A post by Bethany Humphreys about her travels in Portugal. 

Traveling with children is always an adventure.  When we planned a trip to Portugal last year, we knew we wanted a mix of city life, fairy‑tale castles and long stretches of sandy beaches (yes, please). Once flights were booked, we hired a rental car from the Discover Cars company so we could drive around with ease as we wanted to tour around in the comfort of a car making it easier with our children. This time we began the vacay in the capital then headed toward the hills of Sintra before taking a scenic drive to the sun‑drenched Algarve. Here is how we made it work along with some advice for tackling Portuguese roads with kids in the back seat. I hope you find our experiences helpful. 

Starting Off: A Few Days in Lisbon

Before thinking about getting behind the wheel, I decided to spend my first few days soaking up the atmosphere in Lisbon. It really is incredible. Lisbon’s famous seven hills and narrow, winding streets are not exactly made for easy driving, especially if you’re not used to them so we chose walking and public transport. Each morning we sought out pastéis de nata and my two kids (6 and almost 3) were happy. We rode the Tram 28 and visited the interactive exhibits at the Oceanário de Lisboa. Walking around the city gave us a  head start to our holiday before the real road trip began.

Picking Up Our Ride: Heading to Sintra and Beyond

When it was time to leave the city behind, we went to pick up our hire car, with two kids in tow of course, and a whole lot of luggage. We needed safe and sturdy car seats, so finding the right rental vehicle was crucial. Discover Cars made it easy to find an SUV that fit our family’s needs, and the spacious SUV was perfect for our family.

If you’ve not heard of them, Discover Cars are a platform that offer rentals in more than 50000 locations across 164 countries, working with more than 1000 trusted suppliers. I felt confident booking with them, especially seeing their 4.6 Trustpilot rating from more than 263000 reviews. They’ve also won gold at the Magellan Awards for «Travel Services Marketing Website» and took home both World’s Best Car Rental Booking App and Website at the 2025 World Travel Tech Awards.

A few things I learned during the booking process that I highly recommend keeping in mind:

• Opt for Full Coverage. I always do this for peace of mind. Knowing we were covered for any scratches from tight parking spots or flying pebbles took the stress right out of the drive.
• Mind the Pick-Up Time. Here’s a crucial tip—never set your car pick-up time to be the exact same as your flight arrival time. Give yourself at least two hours to clear customs and collect bags to avoid your reservation being flagged as a no-show.
• Credit Cards. Remember that a physical credit card in the main driver’s name is required for most rentals to hold the deposit.
• Flexibility. Plans change with kids. Discover Cars lets you cancel or change your reservation for free up to 48 hours before pick-up, which is a lifesaver. Plus, they show all rental conditions and prices upfront, with absolutely no hidden fees.
• Support. Their mobile app is a godsend. It has all the rental details and even gives you directions to the rental desk. And if anything goes wrong, their 24/7 support is available in 35 languages.

The Magic of Sintra and the Coastal Drive

With the car in place, our first stop was Sintra. Just an hour from Lisbon, Sintra felt like a page from a storybook. Our day was filled with terraces at Pena Palace and hidden tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira. A quick tip for Sintra: arrive as early as possible. Parking is notoriously difficult. Head there early. 

From Sintra we didn’tt simply hop onto the highway south. We turned the drive into a part of the holiday. We hugged the coastline, stopping at the cliffs of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, before winding our way down the Alentejo coast. Having a vehicle meant we could pull over whenever the kids spotted a beach they liked or when we found a sleepy fishing village perfect for a seafood al fresco lunch. Having a car gave us freedom. 

Arriving in the Algarve: Practical Driving Tips

By the time we reached the Algarve, the landscape had become limestone cliffs and turquoise waters. We set up camp near Lagos. Spent our days moving from Praia do Camilo to the wide sands of Meia Praia.

If you’re planning a similar route, here are some practical tips for driving in Portugal with a family:

• Car Seats and Space. Always make sure to reserve your car seats on time. If your children like a certain brand, think about bringing your own car seats. Most important of all, don’t ignore how much luggage you’ll have. A small car might seem fun for driving in Europe. An estate car or an SUV is a much better choice however when you need space for strollers and bags.
• Navigating Tolls. Portugal has toll roads. One example is the A22, in the Algarve. When you pick up your car, make sure you ask for a toll transponder. The electronic toll transponder is called Via Verde. The electronic toll transponder automatically registers your tolls as you drive under the gantries. The rental company then charges your card later. This method saves you the headache of trying to pay at post offices.
• Manageable Journey Times. The trip from Lisbon to the Algarve takes two and a half to three hours if you use the A2 highway. With kids it is better to make stops. We scheduled our driving times around nap times. Found playgrounds and places that are good for families, along the way.
• Parking. The trip from Lisbon to the Algarve takes two and a half to three hours if you use the A2 highway. With kids in tow, it is better to make stops. We scheduled our driving times around nap times and discovered playgrounds, local bakeries and restaurants along the way.

Our Portuguese road trip was everything we hoped for – spontaneous, beautiful and full of fabulous food. Renting a car gave us the liberty to build the trip around our family’s rhythm rather than following a strict train schedule. If you’re on the fence about driving in Portugal, take the leap. With a bit of planning and the right vehicle it’s one of the best ways to experience the country.