Castelo Branco Car Rental

Castelo Branco is located close to the border between Portugal and Spain. Like many border towns, it has been the site of numerous battles over the centuries. It was once home to an outpost of the Knights Templar, who came here at the start of the 13th century. You can still see some of the original Templar fortifications high on the hill above downtown. These include the castle that gives the town its name. It has been heavily damaged after centuries of warfare, but you can still walk along the ramparts, admiring the views that stretch over the plains and olive groves below.

In contrast to the ruined castle, the episcopal palace in the center of town is immaculately well-preserved. The palace was built in the 18th century, and its gardens are one of the main attractions in Castelo Branco. The beautifully manicured gardens feature perfectly trimmed hedges and colorful flowers. As you stroll through them, check out the statues. Some represent apostles, while others show monarchs. Castelo Branco changed hands many times over the centuries, so both Portuguese and Spanish kings are represented here. In a quiet act of protest, the statues of the Spanish kings - who are still unpopular in Portugal to this day - are several centimeters shorter than their Portuguese counterparts.

Castelo Branco is a long way from the coast, so locals have taken matters into their own hands and built a water park. Piscina Praia is a relaxing water park with no thrill rides or big slides. Instead, it has several pools, including the largest swimming pool in the entire country. This is a family friendly attraction with lots of shallow pools for little ones to enjoy.

As well as the pool, you can cool off in the river. With a rental car in Castelo Branco, you can drive out to the "praias fluviais.” or river beaches, which can be found on the River Ocreza. Some of these are artificial: both Sesmo and Almaceda are the results of locks being built on the river. Others, like Taberna Seca, are natural. Either way, they're a great place to go for a dip on a hot day.

Renting a car or van in Castelo Branco is a great way to see the surrounding countryside. One of the major attractions in the area is the Portas de Ródão, a mighty gorge with the River Tagus running through it. The enormous rocky outcrops on either side of the canyon look like great stone gates and provide a dramatic backdrop for your photos. There are lots of hikes and trails in this area, and you'll often see birds of prey swooping overhead.

Castelo Branco is a small city without much traffic. The old town is essentially impossible to drive through, with its narrow, cobbled medieval streets. Many of the roads are entirely pedestrian. Some are open to vehicles in theory, but in practice, it can be a very frustrating experience! You're better off leaving your car in a parking lot and exploring the old part of town on foot.

There are covered parking lots on Rua dos Cavaleiros, Rua de Santo António, and Rua do Campo dos Mártires da Pátria. On-street parking can be hard to find, and it's usually a better idea to leave your car in a covered parking lot. This is particularly true in summer, as the temperatures in this part of Portugal regularly top 35°C. Leaving your vehicle out in the baking sun can be highly unpleasant!

If you are planning a longer road trip across Portugal, be prepared for toll roads. There are tolls on most Portuguese freeways. Unfortunately, the system can be confusing, as there are two different types of toll roads. Some - more commonly in the north - have automatic, electronic payments, while others have traditional toll booths where you can pay by cash or card. An electronic transponder makes automatic toll roads easier.

You can always avoid tolls by taking back roads, but you are sacrificing convenience. It may take far longer to get to your destination, and Portugal's rural roads are often poorly maintained. In this part of the country, getting stuck behind a tractor is a common occurrence, and narrow roads can make passing difficult.

You may want to visit Castelo Branco as part of a road trip that crosses into Spain. Both Portugal and Spain are members of the Schengen area, so there is no border control between the two countries, and both use the euro. However, it's important to note that they are in different time zones. Hopping over the border will put you an hour ahead, so be sure to take that into account! If you plan to cross the border, be sure to advise your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent, as it may affect your insurance.