Routes
Portugal Road Trip: Lisbon to the Algarve in Ten Days
A relaxed driving itinerary through historic cities, surf towns, wine valleys, and the dramatic southern coast.
By Hugo Lefèvre · 15 December 2026 · 8 min read
Portugal is one of Europe's easiest road trips. Distances are short, motorways are excellent, and every region feels distinct. Ten days from Lisbon to the Algarve gives you cities, coast, wine, and a few unexpected inland stops.
Spend two days in Lisbon. Tram 28 is famous for a reason, but walking the neighbourhoods of Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Mouraria gives you a better feel for the city. Eat pastéis de nata, listen to fado, and watch the sunset from a miradouro.
Drive north to Porto for a day and a half. The riverside Ribeira district, the Livraria Lello bookshop, and a port wine tasting across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia are the essentials. Then cut inland to the Douro Valley for a night among terraced vineyards.
Head south to the Alentejo, Portugal's quiet farming region. Évora is a walled city with Roman ruins and a chapel of bones. Further south, the coast around Vila Nova de Milfontes and Zambujeira do Mar is rugged, empty, and perfect for a relaxed beach day.
Finish in the Algarve. Skip the most crowded resorts and base yourself in Lagos or Sagres. The sea cliffs, sea caves, and surf beaches of the western Algarve are the highlight. Return the car in Faro and fly out, or loop back to Lisbon in a day.
