N2 Road Trip Portugal’s Route 66 Chaves – Faro

Saturday, Feb 22nd – Saturday, March 1st –  Come along on an immersive journery into the heart and soul of Portugal on a road trip through the center of the country from Chaves – Faro 8 days 738kms 35 municipalities, 11 districts, 13 rivers, 11 mountain ranges 1 unique experience. Discover lesser known places and learn about the country’s rich history, and traditions. Travel down winding roads, with landscapes of rolling hills, and lush forests. Stop to visit rural communites where you can feel the warmth of the local people and taste the gastronomic specialties of each place.

Saturday Feb 22nd – Depart Lisbon at 8:30am will make a half way overnight stop in a coastal town between Coimbra and Aveiro. We will visit a fishing/farming village known for it’s wooden architecture. A unique region that was once an inhospitable area of dunes and sand desserts and was considered one of the poorest regions of the country. Learn how the local people were able to clear and transform this territory into one of the largest forest areas in mainland Portugal.

Sunday, Feb 23rd – Depart for Chaves considered one of the most beautiful cities in the North of Portugal. A place filled with Roman monuments, old castles and thermal therapeutic waters. Chaves is also home to a Roman bridge that is said to be one of best preserved monuments of it’s kind. Here we will also do an optional easy hike of 7.5km through a small village with an interesting heritage of buildings, and continues along the old railway line that connected the towns of Chaves and Régua, known as the Corgo line, to the village of Oura. Other activities will include visiting a thermal spa, art museums, and walking through streets with colorful houses and wooden balconies.

Monday, Feb 24th – Will start the journey down the N2 along the winding mountain road of the Trás-os-Montes region and head into the breathtaking Douro Valley to Lamego. Passing through small villages with slopes of vineyards and orchards. Making a stop to visit a roman mining complex and other cultural heritage sites. We will spend the night in Lamego and before departing the next day will embark on an optional hike of 8km through landscapes of terraced vineyards, passing by manor houses, and typical farms on a trail considered to be one of the most beautiful walking paths of the Alto Douro region.

Chaves – Lamego – 100km approximate driving time 2hrs depending on number and length of stops in between.

Tuesday, Feb 25th – Depart Lamego for Viseu leaving the vineyards behind, eucalyptus and pine trees dominate the landscape. Continuing south and visiting the historical town of Viseu, quiet and rich in historical Portuguese treasures, including sacred art and religious architecture. We will visits it’s famous cathedral and museums stopping to rest and overnight here. Before departing the following day will do another optional easy hike of 7km through pine forests along a walled path flanked by farmland, oak, walnut and chestnut trees. Visiting a church with a rare sundial, and a castro with an impressive white carpet of quartz stones and where there is also a quartzite monument. At this point we can admire the view of Viseu and the mountains on the horizon. At the end of the walk we can visit a museum dedicated to quartz.

Lamego – Viseu – 70km approximate driving time 1.5hrs depending on number and length of stops in between.

Wednesday, Feb 26th – Travel to Sertã following the Mondego river and through the Lousã Mountain Range. Visiting  the “Library of Mondego”, a self-describing fantastic geological phenomenon. Passing through several small villages and stopping for lunch to try the famous Chanfana (stewed goat in red wine with potatoes and cabbage) in Vila Nova de Poaires. We will also pass through Pedrógão Grande, one of the regions in the country where natural beauty, customs and popular traditions, combined with the purity of the air and water, are maintained. In Sertã we will do an optional hike of 7km along a roman road, crossing a filipin bridge, passing windmills and walking along levada trails. Overnight in Sertã.

Viseu – Sertã – 160km approximate driving time 2.5hrs depending on number and length of stops in between

Thursday, Feb 27th – Today we will  leave the northern and central mountains of Portugal and get into the flatter landscapes of the Ribatejo and Alentejo. Visiting the Geodetic Centre of Portugal where from the top of it’s 600 metres we can admire breathtaking views and visit the Geodesy Museum. From here we will continue to Vila de Rei where we will take a short detour to visit a river beach and a waterfall which are 2 of the most beautiful natural treasures in central Portugal. Continuing south we will stop to visit castles, convents and churches on our way to Coruche the cork capital where we will stop to spend the night. Before leaving Coruche will do another optional 8km hike around the rio Sorraia where storks can be observed.

Sertã – Coruche – 128km approximate driving time 2hrs depending on number and length of stops in between.

Friday, Feb 28th – Today’s route takes us deeper into the Alentejo unveiling the vast, serene plains of this beautiful region. Enjoy the surrounding countryside landscape through quiet picturesque villages where whitewashed houses contrast with the big sky. Passing the symbolic milestone marking kilometre 500 and going through towns renowned for its olive oil production and agricultural history. Will stop to overnight in Almodôvar the last stop in the Alentejo region. Here one of the highlights we will visit is a museum dedicated to an ancient form of writing used by people who inhabitated the region for over 2,500 years used to communicate.

Coruche – Almodôvar – 192km approximate driving time 2hr 45min depending on number of stops in between

Saturday, March 1st – Today the scenery transforms once again as we head towards the Algarve. This part of the N2 is considered one of the most epic stretches of the road. It has 365 curves and was classified as a heritage route in 2003. The route gradually climbs into the Caldeirão Mountain range, where the Algarve’s iconic Mediterranean charm begins to appear. As we descend we will start to see the sea and Faro in the distance. Upon arriving in Faro we can explore it’s historic centre, visit its beautiful marina, and enjoy a well-earned celebration of our journey from the north to the south of Portugal. Option to stay an additional night in Faro or head back to Lisbon.

Almodôvar – Faro – 74km approximate driving time 1hr 25min depending on number of stops in between

Must Take –Water, Hat, Sunscreen, Shoes with good grip for hiking, Clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.

Event will only take place if it receives a Minimum of 3 Participants 

Maximum Number of Participants: 6 (transportation by private minivan)

***Interested in this trip but can’t make it on this date or prefer to go in your own group. The trip can also be booked as a private tour with a minimum of 4ppl at No Extra Cost. During the Months of March, April, May, October, November, December with 4 weeks advanced notice.