What’s the backstory?


Dubbed as Portugal’s Route 66, Estrada Nacional 2 (“National Road 2”) - N2 or EN2 – was created by the National Road Plan of 1945 with the objective of connecting the Portuguese heartland. Much of N2 resulted from the renumbering of existing roads, but some sections were built in the following decades. With a length of 739 km, the N2 is the longest state road, crossing Portugal from north to south, “cutting” the country in the middle between east and west. Along the way, it offers many fascinating sights: the medieval city of Viseu, Port wine-tasting along the banks of the Douro River and the deserted roads of the Alentejo region.


What’s your ride?


The N2 route packs a whole lot of sightseeing material within a short distance. This means it’s possible to travel along its route by car, bike, motorbike, camper or even to just walk. Whichever way you choose to do it, make sure to head to the tourist office before leaving to pick up an Estrada Nacional 2 passport (1€) – which has a page for stamps from each of the regions on the route’s tourist offices.


So, time to start planning?


From the vineyards and mountainous regions in the north, to the schist villages in the center and the white-washed towns of Alentejo, N2 offers a range of sights and experiences to suit every traveler’s tastes. So, planning your itinerary can be a challenge. Don’t let time constraints deter you from experiencing N2 in all its glory. The N2 can be done in two to five days driving, but a week would be more relaxing. Cyclists can do it in five days but most do it in seven to 10 days. If you walk, you could take several weeks to complete or a series of long weekends.


Where to sleep?


In most places along the N2 you will find excellent accommodation, ranging from local accommodation to large hotels, including charming boutique hotels and rural tourism houses. When choosing places to sleep, it’s important to analyze carefully the points of interest, their respective distances and road conditions. Sometimes in a 100km section there are much more attractions than in a 200km section. So, don't make the mistake of evenly dividing all the kilometers of National Road 2 by the number of days you have available to decide where to stay overnight.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: https://www.portugaldecoded.com/;

What to eat?


You’ll be spoilt for choices. Up north, don't miss the opportunity to taste an original pastel de Chaves and all the region's rich cuisine, including lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven and, for dessert, rabanadas with honey and dried fruits. In Tondela, central Portugal, I whole-heartedly recommend 3 Pipos restaurant. In Ponte de Sor, try the asparagus or coriander “migas” (a dish made with torn pieces of rustic bread) to accompany the pork and, in Montargil, you should try the “Bolo Cigano” (Gypsy Cake). In Alentejo, there's nothing like the famous “migas” with spare ribs and curd cheese queijadas. In Algarve, to end the trip on a high note, you must eat the magnificent razor clam rice and finish with traditional “Dom Rodrigo” sweets.


Want to know more?


Visit the official website to discover more information about route N2. An interactive map can be accessed here. RTP offers a documentary about the N2 (in Portuguese only, but still the images are great) in its website.


Many thanks to Portugal Decoded.