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To the east are quieter towns such as Tavira.",{"type":364,"attrs":432,"content":434},{"level":433},3,[435],{"text":436,"type":354},"Collect your car in Faro",{"type":350,"content":438},[439],{"text":440,"type":354},"Faro is the airport for the whole Algarve, and the motorway runs along the coast in both directions.",{"type":350,"content":442},[443,447,449],{"text":444,"type":354,"marks":445},"Car hire:",[446],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354}," ",{"text":450,"type":354,"marks":451},"See car hire in Faro",[452],{"type":453,"attrs":454},"link",{"href":455,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002F5OEw8Mv","_blank","url",[],{"_uid":460,"image":461,"theme":16,"author":16,"component":471,"caption_text":472,"caption_title":473,"image_caption":16},"5624186e-bf86-4ef1-bf94-8576f4dceec1",{"id":16,"alt":462,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":462,"width":463,"height":464,"source":465,"filename":466,"copyright":467,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":468,"public_id":469,"aspect_ratio":470,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":87},"Vila Vita Parc above the sea in the Algarve",3840,2342,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Falgarve-vila-vita-parc-havutsikt.jpg","Expedia Group",{"alt":462,"title":462},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Falgarve-vila-vita-parc-havutsikt",1.6396242527754057,"FullImage","A clifftop resort near Porches.","Vila Vita Parc",{"_uid":475,"body":476,"card":500,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"ef411a8b-6a4d-4289-a43e-f9c38dc7a170",{"type":347,"content":477},[478,483,487],{"type":364,"attrs":479,"content":480},{"level":433},[481],{"text":482,"type":354},"Where to stay in the Algarve: Vila Vita Parc",{"type":350,"content":484},[485],{"text":486,"type":354},"A clifftop resort with gardens running down to the sea and a short drive to Benagil. A good base when you want to drive a little and swim a lot.",{"type":350,"content":488},[489,493,494],{"text":490,"type":354,"marks":491},"Book your stay:",[492],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354},{"text":495,"type":354,"marks":496},"See rooms at Vila Vita Parc",[497],{"type":453,"attrs":498},{"href":499,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.8vG0TCu",[],{"_uid":502,"body":503,"card":554,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"d6b73a97-5ce0-4e98-80f6-1ef3a6dec64d",{"type":347,"content":504},[505,510,533,538,542],{"type":364,"attrs":506,"content":507},{"level":366},[508],{"text":509,"type":354},"Lisbon, Sintra and Nazaré",{"type":350,"content":511},[512,514,522,524,531],{"text":513,"type":354},"In ",{"text":515,"type":354,"marks":516},"Lisbon",[517],{"type":453,"attrs":518},{"href":519,"uuid":520,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fportugal\u002Flisbon\u002F","809d86e5-33e4-4c8b-aee8-7993f7c4b85b","_self",{"text":523,"type":354}," you are best off with trams, the metro and your own two feet. A car is perfect for day trips, though: to the palaces and gardens of Sintra, along the coast to Cascais, and north to ",{"text":525,"type":354,"marks":526},"Nazaré",[527],{"type":453,"attrs":528},{"href":529,"uuid":530,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fportugal\u002Fnazare\u002Fsurf-big-wave-beach","b90c27b1-1250-476f-af5a-e13c81f98134",{"text":532,"type":354},", where the winter waves are among the biggest in the world.",{"type":364,"attrs":534,"content":535},{"level":433},[536],{"text":537,"type":354},"Collect your car in Lisbon",{"type":350,"content":539},[540],{"text":541,"type":354},"Pick up the car at the airport on the day you leave the city, and drop it off before you stay in the centre.",{"type":350,"content":543},[544,547,548],{"text":444,"type":354,"marks":545},[546],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354},{"text":549,"type":354,"marks":550},"See car hire in Lisbon",[551],{"type":453,"attrs":552},{"href":553,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FmewWyWJ",[],{"_uid":556,"body":557,"card":610,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"756401e2-b318-45d3-b552-f6563e5d3de6",{"type":347,"content":558},[559,564,568,573,577,589,594,598],{"type":364,"attrs":560,"content":561},{"level":366},[562],{"text":563,"type":354},"Porto and the Douro Valley",{"type":350,"content":565},[566],{"text":567,"type":354},"Porto is the gateway to the Douro Valley, where vineyard terraces climb up from the river. The riverside roads are winding and beautiful, and many wine estates welcome visitors. Agree on a designated driver if there is tasting involved.",{"type":364,"attrs":569,"content":570},{"level":433},[571],{"text":572,"type":354},"Collect your car in Porto",{"type":350,"content":574},[575],{"text":576,"type":354},"Porto has a good airport and a fast road east towards the Douro Valley.",{"type":350,"content":578},[579,582,583],{"text":444,"type":354,"marks":580},[581],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354},{"text":584,"type":354,"marks":585},"See car hire in Porto",[586],{"type":453,"attrs":587},{"href":588,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FpyyJs5g",{"type":364,"attrs":590,"content":591},{"level":433},[592],{"text":593,"type":354},"Where