There is nothing quite like a road trip to make you feel like you actually live somewhere. When my friend Jules bought a new car from a dealership in Porto (fun fact: car prices in Portugal are significantly lower up north), she needed to get it back down south. We figured, why not turn it into an adventure? So we flew up from Faro and did a road trip back down.
We flew out of Faro Airport, which is only about 30 minutes from Tavira, and grabbed a quick 45-minute flight to Porto for just €16. Yes, €16. Europe never stops being wild for that. From Porto, we followed a Portugal road trip itinerary that took us through Aveiro, Obidos, and Lisbon before finally heading home to the Algarve.
It was four days, four cities, zero regrets. If you are thinking about doing a road trip through Portugal, this route is a great place to start.
Planning Your Own Portugal Road Trip
Ready to do this route yourself? You can search flights, hotels, and rental cars all in one place through my travel link here. I always check it first when planning trips around Portugal.
The Portugal Road Trip Itinerary: Route Overview
This road trip runs from Porto down to the Algarve with a few really worthwhile stops along the way. We flew up to Porto, spent a few hours exploring before picking up the car, then drove south through Aveiro, where we stayed two nights. From Aveiro, we stopped in Obidos for lunch and some exploring before pushing on to Lisbon for an overnight with friends. The next day, it was a straight shot home to Tavira.
Four days, four cities, zero regrets.
Porto
Porto was just a quick stop for us, but honestly, even a few hours there is worth it. We flew in, hopped on the metro from the airport straight to the city center, grabbed lunch, did a little exploring, then took the train out to the dealership to pick up the car.
For lunch, we ate at A Sandeira do Porto, a casual spot with sandwiches, salads, and sharing plates. They had a couple of gluten-free options, which was a win. After, we made a quick stop at Com Cuore, a fully gluten-free bakery and cafe. I had my heart set on a Pastel de Nata, but they were sold out, which was genuinely devastating. For context, I had never actually tried one yet. I had only heard people rave about them, and I was so ready for that to finally be my moment. It was not my moment. If you have never had one, a Pastel de Nata is a traditional Portuguese egg tart, and pretty much everyone agrees it is one of the best things you will ever put in your mouth. Do not skip it if you get the chance. I clearly have not given up on finding mine.
Getting around Porto without a car is easy. The metro connects the airport to the city center, and the train system gets you further out without any hassle.
Aveiro
Aveiro is one of those towns that surprises you. It is small, but it has canals, colorful boats, great food, and enough history to keep you busy for a couple of days. We spent two nights here, and it was the perfect amount of time.
Where We Stayed
We checked into Aveiro Rossio Lodge, which was centrally located right near the town square. The room was comfortable, the bathroom was huge, and the price was very reasonable. Solid choice if you are looking for something well located without breaking the bank.
Night One: Dinner and Drinks
For dinner, we headed to Neca’s House, where I had a fantastic plate of grilled salmon and potatoes. Simple, fresh, and exactly what you want after a day of traveling. After dinner, we found our way to Mestre Cervejeiro for a drink. It was a lively bar with live music and a great atmosphere, a good way to end the first night.
Morning Two: Brunch at M Bakery Aveiro
This place deserves its own section, honestly. M Bakery Aveiro is one of the most Instagram-worthy spots I have been to in Portugal, and that is saying something. The walls are covered in flowers, the decor is pink and gold, and everything on the menu looks like it was styled for a photoshoot. But it is not just pretty; the food is actually incredible.
We ordered a few things, but the standouts were the Morgadinho de Noz, which are little almond pancakes topped with the traditional egg yolk cream that Aveiro is famous for, and a Pink Latte. The Pink Latte turned out to be strawberry milk with whipped cream and marshmallows, which I was not expecting but absolutely did not hate. They also had a few gluten-free options, which made it even better.
