Tour Overview
Classic Portugal Self-Drive Tour is an 8-day, 7-night independent driving vacation linking Lisbon, Porto, Fátima and Évora with some of Portugal’s most rewarding historic towns and scenic regions. The suggested route combines major cities with medieval villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites, pilgrimage landmarks, Atlantic coastal scenery and the landscapes of the Alentejo.
Designed for travelers who prefer to explore Portugal independently, this self-drive itinerary gives you the freedom to set your own pace while following a carefully planned route. Highlights include Óbidos, Nazaré, Porto, Guimarães, Braga, Aveiro, Coimbra, Fátima, Tomar, Castelo de Vide, Marvão, Estremoz, Évora and Sintra. Overnight stays are arranged in Lisbon, Porto, Fátima and Évora.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Lisbon
Arrive at Lisbon Airport and collect your rental car at the airport rental station. Drive to your hotel in Lisbon and settle in for your first night in Portugal. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the Portuguese capital at your own pace. Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 2 - Lisbon to Óbidos, Nazaré & Porto
Lisbon to Porto via Óbidos and Nazaré [approximately 360 km / 224 miles]
After breakfast, leave Lisbon and drive north to Óbidos, one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval walled towns. Continue to Nazaré, a traditional Atlantic fishing town known today for its sweeping beach and dramatic ocean setting.
Continue toward Porto, with time for a suggested stop at Alcobaça and/or Batalha to see two of Portugal’s great medieval monasteries. Head north to Porto and check in for a two-night stay. Overnight in Porto.
Day 3 - Porto, Guimarães, Braga & Barcelos
Porto circular route [approximately 168 km / 104 miles]
Begin with time to explore Porto, including its historic center, Cathedral and Douro riverfront. A visit to one of the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia can also be added independently.
Continue to Guimarães, closely associated with the foundation of Portugal and recognized by UNESCO for its historic center. Drive on to Braga, where suggested highlights include the Cathedral, Bom Jesus do Monte and the Sanctuary of Sameiro. Continue through Barcelos before returning to Porto, with the option of following the coast via Vila do Conde. Overnight in Porto.
Day 4 - Porto to Aveiro, Coimbra & Fátima
Porto to Fátima [approximately 230 km / 143 miles]
Leave Porto after breakfast and drive south to Aveiro, a colorful city of canals traditionally associated with its moliceiro boats. Continue to Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and a historic center shaped by centuries of academic tradition.
Continue to Fátima, one of the world’s major Catholic pilgrimage destinations. Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima at your own pace. From May 13 through October 13, the supplier notes that a candlelight procession is generally held in the evening. Overnight in Fátima.
Day 5 - Fátima to Tomar, Castelo de Vide, Marvão, Estremoz & Évora
Fátima to Évora [approximately 298 km / 185 miles]
Drive from Fátima to Tomar, where the hilltop Convent of Christ reflects the city’s strong association with the Knights Templar. Continue east toward Castelo de Vide and the fortified village of Marvão, set high above the Alentejo countryside near the Spanish border.
Continue through Estremoz, known for its marble, historic center and traditional crafts, before arriving in Évora. Overnight in Évora.
Day 6 - Évora to Lisbon
Évora to Lisbon [approximately 132 km / 82 miles]
Spend the morning exploring Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city in the heart of the Alentejo. Suggested sights include the Roman Temple, the Cathedral, the Church of São Francisco and its Chapel of Bones, along with the city’s whitewashed streets and traditional cork, ceramic and copper crafts.
After lunch at leisure, drive west to Lisbon and check in for a two-night stay. Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 7 - Lisbon, Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais
Lisbon circular route [approximately 80 km / 50 miles]
Spend part of the day discovering Lisbon. Suggested areas include Alfama, São Jorge Castle, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Praça do Comércio and Belém, where you can see Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and Jerónimos Monastery.
In the afternoon, drive to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage destination celebrated for its palaces, gardens and forested hills. Continue to Cabo da Roca for Atlantic views before returning to Lisbon via Cascais and Estoril. Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 8 - Depart Lisbon
After breakfast, drive to Lisbon Airport, return your rental car and continue with your onward journey.