Car & Van Hire - Guarda

Guarda is a great place to visit at any time of year, with ski slopes in winter and hiking trails in summer. This is the highest city in mainland Portugal, and its mountain location gave it great historical importance. It has been the site of many battles over the centuries, and its fortified medieval buildings are fascinating to explore.

Start your tour of the city with a visit to the Sé da Guarda. As you look at it from the outside, you might be surprised to hear that this is a cathedral. Its imposing stone walls make it look more like a medieval fortress. When you take a look inside, it's worth devoting extra time to the Renaissance altar, which is a treasure trove of details. You can also climb the steps to the very top of the cathedral for a bird's eye view of the city below.

In the area around Guarda, you'll find more medieval charm. Trancoso and Alemida are both great examples of historic villages. Skirmishes between the Spanish and Portuguese armies often took place in this border zone, so you'll find many castles and sturdy city walls. One of the best is the castle at Linhares da Beira, around 40 minutes' drive from Guarda. Head to the top of the tower for beautiful views across the mountains. The defences of nearby Sortelha are largely still intact, and as you walk through its streets, you'll feel like you've stepped back into a bygone century.

Car hire in Guarda is the easiest way to see the Serra da Estrela, Portugal's most impressive mountain range. In winter, the snow makes it a popular ski destination. You'll find slopes that are suitable for all levels, with gentle areas that are great for introducing kids to winter sports. When the snow melts, the mountains are transformed into a playground for hikers. Dozens of species of colourful reptiles and frogs live here, along with otters, badgers, wild cats and water moles. Wolves have even been reported in the area, but they are an extremely rare sight.

With car or van hire in Guarda, you can take a trip to Poço do Inferno. Its intimidating name literally means Well of Hell - but in fact, this is a charming waterfall with a small pond. It's close to the road, so you won't need to hike far after parking your car. The waterfall is at its most impressive in early spring when the melting snow makes it cascade forcefully into the water below.

Guarda, like most of the towns in this area, has a historic centre with narrow streets. In some cases, cars are permitted to drive on these roads - but you'll probably find it easier to park on the outskirts of the historic area and explore the old town on foot. You will find car parks on the edge of most towns in the region, along with some on-street parking. In general, you can expect to find plenty of parking spots just outside the town walls. Every town in this area has some free parking available for visitors. Traffic is not a problem.

In the colder months, winter tyres and snow chains are not a legal requirement, though they are recommended. You will need to pay close attention to local weather reports. Road closures are very common in the mountains in winter. In poor weather conditions, it is wiser to stick to main roads, avoiding back roads whenever you can. Main roads will be regularly treated with grit. Smaller country roads might not be gritted and can become a hazard due to dangerous black ice.

If you are visiting Guarda as part of a wider, cross-Portugal road trip, you'll need to watch out for tolls. Portugal has two systems of toll roads: some use traditional toll booths, where you can pay with cash or card, while others are electronic. The easiest way to deal with electronic tolls is by fitting your car with a transponder. Otherwise, you'll need to go to a local post office to pay your tolls. You can only do this between 48 hours and five days later, which can be a bit of a headache.

It's always possible to avoid toll roads by taking smaller country roads. These are often poorly maintained, and it may take you significantly longer to reach your destination, so you will need to decide if you'd rather save time or money. On the back roads, agricultural vehicles are a familiar sight.

Guarda is a border town. There is freedom of movement between Spain and Portugal, so there are no border checkpoints. If you would like to go on an international road trip, be sure to discuss your plans first with your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent. Remember that if you cross into Spain, you will be crossing into a different time zone.