Portugal's N2 is one of the best road trips in Europe

El País' feature from 2018 follow's José Saramango's travel from North to South along N2

Are you planning to discover Portugal by car?

25 years years ago José Saramago traveller writer received his Nobel Prize in Literature.

El País used the occasion to feature Portugal as a travel-by-car destination based on Saramango’s Journey to Portugal.

We have been cruising by car to all corners of Portugal for more than 30 years. Still we manage to find small pieces of Paradise just “behind” places we thought we knew well. Together with the cournty’s short distances these hidden surprices are what make Portugal is Europe’s best car destination.

Today travelling by car is kind of provoking.

But we still love going around by car.

Especially in Portugal where a car is a MUST if you want to see the creme-de-la-creme of what this beautiful country offers.

And don’t mind telling people where we have been, what we like and what we don’t like.

If the United States has Route 66, Portugal has its National 2, an off-highway highway, the backbone of the country's interior.

From Chaves to Faro, a route of authentic country and authentic gastronomy.

Although its 737 kilometers allow you to cover the road in one day, it would be a waste. EN2 is for savoring. The goal is not to arrive.

Javier Martin Del Barrio El País 12 October 2018

I am a big fan of Jack Kerouac. His On The Road is still one of my top 5 inspirational books of all time. So when I read El Pais’ reference to Jack Kerouac’s mother road Route 66 in US I got curious and checked out their 8 ways to fall in love with Portugal

National 2: crossing Portugal by car.
Navigate between vineyards, from Pinhão to Provesende
To Santiago along the Portuguese coast
Tomar, refuge of the Templars
Singing takes place in the Alentejo
Tour between Faro islands to Cacela Velha
Island tour from Faro to Cacela Velha
Literary Lisbon, after Saramago and Pessoa

Depending on your interest all eight travel recommendations are good.

The N2 is in my opinion the most interesting of them – especially if you want to away from the beaten track. And going by car is definitely worth the carbon imprint.

Follow the link in the quote above to check out Javier Martin Del Barrio’s recommendations!

Alone along D'Ouro

From N2 along Douro River towards Salamanca in Spain you find some of the most beautiful parts D'Ouro River. Roads and bridges are too small for trucks - so you are alone

Where it all started

Guimarães - Portugal's birthplace and part of Senhora Do Montes history.

Interested in Medieval Castles?

Lamego - a hidden gem

In 2017 we researched 'Champagnes' around D'Ouro. That was how we found Lamego: Home of Caves da Raposeira - our preferred 'Bubbles'. Lamego itself is a true hidden gem.

The perfect match: Caves da Raposeira + A night in Lamego

Ponte de Lima

"Paradise on Earth" Thomas' son called this place when we stayed there for the first time in 2000. Since the we have visited this magical place several times

Ponte de Barca

Ponte de Barca only 20 km drive from Ponte de Lima is a perfect place to stay if you want to see the Wild Horses in Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês

Monsanto

Nestled on a steep hill slope you find the most Portuguese village in Portugal. Nice place to visit - but we prefer to stay in a place with more 'life'

A hidden gem in Algarve

After Lisbon Algarve is Portugal's most popular destination. We find it very touristic, BUT its still possible to find magical places. West of Lamego you can find an amazing coastline and nature, and in the backland of Albufeira super charming small, town like Alte.

Marvão on top of Portugal

As José Saramago once wrote: "From Marvão one can see the entire land..." A Must visit - but expect a lot of tourists.

I don't think it's worth spending time on A journey to Portugal

I considered buying Saramango’s Journey to Portugal.

That was until I read New York Times’ review of the book when it was published in English in 2001.

As books of travel go, this one goes wrong from the start – Michael Pye writes in his very entertaining review. Something Saramango himself agrees with: I am not so sure I was successful, as he is quoted in NYT.

So while the revue is hilarious and highly recommended reading I can’t say the same about A Journey to Portugal.

The poet of Portugal is José Saramago, winner of the Nobel Prize, a fabulist with the power of some mesmeric storyteller at the fireside.

So you might expect that a book by Saramago called ''Journey to Portugal,'' tricked out with pretty photographs, would light up a country that was once Europe's anchor and now is shamefully unfamiliar. Sadly, you'd be wrong.

Michael Pye New York Times 1 April 2001

Read Javier Martin’s feature in El Pais, let his 8 Ways To Fall In Love With Portugal inspire you and forget Saramango’s book.

But do not for get his wise words: The goal is not to arrive.

Instead buy Kerouac’s On The Road and bring it with you wherever yo go. His travel mantras Live, Travel, Adventure, Bless and don’t be sorry will take you to places and people all over the world.

All the best and get your kicks on route N2

Thomas