When you hire a car in Portugal and the Algarve you're allowing yourself to experience the very best of this European gem. Drive the wide-open roads of the Algarve or make the most of a city break in Lisbon. Wherever you go, car hire with Zest is the best way to enjoy Portugal.
Must knows for your trip to Portugal
Currency. Simple enough, the local currency in Portugal is the Euro and has been since Jan 1st, 1999. This means you can normally get good value for your £s when traveling to Portugal. Just always make sure to shop around to get the best rate.
Plugs. Portuguese plugs aren't the same as the ones you'll find in the UK. Portuguese plugs feature just two round pins with some variations featuring two earth clips on the side. This means your standard plugs from the UK won't work and you'll need an adapter. We recommend going for a higher quality adapter to keep on the safe side. A top tip is to buy just one high-quality plug adapter and bring your standard plug extension from home. This means you can plug the extension in using the adapter and the rest of your British plugs can go into the extension as normal.
Health. While England is in the EU, you should always make sure to get your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). With regards to recommended vaccinations for traveling to Portugal, the advice on this is always changing so we recommend checking out the .Gov site here.
Time differences. There is no time difference between the UK and mainland Portugal. Don't you wish it was always that easy?
Emergencies. Simple one, in an emergency, Portugal's equivalent of 999 or 911 is 112.
The best way to get around Portugal
Portugal isn't the biggest country in the world so getting around is luckily not very difficult. We think driving is always the best option simply because of the flexibility and freedom it gives you. In recent years a massive EU funded programme has improved the road quality across the country. Often, what looks like a minor route on the map is a beautiful smooth road.
If driving isn't an option for you, train fares and rail prices are typically very good value. Just make sure to always arrive early, trains are typically very punctual and queues at the station can build up. All of this doesn't even touch on how beautifully picturesque some of the views from the train can be.
Remember, booking your Portugal and the Algarve car hire with Zest means you'll never be left out of pocket for the excess. All of our bookings come with excess protection included as standard. Plus, leave the hassle of extra and hidden charges behind when you book through us since we display all charges clearly and upfront so there are no nasty surprises.
Useful links and resources.
- Portugal travel latest from .GOV
- Living in Portugal guide from .GOV
- Faro Airport car hire collection guide
- All of our Portugal articles
Portugal money saving tips
Think about the off season. Portugal is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, this means that during peak season prices will rise. If you're able to, traveling during the quieter months can save you a decent amount of money. The busiest times are normally July and August,
Save big on good food. Eating out at restaurants and cafes is cheaper in Portugal than most of Europe but there's still money to be saved. Local market stalls sell delicious fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish at super low prices which means a fantastic meal is just waiting to be cooked. Admittedly this is less convenient sometimes but it adds to the experience.
Keep your eyes peeled for free stuff. This might sound like a no-brainer but it's overlooked sometimes. Local museums will often have mornings or hours of the day which they're free to enter. Not only this, sometimes the best parts of a trip are the bits that don't cost anything. Taking a long walk to explore instead of paying for a tour can add a unique (and free) element to your trip.
Endless beaches, cliffs and coves make up the southern coastline with the Algarve area being the most popular choice for tourists. As a compact country, Portugal offers the visitor the opportunity to take in something of each of its elements in one visit and this is made even easier when using car hire for your visit.
Portugal Tourist Board: The official website for the Portuguese National Tourist Office – a useful resource for planning your trip to Portugal.
Know Before You Go: Travel advice for Portugal from the FCO.
Portugal highlights and attractions
If you crave some sunshine and swimming, make the most of Portugal’s many fantastic beaches. If you’re in Lisbon, the Praia da Adraga near Sintra offers wonderful breakers and views from Europe’s most westerly beach.
On the Algarve and looking for somewhere a little quieter? Head to Praia da Rocha in Portimão where you’ll find an excellent beach and a number of caves to explore.
South of Porto you’ll find the gorgeous beach of Miramar with the famous Capela do Senhor da Pedra sat on a rock by the water’s edge.
If you’re looking for fabulous architecture, the Torre de Belem in Lisbon is the place for you. Found on the banks of the Tagus River, this fortified tower played an important role in the Age of Discoveries. Alternatively, visit Sintra and explore the two vast palaces found here that were a summer residence for Portugal’s royalty.
