National Road 2 (EN2) is to Portugal a little like the mythical Route 66 is to the United States of America. It crosses the country from one end to the other, passing through all the geographies and landscapes Portugal has to offer.
It's a little over 700 kilometres between the cities of Chaves and Faro, winding through the lush Douro, the mountainous centre and the beautiful Alentejo plains, ending in the sunny Algarve. This adventure takes you through unique spots and breathtaking scenery - the ultimate road trip around Portugal.
The Royal Road that crosses Portugal
Although its fame is relatively recent, the truth is that the route of National Road 2 merges with the history of Portugal itself, since much of it was already part of the main Roman roads that crossed the then Lusitania.
Over the years, these roads were improved and other links were created, making it the important thoroughfare it had become by the end of the 19th century, when it was called the Estrada Real (Royal Road). It currently goes through eleven districts; traverses eleven mountain ranges and crosses thirteen rivers.
It is a whole country seen from a road trip along the only road in Europe which crosses the entire length of Portugal (something only equalled by 40th Street in Argentina), allowing you to explore traditions and cultures from yesteryear, some dating back to the beginning of the country's history.
So, get your passport (an initiative of the National Road 2 Route Association) and stamp your way through every corner of Portugal.
Discover Portugal from North to South
The starting point is Chaves, a city in Trás-os-Montes and kilometre zero of this adventure, an area of hot springs (in Pedras Salgadas) and bridges dating back to Roman times, from where you will discover the fabulous Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of the world-famous Port Wine.
Here, a visit to the Douro Museum (in Peso da Régua) is not to be missed, then crossing over to Lamego, a thousand-year-old city where you can visit the Cathedral and the monumental Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. This is the moment to stop for a while and savour wonderful traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Rolling south again on National Road 2, we reach another demarcated region of Portuguese wines, the Dão. A short stop in the city of Viseu is absolutely essential, then continue down to the centre of the country where those who take this route in the summer will find countless beautiful river beaches, ideal for a refreshing swim.
There is much to see and do between the municipalities of Tondela, Lousã or Sertã. This is the only point where you have to deviate from the original route of the road, as one of the sections was swallowed by the waters of the Aguieira Dam.
But it is only for a short time and soon you will be back on the real path, until you reach what is considered the true geodesic centre of the country: the Picoto da Melriça, in Vila de Rei.
With the imposing Serra da Estrela mountain range on the horizon, it's time to head for the banks of the Tagus, taking the opportunity to visit the historic towns of Sardoal or Abrantes, before setting off on a new adventure that only the National Road 2 can offer.
The Alentejo is one of Portugal's most fantastic regions. The vast plains convey a feeling of unparalleled freedom, with temperatures rising whenever the incredibly golden vines are bathed in the summer sun. That same Alentejo is capable of giving us a negative temperature when night falls and reveals one of the most extraordinary starry skies that can be observed in Portugal.
All along a wonderful road that can be done by car, motorhome, motorbike or even, for the more athletic, by bicycle. And there are no tolls.
Oh, and don't forget your passport, the true proof, stamp by stamp, of having completed this adventure.
