Route N2
Portugal North to South
Take a road trip down this legendary route with Start Adventure
— Route Nacional 2
Let’s hit the road and cross the marvelous landscapes of Portugal from North to South, literally. Start Adventure’s new route cover the celebrated Estrada Nacional — from Mile 0 in Chaves all the way to Faro and the 738 roundabout, which marks the end of the route.
In this unique expedition slicing Portugal in half, we shall visit the North and include Vidago and also the Thermal Park of Pedras Salgadas, beyond the Lamego river. One of the most genuine celebrations of the arrival of spring still take place here, where you can meet colorful figures wearing traditional wooden masks made by craftspeople of Lazarim. We will cover many other spots of great beauty, like the historical city center of Viseu, the Bookshop of Mondego, and the Portugal Geodasic Center in the district of Castelo Branco.
The stunning colors of the Portuguese landscape, in the mountains, the valleys and the beach will always accompany us through Alentejo and Algarve, where a magnificent sunset awaits us at Ilha de Faro, or Island of Faro.
The origin story of Estrada Nacional 2, or Route N2, goes back to 1945 and improvements in road planning with the objective of linking the North to the South of Portugal in one swoop. This route was actually built from already existing roads — some parts even take on ancient Roman paths.
With a total length of 738,5 km, N2 is therefore the oldest road in Portugal, slicing the country in half vertically. It is the perfect route to see Portugal as a whole: beautiful landscapes, many of which part of UNESCO World Heritage, such as the river Douro. The diversity in its regions is immense and filled with treasure such as the thermal waters of Chaves, Vidago and Pedras Salgadas, and the peaceful rivers that run along the route, Tâmego, Lamego and Tejo, among others.
The road pierces plaines of rich colors in Alentejo, full of ancient history and flavorful gastronomy — and culminates in a happy catharsis in the sunny Algarve, where the sea and the cliffs of Faro delight the weary traveler.
—Trip status
—Program details
Arrival in Chaves and stay at the Castelo Hotel.
20h00 – Dinner at the traditional restaurant Adega Faustino.
09:00 – Departure from Chaves.
Route N2 starts in Chaves by the legendary Mile 0 in Bairro da Madalena, in the roundabout by the public garden of rotunda Chaves.
09:30 – Arrival in Vidago.
Visit to a famous water spring at the Thermal Park of Pedras Salgadas which dates from the 19th century. Among the most noteworthy spots of the park is the Thermal Bath house, the old Casino, the iconic fountain of Pedras Salgadas (time to taste the famous water!).
10:00 – Departure from Vidago.
10:30 – Arrival in Vila Pouca de Aguiar.
Coffee break and visit to the Pena de Aguiar Castle (where you can enjoy wonderful mountainous landscapes).
11:00 – Departure from Vila Pouca de Aguiar and stopping by Vila Real and Santa Marta.
Slight detour to the viewpoint of São Leonardo de Galafura, with one of the most iconic panoramic views of Douro.
12:00 – Arrival in Peso da Régua
Visit to the cellars of Quinta da Pacheca, with wine tasting and lunch.
15:00 – Departure from Quinta da Pacheca towards Lamego.
15:30 – Arrival in Lamego and visit to the Sanctuary of Nossa senhora dos Remédios.
Stop by the village of Colo de Pito to show off your photography skills.
16:30 – Arrival in the quaint village of Lazarim (Lamego), where the arrival of spring is celebrated by pagan figures in wooden masks. Visit to the Interpretational Center of the Iberian Mask.
17:30 – Departure from Lazarim stopping by S. Pedro do Sul and the mountain range of Serra de São Macário.
18:00 – Arrival in Viseu: historical city center, Porta dos Cavaleiros(Kight’s Door), Statue of Viriato(the leader of pre-Roman Portugal). Break for a free visit and a taste of the local pastries (Suggestion: try a Viriato at the bakery Confeitaria Amaral).
Dinner at the restaurant Santa Luzia, and stay at Montebelo Congress Viseu.
09:00 – Departure from Viseu towards Santa Comba Dão.
10:00 – Visit to the house where Oliveira Salazar, a dictator for 30 years in Portugal, was born. He created this very Route N2.
10:30 – Departure from Santa Comba Dão stopping by Penacova, Albufeira da Barragem da Aguieira and the Bookshop of Mondego, a natural monument that the weather carved over millions of years and that resembles books arranged vertically in a shelf. Stop at Vila Nova de Poiares, Lousã and Góis.
Visit to the villages of Picha and Venda da Gaita for picture-taking.
13:00 – Arrival in Sertã, where we will have lunch at the restaurant Ponte Velha, located right next to one of the mile stones of N2, kilometer 345.
15:00 – Departure from Sertã stopping by Vila de Rei.
15:45 – Visit and photo at the Geodesic Center of Portugal.
16:15 – Departure and stop by Penedo Furado for a moment in touch with nature and observing in loco the beauty of the natural waterfalls and trails of the wonderful place.
17:45 – Arrival in Abrantes. Free to visit the historical center and castle. Stay at the Luna Turismo Hotel and dinner at the restaurant A Velha.
9h00 – Departure from Abrantes, stopping by Ponte de Sor, Retas Sul do Tejo, Barragem de Montargil, Mora and the village of Brotas with its sanctuary.
10:30 – Visit to the village of Ciborro, where the iconic mile stone that signals Kilometer 500 of Estrada Nacional 2.
11:30 – We’ll stop by Montemor o Novo, and then Alcáçovas to visit Paço dos Henriques and see the wonderful traditional rattle exhibition 100 Chocalhos.
12:15 – Departure from Alcáçovas stopping by Ferreira do Alentejo, Aljustrel, Minas de Aljustrel.
13:30 – Arrival in Castro Verde. Lunch at the restaurant O Castro.
15:30 – Departure from Castro Verde stopping by Almodôvar. We will go through the century-old bridge Ponte Medieval, or medieval bridge, over the stream Ribeira de Cobres.
Between Almodôvar and São Brás de Alportel, we will stop by the stream Ribeira do Vascão, a natural frontier between Alentejo and Algarve, the sleepy village of Ameixial, home to the well-known Walking Festivals of Portugal and also a short stop at the unforgettable viewpoint Miradouro da Serra do Caldeirão.
18:30 – Arrival in Faro. Visit to the roundabout 738, which signals the last mile of Estrada Nacional, for another great picture of this legendary trip. Check-In at the Hotel Faro Beach Club.
Visit the ilha de Faro, or Faro island, one of the most iconic places of the Portuguese south, to behold the Algarve landscape as night falls.
20:30 – Dinner at the restaurant Tertúlia Algarvia near the seaport of Faro in the old part of town, after which we are free to wander around the historical center of Faro.
Return home.
—Conditions for participation
598.80€
Per person in twin-room
787.20€
Per person in single-room
✓ The price includes
- 4 dinners
- 3 lunches
- 4 nights at superior hotel (bed and breakfast regime)
- Visit and wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca
- Visits to castles and museums
✗The price does not include
- Car
- Fuel
- Tolls
- Personal expenses
- Spirits(alcoholic drinks)
▸ Terms for participation:
- Payment of 50% of the total price upon enrolment
- Payment of the other 50% up to 30 days before the beginning of the trip
- Read in detail all the terms of use.
Take part in this adventure
Fill in your data to receive more information about this trip, and get to know upcoming dates and how to take part.