Religious architecture is well catered for. The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Convento do Cristo, Monastery of Batalha, and Igreja de Santo Antonio are amongst the numerous beautiful churches and cathedrals on offer.
Drive through the Côa Valley Archaeological Park and explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in more detail. Fine examples of rock carvings situated here from the Palaeolithic period are truly fascinating and date back to around 20,000 B.C.
Also consider ....
- Visiting Evora, a walled medieval city where you can view roman to present day architecture.
- Checking out Sintra’s magnificent castles. The Moorish Castle there dates back to the 8th century and offers stunning views from its walls.
- Fatima, a world-famous religious site, best known as the site of an appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
- Lagos, on the south coast of the Algarve, one of the country's most popular tourist resorts. Most visitors are drawn to the superb beaches, which include Meia Praia, a vast strip of sand to the east and the more secluded Praia do Pinhão to the south.
- Porto, an ancient city whose earliest name "Portucale" later gave its name to the country. There are wine producing regions in the area which are well worth a visit. Built on the slopes of the hills that overlook the River Douro, admire the typical granite houses and monuments, take a tram ride along the banks of the river, or a boat ride under the magnificent bridges of the city.
- The Azores, consisting of nine remote volcanic islands which are located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean can be reached by direct flight from Lisbon.
- Visiting the cultural city of Lisbon which offers the visitor lots of things to do from magnificent architecture to botanic gardens.
Portuguese golf breaks
A golf break in Portugal may be high on your travel to-do list. Many tourists are attracted to Portugal by the variety of golf courses available. Widely considered one of the best courses in the country, Monte Rei is located in Tavira. This lovely course has endless charm, excellent bunkers, and a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills that make strolling down the fairways a real pleasure.
Alternatively, San Lorenzo hand is well-known among golfers both on the Algarve and throughout the world. Situated next to the Ria Formosa bird sanctuary, it offers wide fairways and a wonderful atmosphere. The first five holes are played through a lovely pine forest whilst water hazards are a major feature throughout. For more tips, check out our guide to golfing in Portugal.
Food and drink
Seafood dishes are extremely popular, making the most of freshly caught anchovies, bass, salmon, and sea bream among others. For meat lovers, there are traditional dishes such as porco à alentejana (pork and clams) and cozido à portuguesa (pork, beef and vegetables). The dessert arroz doce, a rice pudding flavoured with cinnamon and lemon, and traditional custard-filled tarts are a must.
It’s not uncommon for you to be seated in a restaurant and have plates of appetisers placed on the table. You’ll be charged for anything you eat so don’t be afraid to decline these.
It’s worth seeking smaller, local cafes and restaurants away from the tourist hustle and bustle to get a taste of authentic Portuguese cuisine. A service charge is not usually added to the bill so be prepared to tip around 10-15% if you’re pleased with the service.
A visit to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without sampling some port and there’ll be a wide selection on offer, particularly from Porto. Visit one of the many vineyards and discover your new favourite tipple. Popular wine regions include Ribatejo, Bairrada, and Alentejo. Be warned though that wine lists aren’t separated just into red, white and rose, but also green and mature.
Festivals and events
- January: Festa das Fogaceiras held annually in Santa Maria da Feira.
- February - March: The Fantasporto International Film Festival is one of Portugal's oldest and longest running film festivals.
- May: The Fatima Romaris (pilgrimage) is held to commemorate the anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary.
- June: The Festa de Sao Joao (John the Baptist) is big in Porto, Aveiro and Braga. In Porto there are large parties with people being hit on the head with harmless plastic hammers; in Braga expect to see dancing, illuminations, folk dramas, poems to loved ones in pots of basil, music and processions.
- July - August: Estoril's world famous Classical Music Festival is simultaneous with the town's Handicrafts Fair.
- August: The Week of the Sea Festival in Horta on the island of Faial in the Azores is a 7-day festa of marine sports and traditional whaling boat regattas.
- November: All Soul's Day is a national holiday and celebrated often with processions across the country.
- December: Independence Day is a public holiday, is usually celebrated with fireworks and joyous parties.
