Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Castelo Branco

Enterprise car hire locations in Castelo Branco

The nearest airport to Castelo Branco is approximately 100 km away, in Viseu. When you land, you can head right to the Enterprise Rent-a-Car desk to collect your vehicle. Book in advance for total convenience!

What to do and see in Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco is located close to the border between Portugal and Spain. Like many frontier 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 the city centre. 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 centre 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 colourful flowers. As you stroll through them, check out the statues. Some represent apostles, while others show monarchs. As Castelo Branco changed hands many times over the centuries, 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 centimetres 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 chilled-out water park without any 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 car hire 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.

Car or van hire 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.

Driving in Castelo Branco

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 pedestrianised. 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 car park and exploring the old town on foot.

There are covered car parks 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 car park. 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 motorways. 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 country 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 overtaking 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 there may be an effect on your insurance.

Car and van hire in Portugal with Enterprise

Enterprise Portugal offers a range of car and van hire services including one-way, long-term and short-term vehicle hire. Commercial clients can speak to our award-winning business rental team who will tailor a mobility solution for your needs and budget.

We are part of the Enterprise group, the largest transportation solutions provider in the world. Our global network covers more than 90 countries and over 9,500 locations, allowing us to serve your mobility needs, wherever you’re going.

We are committed to providing the best service possible and exceeding our customers’ expectations for quality and value.

Car hire in Castelo Branco

If you are travelling with your family or in a big group, you may find a 7-seater or a people carrier will give you more space to travel comfortably with your luggage. For a city trip, a handy hatchback that’s easy to park may suit you better. For business trips or long drives an executive car will combine comfort and performance.

Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. You may also need GPS, a child seat or want to add another driver to the contract, let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.

Van hire in Castelo Branco

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Castelo Branco, all our vans can be driven on a standard licence and are modern, clean and easy to drive. Just ask and one of our branch team will happily show you around your hire van to make sure you are comfortable with it before you head off.