Leiebil Portugal – Where Should You Go

Portugal is one of the destinations where it’s encouraged to rent a car to see the loveliness the natural surroundings have in store for you. As always, there’s so much more freedom to stop and check out some of the smaller villages and towns when you drive compared to using public transport. These have minimal access, if any, to these out-of-the-way places.

The indication is there are no specific rules or guidelines with a Leiebil | Portugal (translation: car rental Portugal). You will, of course, need to ensure an inspection has been done of the vehicle and see the results of that.

You’ll also need to take pictures of the interior and exterior to prove where there’s damage already on the vehicle. Plus, make sure all the fluids are full, and the features work adequately before you head out on your road trip excursion. Along the way, there are specific sights you won’t want to miss on your journey. Let’s check out a few.

Leiebil | Portugal – Where Should You Go

Sometimes there are holiday destinations that just look too good to be true in the pictures, but Portugal boasts even more surreal in real-time. The vibrant colors and formations along the scenic routes draw people to the point they note to be distractions when driving. 

The suggestion is to pay attention to the road when driving along in your hired car. There are so many different sights to see; it’s limitless. There are not just mountains and valleys, but you’re also privileged to be exposed to beaches and flatlands, rock formations and cliffs, illustrious cities, fascinating villages sitting atop hills, and so much more – there’s no wonder it’s distracting. 

Still, when you see something that catches your eye, pull over and take a closer look. That’s the beauty of renting a car; you have that privilege. Let’s look at a few highlights for a Portugal road trip.

• Falesia Beach

Falesia Beach has a reputation as among the most outstanding beaches in Portugal. The colors are brilliant, almost making it appear unreal. In one section, you can view the entire coast with no obstructions. 

Spending a quiet few hours here with perhaps a picnic lunch is ideal for traveling along the countryside. After such a luxurious break, you can move on to the next fascinating sight.

• Pena Palace

“The Palacio de Pena Sintra is a stunning piece of architecture. It sits majestically atop the highest hill, with breathtaking colors and styles playing magically with the forest around the perimeter. You would need roughly half a day to explore the entire palace and the park.

• Obidos

Described as a charming “medieval village” located just on the northside of Lisbon is Obidos, roughly an hour drive between the two. The suggestion is that walking around on the fortifications is one of the trip’s highlights, giving incredible views of the region and the village below. 

Inside the fortifications, you’ll find a gathering of white houses. They hold a festival in the village every July for two weeks. The recommendation is to ensure you have good walking shoes since the walls are not even and there are paved streets.

• Castle of the Moors

Moorish Castle or the Castle of the Moors was at one point a military fort used as an outpost for Lisbon. It sits in a plush forest on the top of a hill, quite visible from all angles. 

The suggestion is you can walk from the center, but it is a steep hike with loads of stairs. If you have mobility issues and can make it partway, there are places to take in the view but remember you need to get back down.

• Ponta da Piedade

The Ponta da Piedade also references as the jewel of the “Algarve region. The coastline is simply majestic, with caves, arches, and caverns. It offers boat trips, kayaking, or even exploring on foot. 

The “architecture” has been formed by erosion as the years passed. Some of the cliffs stand as high as 20 m displaying a golden amber color. 

• Porto

Porto is the largest city in the north, exuding character and charm. Its “rival city” is Lisbon. The differences are mostly the fact that Lisbon offers more architecturally while Porto is more about charm and astounding views. 

Each has commonalities, but as far as a preference, each person is unique and makes their choice based more on what they personally enjoy. Porto is a bit more traditional, so it will be more appealing than Lisbon if you lean in that direction.

• Monsanto

You can’t miss the sights here. The houses are built around (some underneath) massive boulders bordering the side of a hill. When you look at the hill, you see incredible views of these huge boulders, and then you notice the houses fit in around and under them.

The boulders serve as part of the home’s architecture in either a roof capacity or serving as some of the walls.

• Algarve sea caves

You’ll find loads of wonders along the Algarve coast. The ideal way to see these is by boat. The boat tours leave from Benagil Beach to take you through 30 sea caves, including the “Benagil cave” with its famous dome shape. This coastline boasts being among the most beautiful in the world with fantastic erosion work.

Road Tripping Through Portugal

There are so many magnificent sights to see more than these. These serve as a highlight. You’ll come across so many famous beaches, monasteries, castles, palaces, and national parks. 

Again, the primary focus is to pull over the car, if you can find a place to park, and check the landmark out or maybe come back the next day instead of risking an accident by being distracted.

However, the consensus is that hiring a car is the best way to take in all the natural landscape. A small compact car is ideal for getting through some roads that can be exceptionally tiny and narrow. 

Public transport has its place, and the suggestion is that you park your car and use these methods in the big cities of Porto and Lisbon. These are not areas it is recommended to drive.

Final Thought

When visiting another country or region, you don’t have to stick to the primary tourist attractions listed on the “best attractions” lists. You can go online and look for out-of-the-way or off-the-beaten-path places where other travelers don’t consider those their first choice. You might, however, find these to be the ideal places to visit.

That’s not saying you won’t want to visit the famous sights as well. But it’s essential to keep in mind that the parking is exceptionally limited with each location. That means either arriving early or later in the day when fewer people are visiting or parking a distance and walking. 

The only problem with that is many of these locations require quite a bit of walking (and stairs), making the addition of a distance from the car a trek. This is why it’s suggested to wear your best walking shoes and don’t overexert or go outside your comfort level. And always carry plenty of water to stay hydrated – an unspoken rule.