Experience the Family Road Trip of a Lifetime in Portugal: From Lisbon to the Algarve

Portugal, with its sun-drenched coastline, charming towns, and laid-back vibe, is a road tripper's dream. The country is compact yet packed with diversity, with an ideal blend of scenic drives, cultural encounters, and family-friendly experiences. Whether you're traveling with kids or seeking a blend of luxury and leisure, the Land of Explorers invites you to explore it on four wheels, with the Martinhal Resorts providing perfect, well-placed pit stops along the way.

Start in Lisbon: City Buzz Meets Family Comfort

Your journey begins in Portugal's capital—Lisbon. Wander through the cobbled streets of Alfama, where Fado music drifts from traditional taverns. Explore the Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Belém Tower, and indulge in pastéis de nata at the original Pastéis de Belém bakery. Ride the historic Tram 28 for a city tour with a vintage twist. For family fun, visit the Lisbon Oceanarium or enjoy riverside bike rides in Parque das Nações.

Stay: For family-friendly urban living, Martinhal Lisbon Chiado offers stylish serviced apartments in the heart of the city. Housed in a historic building from 1855, the property has been meticulously refurbished to offer modern living spaces without compromising its original 19th-century architecture. For more space and modern comforts, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente in Parque das Nações provides easy access to the Oceanarium and riverside parks. Set in one of Lisbon’s most modern and family-friendly neighborhoods, the hotel is surrounded by interactive science museums, cable car rides with panoramic views over the Tagus River, and wide pedestrian promenades perfect for cycling and evening strolls. It’s an ideal base for families looking to blend urban adventure with waterside relaxation. The hotel features contemporary family suites, a kids' club, indoor play areas, and an on-site restaurant designed with families in mind, making it a comfortable and engaging space for guests of all ages.

Drive South via Alentejo: Wine Country and Ancient Charm

From Lisbon, hit the road and head into the sun-soaked Alentejo region. The drive itself is part of the magic, as gentle hills stretch out before you, punctuated by whitewashed villages and vast open skies. Stop in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can explore the Roman Temple, the Chapel of Bones, and meander through medieval streets. Visit a local vineyard for a wine tasting while kids enjoy farm experiences or picnic in the countryside. It's the kind of leisurely detour that road trips are made for.

Arrive at Quinta do Lago: Luxury and Nature Combined

As you reach the Algarve, the scenery shifts dramatically. Rolling vineyards give way to pine forests, glittering lagoons, and golden beaches. The coastal roads wind through nature reserves and seaside towns, inviting impromptu stops and spontaneous swims. Quinta do Lago offers nature trails through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, birdwatching spots, and world-class golf courses. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy championship-level courses including

the famous South Course and Laranjal, both renowned for their scenic beauty and challenging play. The area also boasts excellent golfing amenities such as professional coaching, junior golf programs, and well-equipped clubhouses, making it a great spot for both seasoned players and those new to the game. Families can kayak along the coast, enjoy horseback rides, or spend the day on sandy shores.

Stay: Martinhal Quinta provides villa-style accommodation in a secure gated community, ideal for families and multigenerational travelers. The resort features its own golfing pitch, great for children and beginners, as well as private pools, kids' clubs, and a Baby Concierge service offering everything from highchairs to bottle warmers for a stress-free family holiday. Surrounded by some of the Algarve’s finest courses, Martinhal Quinta is a golfer’s dream base. Just minutes away are the award-winning Quinta do Lago North, South, and Laranjal courses, as well as Pinheiros Altos and the renowned golf destination of Vilamoura. Even the resort’s Pool Hangout offers serene views of Pinheiros Altos, blending relaxation with easy access to top-tier golf.

Detour to the Wild West: Sagres and the Surf Coast

Venture west to Sagres on winding coastal roads where cliffs meet the sea, and every curve reveals another breathtaking panorama. Sagres is one of Portugal's most dramatic towns, perched at the southwesternmost point of Europe. Visit Cabo de São Vicente, where the wind-whipped cliffs and crashing waves mark the end of the continent. Explore the 16th-century Sagres Fortress, let the kids run free on Mareta Beach, or try their hand at beginner surf lessons. This stretch of road is raw, wild, and unforgettable, embodying the soul of Portugal's coastal charm.

Stay: Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, nestled right by the serene beach overlooking the breezy Atlantic Ocean, offers barefoot luxury with a strong family focus. From spa treatments, incredible cuisine to supervised kids' activities, it ensures both parents and children have an unforgettable stay. For the adventure-minded, the resort’s in-house Water Sports Centre provides access to a range of activities, from paddleboarding and kayaking to windsurfing and diving, making it a hub for coastal excitement.

A road trip through Portugal is more than changing landscapes, it’s a journey through flavors, history, and coastal magic. From pastéis in Lisbon to waves in Sagres, medieval marvels to serene natural parks, this country captivates at every turn. And with Martinhal’s well-placed resorts offering warmth, ease, and style, your road trip becomes a seamless blend of discovery and comfort. Portugal awaits, one memory at a time.

About Martinhal Resorts:

Martinhal Resorts is a collection of four luxury family hotels, resorts and residences in Portugal, owned and operated by its founders, Chitra and Roman Stern. Together, this international and dynamic couple from Switzerland and Singapore, parents to four children all born in Portugal, have developed award-winning hotel and residential properties with a unique proposition for family holidays. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, they have established their businesses and reputation in Portugal and beyond, recognized through international awards and accolades. The opening of Martinhal Sagres in 2010 established the group’s reputation as a leading hotel developer in Portugal. The 5-star resort in one of the Algarve’s most stunning coastal locations includes 37 hotel rooms, 132 village houses, 50 townhouses and villas with unique designs and a range of high-quality leisure, sports and dining facilities. Between 2015 and 2016, they opened other Martinhal hotels and resorts in the Algarve and greater Lisbon. This included the opening of the world’s first city-center luxury family hotel in Lisbon’s historic and cultural quarter, Chiado, home to 37 stylishly designed hotel suites, ranging from studios to 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. In June 2023, Martinhal Residences and its hotel operation at Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, opened with a total of 152 accommodations including hotel apartments, and branded residences for sale. All four Martinhal properties are based on private investors acquiring villas and apartments with the option to enter their property into the letting pool of the operator. Since the brand’s inception, Martinhal has become known for creating destinations that have global appeal. To date, they have sold over 300 Martinhal branded apartments and houses to individual expatriate buyers alone. Savills recently selected Martinhal Residences as one of the top 3 branded residences in Europe.