The Corridors: Estrada Nacional N2. Un viaggio unico da nord a sud

Set along the Tagus estuary and shaped by centuries of history, Lisbon is a luminous and vibrant capital where Atlantic light, river landscapes and urban life merge into a city of hills, viewpoints and distinct neighbourhoods. Its mild, sunny climate makes it ideal to explore on foot, moving through steep streets, historic trams and sudden openings over the water. The historic and commercial heart is Baixa Pombalina, rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake through one of Europe’s earliest modern urban planning projects. Here, the lively Rossio Square connects to the grand Praça do Comércio, opening directly onto the river and inviting long walks along the Tagus waterfront. From here, the city rises toward Chiado, an elegant cultural district filled with historic cafés, then continues to Bairro Alto, where a mix of old buildings, narrow streets and a dense nightlife create one of Europe’s most energetic evening scenes, with restaurants, bars and theatres side by side. Along the riverfront, Cais do Sodré has become a key nightlife hub, while the Avenidas Novas area, stretching between Saldanha, Entrecampos and Marquês de Pombal, represents the city’s modern axis, with tree-lined boulevards, shops and Avenida da Liberdade, where international brands stand next to traditional pastry shops. Lisbon’s most authentic soul appears in Alfama, a maze of narrow alleys, tiled façades and the sound of fado music flowing from small taverns, a tradition recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. From here, São Jorge Castle overlooks the city, while Mouraria and Madragoa preserve a more local and traditional atmosphere. To the west, Belém reflects Portugal’s Age of Discoveries with the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, alongside the Monument to the Discoveries. This is also the birthplace of the iconic pastel de nata, one of the city’s most famous culinary symbols. Further east along the river, the modern Parque das Nações and the Tagus Estuary Museum highlight Lisbon’s strong connection to its waterfront. Between Tram 28, panoramic viewpoints and riverside walks, Lisbon offers a journey through history, energy and Atlantic atmosphere.

Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and best-preserved medieval towns in Portugal, enclosed by perfectly intact walls and dominated by a Moorish castle now converted into a pousada. Once part of the “Casa das Rainhas” (Queens’ Estate), it preserves a charming historic centre of whitewashed alleys adorned with bougainvillea and Manueline details, featuring the Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria and other historic churches of great value. Outside the walls lie the Aqueduct and the Santuário do Senhor Jesus da Pedra, while the village retains a romantic and timeless atmosphere. Today, Óbidos is also a lively cultural destination, renowned for its Chocolate Festival and Medieval Market, as well as for the traditional ginjinha served in a chocolate cup. Nearby are the scenic Peniche Peninsula and spectacular golf courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Overlooking the Mondego River, Coimbra is one of Portugal’s most fascinating historic and cultural cities. Once the capital of the kingdom and home to the prestigious University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013, the city preserves a unique atmosphere of medieval streets, stairways and historic academic buildings. At the heart of Coimbra lies the university complex on the Alta hill, featuring the renowned Joanina Library, the University Tower and the Pátio das Escolas. Other highlights include the Sé Velha cathedral, the Convent of Santa Clara-a-Velha and the Machado de Castro Museum. Coimbra is also famous for its academic traditions, student musical groups and the evocative Fado de Coimbra. Nearby attractions include the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, the schist villages of Serra da Lousã and the natural landscapes along the Mondego River.

Porto is a true postcard image of Portugal, where history and modernity blend in an original way. Renowned worldwide for its wine and cultural heritage, the city offers a dynamic atmosphere that captivates every visitor. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites you to get lost in narrow streets, admire the striking azulejos, and discover iconic landmarks such as the Clérigos Tower, Porto Cathedral, and São Bento Station, known for its remarkable tile panels depicting the history of Portugal. The banks of the Douro River provide one of the city’s most emblematic landscapes, with the Ribeira district full of traditional restaurants and lively terraces overlooking the famous Port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. Crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge is an essential experience, offering spectacular panoramic views over Porto and the Douro. Porto is also a cultural and creative hub, home to notable museums and galleries such as the Serralves Foundation, Casa da Música, and the Soares dos Reis National Museum. Its vibrant gastronomy is another defining feature, with the francesinha standing out as the city’s signature dish, best enjoyed with a glass of Port wine or a craft beer. With a rich offer of events, traditional markets, and a lively nightlife, Porto perfectly combines authenticity and innovation, making it one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations for tourism and leisure.

The Douro Valley is one of Portugal’s most iconic landscapes, where the river carves a natural corridor between terraced vineyards, steep hills, and historic villages. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also one of the world’s oldest wine regions, renowned for Port wine and Douro wines. Shaped over centuries by nature and human work, the landscape extends along the river from Porto to the eastern border with Spain. The journey often begins in Vila Nova de Gaia, home to historic Port wine cellars and the traditional navigations of the barcos rabelos, once used to transport wine barrels along the river. Upstream, towns such as Peso da Régua, a key wine centre, and Pinhão, known for its azulejo-covered railway station, define the heart of the region. Scenic routes like the EN222 road and the Douro railway line offer continuous views over vineyards and river bends. Notable viewpoints such as São Leonardo da Galafura, Casal de Loivos, and São Salvador do Mundo provide sweeping panoramas over the river gorges. Further east, toward Barca d’Alva, the landscape becomes wilder as it enters the Douro International Natural Park, a protected border area marked by cliffs and rich biodiversity. Douro culture is deeply connected to viticulture and historic quintas, where wine production and rural traditions continue. The gastronomy is simple and authentic, based on local ingredients and regional recipes that accompany the area’s wines. River cruises, scenic trains, and vineyard routes allow visitors to experience the valley from multiple perspectives. It is advisable to check official sources for train and navigation timetables and frequencies, as well as cellar opening times.

