Estrada Nacional 2 is the Route 66 of Portugal
Portugal, europe
738 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
# Portugal's Epic North-to-South Adventure: National Road 2
Think Route 66, but Portuguese—that's National Road 2, and it's absolutely magical. This legendary 738km (458-mile) stretch connects Chaves in the rugged north to Faro in the sunny south, and it's honestly one of Europe's most underrated road trips.
Completely paved and packed with character, EN2 is the longest continuous road in Portugal, weaving through four mountain ranges, crossing 11 rivers, and passing through 29 municipalities. It's the kind of drive where you'll want to take your time, rolling through tiny villages, stopping at riverside beaches, and tasting some seriously incredible regional food. Frommer's named it one of the best places to go in 2019—and they weren't exaggerating.
The route kicks off in Chaves, nestled in the wild, mountainous Trás os Montes region near Spain, and meanders south through Portugal's heart before ending near Faro, where you can practically taste the salt air from the Algarve's turquoise waters.
What makes this drive so special? You'll cruise past stunning vineyards, stumble upon medieval villages that time forgot, pass four UNESCO World Heritage sites, and navigate through some genuinely rugged, lesser-known landscapes. Elegant spa towns, pristine lakes, and photogenic historic towns dot the route at every turn.
Built starting in the late 19th century and completed in 1945, National Road 2 is a road trip that tells the story of Portugal itself. Slow down, explore, and fall in love with this incredible country.
Where is it?
Estrada Nacional 2 is the Route 66 of Portugal is located in Portugal (europe). Coordinates: 39.4666, -7.7577
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 738 km
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 39.4666, -7.7577
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