Estrada Nacional 2: Road Trip To Cross Portugal
Estrada Nacional 2 is the longest road in the country, this trip connecting Portugal from North to South, given that its starting point is located in Chaves and the arrival point in Faro.
It is also one of the longest in Europe, traversing amazing landscapes, from the lush Douro, to the mountainous Center, passing through the vast and beautiful Alentejo plains, until reaching the sunny Algarve. Get on your way.
In between, it passes through eleven districts (Vila Real, Viseu, Coimbra, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Santarém, Portalegre, Évora, Setúbal, Beja and Faro), eight provinces (Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Beira Alta, Beira Litoral , Beira Baixa, Ribatejo, Alto Alentejo, Baixo Alentejo and Algarve), four mountains, eleven rivers and 32 counties.
After taking this route along the Estrada Nacional 2 and its 738.5 km, you may well say that you know Portugal from one end to the other, by going through what is the third longest road in the world.
The first is the famous Route 66, which connects Chicago to Los Angeles, in the United States and the second longest road in the world is Ruta Nacional 40, in Argentina that connects the province of Santa Cruz to the border with Bolivia.
The route of Estrada Nacional 2 can be the perfect route for a week’s vacation. Obviously you can do the whole road in one day. Portugal is not that big.
But to enjoy all the landscapes that you find along the way, as well as discover places and traditions, it is advisable to stop here and there to appreciate the best that the country has to offer.
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History Of The National Road 2
Although its fame is relatively recent, the truth is that the layout of Estrada Nacional 2 merges with Portugal’s own history, given that many of the parts that constitute it were already part of the main Roman roads that crossed Lusitânia.
Over the years, these routes have been improved and other connections have emerged, endowing them with importance at the end of the century. XIX, when it was called Estrada Real.
Until reaching its current designation, this road had other names: District Road nº 128, National Road nº 17 and Estrada Nacional nº 19. It was in 1945, when all the sections were already tarred, that its official designation as today we know it was established.
What To See Along The National Road 2
The fact that the National Road 2 crosses the country from end to end, over 738 kilometers, allows you to visit a series of historic spaces and enjoy landscapes that will take your breath away. Here are some suggestions for stops along the way.
Chaves | Ponte Romana de Trajano
Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Castelo de Aguiar
Vila Real | Paços do Concelho
Santa Marta de Penaguião | Museu das Caves Santa Marta
Peso da Régua | Museu do Douro
Lamego | Sé Catedral
Castro Daire | Casa da Cerca
São Pedro do Sul | Balneário Romano
Viseu | Museu Nacional Grão Vasco
Tondela | Solar de Vilar de Besteiros
Santa Comba Dão | Casa dos Arcos
Mortágua | Pelourinho Manuelino
Penacova | Museu Vitorino Nemésio
Vila Nova de Poiares | Paços do Concelho e Jardim Municipal
Lousã | Castelo da Lousã
Góis | Centro Histórico – Largo Francisco Dias Nogueira
Pedrógão Grande | Ponte Filipina
Sertã | Igreja Matriz da Sertã, Sec. XV
Vila de Rei | Centro Geodésico de Portugal
Sardoal | Convento de Santa Maria da Caridade
Abrantes | Castelo/Fortaleza
Ponte de Sor | Centro de Artes e Cultura de Ponte de Sor
Avis | Convento de São Bento de Avis
Mora | Fluviário de Mora
Coruche | Observatório do Sobreiro e da Cortiça
Montemor-o-Novo | Castelo de Montemor-o-Novo
Viana do Alentejo | Paço dos Henriques
Ferreira do Alentejo | Casa do Vinho e do Cante (Taberna Zé Lélito)
Aljustrel | Património Industrial Mineiro
Castro Verde | Museu da Ruralidade
Almodôvar | Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
São Brás de Alportel | Museu do Traje
Loulé | Casas típicas do Ameixial, casas circulares
Faro | Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção – Museu Municipal
Where To Stay And What To Eat
Along National Road 2 there is no shortage of excellent accommodation options for all budgets. From hostels, guest houses, hotels of all stars and shapes, wine tourism spaces, in short, the list is long and does not leave anyone out.
The same is true with food. The cuisine is so varied along the way, that you will not lack good options. We leave only suggestions for two special meals: on departure, in Chaves, and celebrate the arrival in Faro.
