Portugal Road Trip

Rent a van and hit the road – conquer Portugal in 7 days with a camper van.

Imagine waking up every morning at a different stunning location with a sea view, enjoying breakfast in bed with a breathtaking view. Imagine discovering charming little towns that take your breath away, experiencing daily adventures, and feeling the freedom! Portugal Road Trip – Simply rent a camper van from Hanggtime and you’re off, exploring beautiful Portugal!

Portugal is a land of explorers, making it the perfect destination for a road trip with a camper van. Be free, spontaneous, and mobile with a Hanggtime van, and fall in love with gorgeous beaches, dramatic rock formations, and fairytale-like towns. Here are our favorite spots and tips for an unforgettable week on your Portugal road trip!

Day 1, Portugal Road Trip: 85.6 km

1. To Silves with the VW T3

Silves, nestled in a lovely hilly landscape, is the ideal starting point for your road trip from Faro. In this small, relaxed town, you can immerse yourself in the laid-back Portuguese lifestyle, away from tourist crowds, and start your journey in comfort at one of the many lovingly decorated cafés.

Silves Portugal Guide

2. To Praia do Padre Vincente with the camper van

Love deserted beaches, crystal-clear waters, and adventurous caves? Perfect! Praia do Padre Vicente is the ideal beach for your van life discovery tour. You’ll reach the bay via a 4-meter handmade ladder, where you can explore caves and cliffs and splash in the turquoise waters.

3. To Algar Seco with the VW T3

Steep, impressive cliffs are part of the Algarve’s charm. While Algar Seco is a tourist hotspot, it’s still worth seeing the ancient rock formations. Too boring? Not at all! Brave visitors can find plenty of spots for cliff jumping.

4. To Benagil Sea Cave with the surf van

A must-see is the stunning Benagil Cave, which you can only reach by boat, kayak, or SUP. Sunlight streams into the cave all day through a hole in the rock, casting a golden glow. The 50-meter wide beach inside the cave is also a highlight.

#1 PORTUGAL ROAD TRIP TIP – Renting a Van in Portugal

When you rent a van from Hanggtime, you’ll have everything you need for your Portugal road trip: a gas stove, cooking utensils, and a fridge. We also provide helpful insider tips. Renting a van from us means you don’t have to worry about anything and can fully enjoy your road trip. Pro tip: Use the handy app “Park4Night” to find great overnight spots. You can also rent vans in other locations across Europe, including the Canary Islands, Azores, Spain, Sweden, and Ireland. Read here a story of our clients in Tenerife.

Day 2, Portugal Road Trip: 116.5 km

5. Breakfast at Farol da Ponta do Altar

What’s better than breakfast with a fantastic view when you rent a van? After all, you’ve got your mobile home with you and can choose the best viewpoints. A breakfast at the Farol da Ponta do Altar lighthouse guarantees a great start to your day.

6. Praia dos Três Irmãos

Praia dos Três Irmãos is a beach waiting to be explored: small caves, crazy rock formations, and one bay after another. Walk east from the parking lot for a quieter and more beautiful natural spectacle.

7. Farol da Ponta da Piedade

Keep heading west! In Lagos, you’ll find the amazing natural wonder of Farol da Ponta da Piedade. Like much of the Algarve, the cliffs here are breathtaking, shaped by ocean currents into stone pillars, natural tunnels, and hidden caves. You won’t be able to get enough of these stunning coastal cliffs – guaranteed!

8. Raposeira “Artisanata Pottery Paraiso”

How about drinking your morning coffee from a unique Portuguese mug? On the way from Lagos towards the west coast, there’s a wonderful pottery shop, “Artisanata Pottery Paraiso” (1 km before Vila do Bispo), where you can find beautifully crafted pottery at great prices. Perfect as a souvenir from your road trip!

9. Praia do Amado

Welcome to the wild and fabulous west coast of the Algarve! The beaches here are even wilder, more remote, and more romantic than the southern coast. Praia do Amado is perfect for surfers and those who want to soak up the hippie vibe.

