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EN2 Portugal: The ultimate road trip from north to south
The Estrada Nacional 2 is the longest road in Portugal , running through the country's interior from north to south. It begins at kilometer marker 0 in Chaves, near the Spanish border, and ends in Faro after approximately 739 kilometers. Along the way, it crosses 35 municipalities and 13 rivers, including the Douro, Mondego, Zêzere, and Tagus.
Our road trip divides the route into six stages. In the north, you'll drive through the spa towns of Trás-os-Montes and down into the Douro wine region, then via Lamego to Viseu. In the middle, reservoirs, river baths, and the geodetic center of the country await. After that, the plains of the Alentejo open up with cork oaks, white villages, and long straight stretches of road, before the winding route leads over the Serra do Caldeirão down into the Algarve.
Many of the 41 stops are small towns that are hardly mentioned in any guidebook. It is precisely these that make the EN2 so appealing: a coffee in Brotas, a stamp at the town hall, a break at the reservoir.
- 6 days, 41 stops, approx. 739 km EN2, approx. 820 km with detours
- Overnight stay: Peso da Régua · Viseu · Sertã · Mora · Aljustrel · Faro
The EN2 from Chaves to Faro
Portugal's longest road from north to south: about 739 kilometres and 41 stops in six stages – from kilometre 0 in Chaves to the finish in Faro. Choose a day to see the stage on the map, or tap a number for a short description.
Frequently asked questions about the EN2 road trip
How long is the EN2, and where does it start and end?
The Estrada Nacional 2 is about 739 kilometres long, making it Portugal's longest road. It starts at kilometre marker 0 in Chaves in the north and ends in Faro in the Algarve. Along the way it passes through 35 municipalities in 11 districts.
How many days do you need for the EN2?
Six days is a good length to drive the route without rushing and to stop along the way. Our stages are between about 85 and 165 kilometres long. The shortest is day 2 from Peso da Régua to Viseu, the longest day 3 from Viseu to Sertã. You can drive it faster, but then you miss the small places that the EN2 is all about.
Is it better to drive the EN2 from north to south or the other way round?
Both work. Most people start at kilometre 0 in Chaves and count the kilometres up to Faro. One advantage of this direction: the trip ends in the Algarve, where you can stay on by the sea for a few days. Our map and all driving distances are calculated for the north-to-south direction.
What is the EN2 passport and where can I get it?
The Passaporte EN2 is a small booklet with a page for each of the 35 municipalities along the route. You can get it at tourist offices and town halls along the route or online. Stamps are available at tourist offices, hotels, restaurants, museums or petrol stations, for example. It is best to pick one up at the start in Chaves.
Do I need a car, and is the EN2 a toll road?
You need a car or motorbike for the EN2, as many villages are hard to reach by bus or train. The EN2 itself is a national road and toll-free. You only pay tolls if you use motorways to get to the start or back home.
Where do you stay overnight on the route?
In our itinerary in Peso da Régua, Viseu, Sertã, Mora and Aljustrel, with Faro as the finish. The choice in small towns is limited, so it is worth booking early, especially in the Alentejo and around Sertã.
When is the best time to drive the EN2?
Spring and autumn are ideal. In spring the hillsides in the north are in bloom, and in autumn the grape harvest is under way in the Douro. In high summer the Alentejo gets very hot and the river beaches in the centre are busy. In winter the mountains in the north can be cold and foggy.
Is the interactive map free?
Yes. The PortugalExpert map is free and needs no registration – on a computer or on your phone. It shows all 41 stops with a short description, tip and driving distance. More travel ideas for Portugal are on PortugalExpert.