The Museum of Aveiro
After brunch, we visited the Museum of Aveiro, which is housed inside a convent built in 1458. This is where Saint Princess Joanna lived. She was the daughter of King D. Alfonso V and is an important figure in both Portuguese and Catholic history. Her tomb is still inside the convent. It is a beautiful and surprisingly moving place to visit. You can see more of the museum here.
The Moliceiros of Aveiro
No trip to Aveiro is complete without at least attempting to ride the Moliceiros. These are traditional wooden boats that were originally used to harvest seaweed from the lagoon, and they are now one of the most iconic things to do in the city. They are painted in bright colors with elaborate and often humorous scenes decorating the bow, and they glide through the canals right through the heart of Aveiro. It is basically the Venice of Portugal moment that everyone comes here for. We got rained out and ended up at the mall instead, which is not quite the same vibe, but the Moliceiros are absolutely on my list for the next visit. If the weather cooperates for you, do not skip it.
Night Two: Surprise Mexican Food
Dinner completely saved the day. We found Un Poco Loco, and I cannot overstate how exciting it is to find genuinely good and authentic Mexican food in Portugal. We had enchiladas, birria tacos, carnitas tacos, and margaritas. For dessert, there was a mocha panna cotta with chocolate Pop-Rocks and their version of a churro made with small layers of fried corn tortillas, cinnamon, sugar, and chocolate. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the entire menu is gluten-free. Easily one of the best meals of the whole trip.
Obidos
Obidos is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. It is a small medieval walled town but the history packed into it is extraordinary. The settlement actually predates the Roman arrival, which means people have been living within these walls for a very long time. The Romans did eventually move in and what they left behind, including the castle and the city walls, is still remarkably well preserved today.
The Castle and City Walls
The walls that surround Obidos are one of the coolest things about it because you can actually walk along the top of them. The views over the town and the surrounding countryside are stunning. Inside the walls, you will find narrow cobblestone streets lined with white and yellow houses, local shops, and restaurants. It is the kind of place that feels frozen in time in the best possible way.
The Ginjinha
You cannot leave Obidos without trying the Ginjinha de Obidos, also called Ginja. It is a sour cherry brandy, and it is a staple of Portuguese culture, but Obidos takes it to the next level by serving it in a small chocolate shot cup. You drink the brandy and then eat the cup. It is a must-try, and you will find it being sold all along the streets inside the walls.
Lunch at JamonJamon
For lunch, we went to JamonJamon, and it was excellent. What stood out immediately was the service. Our waiter went through the entire menu and marked every single item as gluten-free or not without us even having to ask, which, as someone who eats gluten-free, is basically a love language. We had pork cheeks, fried potato skins, and a sharing plate with fries, jamon, and fried eggs. Everything was delicious and very affordable. It is one of the top-rated restaurants in Obidos, and it earns it.
The Drive: Obidos to Lisbon
After exploring Obidos, we made our way south toward Lisbon, and honestly, the drive alone was worth it. The countryside of Portugal is stunning in a way that still catches me off guard, even after living here. The roads are lined with vineyards and groves of olive and orange trees, the hills roll out green and lush as far as you can see, and traditional architecture dots the landscape throughout. Portugal does not bulldoze its history to build something new, and you feel that everywhere you look on a drive like this.
I am continuously amazed that I actually get to live here.
Lisbon: Night With Friends
We wrapped up the day in Lisbon with an overnight at our friends’ place. They are also expats who made the leap and ended up here, and there is something really special about that. They made us dinner, we opened some wine, and we spent the night talking about how wild and wonderful it is that we all actually get to live in Portugal. Those are the kind of nights that remind you why you made the move in the first place.
The next morning, we headed home to Tavira. It was an easy drive and a perfect way to close out the trip.
Practical Tips for This Road Trip
If you are thinking about doing this Portugal road trip itinerary yourself, here is what you need to know.