#2 PORTUGAL ROAD TRIP TIP – Best Travel Time

The best time for a Portugal road trip is in spring or fall when the temperatures are pleasant, the humidity is low, and mass tourism is at a minimum.

Day 3, Portugal Road Trip: 303.5 km

10. Breakfast in Monte Clérigo

Monte Clérigo is a truly magical place – it’s relaxing and has a special charm that’s hard to describe. The best way to experience it is by having a leisurely breakfast on a cliff with a sea view.

11. Sintra

Next, head to Sintra! About 275 kilometers north of the Algarve, just past Lisbon, lies the fairytale town of Sintra. With its three palaces – Palácio Nacional da Pena, Quinta da Regaleira, and Castelo dos Mouros – Sintra has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tip: To avoid the tourist crowds, visit in the evening. The palace is open until 8 pm, allowing you to enjoy a phenomenal sunset view.

#3 PORTUGAL ROAD TRIP TIP – So Fresh and So Clean

Supermarkets like Intermarché are popular stops for campers, offering groceries, laundry facilities, and toilets. Plus, they often have nearby gas stations with competitive prices. You can even meet fellow travelers while waiting for your laundry.

Day 4, Portugal Road Trip: 234.4 km

12. Lisbon

Of course, a trip to the capital, Lisbon, is a must! To explore the narrow streets of the Alfama district or the popular Bairro Alto, we recommend wearing good shoes and bringing plenty of water. Lisbon is known as the “City of Seven Hills” for a reason! Take a break at “Monteigaria” to try the famous Portuguese treat, Pastel de Nata, for just €1. We recommend parking the van at Campo Grande and taking the metro into the city to avoid the stress of navigating and parking in the old town.

#4 PORTUGAL ROAD TRIP TIP – Internet

Need more data? You can get 3GB from the mobile provider MEO for just €4.

13. Odeceixe

Odeceixe is a small, dreamy town on the west coast, offering plenty of peace and a super relaxed vibe. You can swim either in the wild waves of the ocean or the warmer river. The best view of the bay is from the coastal trails along the cliffs.

14. Monte Clérigo

Hello again, Monte Clérigo! You’ll definitely enjoy a second visit to this charming town. Watch the waves from one of the small cafés and let the atmosphere wash over you. Just next to Monte Clérigo is the secluded beach “Praia da Fateixa,” which can only be reached at low tide. Be prepared for a steep, 40-meter descent!

15. Arrifana

Arrifana is well-known among surfers for its great waves, but it’s also perfect for beginners, with calmer waves than the nearby spots. It’s a popular place for travelers, where you’ll easily make new friends and share road trip stories over a glass of wine in the evening.

Day 5, Portugal Road Trip: Make Love!

#5 PORTUGAL ROADTRIP TIPP – Our favorite Camping Spots

– Mikkis Place To Stay in Pera
– Camping Villa Park Zambujera in Zambujera do Mar

Day 6, Portugal Road Trip: 164.8 km

16. Sagres/ Cabo de São Vicente

A trip to Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente is a must in this land of explorers. This southwestern tip of Europe, perched on a 70-meter cliff, promises goosebumps. The snack bar “The Last Bratwurst Before America” has become iconic and is a great spot for one last photo.

#6 PORTUGAL ROADTRIP TIP – Wild camping

The van is parked on a cliff with a sea view. As the sun sets, you enjoy a home-cooked dinner. As it rises, you start the day in comfort. A romantic idea, isn’t it? But WILD CAMPING is actually forbidden in Portugal. Nevertheless, it is tolerated. To keep it that way, a very important note: always take your garbage with you, don’t park too close to the cliffs (also for safety reasons), don’t leave your table and chairs unused in front of the van and take your toilet paper back with you and don’t pollute this overwhelming nature!

Day 7: Bye Van, Bye Portugal

Your road trip ends in Faro, leaving you with unique experiences and wonderful memories. And one thing’s for sure: this won’t be your last van adventure.

#7 PORTUGAL ROAD TRIP TIP – Flights to/from Faro

Faro, as the capital of the Algarve, is the perfect starting point for exploring Portugal from south to north. Many airlines offer good and affordable flights to Faro, especially during the off-season in spring, winter, and fall.