to stay in Porto: The Yeatman",{"type":350,"content":595},[596],{"text":597,"type":354},"The hotel sits in Vila Nova de Gaia among the port lodges, looking across the river to Porto's old town.",{"type":350,"content":599},[600,603,604],{"text":490,"type":354,"marks":601},[602],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354},{"text":605,"type":354,"marks":606},"See rooms at The Yeatman",[607],{"type":453,"attrs":608},{"href":609,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.wffRaYr",[],{"_uid":612,"body":613,"card":654,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"73e309cb-56be-4143-a7cb-b31e0373155a",{"type":347,"content":614},[615,620,633,638,642],{"type":364,"attrs":616,"content":617},{"level":366},[618],{"text":619,"type":354},"Madeira",{"type":350,"content":621},[622,624,631],{"text":623,"type":354},"On Madeira the roads tunnel through the mountains and hairpin up to the viewpoints. With a car you can reach the levadas, the peaks and the fishing villages of the north coast in a single day. See also our ",{"text":625,"type":354,"marks":626},"best hotels in Madeira",[627],{"type":453,"attrs":628},{"href":629,"uuid":630,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fbest-hotels-madeira","f6250717-0648-48e7-b766-90d355dc9702",{"text":632,"type":354},".",{"type":364,"attrs":634,"content":635},{"level":433},[636],{"text":637,"type":354},"Collect your car in Funchal",{"type":350,"content":639},[640],{"text":641,"type":354},"The airport is east of Funchal, and most rental companies have desks there.",{"type":350,"content":643},[644,647,648],{"text":444,"type":354,"marks":645},[646],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354},{"text":649,"type":354,"marks":650},"See car hire in Madeira",[651],{"type":453,"attrs":652},{"href":653,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FGsawToq",[],{"_uid":656,"image":657,"theme":16,"author":16,"component":471,"caption_text":664,"caption_title":665,"image_caption":16},"299c4c4f-c68b-4a62-8b8c-ec8c46b9491e",{"id":16,"alt":658,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":658,"width":463,"height":659,"source":465,"filename":660,"copyright":467,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":661,"public_id":662,"aspect_ratio":663,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":87},"Sea view from Reid's Palace in Madeira",2560,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Fmadeira-reids-palace-rom-havutsikt.jpg",{"alt":658,"title":658},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Fmadeira-reids-palace-rom-havutsikt",1.5,"The classic clifftop hotel in Funchal.","Reid's Palace",{"_uid":667,"body":668,"card":691,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"b5ccdb91-25eb-4622-9c78-92b1e5ebc385",{"type":347,"content":669},[670,675,679],{"type":364,"attrs":671,"content":672},{"level":433},[673],{"text":674,"type":354},"Where to stay in Madeira: Reid's Palace",{"type":350,"content":676},[677],{"text":678,"type":354},"Madeira's classic hotel, on the cliffs above the sea in Funchal, with gardens and afternoon tea on the terrace.",{"type":350,"content":680},[681,684,685],{"text":490,"type":354,"marks":682},[683],{"type":382},{"text":448,"type":354},{"text":686,"type":354,"marks":687},"See rooms at Reid's Palace",[688],{"type":453,"attrs":689},{"href":690,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":456,"linktype":457},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.vywMJTq",[],{"_uid":693,"body":694,"card":768,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"176b78be-e79f-427b-855a-af3bba073103",{"type":347,"content":695},[696,701,743,748],{"type":364,"attrs":697,"content":698},{"level":366},[699],{"text":700,"type":354},"What you need to know about driving in Portugal",{"type":371,"content":702},[703,713,723,733],{"type":374,"content":704},[705],{"type":350,"content":706},[707,711],{"text":708,"type":354,"marks":709},"Electronic tolls:",[710],{"type":382},{"text":712,"type":354}," Several motorways have cameras instead of toll booths. With a transponder from the rental company the tolls are charged automatically.",{"type":374,"content":714},[715],{"type":350,"content":716},[717,721],{"text":718,"type":354,"marks":719},"Old towns:",[720],{"type":382},{"text":722,"type":354}," The centres of Lisbon and Porto have narrow, steep streets and little parking. Use car parks.",{"type":374,"content":724},[725],{"type":350,"content":726},[727,731],{"text":728,"type":354,"marks":729},"Driving licence:",[730],{"type":382},{"text":732,"type":354}," Check the current rules for your licence before you travel, and bring your passport and a credit card in the driver's name.",{"type":374,"content":734},[735],{"type":350,"content":736},[737,741],{"text":738,"type":354,"marks":739},"Roundabouts:",[740],{"type":382},{"text":742,"type":354}," Portugal has lots of them. Use the correct lane and signal when you exit.",{"type":364,"attrs":744,"content":745},{"level":366},[746],{"text":747,"type":354},"When should you book your hire car?",{"type":371,"content":749},[750,756,762],{"type":374,"content":751},[752],{"type":350,"content":753},[754],{"text":755,"type":354},"For