If you want to get away at Christmas this on-the-road trip to Portugal is perfect for forgetting the lockdown
Portugal on the road, discovering an authentic and generous country
Tap Air Portugal
Star Alliance
OPO
If theon the most beautiful road in Europe, there is a reason: driving in Portugal Is a whirlwind of emotions. Its cities of art are an up and down of winding alleys, the villages a legacy of the past. Vineyards draw the Douro, beaches provide a backdrop for children's free rides. While from every corner of the world come surfers to brave the waves of a raging ocean.
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The news seems to portend a partial loosening of restrictions here that it may be time to "get away" even if not too far away.
When you also consider that in the era of Covid-19 moving outside Europe is not easy, here it becomes an almost compulsory choice.
Can I travel to Portugal? What are the restrictions for those coming from Italy?
At the moment, travel to Portugal is not restricted by the Italian government; in light of the latest DPCM, all travel is permitted, even nonessential travel such as tourism. No special precautions are required to enter Portugal, but if heading to Madeira or the Azores it will be necessary to present a negative Covid-19 report no older than 72 hours.
But how do you plan an on-the-road trip to Portugal? What are the stages to consider? Let's find out together.
From Porto to Coimbra
Coming from Italy, you fly to Porto or Lisbon and you car rental. Then there are two options: take a loop route or fly to Lisbon and then depart from Porto. Connections from Italy to the two cities are provided by numerous carriers: TAP offers attractive solutions which also allow you to "hop" to the Azores at no extra cost, otherwise you can always fly nonstop with either Ryanair or EasyJet.
One of the most obnoxious jolts when renting a car is insurance, the basic one is included in the fee but the extra ones that eliminate deductibles and make us sleep soundly are often much more expensive than the rental cost, the way to avoid paying them is there and it is called American Express Platinum, with this credit card you can avoid taking out any extra insurance, not only for the car but also for your entire vacation. From a delayed flight to lost luggage you will be repaid for every possible inconvenience.
Restrictions comparable to a light lockdown are currently in place in Portugal; all businesses are open, but with reduced hours: restaurants must close by 10:30 p.m. and stores by 10 p.m. Full details are present On the official website of the Ministry of Tourism.
Considering the time of year, we recommend that you start in the north of the country and move to the south. Our journey therefore begins in Porto.
What is important is that this city, which some call Porto, is included in one's trip. Its neoclassical and baroque buildings fill the eyes, every corner a marvel: the Douro with the Dom Luis I Bridge (designed by Gustave Eiffel), the cathedral with the azulejos white and blue, the very old Livraria Lello e Irmão with its somewhat Art Nouveau and somewhat Neo-Gothic decor. Planning an extra day, for a food and wine mini-cruise along the Douro, is a must.
Leaving Porto we drive in the direction Braga, among the oldest cities in the country that-because of its religious significance-is called "the Portuguese Rome." A small stop on the way, you leave your car near Praça da República and from here walk to the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Braga (known to the faithful as Sé), along Rua do Souto. The best photo is taken from under the steps leading up to Bom Jesus do Monte.
Of an on-the-road in Portugal, after all, even the journey is beautiful. When you move inland from Braga, you can see rivers and mountains in the background. A word of advice? Set your navigator to Coimbra and enjoy the road, stopping where your heart requires. All the Beiras villages are wonderful, to recommend one over another would be a shame.
At the end of the day, Coimbra (an important university city, among the historic capitals of Portugal) welcomes tourists with its maze of narrow streets and scenic location. For a few euros, you can visit authentic masterpieces: the University of Coimbra, dating from 1290 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Sé Velha), with its intimate interior and elegant cloister. And then the Monastery of Santa Cruz with the remains of Portugal's first two kings, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha with the memory of Isabella of Aragon, the Sierra Grande Park with its orchids and carnivorous plants. Or, if traveling with children, the country's first theme park: Portugal dos Pequenitos (€5.95 ticket for ages 3 to 13, €9.95 for adults).
Obidos to Lisbon
The on-the-road continues southward, giving the traveler unmissable stops. The first one encountered is Obidos, a medieval town enclosed by crenellated walls. Walking on those walls, the glimpse is extraordinary!
Getting back into the car you drive in the direction Nazaré, a town in Extremadura that is famous for its waves: you can still see fishwives on the beach in their colorful dresses and traditional seven skirts. It is possible to witness the ritual of Arte Xávega, seine fishing, and enjoy the view from the promontory O Sitio, a rocky outcrop that-according to the local tourist office-is 318 meters high. Then if you are lucky enough to arrive when the ocean is "angry," arriving at Praia do Norte, you can see surfers busy riding waves as high as buildings. The record? 30 meters.
At the end of the day, we make a stop at Fatima to visit the shrine and the Chapel of Apparitions.
Credits TurismoLisboa
The next day should be devoted to Sintra. Tucked among the hills of the Serra de Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an incredibly beautiful colorful palette. The Pàlacio Nacional de Pena is counted among the most significant in Europe, and a day in this city is among the must-do activities on a Portugal road trip. However, getting there in the summer can be tricky, especially with limited parking available. The solution? Get as far as Lisbon and from there take the train (from Rossio or Estacao do Oriente station).
From the Portuguese capital, Sintra is about 40 minutes away. And on the way back you can devote yourself to exploring Lisbon's neighborhoods. The best way, to visit the city, is to let your curiosity guide you: strolling through the Baixa and Barrio Alto neighborhoods, Chiado, Alfama, and Belem, is one of the highlights of an on-the-road trip in Portugal. So is boarding a streetcar: the tourist line 28, at a cost of €3, gives a journey through the city's historic neighborhoods. While the Elevador de Santa Justa is a neo-Gothic funicular that climbs 32 meters to the Carmo Church.
The Alentejo and the Algarve
After Lisbon everyone goes home? That would be a mistake and an unforgivable one at that. It is precisely from Lisbon that the on-the-road in Portugal becomes even more sincere. Driving south, one crosses theAlentejo, the country's historic region. A stop at Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Temple of Diana and yellow houses, the Church of Sao Francisco with the Capela dos Ossos and Praça do Giraldo, is the ideal conclusion to a full historical immersion.
The next stage is devoted to the sea, to the sand, to the beauty of the waters merging with the sky: Algarve is the perfect relaxing conclusion to an on-the-road trip to Portugal. Here, one swims, plays water sports, eats lunch on the beach, lying on mattresses that resemble immense beds, and dines on seafood, illuminated by the moon. And you think back on your trip, with wonder in your heart.
