Exploring a country by car is the best way to see it all. I have seen more variety on a road trip, then by hopping on a plane from city to city. It also allows you to have truly local experiences, with the freedom to stop by smaller villages and cities along the way. And of course there’s no denying you’ll see some amazing scenery and landscapes. This is why we decided upon a Portugal road trip after a 3 day stay in Lisbon.

When planning our trip to Portugal, I knew that I wanted to include driving in our itinerary. So we drove from Lisbon to Porto and made several stops along the way. In this guide we will highlight the perfect journey for Northern Portugal, with stops at Obidos, Monsanto, Douro Valley and more.

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The Most Charming Portugal Road Trip: Historical Villages

In This Article
Itineraries
Where to Rent a Car
Obidos
Monsanto
Piodao & Douro Valley
Pinhao & Porto
Best Way to Experience Portugal

The charming streets of Monsanto, Portugal

Itineraries

With Portugal being such a small country, you can actually cover a great deal of it in a short amount of time. The drive is also fairly easy and roads are not too crowded, except within the bigger cities. In this guide we will focus on the north and eastern part of the country, since we’ve saved the south for another trip.

Our trip started off in Lisbon where we stayed for a few days, and then rented a car to move on to other areas. First we stopped at Obidos, then Monsanto, a brief day trip to Piodao, Douro Valley, and finally to Porto. Between each place it didn’t take any longer than 3-4 hours, with some being even shorter. The beauty of having a car is the freedom to stop by anywhere you want, and take your time with it. We highly recommend seeing Portugal in this way.

Our car rental from Amoita

Where to Rent a Car

I must admit, after reading so many bad things about renting a car in Portugal I was concerned about it. But then I came across great reviews on Amoita car rental and felt relieved. It’s always an unknown what could happen once you arrive there, but I’m happy to say the experience was smooth and positive. Even better was that they deliver the car to you, in most of the major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Faro to name a few. There’s a small fee, but it’s so worth it.

Because they delivered, it also allowed us to enjoy some time in Lisbon for a few days without paying for a car we wouldn’t use. And we didn’t have to worry about the hassle of picking up at the airport after our flight. Although the cars are a bit older than other rental places, ours was in perfectly good condition. After the full rental, they also picked it back up as well, which was such a time saver!

Obidos is such an adorable village surrounded by beautiful landscapes

Obidos

The first stop on our Portugal road trip was Obidos, a beautifully charming village fairly close to Lisbon. With just a brief hour drive it was the perfect way to start our journey. We were able to enjoy a slow breakfast, explore Lisbon a bit in the morning then headed off around noon.

There are a few routes to get there, but we went via the A8, a straight shot north. The road has tolls, but our car automatically came with an electronic pass, and we were charged for any toll costs after the trip.

Quick Tip
In order to make sure you aren’t overcharged for tolls, try to keep a written tab of all the costs throughout the trip so you have a record of it.

We spent a little over a day here walking around the village and enjoying the slower pace. You’ll fall in love with the quaint streets, adorable artisan shops, and local way of life. Having a car and staying overnight also allows you to enjoy the village without all the tourists who come for day trips.

Read more on our One day guide to Obidos.

The sunsets were unreal from within the village of Monsanto

Monsanto

Next up on on our journey was the unique village of Monsanto. About a 3.5 to 4 hour drive from Obidos, you’ll arrive at one of the most fascinating places here. It’s built on the side of a mountain, which becomes quite apparent as you get closer. One of our goals during this road trip was to explore a few historical villages, and this was one of them.

Although there isn’t much to do here, expect to slow down a bit and enjoy the more simple things in life. We felt as if we had the place to ourselves, especially at sunset. It’s the perfect way to escape the crowds and enjoy a local experience. One of our highlights here was hiking to the Castle of Monsanto at the top of the mountain, and admiring golden hour on the way back down.

Read more about our overnight stay in Monsanto.

The incredible view of Piodao from the mountain roads

Piódão and Douro Valley

Piódão

After a wonderful overnight stay in Monsanto, we were off to our next stop. Piódão is another historical village with quite a striking appearance. Located within the stunning mountains of the Serra do Açor, it’s isolated with nothing else around except gorgeous landscapes. The drive there is an adventure in itself along narrow and windy (and sometimes steep) mountain roads.

All of the homes within the village are made out of schist, a rock formed from mudstone or shale. They look intricately pieced together with bright blue painted doors. As you walk through you’ll go up and down a network of schist stairs and pathways. There is also a spring below to cool off on a hot summer day.

A white church greets you at the entrance and contrasts against all the grey buildings. You’ll also see various souvenir shops and places to eat as well. It’s completely filled with charm and totally worth the day trip, or even an overnight stay. If you’re into hiking there are several trails around the area as well, and other villages to see along the way.

Beautiful views from the road through the Douro Valley

Douro Valley

After our brief time in Piódão, we headed to Douro Valley where we’d be staying the night. Summer isn’t typically the best time to be in this part of the country, but we wanted to get a taste of it and view the scenery. We decided to stay in the little village of Mesão Frio which took us about another 2-3 hours of driving. The journey there took us along the scenic N-108 route along the Douro river. We arrived right before golden hour, and had some time to relax by the pool before dinner.

Our home for the night was at Casa de Canilhas, an old Portuguese manor house with the most stunning views of the Douro river. It was such a great value for what you get, and the delicious homemade breakfast with a view was divine. We didn’t have time to stop at a vineyard with such a brief stay, but the staff gave several great recommendations of where to go.

See more places to stay in Douro Valley.

You can eat nearby in Regua, however we chose to eat within the center of Mesão Frio, a quick 5 minute drive away. We had dinner at Tasca do Zéquinha and got lucky enough to score a table. It’s not a fancy place by any means, but the food was incredible and well worth any wait. We felt like we were having a homemade meal at grandma’s house. The owners were very accommodating and even gave us a few snack samples to try on the way out.

Back at the hotel we were able to lounge outside our room and get a beautiful glimpse of the stars. It was truly a wonderful stay, and if you can stay longer then definitely check out some of the vineyards nearby.

Douro Valley Tour
If you’re staying an extra day, this tour is perfect to see more of the area. It includes a tour of two wineries, a river cruise in a traditional boat, and lunch, a great value for what you get!

View from the train station in Pinhao

Pinhão and Porto

Pinhão

Before heading off to Porto, our final stop on our Portugal road trip, we wanted to do another scenic drive. We decided to take the beautiful N-222 route along the other side of the Douro river in order to stop by Pinhão in the heart of wine country. It was fairly quiet when we arrived, but we parked and decided to take a stroll.

In the autumn during harvest the town is more busy with lots to do, but for now it was fairly sleepy. The train station is quite historic and worth a look for the beautiful azulejo tiles depicting life scenes. You can also take a river cruise and get closer views of the Pinhão bridge. We didn’t have much time so we didn’t do much except walk around and explore. Most of the shops were closed, aside from souvenirs and a few cafes. However we enjoyed our brief time here and would love to come back during the fall!

Will forever remember these sunsets by the water in Porto

Porto

For the last and final stop of our road trip we spent 3 days in Porto. We were set to spend a few days here, although had some day trips in mind. However we fell in love so much that we decided to just stay within the city and never even used the car again. We did do some research and had a few day trips in mind. If you have more time, or want to see more than just Porto, you can head to Aveiro, nicknamed the Venice of Portugal, Coimbra, Braga, and Guimarães. All of these places are within close driving distance and can easily be done in a day trip. Costa Nova in Aveiro has the famous brightly colored striped houses to see. If you’re really into history then Braga or Coimbra would be great choices. We have saved all of these for another trip, along with the south!

The Best Way to Experience Portugal

We hope this gives you inspiration for a northern Portugal road trip. Although we saw a lot, there is still so much more to see throughout the country. It was easily one of our highlights of our 10 day trip and we enjoyed having the freedom to see things at our own pace. Next time you find yourself in this country, definitely make sure to rent a car and hit the road! There’s so much to be discovered within these hidden corners!

Have you been on a memorable road trip? We’d love to hear about it!

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Tucked away within the Japanese Alps is Shirakawago, a picturesque village that will bring you back in time. There are many wonderful places to see in Japan, but this Shirakawago winter experience will make you feel like you’re in a real-life snow globe. The triangular gassho-zukuri style farmhouses sitting against the dramatic mountainous backdrop will capture your heart the moment you arrive.

Ogimachi village, the largest one in Shirakawago, is located within the Gifu prefecture in central Japan. In 1995, it was classified as an Unesco World Heritage site along with it’s less touristy sister Gokayama. It’s been around since the 11th century, and its rich history and culture have been well preserved. The homes were constructed with high roofs to hold strong against heavy snow.

We spent our time here as part of a 3 day weekend trip from Tokyo, which included Takayama. In this post I’ll share more about how to get here, where to stay, and what to do. Although this focuses more on the winter season, it’s wonderful to visit any time of the year. Each season brings something unique to your time here.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

Unique Japan Destinations: Shirakawago Winter Guide

In This Article
How to Get to Shirakawago
Where to Stay in Shirakawago
Shirakawago Winter Experience

A snowy welcome to Shirakawago

How to Get to Shirakawago

Getting to the village of Shirakawago can seem daunting at first, but I hope this post will help you with your journey. There are a few different options depending on your itinerary, which I’ve outlined below. The total travel time from Tokyo is between 4-5 hours. It’s best to visit for a weekend or 3 day trip, and combine with areas around.

Train from Tokyo via Nagoya

For our trip, we decided to travel via Nagoya. The Nozomi express train from Tokyo only takes about 1.5 hours total. Once you arrive in Nagoya you will have to switch to a different train. You can choose to spend some time here, or continue on. If you’re hungry, we highly recommend you to try some miso-nikomi udon in the station, a Nagoya specialty.

Nagoya to Takayama

From Nagoya you have to take the Limited Express Hida to Takayama, which takes about 2.5 hours. The views from the train are just spectacular, as you venture into the mountainous regions of Gifu and the scenery is worth it alone for this trip. The seating is very comfortable and there is a food cart that makes rounds if needed. Along the way, you’ll pass through Gero Onsen, an optional add-on if you have more days to spend in this area.

Optional Tour
If you’re coming from Nagoya, this day trip to Takayama and Shirakawago includes transportation and a guide. A great option if you are a first timer, or have difficulty navigating a new place.

Takayama to Shirakawago

From Takayama you take the Nohi bus from the Takayama Bus Terminal. The driving time takes about 45-50 minutes with stunning views as you drive through the mountains. You’ll be dropped off directly inside the village.

Train from Tokyo via Toyama or Kanazawa

Some other options are to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki) to Toyama or Kanazawa station, a 2 hour trip. Then from the station you take the Nohi bus which takes another 1-2 hours to reach Shirakawago.

Standing outside of Magoemon

Where to Stay in Shirakawago

Staying overnight in one of the gassho-zukuri farmhouses is the best way to experience your time here. The house itself will provide an authentic stay, but you can also spend some time exploring once the tourist crowds leave. There are several farmhouses to choose from, but we ultimately decided upon Magoemon due to availability.

The entire stay really felt cozy and comfortable. The rooms have a space heater to stay warm, and the meals are served in a common room with all of the guests. The bathrooms are shared and there’s also a private hot bath to use. They provided boots, which came in handy in the heavy snow. It’s a very humble stay, so don’t expect luxury. But you can expect a soulful taste of Japan here.

Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal served at Magoemon

Honzen-Ryori Dinner

One thing that stood out during our stay was the meals being served communal style around an irori (sunken fireplace.) A traditional Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal was served sourcing from local ingredients. Some dishes included grilled ayu fish, eggplant, tofu dengaku and much more deliciousness. Afterwards you can sit by the fire and relax a bit, before heading off into the hot bath to warm up before sleep.

