Car & Van Hire - Viseu

With most visitors to Portugal heading straight for the beach, the inland city of Viseu is a hidden gem. This city has a storybook quality, with its ancient buildings and historic centre. it's ideal for anyone with an interest in architecture. Start your adventure with a trip to the city's cathedral. The oldest parts of this mighty stone building date back to the 12th century, when construction was started by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. It has been renovated many times over the years, so as you walk around the interior, you'll find an eclectic mix of styles, from the dramatic 18th-century altar to the elegant 14th-century statue of the Virgin Mary.

Take a stroll around the city's old town, built high on a hill. Although this is a small city, it's easy to get lost in the maze of narrow, twisting alleys set with old flagstones. This is truly a walk back in time as you admire the old, whitewashed houses with their iron balconies. At the centre of this labyrinth is the charming Praça Dom Duarte, one of the city's main squares. It is named after King Edward (Duarte in Portuguese), who was born here in 1391. A statue of the king still stands in the square today.

Car hire in Viseu allows you to enjoy an interesting historical mystery. To the north of the city is a site known as Cava de Viriato, an enormous foundation that was once intended to be a fortress. It's a fascinating place to visit, but historians still can't agree on who actually built it. Some say it was the Ancient Romans, while others say it was the Moors during the time when they held the Iberian Peninsula. Still, others insist that it was the Christians during the Reconquista. The puzzle may never be solved, but the site is an exciting place to visit, with an evocative air.

You can also use a car or van hire in Viseu to go on day trips around the country. Braga and Coimbra are both within easy driving distance, each with its own historical charms. The coastal city of Porto, with its steep hills and world-class cuisine, is about 90 minutes' drive away, making it an ideal destination for a road trip. You can take a drive through the Douro Valley, known for its fine wines. This is one of the most beautiful parts of Portugal, with rolling green hills and stunning landscapes everywhere you look.

Around the city of Viseu, you'll find plentiful parking and little traffic. Free parking is widely available, but make sure that you choose designated spaces. You'll often see locals happily parking wherever they like - including on the edge of roundabouts and other risky locations. Don't be tempted to join in. The old town is not driveable, so park on the outskirts and go around on foot.

If you are planning a road trip across Portugal, you'll need to watch out for the toll roads. Tolls are now commonplace on all Portuguese motorways. Unfortunately, they are not standard across the country. Instead, you'll find two different types of toll. Traditional toll booths are more common in the Lisbon area and the south and can be paid for with cash or a card. Electronic tolls are more widespread in the north. You'll need to either fit your car with a transponder to pay automatically or pay after driving by going to any post office. This process can be tricky, as you have a particular window: it starts 48 hours after you cross a toll zone and ends after five days. It may be best to set an alert on your phone!

There are always alternative routes to get around the tolls if you prefer. It may take you far longer to reach your destination, though. What's more, while Portugal's highways are modern and well-maintained, the back roads can be a bit more of an adventure. If you are driving in the Douro Valley, there are no lights on the road by night, so go slowly and carefully.

In the north of Portugal, you may see an unusual number of pedestrians, even in rural areas. This is because several routes of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage can be found in this area. Many of the routes do not have designated footpaths, so pilgrims walk along the side of the road. Watch out for specific pilgrimage road signs showing a walker holding a staff. On smaller roads, these signs may not even appear - but the walkers will still be there. Country roads in Portugal are quite narrow. Drivers will need to be extra careful, particularly on curves.

Petrol stations in rural Portugal usually close at night, with opening hours from 07:00 to 22:00. Keep this in mind if you plan to be out on the road after dark.