The best way to enjoy Portugal is by car as the only real alternative is to use buses. The country doesn’t have the best roads in Europe but there is some fantastic driving to be had with car hire in Portugal and highways lead out from the capital, Lisbon, down to the south coast and up to Porto.

Most people arrive at Lisbon’s international airport which has flights coming in from all over Europe and North America. It is just northeast of the town and has cheap car hire in Portugal for those who book online. Major car hire firms are represented at the airport, as well as at Faro Airport in the south of the country.

The main areas to check out in the capital with car rental in Portugal are the old Baixa and Alfama districts, which are down near the water and are very charming. Higher up over the city is the upper town, known as the Bairro Alto district. Castelo de São Jorge is the city’s main landmark.

Not far west of Lisbon with car rental in Portugal are the seaside towns of Oeiras, Estoril and Cascais, while north from here is the World Heritage center of Sintra. A drive a few hours north of Lisbon will get you into Porto and you can head east and north to see some of the country’s best wineries.

You could also fly into Faro which is gateway to the stunning Algarve coast right down in the south of the country, or indeed, simply drive down from Lisbon with cheap car hire in Portugal.