Whether you want to bathe in its turquoise waters, hike the scenic trails through Peneda-Gerês National Park or glimpse the legacy that the powerful maritime empire carved out here between 1500 and 1800, Portugal’s charming laid-back atmosphere guarantees a great trip. With an Avis hire car in Portugal, embrace this sunny slice of southwest Europe with its culture and activities to appeal to all tastes.

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 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, and 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, spanning the length of the coast. For the more adventurous, there’s an opportunity for some world class surfing at Peniche where you’ll find some of the largest waves in mainland Europe.

Which side of the road?
In Portugal, please drive on the right side of the road.

Country driving laws

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• If you're caught committing a driving offence, the police can issue an on-the-spot fine
• Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
• 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)

Speed limits

All speed signs will be in km/h.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

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

Unless indicated by road signs.

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

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

Please note - It is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.

If you want to learn more about driving in Portugal, see the full Portugal Road Rules guide.

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 their 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 to take in the 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 a variety 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 of a classic European tour.

What is driving like in Portugal?

The roads in Portugal are generally in good condition, and most towns and cities are relatively well-connected. Driving on the open road in the countryside is a breeze, although traffic coming in and out of the major cities can be noticeably bad.

Is it expensive to hire a car in Portugal?

Avis has competitively-priced vehicles for all budgets throughout Portugal, and the country is one of the cheapest in Europe for car hire. Check out our available hubs, and contact us to see how easily you can get out on the Portuguese roads in the vehicle of your choice.

Do I need winter tyres to drive in Portugal?

No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in Portugal to be equipped with winter tyres. However, many of the cars in our Portuguese rental hubs will have winter tyres available as an option.

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Portugal?

Anyone looking to rent a car in Portugal must be at least 18 and be in possession of a full UK driving licence for over a year. Age limit is restricted to certain vehicle types, and there is a young driver surcharge fee for most vehicles.

What do you need to shift? Our van rental service spans small hire vans, perfect for that weekend DIY project; medium vans, well suited to hauling rolls of carpet, heavy floor tiles, or moving the kids to university; and large vans to accommodate some or all your worldly goods.