Are you planning to visit Portugal in 10 days by car, van or motorhome? So here is an idea of a circuit that allows you to discover the most beautiful sites in Portugal. Indeed, I share with you my 10-day road trip in Portugal, its detailed itinerary with its Google Maps map that you can follow in GPS mode.
From Porto to the Algarve, via Lisbon and the superb beaches of the ocean coast, find out below how to organize your road trip in Portugal and optimize it with a 10-day circuit.
And as a bonus, I give you some addresses and tips for nice places to spend the night throughout this road trip by car or motorhome.
Road trip in Portugal by car, van or motorhome
Just like the Morocco, the Greece or Sardaigne, Portugal is a wonderful destination to explore on a road trip. Indeed, whether by car or motorhome, the road trip is a way to travel in complete freedom, enjoying the landscapes that pass before your eyes and stopping where you want, when you want and the time you want.
Unlike organized trips, taking a road trip in Portugal by car or motorhome allows you to land as close as possible to the most beautiful beaches and tourist sites. Not only do we save time, but above all we take advantage of simply sublime places where we can feel alone in the world!
Road trip in Portugal – What to see in 10 days?
After reading many travel stories, I understood that 10 days are not enough to visit all of Portugal. This is why it is essential to organize in advance a 10-day circuit that allows you to visit the most emblematic sites of Portugal.
Indeed, in just 10 days, it is possible to discover the best of Portugal, its lively cities, its typical villages, the beauty of its natural landscapes and its dream beaches!
Which circuit to do in Portugal?
When deciding to go on a road trip in Portugal, the question that many travelers ask themselves is that of choosing the right circuit: Should you start in the north and go down to the south, or do you go the other way?
Well, I advise you to make a circuit from the North to the South of Portugal. Indeed, it is the best choice to start by visiting the main cities, discovering the diversity and beauty of the landscapes and to finish by relaxing on the most beautiful beaches in Portugal!
Discover below the itinerary of my circuit to visit Portugal in 10 days from north to south.
Portugal itinerary in 10 days
Here is the itinerary that allows you to visit Portugal in 10 days with these main stages from North to South:
- Day 1: Porto and the Douro Valley
- Day 2: Coimbra and Tomar
- Day 3: The Silver Sea Coast
- Day 4: Lisbon and Sintra
- Day 5: Evora and Alentejo Natural Park
- Day 6: Sagres and Cape Saint-Vincent
- Days 7 and 8: The Algarve (beaches and villages)
- Day 9: Faro and Olhão
- Day 10: Return trip
Portugal itinerary map in 10 days
Here is the Google Maps map that you can put in GPS mode to follow the itinerary for visiting Portugal in 10 days:
Visit Portugal in 10 days by car, van or motorhome
For each stage of my tourist circuit, I tell you:
- my hotel recommendation for those visiting Portugal by car,
- but also my overnight parking recommendation for those traveling by van or motorhome.
Moreover, to help those who visit Portugal by van or motorhome, the CampingCar Portugal site displays an interactive map with the complete list of all motorhome areas in Portugal.
First of all, whether you are traveling by car, van or motorhome, I recommend that you spend your first night in Porto to be there and be able to visit the city the next morning.
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in Porto?
For those who are going to visit Portugal by car, here is a hotel very well located in the heart of the most beautiful district of Porto and 5 minutes from the Gaia cable car:
Where to spend the night in Porto by motorhome?
For vans and motorhomes, there are several parking possibilities. One of the best places is the Prelada Campismo Park ( 00 351 228312616), located just outside the city centre. Here you will find all the amenities you need, including electrical hook-ups, water facilities and even a swimming pool!
What to visit in Portugal in 10 days?
Here are the main visits you can do in 10 days in Portugal following the itinerary of my road trip:
Day 1: Porto and the Douro Valley
My sightseeing tour starts in Porto, a charming, colorful and lively city located in the north of Portugal.
Here are some ideas for visiting Porto:
- Explore the historic and colorful neighborhood of Ribeira, with its picturesque waterfront and charming streets,
- visit the Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world
- discover the magnificent azulejos of São Bento station,
- Sao Francisco Church
- the stock exchange palace
- visit one of the many Port wine cellars for a tasting
- take a walk along the banks of the Douro.
After visiting the magnificent churches and enjoying a glass of Port wine, it's time to hit the road to the Douro Valley. This picturesque landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers breathtaking views of terraced vineyards.
After having made all your visits, I recommend that you drive to Coimbra to be there and be able to visit the city the next morning.
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in Coimbra?
Here is a good place to stay in Coimbra, in the historic center very close to the university: Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra
Where to spend the night in Coimbra in a motorhome?
Le Coimbra campsite is a great choice for overnight van or RV parking. Located close to the city, this campsite offers spacious pitches for motorhomes and has all the necessary equipment.
Day 2: Coimbra and Tomar
On the second day, you will visit Coimbra, a historic city that is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Explore the historic university buildings and libraries, wander the charming streets of the Baixa district and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling city.
You can also enjoy the panoramic view from the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha.
Then head to Tomar, a city steeped in history and known for its impressive Templar castle. Explore the gardens and halls of the castle, then visit the famous Convent of Christ. Next, head to the Serra de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, where you can hike and discover spectacular karst landscapes.
