Portugal has been named the sixth greenest road trip destination in the world in a new international ranking released by the global travel platform Big 7 Travel, in partnership with the sustainable car rental company Green Motion, for Earth Day 2026.
The report evaluated destinations using a combination of factors, including EV and hybrid rental growth, charging infrastructure, charging costs, electricity carbon intensity and government sustainability policies. Rather than placing all countries into a single category, the ranking was divided into tiers reflecting each destination’s level of advancement in its transition to electric mobility.
Portugal secured sixth place globally, following Nordic countries such as Norway, Finland and Denmark, while ranking ahead of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany.
EV tourism continues to grow in Portugal
One of the key reasons Portugal stood out in the report was the rapid increase in demand for electric and hybrid vehicle rentals. According to Green Motion data, bookings for EV and hybrid rentals in Portugal increased by more than 250% year-on-year — the highest growth recorded among all countries included in the ranking.
The country has also become increasingly practical for electric vehicle travel. Portugal currently averages 14.9 charging points per 100 kilometres of road, while charging costs remain among the lowest in Europe, averaging around €3.18 per 100 kilometres.
A country made for scenic road trips
Portugal’s geography has long made it a favourite destination for road trips, but the report suggests the experience is increasingly sustainable as well.
Among the routes highlighted was the drive between Porto and Pinhão in the Douro Valley. Often described as one of the most scenic drives in the country, the route follows the Douro River through vineyard-covered hillsides, winding roads and dramatic viewpoints.
The section between Peso da Régua and Pinhão is particularly well known for its combination of river views and sharp bends, creating a route that is as visually impressive as it is memorable to drive. Unlike many European road trips focused purely on long-distance travel, Portugal’s routes often combine coastal scenery, rural villages, wine regions and protected natural landscapes within relatively short distances.
Another route mentioned in the report connects Bilbao to Porto, passing through coastal natural parks and historic cities in both Spain and Portugal.
Sustainable tourism beyond the roads
The shift towards greener travel in Portugal is not only visible on the roads. Across the country, more accommodation projects are building their identities around sustainability, nature, and slow-tourism experiences.
In the Alentejo, Cocoon Lodges was highlighted for its minimalist eco-focused concept designed to blend into the surrounding landscape through sustainable materials and low-impact construction.
Further north, Moinho do Maneio offers a restored village-style stay centred around rural traditions, local products and nature experiences, while Casa do Fundo places visitors directly inside one of Portugal’s most important protected landscapes.
In the Azores, São Miguel was highlighted as an ideal destination for electric vehicle tourism, with the archipelago becoming the world’s first certified sustainable island destination. The report also mentioned Banana Eco Camp as part of the growing eco-tourism movement shaping travel across both mainland Portugal and the islands.
The best hiking routes
Walking tourism also continues to play a major role in Portugal’s sustainable travel scene. The Rota Vicentina remains one of the country’s best-known long-distance hiking routes, stretching more than 230 kilometres along the southwest coast, while the Via Algarviana crosses inland areas of the Algarve through villages and nature reserves. The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes near Carvoeiro is considered one of the Algarve’s most scenic coastal walks.
Nordic countries setting the pace for green road trips
When it comes to sustainable road travel, the Nordic countries are clearly ahead of much of Europe. Better charging infrastructure, cleaner energy and strong EV adoption are making road trips across the region increasingly easy — and greener at the same time.
Norway is at the top of the ranking as the world’s greenest road trip destination, where electric vehicles have already become part of everyday life. Between January and May 2025, 96% of all new car registrations in the country were battery electric vehicles. Charging points now cover most of Norway’s highway network.
One of the routes highlighted in the report is the drive from Geiranger to Trollstigen, known for its dramatic fjords, mountain roads and sharp bends that have made it one of the country’s most iconic road trips.
In second place was Finland, where EV adoption is growing not only in cities but also in remote northern regions. According to Green Motion data, almost half of EV and hybrid bookings in the country now involve electric vehicles. The road between Karigasniemi and Utsjoki, following the Teno River near the Norwegian border, was highlighted as one of the Nordics’ most scenic drives.
Denmark ranked third, with more than 126,000 EV sales in 2025, underscoring how quickly electric cars are becoming part of everyday life there. The country is also one of Europe’s more affordable places for fast charging.
Just behind was Iceland, named the cheapest country in Europe for EV charging, with costs averaging €2.89 per 100 kilometres. Nearly all of Iceland’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources, particularly geothermal energy, which also powers most homes across the country.
Rounding out the top five was Sweden, which continues expanding its EV infrastructure rapidly. Public charging stations increased by 34% in 2024 alone, while ultra-fast chargers also became more common nationwide. Since much of Sweden’s electricity comes from hydropower and nuclear energy, electric road trips there have a smaller environmental footprint than in many other parts of Europe.
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