Viseu lies among the rolling hills of the Dão region, in a landscape of vineyards, forests and historic villages. Its old town preserves cobbled streets, elegant squares and monuments that reflect the city’s importance throughout the centuries. The cathedral and Renaissance buildings enhance the charm of a setting rich in history and culture. Viseu combines architectural heritage, wine traditions and a high quality of life in one of central Portugal’s most appealing destinations.

Marvão is perched high in the Serra de São Mamede near the Spanish border. The fortified village rises on a rocky ridge dominated by a medieval castle that once controlled strategic routes. Its historic centre features granite architecture and sweeping panoramic views across the valley and surrounding mountain ranges. The area belongs to the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, known for its biodiversity and mountain landscapes. Rural traditions and local cuisine enrich the experience. A destination combining history, nature and quietness.

Located in the heart of the Alentejo, Évora is one of Portugal’s most important historic cities, and since 1986 its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enclosed by medieval walls and surrounded by countryside dotted with olive trees and cork oaks, it preserves a compact atmosphere shaped by squares, narrow streets, and monuments that tell over two thousand years of history. The Roman heritage is represented by the Roman Temple, known as the Temple of Diana, while the Sé de Évora dominates the city skyline with its Gothic architecture. Nearby stands the Chapel of Bones, decorated with human bones taken from ancient cemeteries. The historic center is organized around Praça do Giraldo, the city’s main square and social hub, connected to a network of streets leading to palaces, convents, and museums. The University, founded in the 16th century, helps keep the city lively. Évora is also a key cultural and gastronomic reference in the Alentejo, known for olive oil, wines, and local traditions. Walking along the city walls at sunset reveals the authentic character of the town. In the surroundings, you can visit the Cromeleque dos Almendres (about 15 km from Évora), one of the most important megalithic complexes in the Iberian Peninsula; Monsaraz (about 55 km), a medieval hilltop village overlooking the Alqueva Lake; Vila Viçosa (about 50 km), with its impressive ducal palace; and, about 100 km away, Elvas, a fortified city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, representing one of the finest examples of military architecture in Portugal.

Mértola overlooks the Guadiana River and is one of the most historically layered towns in Alentejo. Once a Roman city, later an Islamic centre and then a seat of the Order of Santiago, it preserves a unique heritage visible in the Islamic Museum and medieval castle. The historic centre features narrow streets and whitewashed houses along the river. It lies within the Guadiana Valley Natural Park, known for its gorges, biodiversity and river landscapes. Local cuisine reflects authentic rural traditions.

The Algarve stretches along the southern coast of Portugal, boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year and a variety of landscapes that are not limited to the long beaches, the high cliffs framing small secluded bays and the coastal villages that have made the destination such a success, for it also holds true treasures of beauty in its hinterland, a journey back in time among whitewashed villages perched on hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves. The coastline extends for approximately 150 kilometres from Tavira, close to the Spanish border, to Sagres, the south-westernmost point of the country and of the European continent. Let us therefore follow the coastline from east to west to point out the main resorts: Tavira, with a charming historic centre and the renowned Ilha de Tavira, part of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (a lagoon area and ecosystem of great value), a strip of sand that can be reached by a short ferry crossing; Faro, the capital of the Algarve, with a well-preserved historic centre and the region's main airport; Albufeira, one of the most popular tourist destinations, famous for its beaches, lively nightlife and restaurants (the resort is subject to overcrowding during the summer months, especially July and August, and the presence of numerous nightclubs and bars makes it particularly attractive to a young crowd); Portimao, the city of sardines, the region's second town, with lively daytime and night-time activity, a modern marina and the renowned Praia da Rocha, a long beach framed by high ochre-coloured cliffs; Lagos, with its breathtaking beaches, sea caves and rich historical heritage; Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente, inextricably linked to the epic of the great Portuguese ocean expeditions, outstanding surf spots, the trails and the unspoilt shoreline of the Costa Vicentina. The rural hinterland offers enchanting natural landscapes, ochre-coloured villages with important Arab remains such as Silves or thermal springs as at Moncique; the range of activities linked to water sports and the sea is impressive, the destination is considered a mecca for golf lovers, and wellness and sustainability have made a powerful entrance into the tourism industry.

Faro overlooks the Ria Formosa lagoon, one of southern Portugal’s most important coastal ecosystems. Its historic centre, enclosed by ancient walls, preserves cobbled streets, historic buildings and peaceful squares shaped by centuries of maritime history. The lagoon’s sandy islands and beaches offer remarkable natural scenery, while the harbour and lively urban atmosphere connect tradition with contemporary life. Faro combines cultural heritage, nature and authenticity in a distinctive setting.