In Chaves, to prepare for the start of this adventure, we suggest Adega Faustino or A Talha, with the certainty that you will find traditional cuisine of high quality.
When you arrive in Faro, at the end of the EN2, alone or accompanied, celebrate the crossing of Portugal from coast to coast at the Cidade Velha Restaurant or at the Ria Formosa Restaurant, where you can enjoy all the flavors of the Algarve gastronomy.
Chaves |Cordeiro de leite assado em forno a lenha
Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Miscarada – cogumelos silvestres estufados
Vila Real | Tripas aos molhos
Santa Marta de Penaguião | Arroz de feijão no pote com pataniscas
Peso da Régua | Tripas
Lamego | Cabrito assado com arroz e batatas em forno de lenha
Castro Daire | Arroz de feijão com salpicão
São Pedro do Sul | Vitela à Lafões
Viseu | Rancho à moda de Viseu
Tondela | Cabrito assado no forno
Santa Comba Dão | Lampreia
Mortágua | Lampantana
Penacova | Arroz de lampreia
Vila Nova de Poiares | Chanfana
Lousã | Chanfana assada
Góis | Cabrito assado
Pedrógão Grande | Bucho recheado
Sertã | Maranho da Sertã
Vila de Rei | Bacalhau à Vila de Rei
Sardoal | Cozinha fervida
Abrantes | Migas carvoeiras
Ponte de Sor | Migas de espargos ou coentros
Avis | Migas de espargos com carne do alguidar
Mora | Migas
Coruche | Carne de toiro bravo
Montemor-o-Novo | Ensopado de borrego
Viana do Alentejo | Ensopado de borrego
Ferreira do Alentejo | Feijão branco com carrasquinhas
Aljustrel | Gaspachos
Castro Verde | Migas com entrecosto
Almodôvar | Cozido de grão
São Brás de Alportel | Galinha com grão
Loulé | Jantar de grão
Faro | Arroz de lingueirão
Chaves | Rabanadas com mel e frutos secos
Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Doce de Aguiar (recheio de castanha)
Vila Real | Cristas de galoSanta Marta de Penaguião | Frei João
Peso da Régua | Rebuçados da Régua
Lamego | Biscoito da Teixeira
Castro Daire | Bolo podre
São Pedro do Sul | Pão de ló de Sul
Viseu | Viriato
Tondela | Tortas de Nandufe
Santa Comba Dão | Broinha de Santa Columba
Mortágua | Bolo de cornos
Penacova | Nevadas de Penacova
Vila Nova de Poiares | Poiarito
Lousã | Tigelada
Góis | Gamelinhas de Góis
Pedrógão Grande | Tigelada
Sertã | Cartuchos de amêndoa de Cernache do Bonjardim
Vila de Rei | Pudim de Vila de Rei
Sardoal | Tigelada
Abrantes | Palha de Abrantes
Ponte de Sor | Bolo cigano de Montargil
Coruche | Areias do Sorraia
Montemor-o-Novo | Queijada de Requeijão
Viana do Alentejo | Bolo “Conde de Alcáçovas”
Ferreira do Alentejo | Ferreirenses
Castro Verde | Queijadas de requeijão
Almodôvar | Chibo (doce de mel)
São Brás de Alportel | Doces de amêndoa, figos e alfarroba
Loulé | Figos cheios
Faro | Dom Rodrigo
18 – 21 April – Sardoal | Semana Santa
21 April – São Brás de Alportel | Festa das Tochas Floridas
24 – 28 April – Viana do Alentejo | Romaria a Cavalo
26 – 28 April – Loulé | 7 ºWalking Festival, festival de caminhadas do Ameixial
30 – 2 June – Ponte de Sor | Air Race Championship + Air Show (Air Summit)
30 May – 2 June – Ferreira do Alentejo | Festival Giacometti
21 a 23 de junho – Castro Daire | A Última Rota da Transumância
5 a 7 de julho – Vila Real | Circuito Internacional de Vila Real
5 a 7 de julho – Almodôvar | Feira de Artes e Cultura de Almodôvar (Facal)
6 e 7 de julho – Santa Marta de Penaguião | Caminhada do Douro ao Marão
18 a 21 de julho – Sertã | Festival do Maranho
24 de julho – Pedrógão Grande | Festas do Concelho
26 de julho a 17 de agosto – Peso da Régua | Festas do Douro
27 de julho a 4 de agosto – Vila de Rei | Feira de Enchidos, Queijo e Mel
8 de agosto a 15 de setembro – Viseu | Feira de São Mateus
9 a 15 de agosto – Santa Comba Dão | Festas de Santa Comba Dão
13 a 17 de agosto – Mortágua | Festa da Juventude e Feira das Associações
13 de agosto – Góis | Feriado Municipal
16 a 18 de agosto – Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Feira do Mel e do Artesanato de Pedras Salgadas
16 de agosto a 9 de setembro – Lamego | Festas em Honra de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
23 a 25 de agosto – Chaves | Festa dos Povos
