Portugal offers some of Europe's best-value car hire combined with outstanding driving. The country is compact enough to cross in a few hours, yet varied enough to fill weeks of exploration — from Porto's riverside to the Algarve's golden cliffs.

Best airports for car hire in Portugal

  • Lisbon (LIS) — Sintra, the Alentejo, central Portugal.
  • Faro (FAO) — the Algarve coast, one of Europe's most competitive car hire markets.
  • Porto (OPO) — the Douro Valley wine region, Minho, northern Portugal.

Driving in Portugal: key things to know

  • Drive on the right. Speed limits: 120 km/h motorway, 90 km/h secondary roads, 50 km/h urban.
  • Motorway tolls apply — Via Verde electronic tolling is used on many roads. Hire companies often provide a transponder (check when booking).
  • Lisbon has some steep, narrow streets — a smaller car is recommended in the city.
  • The Algarve has excellent roads and is well-signposted. Distances are short between main resorts.
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