Portugal

Car hire is popular and rewarding in Portugal, despite some hair-raising driving. There’s simply no better way to discover the Algarve.

Just under an hour from Lisbon is the beautiful town of Sintra, set among wooded hills with its Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Palácio Nacional da Pena, Convento dos Capuchos and rambling Monserrate Gardens. Also nearby is Évora, a charming ancient rural village.

Along the southern Algarve coastline towering cliffs and secluded beaches look out towards the lonely Atlantic ocean and back on delightful villages. Dramatic Sagres, busy Lagos, picturesque Portimao, lively Albufeira, Vilamoura (casino and marina) and Vila Real de Santo Antonio (marina) and historic Silves (inland) are all popular.

For a break from the hurly-burly chaos of beach life the quiet highland town of Monchique, dozes on the wooded slopes of the Serra de Monchique. It offers a breath of fresh air in a gorgeous tree-lined setting and provides a wonderful drive through thick forest to Fóia, the 'rooftop' of the Algarve.

Douro Valley is one of Portugal's scenic highlights, with expansive panoramas stretching from.

The S. Lázaro’s Garden is possibly the most ancient municipal garden in Portugal and a tranquil place to take a stroll.

To the north is the ‘green coast’ or Costa Verde, with its beautiful and remote scenery where Sanfins Citânia (Paços de Ferreira), ruins of a Pre-Roman settlement dating from the 2nd century BC, represent the most important archaeological finds in the country.