summer in the Algarve: book early, as small cars and automatics go fast.",{"type":374,"content":757},[758],{"type":350,"content":759},[760],{"text":761,"type":354},"Spring and autumn are lovely for road trips, with fewer visitors on the roads.",{"type":374,"content":763},[764],{"type":350,"content":765},[766],{"text":767,"type":354},"Check whether the toll transponder is included or extra.",[],{"_uid":770,"body":771,"card":823,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"fdc89c1c-6e52-4c5a-83f0-80d5a5653ae8",{"type":347,"content":772},[773,778,783,787,792,796,801,805,810,814,819],{"type":364,"attrs":774,"content":775},{"level":366},[776],{"text":777,"type":354},"Frequently asked questions about car hire in Portugal",{"type":364,"attrs":779,"content":780},{"level":433},[781],{"text":782,"type":354},"Do I need a hire car in Portugal?",{"type":350,"content":784},[785],{"text":786,"type":354},"In Lisbon and Porto you can manage well without one. If you want to see the Algarve coast, Sintra, Nazaré or the Douro Valley, a hire car gives you far more freedom, because many of the sights are a long way from the railway.",{"type":364,"attrs":788,"content":789},{"level":433},[790],{"text":791,"type":354},"How do I pay tolls in Portugal in a hire car?",{"type":350,"content":793},[794],{"text":795,"type":354},"Several motorways have electronic tolls only. Ask the rental company whether the car has a toll transponder (Via Verde), so tolls are charged automatically to your bill. Without one you have to pay afterwards, which is easy to forget.",{"type":364,"attrs":797,"content":798},{"level":433},[799],{"text":800,"type":354},"Where should I hire a car in the Algarve?",{"type":350,"content":802},[803],{"text":804,"type":354},"Faro airport has the most rental companies and is the natural starting point. From there you can reach both the west, with Lagos and Sagres, and the east, with Tavira.",{"type":364,"attrs":806,"content":807},{"level":433},[808],{"text":809,"type":354},"Is it hard to drive in Madeira?",{"type":350,"content":811},[812],{"text":813,"type":354},"The roads are good but steep and winding, with lots of tunnels. Choose a car with a bit of power, take the descents slowly and allow plenty of time for trips into the mountains.",{"type":364,"attrs":815,"content":816},{"level":433},[817],{"text":818,"type":354},"What car should I hire in Portugal?",{"type":350,"content":820},[821],{"text":822,"type":354},"A small car is easiest in the old towns of Lisbon and Porto and in Algarve villages. On Madeira a car with a bit more power makes the steep roads more comfortable.",[],{"_uid":825,"body":826,"card":870,"layout":416,"component":417,"article_rounded":87},"515a34cd-2b73-4d4d-86f6-586342a546e1",{"type":347,"content":827},[828,833],{"type":364,"attrs":829,"content":830},{"level":366},[831],{"text":832,"type":354},"Read more",{"type":371,"content":834},[835,844,852,861],{"type":374,"content":836},[837],{"type":350,"content":838},[839],{"text":840,"type":354,"marks":841},"Nazaré: surf and giant waves",[842],{"type":453,"attrs":843},{"href":529,"uuid":530,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},{"type":374,"content":845},[846],{"type":350,"content":847},[848],{"text":515,"type":354,"marks":849},[850],{"type":453,"attrs":851},{"href":519,"uuid":520,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},{"type":374,"content":853},[854],{"type":350,"content":855},[856],{"text":857,"type":354,"marks":858},"Best hotels in Madeira",[859],{"type":453,"attrs":860},{"href":629,"uuid":630,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},{"type":374,"content":862},[863],{"type":350,"content":864},[865],{"text":165,"type":354,"marks":866},[867],{"type":453,"attrs":868},{"href":869,"uuid":163,"anchor":17,"target":521,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwinter-sun-destinations-europe",[],{"_uid":872,"theme":16,"author":16,"component":873,"author_name":16,"author_text":16,"author_image":874,"section_overline":875,"facebook_share_link":876,"instagram_share_link":877},"84086f21-ee47-48da-9a20-74f10a562af5","ArticleFooter",{"id":17,"alt":17,"name":16,"focus":17,"title":17,"filename":16,"copyright":17,"fieldtype":19},"Enjoy Portugal",{"id":16,"url":16,"linktype":29,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":16},{"id":16,"url":16,"linktype":29,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":16},{"_uid":879,"card_type":880,"component":881,"filter_by":882},"05459d2b-9530-4c83-85c7-428426c1b963","stories to inspire your next trip","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":883,"plugin":884,"values":885},"e5a7d43c-f72e-49f1-95d5-f84103e765a6","storyblok-tags-select",[886,887],"Portugal","Car Hire","Article",{"id":16,"alt":329,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":329,"width":330,"height":331,"source":16,"filename":307,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":890,"public_id":334,"aspect_ratio":335,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":87},{"alt":329,"title":329},"car-hire-portugal","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fportugal\u002Fcar-hire-portugal",-360,[887,886],178500604781134,"65d0dad9-3235-4e0d-9fac-26b6cfba00c0","2026-10-09T07:09:14.461Z",[]]