Location Guides for Compare Car Rentals

Portugal and Madeira

Portugal and Madeira car rentals

Many Canadians enjoy a European holiday in Portugal and Madeira for their great beaches, stunning countryside, delicious cuisine and lively cities. It is one of Europe’s best value destinations and Canadians will find that it is easy to get to with direct flights via its four international airports.

Highlights

Lisbon is the most visited Portuguese city and is the largest in the country. It is worth spending a few days here to see its many beautiful monuments, bleached limestone buildings and fantastic museums. Brago is another good choice and consists of a great mix of old and new. Along the northern coast are the cities of Aviero and Porto, both that are equally rewarding and reachable from the capital with a car rental.

Funchal is the main gateway to Madeira and also the resort city of the island. It has many fantastic attractions such as the Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro Park, the São Lourenço Palace (Palácio de São Lourenço) and Se Cathedral. The caves, aqueducts, and gardens throughout the island can easily be explored from the city by car rental.

Exploring by car

Driving in Portugal is a fantastic way to get around and all major cites are connected by a great road network. A car rental is not necessary in Lisbon but is ideal for venturing out and exploring the mountains and coastal areas. There are plenty of options making it easy to compare car rental, which is recommended. However, be cautious of the locals as they are not known for their driving skills and Portugal sees plenty of accidents.

Tourist season and weather

The tourist season falls in the summer when there is hotter weather. However, July and August can become quite hot and humid and may be unbearable for some Canadians. Spring is a great time to visit to avoid the crowds and the weather is still quite pleasant. November to March sees quite a lot of rain although there are still some sunny days.