What are the most spectacular roads in Portugal?

Tucked away on the Iberian Peninsula, in the southwestern part of Europe, the roads of Portugal offer the best way to discover the country’s diverse topography. The country hosts stunning mountain roads, such as the wild climb to Alto de Torre-Serra da Estrela, the highest point of Mainland Portugal, climbing up to 1.996m (6,548ft) above sea level on the boundary between the Guarda and Castelo Branco districts. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

The geography of the country, with extensive beaches and cliffs, offers stunning coastal routes. One of the most scenic drives is ER101 Antiga, a free car wash road in Madeira. Due to Madeira's dramatic coastline, the road boasts many curves, narrow passages, and steep climbs and descents. It's rugged, slow, and old, making it one of the most scenic drives in the world.

If you prefer scenic drives, you can’t skip the National Road 222. The road, running between Peso da Régua and Pinhão, was awarded the title of the world's best road in 2015.

In the northern part of Madeira Island, in Portugal, lies a rather peculiar and dangerous road called Antiga Estrada Regional 101 (ER101). Due to Madeira's dramatic coastline, the road has many curves, narrow passages, and steep climbs and descents. It's one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Located in the North Region of Portugal, Estrada Nacional 222, between Peso da Régua and Pinhão, was awarded as the world's best road in 2015.

Located in Funchal, the capital city of Portugal's Madeira archipelago, Rua da Barreira is one of the steepest roads in the world, with some brutal sections of 45% and an average gradient of 25.17%.

National Road 2 is nicknamed the Route 66 of Portugal. It’s a very exciting and scenic journey in the heart of the country, taking you from Chaves in the north to Faro in the south.

Pico do Areeiro is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.804m (5,918ft) above sea level, located in Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. At this elevation, it is one of the highest roads in the country.

Alto de Torre is a high mountain peak at 1.996m (6,548ft) above sea level located on the boundary between the Guarda and Castelo Branco districts of Portugal. At this elevation, it’s the highest point of Mainland Portugal. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Monte Farinha is a mountain peak at an elevation of 940m (3,083ft) above sea level, located in the district of Vila Real, Portugal.

Alto de São Macário is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.052m (3,451ft) above sea level, located in the district of Viseu, in the Central Inland of Portugal.

Located in central Portugal, N232 Road is a tortuously winding mountain road. The road has so many twists and switchbacks that it is best avoided.

Covas do Monte is a small town at an elevation of 536m (1,758ft) above sea level, located in the municipality of São Pedro do Sul, in Portugal.

Portal do Inferno e Garra (Hell Portal and Claw) is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 984m (3,228ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Viseu and Aveiro districts of Portugal.

N308-1 is a scenic, winding, and narrow zig-zag road located in the northern part of Portugal, in the district of Braga, near the border with the Province of Ourense in Spain.

Located on the border of Spain and Portugal, Vado del Río Eljas is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

EM513 is a short mountain road located in northern Portugal, with stunning views.

Cascata Poço do Inferno (Hell's Well) is a spectacular ravine/waterfall about 10 feet high located in Centro Region and Beira Interior Norte Subregion, in Portugal. The road has some narrow parts, impassable for 2 medium cars.

Pico da Barrosa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 936m (3,070ft) above the sea level located in the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese Azores. At the summit it’s possible to see both the North and South Coasts.

Poios Brancos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.685m (5,528ft) above the sea level, located in the district of Guarda, in the Centro Region of Portugal. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Col de Zezere is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.615m (5,298ft) above the sea level, located in the district of Castelo Branco, in Portugal. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Montejunto is a mountain peak at an elevation of 655m (2,148ft) above the sea level, located in centre west of Portugal. At the summit there are some churches and chapels, and several communication facilities.

With a rich history of seafaring and discovery, the Portuguese Republic is , located at the western end of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. The country is bounded on the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and on the north and east by Spain. With a mild climate, it is not a homogeneous country geographically. The country has one of the highest percentages of forested lands in all of Europe.

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city is beautiful and enchanting. A fusion of history, a vibrant nightlife and a bohemian art scene, Portugal is a city that is truly alive.

Achada do Teixeira is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 1.593m (5,226ft) above the sea level, located in the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Alto da Pedrice is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.740m (5,708ft) above the sea level, located in Castelo Branco district, in Central Portugal. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Pico da Santinha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.597m (5,239ft) above the sea level, located in the district of Guarda, in the Centro Region of Portugal.

Portugal is among the top golfing destinations around the world. It has fantastic golf courses and pleasant weather to complete the invitation package.

Portugal is a European country that manages to enchant all its visitors and help them escape from their routine for a little while. And the number of people who choose it as the spot where they should spend their holidays is huge.

N379-1 Road is perhaps the most scenic drive in Portugal. Located south of the capital, this road offers a mix of smooth and challenging curves, with breathtaking landscapes. It’s often called the Portuguese version of California's Pacific Coast Highway.

Located in the Vila Real District of Portugal, N304 is recognized as one of the best driving routes in Europe, according to Ford Magazine.

Alto de Espinho is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,025m (3,362ft) above sea level, located in the North region of Portugal.

Marão is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,413m (4,635ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Vila Real and Viseu districts of Portugal.

Larouco is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,527m (5,009ft) above sea level, located in Portugal. It is named after a Celtic god, Larauco.

Nestled in the Guarda district of Portugal, high within the Serra da Estrela mountain range in the central part of the country, lies the stunning ER338 Road. This fully paved route, stretching for 28.1 km (17.46 miles) from Col de Zezere to Manteigas, offers a very exciting drive with truly great views. However, it's important to note that this scenic passage can be closed at any time due to security concerns.

Estrada Municipal 509 (EM-509) is a very scenic road located in the Castelo Branco district of Portugal. While offering breathtaking views, the road also has a few dangerous sections.

Estrada de São Bento is a high mountain road located in the Guarda District of Portugal. It’s known as the Portuguese Stelvio Pass.

The Atlantic Road, or Estrada Atlântica, is a coastal route in the western part of Portugal. It runs for about 60 km (37 miles) between Nazaré and Praia do Osso da Baleia, near Figueira da Foz, in the Leiria district. The road follows the coastline, offering access to beaches, small villages, and pine forests.

A new coastal road was completed in 2022 in central Portugal. Known informally as “The Road” through Enforca Cães, it runs along the cliffs of Serra de Boa Viagem, providing vehicle and bicycle access between two coastal parishes.

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