Between the 19th and 22nd of May, the biggest motorsport event in Portugal, WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal will be held, celebrating its 50th edition and sponsored by Hertz.
This year, the event features three super-specials in Coimbra, Lousada and Porto, as well as rounds in emblematic locations such as Lousã, Felgueiras, Vieira do Minho, Fafe, among others.
If you want to experience all the emotion this competition has and simply watching the racers is not enough for you, you can take this opportunity to discover all the beauty and history of the event locations.
If this seems tempting to you, then we recommend you check out our best destinations list that the various towns, villages and cities of the WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal have to offer.
Coimbra
Coimbra was one of the nation’s 5 capitals, but its historical importance goes back even further.
Near the city we can find the ruins of Conimbriga, a historic city which belonged to the Roman empire and whose name serves as the origin of the Coimbra we know today.
We also find the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest teaching institutions in the world with almost 800 years of history. You can also take a trip to Lousã to discover the Castle of Arouce.
With its best spots strewn across different points of the city, the only way to visit them all will be by car. Fortunately, Hertz has a location in Coimbra where you can rent a car for your mobility needs.
Porto
The biggest hurdle when visiting Porto is finding enough time to experience all its charms, but luckily, we have some suggestions for the absolute must-see places.
The city's streets are a wonder in of themselves, decorated with old and colorful buildings that make it stand out from any other area in the center or south. Don't miss the bridges over the Douro River, each with incredible landscapes, the Clérigos Tower or its variety of green spaces.
While you’re in Porto, make sure to create a small detour to the city of Fafe, another Rally de Portugal destination where you will find the Casa do Penedo. Casa do Penedo was built between four rocks with a unique and timeless aesthetic that transports any visitor to Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.
If you want to discover these two cities, Hertz has several locations in Porto, where you can rent the car of choice.
Amarante
Amarante is a beautiful Portuguese city located on the banks of the Tâmega River. This destination stands out due its history, natural beauty and culinary delights hailing from the Porto region.
Currently, it’s impossible to imagine Amarante without thinking of the São Gonçalo bridge, created in 1809. It was the battleground of a heroic defense against the Napoleonic invasions. In the city we also find several churches and convents, some of which approach 500 years of history while featuring different architectural styles depending on the century they were built.
Finally, we had to mention the Casa da Calçada, a yellow palace built in the 16th century belonging to the count of the region.
The city of Amarante has 800 years of history and a wide range of unique destinations waiting to be discovered. If you wish to move freely around the city in comfort and safety, we recommend renting a car with Hertz.
Góis
The village of Góis is located near the Lousã and Açor mountain ranges, painting a natural and rural picture throughout the area. We’d like to highlight the Royal Bridge, built in 1533 by King D. João III, it became synonymous with the town, making it impossible to imagine one without the other.
We also find the Mártir São Sebastião chapel, a small hexagonal building decorated with gilded carvings established over 150 years ago.
Finally, we simple had to mention its award-winning river beaches, some of which remain completely natural, with no human intervention.
Góis can be a little out of the way for many, which is why we recommend a car rental service with Hertz.
Arganil
Arganil will be one of the stages during the Rally de Portugal, and we simply had to mention the Aldeia do Xisto (Schist village). Known as the “Crib Village”, it stands out for its houses entirely made of schist, giving it a dark color, while the doors and windows are painted blue.
Strolling through the village at night is like stepping back in time and discovering a unique aesthetic of Portugal.
The easiest way to visit the village of Arganil is through a car rental service. Luckily, Hertz has a wide network of locations across Portugal and mobility will never be an issue.
These are just some of our recommendations based on the Rally de Portugal routes, but if this list has piqued your interest in discovering more must-see location, please check out our other getaway recommendations in Portugal.