Driving in Portugal is comfortable and relatively simple, and the beautiful roads between cities and the countryside make renting a car in Portugal very worthwhile.

◾ Toll roads in Portugal
A large number of interstate roads in Portugal are used as toll roads, and a fee for using them will be charged to each driver according to the section of their journey. Please note that there are no toll booths on most toll roads, and most rental companies will charge an additional fee for renting an electronic device that is picked up by the cameras on the toll roads. It should be taken into account that the payment for traveling on the roads themselves is collected separately. 

Please note, as of March 1st there's a mandatory fee if you're driving with your rental car on toll roads (via verde). The fee is 1.69€ + taxes per day, or 16.90€ + taxes per rental, plus the toll according to the route you've taken.

◾ The car rental stations in Portugal and the islands
The main car rental stations in Portugal are located in the four main airports: the airport of Lisbon, the capital city, is the largest and most central in Portugal and is the gateway to the country. The airport of the city of Porto is the second largest, and the third largest is the airport of the city of Faro.

Apart from them, the Madeira Islands also belong to Portugal, and they lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 km north of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, with the car rental stations located in the city of Funchal and its airport.

◾ Traveling with the rental car out of Portugal?
You can travel with the rental car from Portugal to neighboring countries.

Be sure to mark the countries to which you wish to travel to already when you start booking the car on our website (or telling our representative if you are making the booking via phone), so you will receive written confirmation from the supplier and will be covered in terms of insurance and road service.

Please note that in some countries in Europe, a special sticker is required for driving on highways, which you can purchase in kiosks at the borders.

The responsibility of purchasing the sticker is the renter's alone, so make sure to stick it according to the local guided and make sure if a sticker is needed whenever you exit a country and enter another.

For more tips regarding renting a car during wintertime click here

and for important tips regarding renting a car abroad click here

Booking a car in Portugal with Ofran will allow you to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a rental car in Portugal, exploring all the sites and attractions that interest you and the freedom to do so according to your schedule.

Also, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of car groups the most suitable car for your vacation in an easy and comfortable process and with great prices.

Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in Portugal

A trip to Portugal is usually centered on a variety of car travel routes. By driving along the ocean coastline from Porto to Faro (or vice versa) you can be impressed by some of the world's most famous surfing sites and the charming villages along the way. While driving from Porto to the west, you can enjoy the small and picturesque villages, the ancient buildings, the wine cellars and the relaxed atmosphere. In Lisbon itself, you can drive on the longest bridge in Europe (about 17 km long), the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which connects the north of the city with the south, and admire the charm of the great city that lies at the edge of the ocean.

 Porto
Porto is the capital of the northern province of Portugal, it lies on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a relatively small town, and that is part of its charm. It is strongly associated with wine production (port wine, of course) and a visit to wineries, which is also recommended for family members who do not yet consume wine themselves, but can still enjoy a fun and educational tour of one of them, for example Kalem Winery.

The historic quarter of the city is an official UNESCO heritage site, it is full of ancient and magical buildings, squares and cathedrals. Apart from that, in Porto, as well as in other parts of Portugal, was lived a large Jewish community until the 15th century, most of which fled to North African countries due to persecution and being forced to convert to Christianity. In the city you can find remains from that time and even a huge synagogue that was built many years later, as a memorial, although it is used today by a very small number of Jews who still live there. For those who wish to also meet this side of the city during their visit to Portugal, it is recommended to read and get to know the interesting history of Portuguese Jewry.

 South Portugal
The Algarve region in southern Portugal is one of the most fascinating regions that the special country has to offer. It is the perfect destination for those interested in a trip between beaches, combined with rural areas and towns full of culture and history, water parks for families, nightlife. In short, it's all here.

The main road does pass between the water parks and fast food restaurants, but with a trip in a rented car you can reach all those hidden corners on the way and find yourself traveling between orange groves and villages, and enjoying excellent cuisine and fine wine.

Most tourists choose to spend the night in the towns of Albufeira, Vilamoura, Praia da Rocha and Lagos. In all of them you will find luxurious hotels, a variety of restaurants, and everything you need to go out in the morning to explore the wonderful region or simply stay close to the hotel and indulge yourself.

Portugal with children

The Algarve region, which we have already mentioned, is often the preferred area for a family trip in Portugal. It offers pleasant weather and everything needed to make all members of the family happy, even the youngest ones.

 Ponta da Piedade
South of Lagos is the magical Ponta da Piedade. Sailing between huge rock tunnels on clear water and into caves, or hiking trails towards cliffs with views of an unimaginably beautiful landscape. Punta da Piedade will probably easily enter the list of the most beautiful places you have visited in the world, and rightfully so.

 Zoomarine
If during your visit to the area you feel that you are not satisfied with the wild nature, you can also watch it in a more organized way at Zoomarine. This place, which offers a water park and observations of the animals and nature that characterize the area, is open from March to November. It offers facilities for all ages, observations and information on the conservation of the area and the preservation of its animals, alongside activities that enable an encounter with the local animals, including dolphins.
 

Shopping in Portugal

Most of Portugal's shopping centers are located in Lisbon. But even outside you can find a number of local gems and not return home empty-handed.

 Forum Algarve, Faro
On the outskirts of the city of Faro is the "Forum" shopping center. It is built around a central square and evokes an atmosphere of history, even though it was actually only built in the early 2000s. In the complex there are about 120 shops, 20 restaurants and a cinema. Both among the shops and among the restaurants you will find names of well-known chains. It is a pleasant and quite comfortable shopping experience, which allows for a variety of shopping options, without the feeling of being overcrowded that characterizes large shopping centers.

 Rua de Santa Catarina, Porto
Shopaholics visiting Porto will want to hit this street. The pedestrian street, which is about a kilometer and a half long, starts in the city center, and the walk passes through several noteworthy points, among them, the San Antonio Church. Here too you can find international brands such as Zara or H&M, alongside small stalls and local boutique shops with friendly vendors who will be happy to chat with you for a long time. The trendy and pleasant cafes scattered along the street will provide you with a great break from the long trip.