Europe also has its Route 66: it's close to Spain, crosses storybook landscapes, and is a hit among travelers

The good weather is back, and so is the desire to take road trips: with the winter sun streaming through the window, longer days, and the anticipation of summer getting closer... So we bring you a route you can't miss to enjoy all the wonders of a 'Road Trip' passing through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.

This route is close to Spain as it is located in Portugal, a country that offers its own version of the iconic American Route 66: the Estrada Nacional 2, known as the N2. With a length of almost 740 kilometers, this road travels from north to south across the country, starting in Chaves, a town located 20 minutes from the Spanish border, and ending in Faro, in the charming Algarve region, which you should definitely add to your list of destinations for 2025.

The N2 offers an ideal experience for road trip lovers because they can discover the most authentic Portugal, far from the usual tourist routes.

As we were saying, the N2 starts in Chaves, a city known for its hot springs (although if you're interested, we recommend these in Spain) and a curious historical heritage, such as a Roman bridge and remnants of a medieval castle that you shouldn't miss. From there, the route heads south, passing through towns like Lamego, with the impressive Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, and Peso da Régua, in the heart of the Douro wine region, where you can visit vineyards and taste wines that have a unique character.

One of the charms of the N2 is its connection with the 'Aldeias do Xisto', which are small villages built of slate, such as Talasnal or Candal. It also passes through the Alentejo region, which is known for its castles, but is an ideal place to learn about Portuguese cuisine. In the final stretch of the route, you will drive through the Algarve, where you cannot miss these charming towns.

The history of the EN2 dates back to Roman times, when some of its sections were part of Roman roads that connected the territory from north to south, similar to some of the most famous roads in Spain. In 1945, it was officially classified as Estrada Nacional and has evolved over the years with the construction of new infrastructures and dams, like the Aguieira dam, which submerged part of its original path.

To enrich your experience on the EN2, you can obtain the 'EN2 Passport' to stamp at various municipalities along the route, thus having a lovely keepsake from your trip.