Travel Guides

Portugal and Madeira

Car rentals Portugal and Madeira

Portugal and Madeira’s rich culture, beautiful countryside and stunning beaches combined with its bustling cities and excellent cuisine make it a rewarding place for a holiday. With four international airports it is extremely easy for American tourists to travel here and direct flights leave from many US air hubs.

Travelers’ favorites

The vibrant community of Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the most cultural and cosmopolitan city in the entire country. Its beautiful monuments, limestone buildings and numerous museums will keep anyone busy for a few days. Northwards are the beautiful coastal cities of Aviero and Porto, which are both reachable with a car rental. Brago is also a favorite and showcases a great mixture of ancient and modern architecture and culture.

Funchal is the capital of Madeira and is one of Portugal’s most beautiful cities. It features the Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro Park, the São Lourenço Palace (Palácio de São Lourenço) and its most-visited monument is Se Cathedral. Car hire is not necessary here but is a fantastic way to explore the caves, aqueducts, gardens and ocean cliffs throughout the island.

Best time to visit

Summer and spring is most recommended, although July and August can become extremely hot and humid. Autumn is also a great time to visit and will allow you to avoid the crowds. From November to March, expect rain although there are some sunny days. Madeira sees low precipitation through most of the year and a Mediterranean climate.

Driving in Portugal and Madeira

A car rental is extremely ideal throughout Portugal since the road network is very good and all cities can be reached with ease. The secondary roads are not as good and visitors must take care when driving, as the local drivers can be quite careless. There are plenty of companies to choose from, allowing visitors to compare car hire thoroughly before making a final decision.