Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Guarda

Enterprise car hire locations in Guarda

Guarda is around 56 km from Viseu Airport. When you land, you'll find an Enterprise Rent-a-Car office at the airport where you can collect your vehicle. Why not book in advance and save time on arrival?

What to do and see in 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.

Driving in Guarda

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.

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 Guarda

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 Guarda

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Guarda, 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.