23 a 25 de agosto – São Pedro do Sul | Festival da Água
28 de agosto a 2 de setembro – Montemor-o-Novo | Feira da Luz
6 a 8 de setembro – Tondela | Caramulo-motorfestival
7 e 8 de setembro – Faro | Festival F
5 a 9 de setembro – Vila Nova de Poiares | POIARTES
18 a 20 de outubro – Castro Verde | Feira de Castro
25 a 27 de outubro – Abrantes | XVIII Feira Nacional de Doçaria Tradicional de Abrantes
15 a 17 de novembro – Lousã | Feira do Mel e da Castanha
27 de outubro a 3 de novembro – Coruche | Festival internacional do balonismo
23 de novembro a 8 de dezembro – Mora | Mostra Gastronómica da Caça
todo o ano – Penacova | Canoagem
todo o ano – Avis | Remo, Capital do Remo
todo o ano – Aljustrel | Artesanato ligado à atividade mineira
5 Curious Facts About Thr National Road 2
Through centuries of history, thousands of people who passed through it and different types of pavement, the EN2 has a series of characteristics that make it as interesting as it is essential.
The Road Is Not Just A Road
Despite traversing eleven districts, the EN2 also passes through more rural locations with great natural and scenic beauty. And the proof of this is the fact that it crosses mountains and rivers, which well translate a more calm and peaceful Portugal, conducive to relaxation and discovery.
It Is The Longest Road In Portugal And Europe
In addition to occupying the podium of the largest Portuguese road, the EN2 is also the largest in Europe. And, as such, it is often compared with other similar world sections, not because of its length (being the third longest road in the world), but because its path easily divides the country in half.
Has An Association Of Municipalities
Taking advantage of the growing interest in this section, in 2016 the Association of Municipalities of the EN 2 Route was created, with the objective of uniting the cities of Chaves and Faro in a tourist aspect.
Your History Will Lead to Two Museums
The cities of origin and arrival of this section are interested in creating two museums that reflect the characteristics of each location, but having a similar creative line, in order to unite North and South in a cultural perspective.
It Was Classified As A Heritage Road
Given its antiquity, the very different places it passes through and its historical importance, the EN2 has, throughout its hundreds of kilometers, marks from different eras and stories of great relevance.
As such, the section that links Almodôvar to São Brás de Alportel was classified as a Heritage Road in 2003. The purpose of this title is to highlight the recognition of the road and the value of the heritage that surrounds it.
Estrada Nacional 2 Has the Right to Passport
The Association of Municipalities of the Route of the National Road 2 recently launched the “Passport EN2”, with the objective of encouraging national and foreign tourists to travel this road.
The passport costs 1 € and can be purchased in São Brás de Alportel. With this document, “tourists can receive stamps referring to the places where they pass along the route, taking advantage of all the landscape and heritage potential that the route has to offer.”
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In addition, and to better clarify who ventures on the EN2, an extensive guide on the road was also created by the publisher Foge Comigo.
It has about 500 pages, is divided into 20 stages, each of which obeys “to a landscape unit” and five of them to cities (Chaves, Viseu, Lamego, Vila Real and Faro).
There you will also find an agenda of cultural and traditional events that take place in the municipalities where the road passes, ranging from the “big stone trawler, in August, in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, to the panelo game with Bisalhães crockery or the Pilgrimage on Horse, which crosses Viana do Alentejo. ”
As you can see, the more you know Portugal, the more there is to discover. And taking the Estrada Nacional 2 may well be the perfect excuse for a vacation on the road, without big plans. Simply discovering.
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