Portugal · Road trip
Portugal's Atlantic Road
Distance
410 miles
Suggested duration
2–3 weeks
Best time to go
March to May, October to November
Portugal is the winter default for a reason: mild, cheap and lined with coast road. It is also the country where rules on overnight parking have tightened most sharply in recent years.
Use official parking and private sites. The fine for sleeping in a lay-by on the Costa Vicentina is not worth the saved euros.
The route
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4 overnight stops
232 miles of driving legs
Overnight stops
- 01
Aveiro
Canals and salt pans; flat, easy driving.
- 02
Nazaré
Big-wave season runs October to March.
- 03
Comporta
Rice fields and empty sand.
- 04
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Estuary town, good base for the west coast.
Highlights
- Cliff walking on the Rota Vicentina
- Fish grilled at the harbour in Sesimbra
- Cork oak country inland from Grândola
- Sunset from Cabo Sardão
Practical information
- Overnighting outside designated areas is prohibited across much of the coast.
- Toll roads use an electronic system — get a transponder at the border.
- LPG is widely available; check your filler adaptor before leaving.
Connectivity
- MEO and Vodafone PT both give solid coastal 4G.
- A local SIM is cheaper than roaming for stays over a month.