The Driving
Driving in Portugal is honestly pretty easy, especially once you get out of the cities. The roads are well-maintained, and the route we took was straightforward the whole way. Here is a rough idea of what to expect for drive times:
- Porto to Aveiro: about 1 hour
- Aveiro to Obidos: about 1.5 hours
- Obidos to Lisbon: about 1 hour
- Lisbon to Tavira: about 2 hours 45 minutes
Not bad at all for the amount of ground you cover.
Tolls
There are tolls on the highways in Portugal, so come prepared with cash. The amounts are generally pretty reasonable, but they do add up on a longer route, so just factor that in when you are planning. If you are living in Portugal or doing a lot of driving, you can also get a Via Verde device, which lets you pass through toll lanes without stopping to pay. It is worth it if you are on the road regularly.
Getting to Porto Without a Car
We flew from Faro Airport, which is about 30 minutes from Tavira, and got a 45-minute flight to Porto for just €16. Once you land, the metro connects the airport directly to the city center and is super easy to navigate. From the city, we took the train out to the dealership. No car needed until we actually had the car.
A Note on Buying a Car in Portugal
This one is for anyone considering buying a vehicle here. Car prices in Porto tend to be significantly cheaper than in the south. And unlike the US, where buying a car feels like a part-time job, the process in Portugal is refreshingly quick. You can usually be in and out within an hour.
Gluten-Free Stops on This Route
Eating gluten-free in Portugal is very doable, especially when you know where to look. Here is a quick reference of every gluten-friendly stop from this trip:
Porto
A Sandeira do Porto: casual lunch spot with salads, sandwiches, and sharing plates. A couple of gluten-free options are available.
Com Cuore: a fully gluten-free bakery and cafe. Great stop if you are looking for safe pastries and coffee in Porto.
For my full restaurant guide to Porto, read here.
Aveiro
Neca’s House: great dinner spot with fresh, simple dishes. I had the grilled salmon, and it was fantastic.
M Bakery Aveiro: trendy, beautiful brunch spot with a few gluten-free options. The Morgadinho de Noz is worth trying if it is available.
Un Poco Loco: a fully gluten-free Mexican restaurant. The entire menu is safe, and everything we had was delicious.
Obidos
JamonJamon: not fully gluten-free, but the staff is incredibly accommodating. Our waiter marked the entire menu for us without being asked. A top-rated restaurant in Obidos, and very affordable.
Tips for Eating Gluten Free in Portugal
A few things that make eating gluten-free here a lot easier:
- Learn the phrase “sem glúten,” which means gluten-free in Portuguese. Saying it to your server goes a long way, and most people will immediately understand what you need.
- Download the Find Me GF app before you go. It is one of the best tools for locating gluten-free-friendly restaurants wherever you are, and I use it regularly.
- Always ask about separate fryers. Cross-contamination is the sneaky one that gets people. Even if a dish is naturally gluten-free, if it is being fried in the same oil as something breaded, you are going to have a problem. Just ask, most kitchens are happy to accommodate when they know.
- When in doubt, communicate. Portuguese people are generally very warm and helpful, and most restaurants will do their best to take care of you if you are upfront about your needs.
First Road Trip Down, Many More to Go
My first road trip in Portugal did not disappoint. This country has a way of constantly surprising you, whether it is the history packed into a tiny medieval town, the food you find around every corner, or the sheer beauty of the countryside between stops. Every place we visited had its own personality and its own story, and I left each one already wanting to go back.
Portugal is made for road trips, and this Portugal road trip itinerary is honestly just the beginning.. The distances are manageable, the roads are easy, and there is so much to discover between the big cities that most people never see. I cannot wait to keep exploring, and I am just getting started.
If you have done this route or are planning to, drop a comment below. I would love to hear about it. For more content about this road trip, check out this reel
Follow Me
Follow me on Instagram @vegas.to.portugal to see more of my travels, gluten-free food recommendations, and my daily life in Portugal
April 9, 2023 at 3:44 am
Obidos looks like my kind of place. Love it.