National Road 222 is a sensational road of Portugal

# Estrada Nacional 222: Portugal's Legendary Wine Country Drive

If you've never heard of EN222, you're missing out on what was crowned the world's best road back in 2015. Seriously. This 21.4 km stretch between Peso da Régua and Pinhão in Portugal's Viseu district is an absolute gem that deserves a spot on every road trip bucket list.

Here's what makes it special: you're getting a fully paved route with 93 gloriously twisty bends that'll test your driving skills and your nerve in equal measure. Most people tackle the whole thing in about 35-45 minutes—though honestly, you'll probably want to take longer just to soak it all in.

The real magic? You're driving straight through the heart of the Douro Valley, home to some of the world's finest Porto wine. Picture this: terraced vineyards cascading down hillsides, the River Douro snaking through the landscape, and constantly shifting viewpoints that'll have you reaching for your camera at every turn. By the time you roll into Pinhão, where the river opens up and those dramatic terraced hills embrace you one last time, you'll completely understand why this road earned its legendary status.

The Douro Valley itself has serious credentials—it became the world's first formally demarcated wine region and scored UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001. So yeah, you're not just driving a great road; you're experiencing one of Europe's most historically significant wine regions up close and personal.