Lisbon

The lively and hilly capital of Portugal offers a city break with a difference. Lisbon showcases Portugal’s past and present. With its grand squares, fado music clubs, and vintage wooden trams, the city is full of charm. 

Pack up your Avis hire car and stroll the cobbled lanes and mosaic sidewalks that lead to busy outdoor cafes, exciting artwork and historic landmarks, including São Jorge Castle and the San Domingo church. 

Lisbon’s colourful neighbourhoods all offer something different. The Bairro Alto provides shops and a lively nightlife. Alfama is the place to go to listen to the best fado performances in Portugal. The lower town of Baixa has plenty of galleries, restaurants and the famous Elevador de Santa Justa – Lisbon’s eccentric version of Paris’ Eiffel Tower. 

If you want to learn more about Portugal’s unique culture, there are plenty of niche museums that focus on certain niche subjects, including fado, azulejos (Portuguese tiles), and port wine. 

A trip to the waterfront district of Belém provides a lesson in Portugal’s history. The Monument to the Discoveries symbolises the country’s golden age of exploration. Walk inside, and you’ll discover a museum and several exhibition halls. The expansive rooftop terrace offers breathtaking panoramic views over the district and Tagus River. Across the road is the Monastery of Jerónimos, an impressive World Heritage monument and resting place of explorer, Vasco da Gama. Of course, no visit to Belém would be complete without a trip to Antiga Confeitaria de Belem for some pasteis de nata (custard tarts).

Porto 

Porto is the capital city of the north and showcases Portugal’s old world charm. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is dotted with red-tiled houses situated on the Cais da Ribeira riverfront, mosaic-patterned streets beautiful buildings and churches. Visit São Francisco Church with its fantastic Baroque gold interior, or seek out the striking modern Serralves art museum to see some of the best examples of Portuguese and international contemporary art. 

This city is famous for its port wine. One of the most popular leisure activities is a tour around the cellars at the Port-Wine Lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. Learn about how the area’s most famous product is produced. 

For a sense of Porto’s daily atmosphere, visit the lively market where you can find old fashioned produce and quirky souvenirs. Rua de Santa Catarina is the main shopping street where you can pick up both luxury and high street pieces. 

When leaving Porto and heading south in your rental car, you’ll drive along the majestic Atlantic coastline. It’s one of the best drives in Europe as well as one of the prettiest. Enjoy the open road and find long beaches with soft golden sand that spans the length of the coast. For the adventurous, there’s an opportunity for some world class surfing at Peniche where you’ll find some of the largest waves in mainland Europe.

The Algarve

Journey to Portugal’s south coast and discover sun, sea and remnants of the country’s Moorish past. Stretching for some 100 miles, the region has beach resorts along the waterfront and a hire car is the only way to experience it all. Almond orchards and orange groves dot the landscape farther inland. The Algarve’s architecture has a Moorish influence which is more predominant in districts such as Olhão and Tavira.

Portugal’s south coast is a well-discovered haven for sun seekers. While a significant part of the area is well-developed and packed with tourists, there are some areas that have retained its historical appeal. Lagos, the former capital of the Algarve during the 13th and 14th centuries, was the launching area for some of the first great maritime expeditions.

Before Columbus set the record straight - Cape Sagres - located in the western tip of the Algarve, was once considered the end of the world. Today, merchants sell sea-themed souvenirs, fishermen cast their lines off the cliffs and tourists flock for breathtaking views. 

Salema is the Algarve’s most preserved area. It has classic beaches, endless sun, and a traditional fishing village. There a number of seaside restaurants serving fresh seafood and plenty of vegetables. After some food the main activity is to bask in the sunshine or rest in the shade. 

Portugal is a wonderful place to explore by hire car. Even if you’re just heading to the beach on a sun-kissed afternoon, discovering new landmarks in different districts or roaming across the beautiful landscape, Portugal provides a scenic road trip with all the features for a classic European tour.

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
• If you're caught committing a driving offence, the police can issue an on-the-spot fine
• As you approach toll booths on motorways, don't use the green lanes. These are reserved for drivers using an automatic e-toll payment system. (Please speak to an Avis representative when collecting your rental car if you would like us to register you for this service)

• Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
• Rural areas: 90 km/h (55mph)
• Motorways: 120 km/h (74 mph)

• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children aged under 12 and less than 135cm must be seated in appropriate child restraint for their size
• Children aged under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat