Like Argentina, with its
Ruta 40
, and the United States, with the famous Route 66, Portugal has its emblematic national road crossing the country, from north to south, passing through its geodesic center.
A major project of the New State regime, decided in 1945 by Salazar to connect Chaves to Faro and open up the interior of the territory, the
National 2
is first of all a failure in terms of territorial planning: little used from the start Originally, it quickly provided proof that no road axis is viable without including Porto and Lisbon.
To discover
Travel to Portugal: tailor-made tours, hotels and stays from our partners
After losing all interest as a “national road”, what had become a disparate collection of regional and municipal roads saw a new life in 2016, when an association of municipalities was created to transform the N2 into a tourist object.
Bet won!
Its 739 km now delight bikers and backpackers from all over the world.
Discover our itinerary and our advice to make the most of this superb getaway through rural and authentic Portugal.
Chaves – Peso da Régua
(92 km)
The Upper Douro wine region and its captivating terraces, listed as World Heritage.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
It is in the town of
Chaves
(155 km from Porto, 445 km from Lisbon) that your journey begins, at the legendary km 0 of the N2, marked by a kilometer marker covered with biker stickers.
On this first day, prepare to be amazed: this stage is marked by the breathtaking landscapes of the
Upper Douro wine region
, winding mountain roads and terraced vineyards listed as World Heritage Sites. .
Not to be missed
: Before hitting the road, set aside at least half a day to discover
Chaves
, its picturesque town center, its photogenic Trajan's Roman Bridge and the small keep of its castle.
Along the way, the district capital
Vila Real
, its medieval old town, its important religious heritage and its magnificent Mateus Palace are also worth a stop.
End your day with a walk along the Douro, at
Peso da Régua
, and a visit to the Douro Museum, dedicated to the region's long and rich wine history.
The table of the stage
: In Chaves, the typical Taberna Benito serves succulent local cuisine, including the regional star of the stage: the “posta Barrosã”, a piece of local veal.
And before leaving, a coffee at “Kilometro Zéro” is a must (at the km 0 marker).
Peso da Régua – Viseu
(80 km)
Reserve at least half a day to discover Chaves and its famous Roman bridge.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
On this section, you will leave the Upper Douro vineyards after the charming town of
Lamego
.
But there are always small mountain roads that await you, notably those of the granitic
Serra de Montemuro
.
This second day ends in
Viseu
, capital of the district of the same name and largest city on the N2.
Not to be missed
: The first break of the day is called
Lamego
, a quiet town known for its religious monuments.
Including the baroque Notre-Dame-des-Remèdes sanctuary, one of the main ones in the country.
If the 686 steps of its monumental staircase scare you, don't panic: a road leads to the temple.
And in case of good weather, the crystal clear waters of the Paiva River await you at the
Folgosa river beach
, just outside Castro Daire.
In
Viseu
, depending on your time, choose the very pleasant cathedral district, which concentrates the points of interest.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies of Lamego dates from the 18th century.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
The recommended detour
: A little before
Castro Daire
(whose parish church is worth a stop), add a good twenty kilometers to your itinerary and go to the
Portas de Montemuro
, a natural viewpoint at the top of the
mountain
range of the same name.
A captivating rocky atmosphere and an indescribable view await you there.
Look for Banksy’s rat there!
The food for the stopover
: In Viseu, the Bisaro pork (local breed) at the Pension Rossio Parque is divine.
Especially if washed down with a regional Dão wine.
Viseu – Sertã
(170 km)
The Penedo do Castro lookout and its view overlooking the Mondego River.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
On the third day of your trip, you will pass through the mountainous
Dão Lafões
region and the stunning
Serra de Lousã
, home to some of the most beautiful schist villages in Portugal.
On this section, it is a little difficult not to deviate from the N2, which sometimes merges with the IP3 expressway.
Don't insist: staying on the main road at all costs can turn into a headache.
The day ends in
Sertã
, in the heart of Portugal.
Don't miss
: En route, stop at
Santa Comba Dão
, Salazar's hometown.
Stroll through its quiet historic center and along the bucolic banks of the Dão River.
Then continue your way to
Penacova,
to take a dip at the river beach of Reconquinho, and climb to the Penedo do Castro lookout, which offers a panorama as far as the eye can see.
A small detour is necessary to discover the schist villages of the Serra de Lousã.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
The recommended detour
: The main “shale villages” of the municipality of
Gois
(so named because the houses there are built of schist stone) are well worth a detour on the small municipal roads crisscrossing the serra.
The route through the villages of
Comareira
,
Aigra Nova
,
Aigra Velha
and
Pena
is very well signposted and forms a loop starting from the N2 and returning to it.
The stopover table
(with accommodation option): The chef at Ponta Velha, restaurant at the Couvent de Sertã hotel, serves excellent regional cuisine.
On the menu, the very typical “
bucho de porco
” (stuffed pork belly) and a succulent fish soup.
Sertã – Montargil
(105 km)
The N2 crosses the most authentic (and deserted) part of Alentejo, made up of villages with whitewashed facades.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
Prepare for a radical change of scenery on this fourth day.
Because after crossing the Tagus, in
Abrantes
, the winding mountain roads give way to the endless (and just as photogenic) straight lines of the Alentejo
plains
.
Not to be missed
: About twenty kilometers from Sertã, go up to the geodesic center of Portugal.
The view of the surrounding mountain ranges is exceptional.
Then head to the river beach of
Penedo Furado
, one of the most beautiful in the region.
Take the opportunity to go to the waterfall of the same name, a few minutes walk from the beach.
The landscapes there are sublime.
The adventure continues in
Abrantes
, where a visit to the castle is a must.
The highest point of the city, it dominates what will be the daily life of your next days: the Alentejo plains.
Before arriving at
Montargi
l and if the mercury goes crazy: the waters of the dam on your left are accessible by car via small improvised paths... Keep an eye out!
Recommended detour
: The river village of
Dornes
, one of the most beautiful in the country, is only 25 km from Sertã, which adds a short hour's drive to your day's program.
The stopover table
: In Montargil, the owner of the Tropical restaurant has reigned for decades in her kitchen, where she makes a tasty “
frijoca
”, a typical and local dish based on pork.
Montargil – Ferreira do Alentejo
(135 km)
In Montemor-o-Novo, don't miss the castle ruins.
AdobeStock
On the occasion of this fifth stage, the N2 crosses the most authentic Alentejo, made up of towns with whitewashed facades, places on which time seems to have no influence.
Take your time.
Stop whenever you want and pop into the little cafes.
These are the main places of life in these depopulated villages.
Not to be missed
: On leaving Montargil, make your first stop at the
Gameiro
ecological park , ideal for nature walks and swimming, on the river beach of the same name.
Your route will then take you to
Montemor-o-Novo
, whose castle ruins are as imposing as they are remarkable, then to
Alcaçovas
, where there is a former royal residence from the 13th century.
Before concluding your day in
Ferreira do Alentejo
, known for its curious cylindrical chapel.
Recommended detours
: After Alcaçovas, a detour through
Viana do Castelo
will allow you to discover two curious monuments: the castle-parish church of the town, a surprising Manueline and Mudejar ensemble.
And the imposing baroque sanctuary of Nossa Senhora de Aires, recently renovated and planted in the middle of nowhere.
Another possible detour, the district capital
Beja
is only 20 minutes from Ferreira do Alentejo.
Ferreira do Alentejo – Faro
(165 km)
It floats like a savannah air in the Alentejo plains.
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
The last day of your adventure will see you leave the Alentejo plains and its immense straights.
Make way for the Algarve and its beaches!
But before that, you will have to experience the bends of the magnificent
Serra do Caldeirão
, which peaks at 589 m and forms a climatic barrier against the north winds, to the delight of the coastal inhabitants.
Did you miss mountain roads?
Here they are back!
Not to be missed
: Treat yourself to a first break in
Aljustrel
, a mining town since ancient times.
Visit its Santa Maria do Castelo sanctuary, the old working-class neighborhood and, of course, its impressive mining complex.
And don't leave the town without climbing up to its mill.
The panorama is exceptional.
Before tackling the 365 bends of the
Serra do Caldeirão
(yes, a Portuguese soldier counted them), stop at
Almodôvar
to discover its parish church, its convent and its medieval bridge.
The journey ends in Faro as it began: with a photo of the last terminal, the 738, signaling the last kilometer of the N2.
The monuments of the capital of the Algarve and its beaches with pleasant temperatures are yours!
Recommended detours
: We highly recommend going to the Hermitage of
São Pedro das Cabeças
.
Capping the top of a small hill, the temple itself is of very limited interest, but the view of the surrounding plains is magical.
The perfect place for THE photo of the magnificent Alentejo plains.
The stopover's table
: To complete your Portuguese journey, nothing better than a grilled fish or some seafood facing the ocean.
The Rui restaurant, at Faro beach, is the place for this.
With the possibility of offering you a few swims in the Atlantic.
What could be better than ending this journey with a swim at sunset on Faro beach?
Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
Practical notebook
The N2 passport
To immortalize your road trip, take the “N2 passport” and have it stamped in each of the 35 municipalities you will pass through.
Available at the Chaves tourist office for a first stamp.
When ?
There is no ideal time to travel the N2.
At the beginning of autumn as in spring, the climate remains very pleasant, even suitable for swimming.
In summer, the road is a little busier and the mercury soars, but you can take full advantage of the cool waters of the river beaches.
In how many days?
The itinerary we are proposing involves 6 days of driving, which seems to us to be the minimum.
But you can also dedicate your entire vacation there and make wider detours, discovering the main Portuguese destinations, such as Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Evora and the Algarve.
In which way ?
Purists will claim that the most authentic road trip begins in Chaves, at kilometer zero.
But the locals won't stone you if you choose Faro as your starting point.
Which can be practical, as the capital of the Algarve has an international airport.
Either way, take your time.
Take full advantage of the authenticity of the villages you will pass through and the kindness of their inhabitants.