The Portuguese Route 66

Por We Love Small Hotels

Portugal is a country known for its mild climate, welcoming people and good gastronomy. By its small size, the distance between cities are easy to access and so we invite you to go on a journey to discover Portugal on one the longest roads in the world and the longest in Europe.

Best known by Portuguese Route 66, the road Nacional 2 connects the country from North to South, in an adventure through different landscapes, from the vineyards of the Douro, to the Alentejo plains and to the beautiful beaches of the Algarve.

Do this unforgettable road trip through Portugal with our tour The Portuguese Route 66 | Rota Nacional 2, stay in the best boutique hotels, find the Portuguese hidden corners, the typical villages and the food & wine of each region.

As your starting point to this journey, we suggest the city of Porto. From here, go up north to Chaves where you can visit the city's castle and Roman architecture heritage. You will drive through many cities and villages of which we highlight, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Pinhão and Lamego. Discover the wonders of the Douro River and the Douro Wines whose grapes are planted on the terraces of the river, the Green Wine of the region of Penafiel.

In Lamego visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and discover Quinta da Pacheca Wine Hotel a perfect place to discover the Douro Wines and also to start familiarizing with Portuguese gastronomy by attending a cooking workshop.

Continue along the Portuguese Route 66 and stop at the centre of Portugal, passing through Viseu, Lousã, Sertã and Vila de Rei. It is in the centre of Portugal that you will find several schist villages, a charming landscape not to be missed, as well as all the historical and cultural patrimony from this region. While passing through the centre, do not forget to taste the gastronomic delicacies. We suggest the “Burgo” in Serra da Lousã, "O cortiço" or "Cantinho do Tito" in Viseu.

Just like in the North, in the centre, you will find unique boutique hotels fulfilled with history such as  Palácio da Lousã or Convento da Sertã Hotel, ready to welcome you with delicious breakfasts to start your day the best way possible and compliment your stay with a walk tour in the schist villages.

As you pass through Abrantes, Ponte de Sôr and Avis you will begin to see a different landscape, typical from Alentejo, where the plains extend to infinity and the oak trees shade the road. The Alentejo wine land welcomes you and to make you feel like a local, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel awaits you to be your home in this land. Discover Estremoz, a charming land known for the wines and by the various wine cellars, some historical, some design oriented. In this city, be part of the wine cult by participating in the experience of being a winemaker for a day in an Alentejo wine cellar and taste the nectars of the gods.

In Alentejo, find peace and a deep quiet in the nature that surrounds the dam of Montargil and go towards the Hotel Vale do Gaio among the typical villages of the region. Pass through places like Viana do Alentejo and Aljustrel until you reach Castro Verde, your last stop before arriving in the Algarve.

Finish this road trip through Portugal in Faro. When you get there, pass through Almodovar and Serra do Caldeirão where you can admire a wonderful view from the viewpoint. Discover Faro as you stroll through its streets and visit the heritage of this city. Do not forget to step on the fine sand beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and rest from this adventure at Fazenda Nova Country House, between the sea and the countryside, in Tavira.

Trust us to plan your your custom tour to Portugal!