Here are some other lodging options in the area that got great reviews:

Shirakawago Terrace: A Japanese wooden house hostel located about a 10 minute walk from Shirakawago village. All rooms are tatami style with futon beds. It has a shared kitchen for guest use, as well as free breakfast included.

Shirakawago Guest House Kei: Has various room options to choose from and very budget friendly. Walk to Shirakawago village in about 20 minutes.

See more places to stay near Shirakawago.

A lone house at the base of the observation deck overlooking the village

Shirakawago Winter Experience

Although the village is quite small, there is plenty to keep you busy. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Eat and Enjoy

Each region in Japan has its own special cuisine. I just love sampling the food in a new place. As you walk through the village you may come across some street foods which are always great to try. We had some beef buns and croquettes close to the main central area. Ochiudo is a delicious comfort food cafe that is one of the best in the area and well worth the wait. Although we never made it here due to limited timing, there’s a soba restaurant in the area. Coffee Hina is a cute little cafe that serves delicious coffee, sweets and light cuisine.

Exploring around the village during nightfall means having it all to yourself!

Walk Around, Explore and Capture It

Being in a gorgeous village with a blanket of snow means you must walk around and admire it. There are some amazing photo opportunities here and incredible beauty all around. The earthy tones of the homes against the pure white snow is such a nice contrast. Icicles dangle from the roofs and the scenic Shogawa river runs along the village. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight and pretend like it’s a snow day. It truly felt like being in a winter wonderland.

Go Shopping

Scattered around the village are some small shops. You can buy some local sweets and snacks, as well as souvenirs to take back as a memory. Since we collect magnets we decided to grab some, as well as some adorable sweets covered with gassho farmhouses. There are also unique handicrafts, sake, homemade miso, dried noodles, and teas that are great to buy here as well.

Take a Tour of the House Museums

Another thing to see are the farmhouses that have become museums. At Wada House you can gain more insight into what life used to be like in the village. There are artifacts on display, and more info about the Wada family history. Silk was also produced locally here, and you can see silkworms in action at Tooyama House.

The gorgeous views from the observation deck

Head to the Observation Deck for the Views

If you want to see an overall view of the entire village, there’s an observation deck located nearby. In order to get there you have to take the shuttle bus, which leaves from the central area of the village, near the bus station. The cost is 200 yen and the trip is about 5-10 minutes. You can also walk up, but it takes much longer. You’ll be amazed by the views here, which includes the beautiful snow-covered mountains. Near the observation deck is a souvenir shop which also has snacks and hot drinks.

Shirakawago Winter Light Up Event

Every year in the winter after the New Year, there’s a light up event in Shirakawago. This is a special and magical time where the houses are all lit up, and adds even more charm to the village. It’s a very popular event, so be aware there will be a lot of tourists. Unfortunately we were here too early for it, but hope to make it someday! It seems for 2019 they are doing a lottery system since it’s become too popular to accommodate the crowds.

Take a Day Trip to Gokayama

Also within the area are the villages of Gokayama. These ones are more remote and less popular, giving an truly local experience. Ainokura is the larger village here and very remote. You can really get a sample of the traditional culture here, and also see how washi paper is made. Suganama is the other village in Gokayama and has a few museums, and well preserved farmhouses. These feel and look very similar to Shirakawago, but a lot less touristy.

We hope this post inspired you to plan your own Shirakawago winter adventure. It’s truly like taking a step into the past, and allows a glimpse into the history and culture of this area. Japan is a country with such a diversity of beauty, and this is a must see, whether you’re an avid traveler here, or even if it’s your first time. And winter is a magical time to be here!

Looking for another Tokyo day trip idea? Check out our guide to Izu Peninsula and Kamakura.

Have you been to Shirakawago? If so we’d love to hear what you think!

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