I’m off to Spain and Portugal in a just over a week for a quick riding holiday – Has anyone got any tips for riding in these countries (besides the fact that they drive on the right!)? :unsure:
Any info on weird laws would be of particular help and toll roads (costs, whether to use them) etc.
Thanks in advance to anyone that answers!
Heres another thread with some info on it, hope it helps 
The bits I have ridden in were not as Biker friendly as France IMO. I found the ol’ London survival techniques were handy 
Not been to Portugal but a friend tells me there is one important thing to remember.
“The English drive on the left, most of Europe drives on the right, the Portugese drive in the shade.”
Not for nothing does it have the worst motor accident rate in the EU.
Just be carefull out there and enjoy.
being from portugal… best tip is to be really weary of car drivers… especially the old ones, if u pass through lisbon and hit the “segunda circular” its like a race track on its own… the lanes on the road dont necessarily mean u stick to them… in traffic they pull out regardless of bikes and in general they dont care bout fellow drivers. its a case of if u can keep a good distance between cars and when overtakin anything make sure u leave ur left indicator in this case on at all times until u have passed the traffic.
on roundabouts they arent exactly civilised its a case of jump in to it, dont waste ur time waiting for “your turn” or ull be there all day…
if u r unfortunate to break down or get a puncture on the motorway, as soon as you can jump over the barriers and away from the bike… stick ur glow in the dark jacket on and wait til recovery arrives… once they arrive they will cone off the scene from a good distance and warn off other drivers, believe me u will need the extra precautions…
at toll charges do not go for the “via verde” you will see a sign on the ground of a white v in a green box, this lane is only for people who have a pre paid machine attached inside their car or bike… if you do pass this by mistake, when u get to the next toll charge station pull up to the side and go into the houses next to them and explain the situation, if you dont will be charged the whole distance in charges from the north of portugal to the south…quite pricey! if you find when u pull up to a toll charge booth and the machines u take ur tickets from dont spit out a ticket, dont panic, either roll the bike slowly forward or backwards until the sensors have registered ur there, u will see this when a green light above the barriers has turned on…
in big shopping centers in portugal…(know for definate in lisbon, vasco da gama shoppin, olivais, columbo etc) u dont pay for parking, there are half length barriers for a reason and its so the bikes go around, bikes are free to park inside shopping centres so dont worry no one will come after u or ur bike once uve parked up. if u can always park near a entrance to the lifts etc, tends to be more cameras near the lifts so ur bike is protected more. lock it up always, if uve got an alarm use it.
never park in back roads ever… if u feel ur bike wont be safe in one area then move it… go with instinct.
other than that… i cant think of much else… if you need any advice on particular bits let me know and ill try help as much as possible…
take it ur getin the boat to bilbao or santander and ridin it down? x
Take more care out there than you would here, as the cagers don`t give a toss about you.
Thanks for the information and BIG thanks to AMA, that’s just the sort of detail I was after and better than any of the links I’ve found online.
Yes, we’re ferrying it over to Bilbao and then riding down to Praia do Carvoeiro. Not looking forward to the ferry crossing as it’s about a day-and-a-half but will be pleased to get back on the bike after it!
Thanks again to everyone that replied!
HI! Being from Portugal and in addition to what ama7 said there is also something important for you to know!
The veichles coming from the right have priority, not everyone uses this law but be aware specially in small towns, the roads in Portugal are not the best when it comes to road signs!!
i think you are going to the algarve wich is the most know tourist area, however i advice you, if you can, to travel to the north of Portugal where you findsome of the best roads not to mention spectacular views!!
When Portugal joined the EC back in 1984, the gorvement got loads of money wich they spent on improving the roads so we do have nice roads up and down the country, unfortunately they didn’t pay much attention to the drivers and riders safety but things are improving!!
The Algarve hosts a concentration of bikers wich is considered to be one of the biggest in europe atractting over 100.000 bikers every year!!!:w00t:
If i may say Portuguese people are generally friendly and happy to help specially if you are foreigner!!!
Be safe!!
SERIOUSLY GOOD ADVICE! These are the roads where guys like Lorenzo, Pedrosa, and countless other Spanish champions hone their art… its also full and I mean FULL or drunk, very drunk, paraletic, legless, pissed and inebriated North European idiots who think they can drive with neat alcohol for blood… eyes peeled fella!
hey mate,
please post your findings on the ferry we are looking at using that route one year to vary the summer hols drive/ride down to Marseille and back.
Hope you have a great trip!
Cheers
Hope you have a great trip, sue and I want to move down there when I have sold my shop. Let us know what it’s like rideing down there as I want to take my bike with us
Ian
