A road trip through Spain and Portugal.
A road trip in Spain and Portugal, travelling from the top of Spain to the bottom and then from the bottom of Portugal to the top.
It has to be our most epic road trip yet. Full of changing scenery and temperatures and we loved it.
If you’re thinking of a European road trip Portugal and Spain are perfect countries to start in.
Our Portugal road trip took in the best of the country from the beaches of the Algarve to the city buzz of Lisbon. And in Spain taking in the beautiful countryside and changing scenery from the northern port of Santander to the southern beauty of Seville.
It was the perfect Spain and Portugal trip.
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Table of Contents
Setting off UK to Spain from ferry
We started our road trip to Spain and Portugal in Portsmouth. Boarding Brittany Ferries for the 26 hour crossing to Spain. Full of anticipation for the journey ahead.
Sunny skies and calm seas meant we had plenty of time to relax on board. With the entertainers which made the children laugh, shops to explore, large open decks with children’s play areas inside and out, restaurants and bars which hosted the family quiz we could all take part in.
We slept well in the cabins which were cosy and comfortable.
Santander and Valladolid
Then we were off, back in our car. Disembarking in Santander and speeding along towards a night in Valladolid.
We would have loved to have spent more time exploring this interesting looking town but the south beckoned.
Driving south through Spain – A road trip through Spain and Portugal
As soon as morning came we set off again. The drive south was beautiful.
We could feel the temperature rise as we passed signs to Madrid. And then saw the majestic old and new cathedrals of Salamanca rise hazy in the distance, stood together like an old couple, proud and grand. The little houses of their subjects scattered around reverently.
The landscape yellowed and spring time flowers flourished, dancing happily to their own beat as our little car kept heading south.
We stopped off in the sweet little town of Monasterio for some tapas. Picturesque with tiled houses and shops and the sleepy feel of southern Spain.
Then on we pressed, passing Seville, somewhere again we wished we could stop and explore before taking a sharp right turn towards Portugal.
Crossing the border Spain to Portugal at the Algarve
Coming over the border we whizzed along this sandy stretch of the Algarve, billowing reeds and palm trees with blue skies over gave it a tropical feel.
We arrived into Four Seasons Fairways, our home for the next five days, in time to sit out in the sunshine, beside our pool and relax with lemonades.
The biggest part of our journey was over.
Spending time in the Algarve – A road trip through Spain and Portugal
The next few days in the Algarve were spent happily relaxing.
We were in the Algarve over Easter so the children happily partook in Easter Egg hunts. And we all enjoyed the amazing Easter procession in the nearby town of Sao Brás de Alportel.
We swam in the pool, walked hand in hand across the beach, went horseriding through the forest and played golf.
It was the most wonderful, family time and we really indulged in it.
But our travels would not end here.
Somewhat reluctantly we packed our bags, loaded up the car and pointed north.
Heading from the Algarve to Lisbon
Out of the Algarve through pine forests and rocky lands to Lisbon.
Lisbon on a road trip through Spain and Portugal
Lisbon is a city we adore, it has so much going for it. A mild temperament, good food, historic sites.
We pulled in to Corpo Santo, our hotel that oozed history and a fine welcome. Canapés and wine for the adults, sweets and almond cake for the kids.
We spent a lovely few days in the city. Climbing steep tiled streets to the castle of Sao Jorge, pacing the battlements, admiring the peacocks.
We stopped for delicious pastel de natas, eating their creamy custard middles in the grand city squares while fountains played around us.
We watched the trams rattle past, learnt about the great earthquake which destroyed the city in the Lisboa Story Museum and skipped through the beautiful arched pathways that stretched around the grand squares.
It was a wonderful few days in Lisbon and strengthened our love for this beautiful city.
Driving north from Lisbon to northern Spain
Once again though it was time to head further north.
Through twisting mountain roads and past tiny communities, almost impossibly perched on top of the craggy landscape and over vast, fast flowing rivers we headed back in to Spain.
The landscape and dwellings started to take on an Alpine air, changing from the dusty yellows of the south so distinctly.
Allazriz – A road trip through Spain and Portugal
We arrived at our final destination on our road trip through Spain and Portugal. To Allariz and a spa hotel nestled in the valleys here and close to the picturesque and beautiful Arnoia River.
We spent such a lovely few days here. Relaxed, watching the calming waters flow past the hotel.
The best thing was that Oca Allariz has an amazing spa which children are welcome in to. We loved our time splashing about in the warm waters here, letting the tension of the travels wash away.
Allariz was our final stop on this wonderful adventure from north to south and back again.
Heading home
We headed towards the port of Santander, the grey skies and fat raindrops perfectly reflecting our sadness that this fun road trip was over.
The Bay of Biscay rocked us along, grey skies matching the grey sea as we counted down the time.
The journey back wasn’t as pleasant as the one out but we got through it and completed our amazing family road trip through Spain and Portugal.
We saw so many sites, shared so many smiles and will remember this fantastic time for ever.
Read more with our itinerary of our road trip through Spain and Portugal so you can follow along in our footsteps. Also our ultimate guide to the Algarve with kids for lots more recommendations of things to do there.
Top tips for family road trips with under-fives
An itinerary for 14 days in Spain and Portugal
An ultimate guide to Portugal with kids
Portugal is definitely on my travel bucket list and I love the idea of exploring by road trip!
This sounds like so much fun! We’re planning a road trip for next summer but maybe we should do it at Easter instead. I love Lisbon, such a great city with kids and those custard tarts are my favourite treat!
I’ve not thought to travel to Spain by ferry before, but sounds like it is a good way to see lots. I’m going to Portugal for the first time tomorrow x
I’m actually thinking of visiting Lisbon at some point with my children. Can you tell me if you think it’s a good place to take kids? The eldest is only 3 1/2 so might wait until next year, but it looks like a fantastic city.
Hi there, it really is. It’s a beautiful city, so family friendly and welcoming. Your eldest will love the amazing aquarium and also all the custard tarts 🙂 Hope you make it there!
I have always considered crossing over to Spain when I am in Portugal – I must put the idea into practice on my next visit
What an amazing sounding road trip – a great way to explore and looks like so much fun
Yes to this big time! I love the idea of road tripping, such a great idea to use the ferry service!
Just came across this lovely post! We are doing the similar trip this summer—three weeks exploring Southern Spain & Portugal. However, I’ve been researching how to cross the border from Seville to Faro and finding that we can’t take a Spain rental car across the border without returning it to the exact same location. We are ending our trip in Porto and taking a direct flight back to Madrid. Can you kindly advise on the rental company you used? Cheers!
Thank you so much, I’m pleased you enjoyed it and have a great trip, we absolutely loved these travels. We actually took our own car over on the ferry from the UK so no issues over borders. I didn’t realise you can’t take Spanish rental cars in to Portugal, what a pain. I hope you can find a way around it. I look forward to reading how you got on!