Or go to the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima which is an emblematic site of Portugal (only 35 km from Tomar).
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in Tomar?
To spend a night in the historic center of Tomar, I recommend a very nice hotel with a lot of charm:
Where to spend the night in Tomar in a motorhome?
To spend the night in Tomar, look no further than the Municipal Autocaravan Park of Tomar.
Day 3: The Silver Sea Coast
To continue my 10-day road trip in Portugal, head to the Silver Sea coast.
You will find stunning white and golden sand beaches and impressive cliffs. Stop at Nazaré famous for being one of the best European surf spots.
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in Nazaré?
Here is a very good hotel located opposite the large beach of Nazaré and close to shops, bars and restaurants:
Where to spend the night in Nazareth in a motorhome?
For motorhome parking in Nazareth, I recommend the Park of Campismo Vale Paraiso or campsite Orbitur valado.
Day 4: Lisbon and Sintra
My 10-day road trip in Portugal takes you on this 4th day towards Lisbon!
Stroll through the picturesque streets of the Alfama district, visit the famous Jerónimos Monastery and soak up the lively atmosphere of the city. Visit the iconic Belém Tower and savor a delicious pastel de nata or pasteis de Belém. Don't forget to take a tram ride through the colorful neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Chiado.
See my articles: Itineraries of Lisbon's must-see sites, Where to shop in Lisbon et best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon.
Next, take a detour to Sintra, a magical town known for its fortifications, colorful palace and lush gardens. Do not miss to visit the Pena National Palace, a true architectural jewel, worthy of a fairy tale:
Explore the beautiful gardens of Quinta da Regaleira and enjoy the panoramic view from the Castle of the Moors. Don't miss trying the travesseiros, a delicious local pastry.
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in Sintra?
For those visiting Portugal by car, here is a good place to stay for a night in Sintra:
Valley House (600 meters from the National Palace).
Where to spend the night in Sintra by motorhome?
For overnight parking in Sintra, go to Cascais Campismo Park. Located in the nearby town of Cascais, this campsite offers convenient access to Sintra.
Otherwise, you can spend the night at Lisbon Campsite in Mosento Park. This option is nice to visit Lisbon by taking the 715 bus which drops you off in downtown Lisbon.
Day 5: Evora and Alentejo Natural Park
On the fifth day, discover the city and the Alentejo region, whose landscapes are sublime with olive groves and vineyards as far as the eye can see.
Make a stop in Evora, a historic city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Known for its well-preserved Roman ruins and medieval architecture, you can also stroll the cobbled streets of Evora, visit the cathedral and the Roman ruins.
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in Evora?
For a night in the historic center of the city, here is my recommendation for a well-located hotel in Evora:
Where to spend the night in Evora by motorhome?
For parking motorhomes in Evora, I recommend the Orbitur Evora Camping Park (+351) 266 705 190. This campsite is located just 2 km from the historic area of Évora and offers all the necessary facilities.
Day 6: Sagres and Cape Saint-Vincent
The sixth stop on my 10-day tour of Portugal is in Sagres, a small town in the far south-west of Portugal. Visit Fort de Sagres, which offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, then head to Cape St. Vincent, the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
Contemplate the steep cliffs and wild landscapes of this preserved region.
Then you can hit the road again to spend several nights in the Algarve.
Portugal in 10 days – Where to stay in the Algarve ?
To spend 2 or 3 nights in the Algarve, I recommend a charming little hotel on a pretty beach in Lagos:
Where to spend the night in the Algarve in a motorhome?
To spend one or two nights in a van or motorhome in the Algarve, you have the Largo de São Francisco car park in Faro which is free.
Otherwise, nicer because located opposite the splendid beach Falesia Beach, you can park at Algarve Motorhome Park Falesia.
Otherwise, you will find other incredible seaside campsites in the Algarve. From Lagos to Albufeira, you will be spoiled for choice!
Days 7 and 8: The Beaches of the Algarve
Days 7 and 8 of my 10 day Portugal tour are all about relaxation. Indeed, you will want to land to enjoy the magnificent region of the Algarve, renowned for its heavenly beaches and crystal clear waters.
You can explore the coast by visiting cities like Portimão, Tavira or Lagos. Admire the impressive cliffs, take a boat trip to discover hidden caves, go scuba diving or simply relax on the golden sand beaches.
Day 9: Faro and Olhão
The ninth day of my road trip takes you to Faro, the capital of the Algarve region. One of the must-see places in Faro is the historic old town, known as Cidade Velha. You can also visit Faro Cathedral, an amazing piece of architecture that offers stunning views of the city from its tower.
Then head to Olhão, a charming fishing town located a short distance from Faro. One of Olhão's main attractions is its bustling fish market, the Mercado Municipal de Olhão:
You can also stroll along the seafront on Avenida 5 de Outubro and admire the traditional whitewashed houses with colorful roofs.
Don't miss (if you have time) a boat trip to the nearby islands of Armona, Culatra and Farol, where you can explore pristine beaches and sample delicious seafood at seaside restaurants.
Day 10: Return road
For your last day, you will have to leave very early in the morning to travel in the opposite direction through this magnificent country and return home with lots of beautiful memories and beautiful photos!
