The N222: Why Portugal Is Home to the ‘World’s Best Driving Road’

Some journeys are every bit as memorable as the destination. In Portugal’s Douro Valley, one particular stretch of road has earned an international reputation of its own.

The N222 winds through northern Portugal from Almendra, close to the Spanish border, to Vila Nova de Gaia, just south of Porto. Along the way, it passes through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.

Its most celebrated stretch runs between Peso da Régua and Pinhão, following the Douro River through valleys lined with vineyards and traditional terraces. In 2015, this section was named the “World’s Best Driving Road” in a study commissioned by Avis.

But what makes an otherwise unassuming Portuguese national road so special?

The N222 extends far beyond its best-known stretch, running across much of northern Portugal. However, it is the 27 kilometres between Peso da Régua and Pinhão that have attracted the most attention.

This section contains 93 bends and follows the Douro through the heart of one of Portugal’s most distinctive landscapes. On either side of the river, steep hills rise from the water, covered with the terraced vineyards that have shaped the region for centuries.

It is a road closely tied to the character of the Douro itself, passing through an area known both for its natural beauty and for producing some of Portugal’s most famous wines.

In 2015, a study commissioned by Avis compared 25 acclaimed driving roads from around the world in an attempt to identify the ideal balance between bends and straight sections.

Researchers consulted specialists including a quantum physicist and a Formula 1 circuit designer to calculate what they considered the optimum driving ratio. Their theoretical ideal was 10 seconds spent on a straight section for every second spent cornering.

The N222 came remarkably close, recording a ratio of 11:1, the closest of any road included in the study.

That combination of sweeping stretches and regular bends helped earn the road its title. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

For most visitors, the real attraction of the N222 is not its near-perfect ratio of bends to straights, but the landscape unfolding around them.

As the road twists through the valley, the Douro River repeatedly comes into view below. Steep hills rise from its banks, divided into the traditional terraces on which the region’s grapes are grown.

Along the route are small towns and villages, historic quintas and vast vineyard estates belonging to some of the Douro’s best-known wine producers. With almost every bend, the view changes: the river disappears behind a hillside before emerging again farther along the road, framed by vineyards and mountains.

Unlike a motorway designed simply to get travellers from one place to another, the N222 places drivers directly within the landscape. The slower pace, winding route and proximity to the river make the journey itself part of the experience.

For anyone looking to discover the Douro beyond its most familiar viewpoints, driving the N222 offers one of the most immersive ways to do it.

The character of the Douro changes considerably throughout the year, meaning there is no single best season for driving the N222.

Spring brings greener vineyards and generally comfortable temperatures, with the landscape beginning to come back to life after winter.

Summer offers long days, bright skies and dry scenery, although it is also one of the busier times of year for visitors to the Douro.

Autumn brings another transformation as grapes are collected and the vineyards begin to change colour, making this one of the region’s most visually distinctive periods.

Winter is quieter, giving the valley a different atmosphere altogether, although conditions can be cooler and less predictable.

Ultimately, the best time to make the journey depends on the version of the Douro you want to see.

The N222 is one small example of what makes northern Portugal so appealing. Internationally recognised scenery, historic towns, centuries of winemaking tradition and the dramatic Douro landscape can all be found within relatively easy reach of Porto.

The river itself plays a central role in the identity of northern Portugal, shaping everything from its landscapes and agriculture to the character of Porto and the towns farther inland.

Portugal’s appeal is not confined to its major cities or beaches. Sometimes, one of the best ways to understand the country is simply to get in the car and follow the river.

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