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Cross-border route · Europe
Lisboa–Évora–Mérida–Cáceres–Madri by car
By car between the peninsula's two capitals: Évora's Alentejo, Roman Mérida and medieval Cáceres on the route from Lisboa to Madri.
Portugal
Spain
6 cities 2 countries
In the photo: Aqueduto da Amoreira, Elvas
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The route
What is Lisboa–Évora–Mérida–Cáceres–Madri by car
Lisboa and Madri are about 630 km apart by road, and the most interesting route between them goes through three World Heritage cities: Évora, in the Alentejo, and Mérida and Cáceres, in Spain's Extremadura. By car you can do the whole trip in one long day, but it's more rewarding over three or four days, stopping to sleep along the way.
There is currently no direct train between Lisboa and Madri. You can travel by train with changes on a long journey: on the Portuguese side, via the regional Raiano train of CP between Entroncamento and Badajoz, and on the Spanish side, via Renfe trains departing from Badajoz and Mérida. Works are underway on a new line between the two countries, which do not yet allow a direct journey. For this route, the practical way is by car, or by bus, with services between the two capitals and to Évora, Mérida and Cáceres.
Portugal and Spain are in the Schengen area and use the euro, but Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal.
The map
6 cities in 2 countries
Outlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
The journey
City by city
Distances and times are approximate: check before you set out.
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1 · Portugal
Lisboa
The route starts in Lisboa. In the city: Alfama, Castelo de São Jorge, the Baixa, the miradouros and Belém, with the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém. Leave via the ponte Vasco da Gama or the ponte 25 de Abril to get onto the highway to the Alentejo.
→ Évora cerca de 1h30 Cerca de 135 km pelas autoestradas A2 e A6, cruzando o Tejo e entrando no Alentejo.
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2 · Portugal
Évora
Évora is the capital of the Alentejo, surrounded by walls. In the center: the Templo Romano, the Sé, the Capela dos Ossos in the igreja de São Francisco and the praça do Giraldo. Near the city are the Cromeleque dos Almendres, a prehistoric stone circle, and the region's wineries. After Évora the road continues to Elvas, a fortified border town, and to Badajoz, already in Spain.
→ Elvas cerca de 1h Cerca de 90 km pela autoestrada A6, de Évora até Elvas, no Alentejo.
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3 · Portugal
Elvas
The last Portuguese town before the border. It's worth stopping to walk along the star-shaped walls and see the Aqueduto da Amoreira, which enters the town on arches. On the other side of the border, Badajoz is just a few minutes away.
→ Mérida cerca de 55 min, mais 1 hora de fuso Cerca de 80 km pela A6 até a fronteira do Caia e depois pela autovia A-5, passando por Badajoz, até Mérida.
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4 · Spain
Mérida
Mérida was the capital of a Roman province and preserves the Roman theater and amphitheater, the Museu Nacional de Arte Romana, the Roman bridge over the Guadiana river and the aqueduct of Los Milagros. In summer the theater usually hosts a festival of classical theater.
→ Cáceres cerca de 50 min Cerca de 75 km pela autovia A-66 (Ruta de la Plata), para o norte.
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5 · Spain
Cáceres
Cáceres has a walled old town of stone, with palaces, towers and churches, and the Praça Maior at the foot of the wall. At night, with the lights on, the ensemble becomes even more beautiful. Between Cáceres and Madri the road passes through Trujillo, a town with a castle and medieval square, worth stopping at.
→ Madri cerca de 3h Cerca de 300 km pela A-58 até Trujillo e depois pela autovia A-5, que leva a Madri.
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6 · Spain
Madri
The end of the route is Madri. In the city: the Museu do Prado, the Reina Sofía, the parque do Retiro, the Puerta del Sol, the Plaza Mayor and the Palácio Real. Return the car before driving through the center, where there are traffic restrictions for out-of-town cars.
How to travel
The way and the tickets
By rental car, picked up in Lisboa and returned in Madri, or vice versa. Returning the car in another country usually incurs a fee: check with the rental company before booking. If you don't drive, you can make the journey by bus, with changes in Évora, Badajoz or Mérida.
Best time to go
When to go: month by month
April, May, October and early November: mild temperatures and green or golden fields. The Alentejo and Extremadura are very hot in July and August, with very warm afternoons. In winter it's cold in the mornings and evenings, but days are usually dry and sunny.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Planning
Planning the trip
How many days
Driving time is about 6 to 7 hours total. To visit all five cities, allow 7 to 10 days, with at least two in Lisboa and two in Madri; if you plan 4 days on the road, sleep in Évora and in Mérida or Cáceres.
Who it is for
For those who want to combine Portugal and Spain in a single trip, for lovers of Roman history and walled towns, and for those who prefer the road to flying between the two capitals.
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Lisboa–Évora–Mérida–Cáceres–Madri by car
Tem trem direto de Lisboa a Madri?
Não. O trem noturno que ligava as duas capitais deixou de circular, e hoje a viagem de trem exige trocas, passando por Entroncamento e por Badajoz, e leva muitas horas. Há obras de uma linha nova entre os dois países. Confirme a situação no site da CP e da Renfe antes de planejar.
Quanto tempo leva de carro de Lisboa a Madri?
Pelo caminho direto, cerca de 6 horas ao volante, sem contar as paradas, e mais 1 hora de diferença de fuso. Passando por Évora, Mérida e Cáceres, o tempo de estrada é parecido.
Precisa mostrar passaporte na fronteira?
Os dois países estão no espaço Schengen e não há controle fixo de fronteira. A passagem é pela autoestrada, entre Elvas e Badajoz, sem parar. Leve o passaporte com você.
Como funciona o pedágio em Portugal com carro alugado?
Parte das autoestradas portuguesas tem cabine de cobrança, e outra parte tem só cobrança eletrônica, sem cabine. Peça à locadora o aparelho de pagamento eletrônico (como o Via Verde) ao retirar o carro. Nas autovias espanholas desta rota não costuma haver pedágio.
Dá para fazer a rota de ônibus?
Sim. Há ônibus entre Lisboa e Madri e linhas que passam por Évora, Badajoz, Mérida e Cáceres. Confira os horários, porque nem todas as linhas param em todas as cidades.
Muda o horário na Espanha?
Sim. A Espanha fica uma hora à frente de Portugal. Considere isso nos horários de museus e de devolução do carro.