in and stayed for just one night. To be honest, that was enough to see the main highlights.
Porto is best known for its port wine – so naturally, we tried some and it was actually delicious! One famous spot in the city is the Livraria Lello, a stunning old bookstore that’s rumored to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. There was a long queue outside, and clearly, we weren’t the only ones excited to see it.
Next Stop: Lisbon
After our brief stay in Porto, we hopped in the car and headed down to Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital. The drive was beautiful and Lisbon didn’t disappoint. We spent a few days exploring the city’s famous neighborhoods, like the historic Alfama district, with its narrow alleys and Fado music in the background and Bairro Alto, known for its lively nightlife.
One of the highlights was riding the iconic Tram 28, which takes you through some of the city’s most scenic spots. And of course, we couldn’t leave without trying Pastel de nata, the famous Portuguese custard tarts.
Heading South: Algarve via Lisbon
After exploring Lisbon, we picked up our rental car again and continued our drive south, heading to the Algarve – Portugal’s stunning southern coastline.
On the way, we made several stops at places that caught our eye. Honestly, it was mind-blowing how many hidden gems we discovered along the way – from quaint coastal towns to quiet beaches and stunning cliffside views. The drive took about 8 hours in total, but it was so worth it.
When we finally arrived in the Algarve, we spent about 4 days soaking in the sun, enjoying the beaches, and exploring the beautiful towns like Lagos and Albufeira.
Final Stop: Seville, Spain
From the Algarve, we crossed the border into Spain and made our way to Seville. This city is everything you imagine Spain to be: full of history, stunning architecture and delicious tapas. We spent a couple of days wandering the charming streets, visiting the Alcázar of Seville and taking in the breathtaking Plaza de España.
The Perfect End of Our Roadtrip Portugal and Spain
Our Roadtrip Portugal and Spain ended in the beautiful city of Seville, where we soaked up the last bit of sun, culture and unforgettable memories. All in all, this road trip through Portugal and Spain was an unforgettable experience. The combination of picturesque coastlines, incredible food and rich culture made it the perfect getaway. It reminded me a little bit of the California Highway 1, but with more character and fewer crowds.
If you want to go even further, you can extend your road trip to Valencia or Barcelona – the flexibility of a road trip makes it easy to adapt as you go.
