Portuguese Car Rental

 

Affordable Portugal is graced with marine history, fine beaches and plenty of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The attractive landscape, brimming with olive groves and vineyards, is perfect for touring by hire car, particularly during the sweltering summers when an air-conditioned vehicle gives respite from the searing heat. Portuguese like to enjoy life in the slow lane and siestas often last half the day.

The capital Lisbon is one of Europe's most beautiful and laidback, with wide tree-lined boulevards and plenty of street café to while away the hours in. The medieval districts of Alfama and Mouraria are crowned by the wonderful St George's Castle. The town of Sintra is easily reachable by car from the capital and is designated as culturally significant by UNESCO. Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage along the streets lined by ancient mansions.

Portugal's central region is blessed with the Serra da Estrela mountain range, where healing waters have given rise to spa towns such as Curia and Luso. The charming town of Aveiro boasts a lagoon and is interlaced by canals where brightly painted boats sail. Some fine 18th century churches and interesting museums are the highlights here.

Southern Portugal features an altogether different landscape with immense golden plains, while the western coastline offers superb Atlantic beaches. The Castle Route (Rota dos Castelos) in the northeast is a fine scenic drive lined by medieval castles including: Nisa, Castelo de Vide, Alter do Chão and Marvão Evora is a picturesque town with a Roman legacy and its historic centre is laden with many fine convents and churches.

For those who like sun, sea and sand on holiday, the southern province of Algarve offers stunning beaches, warm water and wonderful sunshine year-round. Here you can enjoy golf and all kinds of water sports and the beach resorts in this region are well-known for their lively nightlife. The capital Faro sports a medieval wall and many historical landmarks.

One of the jewels in Portugal's tourism crown is the island archipelago of Madeira, which was formed from volcanic substances. Boasting a unique, mild climate, the capital Funchal offers a varied nightlife in addition to an array of religious monuments. Exploring the interior of Madeira by hire car will take you along some breathtaking mountain scenery with the Atlantic Ocean featuring as a spectacular backdrop.

Public transport in Portugal can be slow and infrequent in many areas, particularly on the islands, and a hire car is one of the most convenient ways of getting around. The popularity of car hire in Portugal has led to stiff competition, making rental cars one of the most cost-effective means of touring the country.